Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar - Sample

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Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar PrefacePreface

11

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

for a

STEEL STRING GUITAR

by

Denny Brown

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Binder Spine Label

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Cover: Steel String

Cover: Steel String Rosette Inlay by DRosette Inlay by Denny Brownenny Brown Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar PrefacePreface

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Preface

Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar is a conversion of my notes into detailed Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar is a conversion of my notes into detailed building instructions for

building instructions for a 25.4 inch scale a 25.4 inch scale length steel string length steel string guitar. guitar. Like its companion,Like its companion, Construction Notes for a Classical Guitar, it is based on study under Robert O’Brien, Construction Notes for a Classical Guitar, it is based on study under Robert O’Brien, while he

while he directed the Red Rocks Community College Lutherie Program in Denver,directed the Red Rocks Community College Lutherie Program in Denver, Colorado. The

Colorado. The original auoriginal audience was students in Rodience was students in Robert’bert’s s classes. classes. However, However, with thewith the release of his

release of his “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”“Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course” in 2012, the first version wasin 2012, the first version was rewritten for the benefit of online students, as well.

rewritten for the beneﬁt of online students, as well.

Greatest credit for this handbook goes to Robert O’Brien, who in 2003 founded and, Greatest credit for this handbook goes to Robert O’Brien, who in 2003 founded and, until 2012, directed the Lutherie Program at Red Rocks Community College in Denver, until 2012, directed the Lutherie Program at Red Rocks Community College in Denver, CO.

CO. This This is primarily is primarily a tabulation a tabulation of of his teachings. his teachings. Other Other information information in Consin Constructiontruction Notes for a Steel String Guitar comes from a variety of sources. I am indebted to fellow Notes for a Steel String Guitar comes from a variety of sources. I am indebted to fellow teaching assistants, Mike Boggess (

teaching assistants, Mike Boggess (www.treesongguitars.comwww.treesongguitars.com), Jim Mcmurdo and Karen), Jim Mcmurdo and Karen Kemerling (

Kemerling (www.k2guitars.comwww.k2guitars.com), who have guided my guitar building and, remarkably,), who have guided my guitar building and, remarkably, have kept me out of trouble. Their wisdom

have kept me out of trouble. Their wisdom is greatly appreciated. is greatly appreciated. Many of their tips areMany of their tips are found in thi

found in this s handbohandbook. ok. The The r r est, which really doesn’t seem to leave much, I learned onest, which really doesn’t seem to leave much, I learned on my own through a combination of te

my own through a combination of technical successes, a fewchnical successes, a few “design opportunities,” i.e.“design opportunities,” i.e. mistakes, and outside reading.

mistakes, and outside reading.

Robert O’Brien, to date, has supervised the building of over 500 guitars by students in Robert O’Brien, to date, has supervised the building of over 500 guitars by students in Colorado, from teenagers to retirees. Several of his students relocated to Colorado Colorado, from teenagers to retirees. Several of his students relocated to Colorado speciﬁcally to take one or

speciﬁcally to take one or more of his courses.more of his courses. Robert’

Robert’s commitment to teaching is known s commitment to teaching is known internationally. internationally. The DVDs that Robert madeThe DVDs that Robert made for his early s

for his early students have guided thousands of guitar tudents have guided thousands of guitar builders who have purchasedbuilders who have purchased guitar

guitar kits kits fromfrom LMI, Int’lLMI, Int’l. More recently, Robert’s “Online Classical Guitar Building . More recently, Robert’s “Online Classical Guitar Building

Course”

Course”and “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course” were released, which display hisand “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course” were released, which display his ability to distill the complexities and mysteries of guitar making into logical steps. ability to distill the complexities and mysteries of guitar making into logical steps. Besides his personal and professional commitments, Robert ﬁnds the time to host and Besides his personal and professional commitments, Robert ﬁnds the time to host and actively participate in a Google Chat Group on guitar building.

actively participate in a Google Chat Group on guitar building. PParticipants hail from thearticipants hail from the Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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None of this is to

None of this is to say that Robert has made say that Robert has made guitar making easy. guitar making easy. It is not, and it It is not, and it probablyprobably never will be.

never will be. However, he has However, he has given many people wgiven many people worldwide the conﬁdence orldwide the conﬁdence to take theto take the risk to do what for them had only

risk to do what for them had only been a dream.been a dream.

