Build checklist

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MaineGeezer
Posts: 1711
Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2014 12:14 pm

Build checklist

Post by MaineGeezer »

I think several of you have mentioned at various times that you have a checklist, or order of operations list, that you follow when building a guitar. Would you be willing to share your list with the rest of us? The lists may not all be the same, and each person will have their own preferences. I think the differences and the reasons behind them would be interesting and informative, and new builders would get a good summary of what is involved in building a guitar.

I admit that i don't have a written list. I rely on my memory, which has never been 100% reliable and seems to be getting less so all the time. So this request is really for me. <grin>
Don't believe everything you know.
Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.
When things are bad, try not to make them any worse, because it is quite likely they are bad enough already. - French Foreign Legion
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Build checklist

Post by tippie53 »

I don't have a list per se but here is what I do
thin wood for bending
true plates for glue then thin to get good face
rosette top then thin to .117 ( old martin spec )
thin back plate to .100
Bend sides and work plates

once plates and sides are in the mold
bracing
I do the top then the back
doesn't matter how you do it
once braced as the glue dried
Set the sides up and do blocks and then kerfing and true rims
depending on wood or ribbon sides supports I do cloth supports before kerfing wood after

once rim is ready set the notchs for the top and back bracing
glue back first so I can clean up glue
then top

let set over night
flush trim then do the binding and purfling cuts
apply the binding and purfling

once body is done I pre set the neck
then true up the fretboard and glue to neck
sand neck to final shape and retrue the fretboard.
I like to fret on the guitar so it doesn't matter when you do it
as long as your comfortable with the end result
I like to do in on the guitar so I can get the fretboard and fret plane as true to the guitar
as possible
once I am happy I finish the guitar
then glue on the neck
fret level and dress
this is rough but you get an idea where I am at
Merry Christmas
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Build checklist

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

My checklist is in the form of an Libre Office document, so I'm not sure everyone can open it here. I've added it as a file to the post and it may show as a .pdf. However, in case anyone has problems opening it, I'll just list the items here.

I'll give you a little background. I have early onset Parkinson's Disease and my meds affect my memory. After doing brilliant things like, bracing the top before opening the soundhole, closing the box before installing the end graft, or installing the kerfing before the ribbon side struts, I made a checklist.

I put the checklist into a spreadsheet format, so I can literally check off each item. Each guitar that I build has a computer "build file", which includes photos, notes, and this checklist. I keep each checklist for each guitar, on my hard drive as well as in a backup, so I can call up the file at any time.

I think MS Office can open Libre Office files.
GUITAR BUILD CHECKLIST.ods
NAME:
MODEL:
DATE:

TOP:
join
rosette
open soundhole
brace

BACK:
join
center strip
brace

SIDES:
bend
bend binding
mold

BOX:
glue neckblock
make tailblock dado
glue tailblock
install end graft
struts
kerfing
radius back
glue back
radius top
glue top

BINDING:
shellac top edge
purfling channels
a) top
b) back
c)sides
binding channels
glue

NECK:
cut wood for lamination
a) install decorative wood
glue
cut heel stacks
cut headstock
cut truss rod channel
glue headstock
glue heel stacks
shape
veneer headstock
tuner holes
inlay headstock

FRETBOARD;
radius
level
slot
inlay
fret
glue to neck

PRESET NECK
glue heelcap

FINISH:
sand
inspect
fix notations from inspection
pore fill
inspect
fix notations from inspection
apply finish
inspect
fix notations from inspection

FINAL BUILD ELEMENTS:
set neck
make bridge
set bridge
slot bridge
level frets
dress frets
polish frets
inspect finish
fix notations from inspection

SETUP:
install tuners
make nut
make saddle
string
adjust action

INSPECT AND MAKE PUNCHLIST
address items on punchlist
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
jread
Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Feb 13, 2019 9:52 am
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Re: Build checklist

Post by jread »

I enjoyed and used Bill Cory's books when researching and building my kit. Here's his journal included in the books.

I am near certain it is free now even though they used to be for sale and some text still says that they are $9.95. I hope he got rich off these. They are great.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/ ... on-journal
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