A more-or-less copy of a Martin OM

[MaineGeezer]

The toolbox by itself is about 15 pounds. The two sections of rail are probably another 15 pounds apiece or more. It should be enough.

[MaineGeezer]

It's handy to have a metalworking shop when one needs Heavy Things to put on top of pieces being glued!

[MaineGeezer]

I'm finding the process of carving the braces to be a very satisfying meditation. If the chisel is sharp, the shavings peel off so beautifully.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I find that working wood with the chisel and plane to be relaxing too. It's also great occupational therapy for my Parkinson's. Are you hearing the result when you tap? I could hear the difference, even with very small amounts of wood being shaved off the braces. This is my favorite part of building the guitar.

BTW, now I don't feel so strange about the things that I use for weights. Lol

[MaineGeezer]

I'm hearing differences in the sound -- but I have no idea what it means! Apparently Bill Cumpiano doesn't think it means much of anything:
http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Newsletter ... ythree.htm
But of course others are convinced that proper tap-tuning is the Secret of building an exceptional guitar.

I find tapping and listening to be irresistible, whether it can tell me anything useful or not. I suspect Bill is correct that the six points he enumerates in that link are the "Secret" to an exceptional guitar, rather than particular skill in interpreting tap-sounds. Nevertheless, tapping and hearing a clear ringing tone is a lot more encouraging than tapping and hearing a dull thud! My top is ringing pretty well, so I'm encouraged.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I'm hearing differences in the sound -- but I have no idea what it means! Apparently Bill Cumpiano doesn't think it means much of anything:
http://www.cumpiano.com/Home/Newsletter ... ythree.htm
But of course others are convinced that proper tap-tuning is the Secret of building an exceptional guitar.

I find tapping and listening to be irresistible, whether it can tell me anything useful or not. I suspect Bill is correct that the six points he enumerates in that link are the "Secret" to an exceptional guitar, rather than particular skill in interpreting tap-sounds. Nevertheless, tapping and hearing a clear ringing tone is a lot more encouraging than tapping and hearing a dull thud! My top is ringing pretty well, so I'm encouraged.

when I tap, I'm not listening for any note or chord; I'm not even sure it's possible to do that kind of tuning. What I've heard is more of a "bell" ring, that becomes a bit more complex. The biggest thing I've noticed is the beginning of a sustain, rather than the tap just dropping off, but I have really sensitive hearing. Like you, I can't resist listening.

I don't think it's a secret to a great guitar; I think a great sounding guitar is the result of a lot of factors, some we can control and others we can't.

[tippie53]

I only use tapping as a way to know the braces are tight. I will look for a note so the top and back are at least a semi tone apart
other than that I don't think , to me at least that tapping tells you much about how the guitar will sound.

[MaineGeezer]

Today I made a 2nd bridge plate out of a piece of maple firewood. I split the log to get a quartered slab, then milled it down to final thickness. Getting a nice 0,10" thick bridge plate out of a log is a lot of work! It should be okay, if it doesn't warp.

I also sanded a block to the correct top radius, then used it as a convex form to sand the top radius into the bridge. Details, details.... Like the end blocks, which also needed a large radius on them to match the curve of the sides at the neck and at the tail. The curvature of the sides is approximately a 20' radius across the tail block and a 16' radius behind the neck. So those are done. I should be about ready to glue the end blocks to the sides, I think. Then the kerfing.

[Diane Kauffmds]

The Devil is in the details, but it sounds like you're getting them right. It's 2:30am and I'm calling it quits. I started at 5:30 this morning. I tried to figure out how many hours I have in this build, but there's no way to even estimate. The building of the box went quick for me; it's the finishing that's wearing me down.

[MaineGeezer]

This afternoon I glued in the bridge plate I carved out out a piece of maple firewood. Cutting a flat piece of wood 0.10" thick out of a random log is a lot of work! I split off a slab as a starting point so it would be quartered and have perpendicular grain. That part worked quite well.

Carter curves the back and front of his bridge plates; based on what he's seen doing repair work, he believes a straight back or front edge on a bridge plate acts as a stress concentrator and becomes a line of weakness. Curving those edges better distributes the forces, or at least that's the theory. Sounds good to me....

My bridge plate is larger than most that I've seen. I hope it's not too large!