Denny Brown Denny Brown Boulder, CO Boulder, CO

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Introduction

While these notes are based on several sources, they distill down to one of many ways to While these notes are based on several sources, they distill down to one of many ways to build a steel string

build a steel string guitar. guitar. Indeed, every Indeed, every luthier has his or her luthier has his or her own method to own method to make amake a guitar.

guitar. With With so so many many steps, steps, variations variations quickly quickly develop. develop. Nonetheless, Nonetheless, what what I I havehave recor

recorded closely follows the cuded closely follows the current methods used by Robert rrent methods used by Robert O'Brien.O'Brien.

Experienced builders can use Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar alone as a Experienced builders can use Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar alone as a refer

reference to refresh his or her memory on the steps of ence to refresh his or her memory on the steps of building, or to see building, or to see another way toanother way to do things.

do things. FFor the ﬁrst-time guitar maker, this handbook alone may be inadequate as aor the ﬁrst-time guitar maker, this handbook alone may be inadequate as a guide

guide to to building building a a steel steel string string guitar. guitar. SSome things just have to be seen once or twiceome things just have to be seen once or twice before they make sense.

before they make sense.

The materials and dimensions used in this handbook are based on the

The materials and dimensions used in this handbook are based on the LMI (LuthiersLMI (Luthiers

Mercantile, Int’l ) KLSRO kit

Mercantile, Int’l ) KLSRO kit , used in Robert’s classes and in his online course., used in Robert’s classes and in his online course. However, this does not preclu

However, this does not preclude the use of materials from numerous other qualityde the use of materials from numerous other quality luthier sources.

luthier sources.

Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar can also be paired with

Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar can also be paired with Robert’s DVDsRobert’s DVDs andand his free YouTube

his free YouTube “Luthier Tips du Jour”“Luthier Tips du Jour” series. series. Several Several books and books and videos arvideos are ave availableailable from other r

from other reputable authors. eputable authors. However, all of these However, all of these resources resources differ to differ to some degreesome degree from this handbook.

from this handbook. In the case of RIn the case of Robert’obert’s DVDs, certain sections are s DVDs, certain sections are dated. Whendated. When there is a disagreement between the DVD and these notes, the methods here are most there is a disagreement between the DVD and these notes, the methods here are most current.

current.

For convenience, hyperlinks are provided within the text to “Luthier Tips du Jour” For convenience, hyperlinks are provided within the text to “Luthier Tips du Jour” episodes and to

episodes and to each “Online Classical Guitar Building Coureach “Online Classical Guitar Building Course” lesson. se” lesson. The TThe Table of able of Contents also links to respective sections in the handbook.

Contents also links to respective sections in the handbook. The best learning experience, of course, is to

The best learning experience, of course, is to build your guitar with Robert O’Brien inbuild your guitar with Robert O’Brien in

Colorado

Colorado or those who cannot, or those who cannot, his "Online Steel String his "Online Steel String Guitar Building Course” is aGuitar Building Course” is a Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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YYou ou may may print this print this manualmanual. . Use Use it it to to take notes. take notes. Lots Lots of of notes. notes. The The true discovery of true discovery of great

great things things in in your your guitar guitar will will happen happen over over 250 250 pages pages from here from here when when you you ﬁrst puﬁrst put t onon the strings.

the strings. No sooner. No sooner. If your guitar is a If your guitar is a home run, whome run, wouldn’t ouldn’t you like to have you like to have some cluessome clues how

how it happened? it happened? On On the the other other hand, hand, if if your your guitar doguitar doesn’esn’t t come come out out the the way way youyou wanted, woul

wanted, wouldn’t dn’t you also want to know why? you also want to know why? TTake notes.ake notes. When you are ready to build a

When you are ready to build a classical guitar, classical guitar, be sure to take a look be sure to take a look at Robert O’Brien’at Robert O’Brien’ss “Online Classical Guitar Building Course”

“Online Classical Guitar Building Course”, and the companion handbook,, and the companion handbook, ConstructionConstruction

Notes for a Classical Guitar

Notes for a Classical Guitar .. Input f

Input for Construction or Construction Notes fNotes for a or a Steel String Steel String Guitar is weGuitar is welcome. lcome. Write to Write to me at me at FlatironFrets@Gmail.com

FlatironFrets@Gmail.com..

A word of caution

Several steps of building a guitar are dangerous, including those Several steps of building a guitar are dangerous, including those using hand tools.

using hand tools. It is the reader’It is the reader’s responsibility to learn how to uses responsibility to learn how to use and maintain equipment safely and correctly.

and maintain equipment safely and correctly.

This is not a safety manual.

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Foreword

Denny Brown

Denny Brown’’s Construction Notes s Construction Notes series for guitar buiseries for guitar building is the lding is the set of books set of books I hadI had planned to write for my students, but somehow I never got around to actual

planned to write for my students, but somehow I never got around to actually doing it.ly doing it. With a young family and a

With a young family and a growing lutherie program, this task never managed to move togrowing lutherie program, this task never managed to move to the top of my “To Do” list.

the top of my “To Do” list.

I was thrilled when Denny unexpectedly presented his ﬁrst book on the cla

I was thrilled when Denny unexpectedly presented his ﬁrst book on the classical guitar ssical guitar to me in December of 2011. I immediately asked to use it in my classroom and hoped he to me in December of 2011. I immediately asked to use it in my classroom and hoped he would write a

would write a steel string versteel string version, too. sion, too. (Obviously, he did.) (Obviously, he did.) Actually, I think that I Actually, I think that I waswas not only thrilled, but relieved that this long overdue pr

not only thrilled, but relieved that this long overdue project was ﬁnally complete. oject was ﬁnally complete. DennyDenny went above and beyond what I had envisioned and created an interactive manual.

went above and beyond what I had envisioned and created an interactive manual. Students have instant access to my online courses and Luthier Tips du

Students have instant access to my online courses and Luthier Tips du Jour videos just Jour videos just by clicking on the active links throughout the text.

by clicking on the active links throughout the text. Since Denny introduced these texts, my students’

Since Denny introduced these texts, my students’ work has improved signiﬁcantly.work has improved signiﬁcantly.

Students now have a written study guide that allows them to prepare for class ahead of Students now have a written study guide that allows them to prepare for class ahead of time.

time. In the In the shop, they shop, they have a have a detailed checklist to detailed checklist to minimize mistakes. minimize mistakes. And asAnd as importantly, they have a place to record notes on their prog

importantly, they have a place to record notes on their progress. ress. As an instructor,As an instructor, these books have made my life easier and helped my students build better guitars. these books have made my life easier and helped my students build better guitars. Denny has meticulously captured how I build guitars.

Denny has meticulously captured how I build guitars. He also offerHe also offers some additionals some additional perspective, which is

perspective, which is a bonus for the a bonus for the user. user. These handbooks have become These handbooks have become anan Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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About the Author

Denny Brown discover

Denny Brown discovered ﬁne woodworking in 2007 ed ﬁne woodworking in 2007 after retiring from a after retiring from a career as acareer as a general surg

general surgeon. eon. He found one of the prHe found one of the premier woodworking progremier woodworking programs in the Unitedams in the United States just forty-ﬁve minutes

States just forty-five minutes from home. from home. His passion for His passion for fine craftsmanship and detailfine craftsmanship and detail led him to Robert O’Brien’

led him to Robert O’Brien’s guitar-making classes. s guitar-making classes. Denny builds both steel string andDenny builds both steel string and classical guitars.

classical guitars. He is a teaching assistant for O’Brien’He is a teaching assistant for O’Brien’s guitar building classes ins guitar building classes in Denver,

Denver, Colorado. Colorado. He He is also is also the author the author of of Construction Notes for a Classical String Construction Notes for a Classical String

Guitar

Guitar and writes the “My Guitar Notes” blog at and writes the “My Guitar Notes” blog at www.ﬂatironfrets.comwww.ﬂatironfrets.com. Denny lives in. Denny lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and children.

Boulder, Colorado with his wife and children. Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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Cha

Chapter 1: Sides

pter 1: Sides

1111

...

Dimension the Sides

1111

Joint the Sides

Joint the Sides 1111

Cut the Sides to Width

Cut the Sides to Width 1111

Safe-Safe-TT-Plane-Planer Sr Set et UpUp 12 12

Thickness the Sides

Thickness the Sides 12 12

Set Up for Bending

Set Up for Bending 1313

Make a Side Template

Make a Side Template 1414

Layout and Taper the Sides

Layout and Taper the Sides 1515

...

... ..

Cr

Cr ack Repair

ack Repair

1616

Bend the Sides

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Pr

Prep the End Blep the End Blockock 2020

Pr

Prep the Heel ep the Heel BlockBlock 2121

Cut Sides to Length

Cut Sides to Length 2121

Glue the Sides to the End and Heel Blocks

Glue the Sides to the End and Heel Blocks 22 22

...

Clean Up the Sides

23

23 ...

...

Ra

Radiusing

diusing

24

Radiu

Radius ths the Te Topop 2424

Radius the Back

Radius the Back 2525

...

Install the Kerﬁng

26

Shape the Kerﬁng

Shape the Kerﬁng 27 27

Glue up Glue up 27 27

...

Str

Str uts

uts

28

28 ...

...

End Wedge

29

Make the End

Make the End WedgeWedge 2929

Cut a Wedge in the Body

Cut a Wedge in the Body 3030

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Chapter 1: Sides

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:

o

o IntroIntro(free)(free) o

o The LMI Kit The LMI Kit (free)(free) o

o Relative HumidityRelative Humidity(free)(free)

Dimension the Sides

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Cutting Sides to WidthCutting Sides to Width •

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”: Band SawsSee “Luthier Tips du Jour”:Band Saws

Joint the Sides

o

o Bookmatch the two sides and fold together Bookmatch the two sides and fold together

§

§ Bookmatching is placing the two sides beside each other in a mirror Bookmatching is placing the two sides beside each other in a mirror

image format, left to right image format, left to right

o

o Look at the grain ﬁgure and consider what edge will be Look at the grain ﬁgure and consider what edge will be at the top of theat the top of the

guitar and what edge will be at the back guitar and what edge will be at the back

§

§ Account for the back edge of the upper bout being cut away Account for the back edge of the upper bout being cut away

slightly in a taper slightly in a taper

•

• SeeSee Make a Side TemplateMake a Side Template, below, below

o

o Select the edge that Select the edge that will be the towill be the top of the guitar sides to joint p of the guitar sides to joint

§

§ Tape the opposite edges togetheTape the opposite edges together with two pieces of tapr with two pieces of tapee

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Safe-T-Planer Set Up

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Thicknessing Thicknessing •

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”: Safe-T-Planer See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:Safe-T-Planer •

• Note: In 2012, production of the Safe-Note: In 2012, production of the Safe-TT-Planer was discontinued. -Planer was discontinued. A similar A similar

product is the

product is the Drill Press Planer Drill Press Planer

o

o Put Safe-T-Planer in the drill pressPut Safe-T-Planer in the drill press o

o Tilt the table very slightly downhill so the exit side of cutter is wider thanTilt the table very slightly downhill so the exit side of cutter is wider than

the e the entryntry

§

§ A A folded piece of sandpaper under the in-feed side of the table folded piece of sandpaper under the in-feed side of the table isis

enough enough

o

o Set the depth toSet the depth to

2.7 mm

o

o Set the drill press speed toSet the drill press speed to

2000-2500 RPM

o

o Make sure the table is clean so the board is not lifted by debris and cut Make sure the table is clean so the board is not lifted by debris and cut

too thin too thin

o

o Test cut Test cut

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o

o With one person, push the board in as far as possible using a hold downWith one person, push the board in as far as possible using a hold down

block, then pull the board through with a hold down block on the block, then pull the board through with a hold down block on the out-feed side

feed side

•

• Final thicknessing optionsFinal thicknessing options

o

o Thickness Sander Thickness Sander (preferr(preferred)ed) o

o Scraper Scraper o

o HandHand sander sander o

o See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:

§

§ ScrapersScrapers §

§ Thickness Sanding SidesThickness Sanding Sides •

• Thickness sander Thickness sander

o

o The target point isThe target point is

2.2 mm

and ﬂexibility suitable for bending (a goodand ﬂexibility suitable for bending (a good

indicator is the beginning of

indicator is the beginning of ﬂex transverﬂex transversely)sely)

§

§ Measure the thickness of sides, tops and backs with a dial caliper Measure the thickness of sides, tops and backs with a dial caliper

o

o Send sides through sander at Send sides through sander at

30

oo

angle

to avoid overheating the sanding to avoid overheating the sanding

belt belt

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Make a Side Template

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Tapering the SidesTapering the Sides •

• ConsiderationsConsiderations

o

o The markup measurements can also used directly on the sides without The markup measurements can also used directly on the sides without

making a template making a template

o

o Use anything thin, such as paper, plastic,Use anything thin, such as paper, plastic, ¼¼

””

MDF or ﬁberboardMDF or ﬁberboard

•

• DimensionsDimensions

o

o Cut a piece of materialCut a piece of material

§ §

80 cm

long long § §

11 cm (110 mm)

talltall

46 cm

74 cm

TTOPOP B B A A C C K K N N E E C C K K B B U U T T T T ↓ ↓ _T_{T aappeer r}_↓_↓ W W A A I I S S T T ↓

↓“End Line”“End Line”

↓

↓“End Line”“End Line”

95 mm

110 mm

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§

§ Along the side with the tapered side, mark “BACK” Along the side with the tapered side, mark “BACK” §

§ Along the uncut straight edge, mark “T Along the uncut straight edge, mark “TOP”OP” •

• Do not get these baDo not get these backwards!ckwards! §

§ Label the template “STEEL STRING”, in case you later makeLabel the template “STEEL STRING”, in case you later make

classical guitars classical guitars

o

o TTransfer all of the lransfer all of the labels and lines abels and lines to the opposite to the opposite sideside o

o Cut Cut ¼¼

””

notches at the ends of the each line to aid marking thenotches at the ends of the each line to aid marking the

Layout and Taper the Sides

•

• Bookmatch the sides and lay the two pieces side by sideBookmatch the sides and lay the two pieces side by side •

• Select the desired outside surfacesSelect the desired outside surfaces •

• FFold the sides old the sides together with the together with the desired outside surfaces on the oudesired outside surfaces on the outside of thetside of the

sandwich sandwich

•

• Mark the layout orientationMark the layout orientation

o

o Use white pencil on the outside of both piecesUse white pencil on the outside of both pieces o

o Select and mark the neck and butt endsSelect and mark the neck and butt ends

§

§ Remember that the neck end will be taRemember that the neck end will be taperedpered

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Crack Repair

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Crack Repair Crack Repair •

• Cracks can and will occur, particularly in the sidesCracks can and will occur, particularly in the sides •

• Most cracks are 50 mm, or less, but they can also be very dramaticMost cracks are 50 mm, or less, but they can also be very dramatic •

• The rescue is frequently CA glue, plus accelerator The rescue is frequently CA glue, plus accelerator •

• Dark wood cracks, especially with the grain, tend to hide wellDark wood cracks, especially with the grain, tend to hide well •

• Do NOT use CA glue for topsDo NOT use CA glue for tops

o

o Light colored woods stain with CA glueLight colored woods stain with CA glue

•

• In all cases, the principle is to get the wood on either side of the crack lined upIn all cases, the principle is to get the wood on either side of the crack lined up

and held in place while glue sets and held in place while glue sets

•

• Another pair of hands might be handy, if using CA glue with accelerator Another pair of hands might be handy, if using CA glue with accelerator •

• Minor FixesMinor Fixes §

§ Get the wood lined upGet the wood lined up §

§ Let thin CA glue ﬂow into the crackLet thin CA glue ﬂow into the crack

Apply accelerator and hold until set Apply accelerator and hold until set Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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Bend the Sides

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:

o

o Bending, Part 1Bending, Part 1 o

o Bending, Part 2 Bending, Part 2

•

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:

o

o LMI Side Bender LMI Side Bender o

o Side Bending by HandSide Bending by Hand o

o Making FormsMaking Forms

Super Soft

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•

• Position the woodPosition the wood

o

o Put the ﬁrst sheet of spring steel in the bending machinePut the ﬁrst sheet of spring steel in the bending machine

§

§ Line up the spring steel parallel to one side of the bending formLine up the spring steel parallel to one side of the bending form

o

o Spray wood lightly with water Spray wood lightly with water o

o Put one guitar side outside up on the spring steel and line up the topPut one guitar side outside up on the spring steel and line up the top

(jointed) edge parallel to the

(jointed) edge parallel to the edge of the spring steeledge of the spring steel

o

o PPosition the waistline of the osition the waistline of the guitar side in the center guitar side in the center of the bending of the bending

machine machine

§

§ Add the heating pad, then the second sheet of spring steel Add the heating pad, then the second sheet of spring steel §

§ Double check positioning Double check positioning §

§ Spring-clip the sandwich together Spring-clip the sandwich together

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•

• Cool and remove the sideCool and remove the side •

• Place the side in the guitar formPlace the side in the guitar form

Bending with a Thermocouple

•

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”: Heating Blanket Temperature Controller See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:Heating Blanket Temperature Controller •

• This uses a specialized piece of equipment This uses a specialized piece of equipment •

• Tighten the waist clamp just enough to ﬂex the wood and hold it in placeTighten the waist clamp just enough to ﬂex the wood and hold it in place •

• Put handles on springsPut handles on springs •

• Place the thermocouple probe between the heating pad and the woodPlace the thermocouple probe between the heating pad and the wood

Set thermostat to

300

oo

FF

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Heel and End Blocks

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Heel and End BlocksHeel and End Blocks •

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:See “Luthier Tips du Jour”:

o

o Heel and End BlocksHeel and End Blocks o

o Hand PlanesHand Planes o

o Sharpening Sharpening

Pr

Prep the

ep the End Block

End Block

Orient the grain horizontally Orient the grain horizontally

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Prep the Heel Block

•

• Orient grain horizontallyOrient grain horizontally •

• Band saw the block to these dimensionsBand saw the block to these dimensions

o o

70 mm

(wide)(wide) o o

34 mm

(thick)(thick) o o

88 mm

(tall)(tall) •

• Sand the rough sides of the block and bring them close to ﬁnal Sand the rough sides of the block and bring them close to ﬁnal dimensionsdimensions

o

o Finished dimensions areFinished dimensions are

70 x 32 x 82 mm

o

o The ﬁnished thickness MUST BEThe ﬁnished thickness MUST BE

32 mm

for the neck bolts to ﬁt for the neck bolts to ﬁt

A little less is okay, more is not A little less is okay, more is not Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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o

o Band saw the sides just short of the linesBand saw the sides just short of the lines

§

§ Save cutoffs for caulsSave cutoffs for cauls

o

o Finish to the line with a sander Finish to the line with a sander

Replace sides in the guitar form in the correct orientation Replace sides in the guitar form in the correct orientation Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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•

• Glue upGlue up

o

o Set up the clamps with a dry run, this has to move quickly if both ends areSet up the clamps with a dry run, this has to move quickly if both ends are

being done simultaneously being done simultaneously Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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Radiusing

•

• See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”:See “Online Acoustic Guitar Building Course”: Radiusing Radiusing •

• See “Luthier Tips du Jour”: Closing the BoxSee “Luthier Tips du Jour”:Closing the Box

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•

• Sand in theSand in the

30’ radius

dish with a twisting motiondish with a twisting motion

o

o Use chalk on the side Use chalk on the side edges and the produced sawdust in the dish for aedges and the produced sawdust in the dish for a

guide in sanding, until there is no gap guide in sanding, until there is no gap Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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o

o Make sure there is enough of the sides protruding from the form in back toMake sure there is enough of the sides protruding from the form in back to

radius without inadvertently sanding the form radius without inadvertently sanding the form

o

o Wrap ﬁngers around the formWrap ﬁngers around the form

If they touch the sandpaper, adjust the form higher If they touch the sandpaper, adjust the form higher Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar

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Construction Notes for a Steel String Guitar - Sample

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

CONSTRUCTION NOTES

for a

for a

STEEL STRING GUITAR

STEEL STRING GUITAR

by

by

Denny Brown

Denny Brown

Binder Spine Label

Binder Spine Label

Pr

Print this page, cut out the

int this page, cut out the label

label

and place in a binder spine

and place in a binder spine

S

S

T

T

E

E

E

E

L

L

S

S

T

T

R

R

I

I

N

N

G

G

G

G

U

U

I

I

T

T

A

A

R

R

Preface

Preface

Introduction

Introduction

A word of caution

A word of caution

This is not a safety manual.

This is not a safety manual.

Foreword

Foreword

About the Author

About the Author

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Cha

Chapter 1: Sides

pter 1: Sides

1111

...

...

...

...

...

Dimension the Sides

Dimension the Sides

1111

...