My First Guitar-OM Blog

[Diane Kauffmds]

While I'm waiting for the shellac to harden, I'm working on the nut.

1. I used a file and 1/8" chisel to make the nut channel in the neck.

2. I sat the bone blank in the channel and traced a line parallel to the fretboard to match the 15" radius.

3. I added the height of the frets, plus .020" (in this case, .073"), and set my caliper to this measurement. I drew dots to this height, which is the rough measurement of the nut.

4. I put the nut in a clamp and used a file to rough in the nut. I also started rounding the back where the strings will come off the back.

This is as far as I go for now, until the neck is set.

I've got the last 2 thin coats of shellac on the top. The top already had several leveling coats to protect it. I expect to be able to polish out the box either tomorrow or Monday. Then I can set the neck.

[MaineGeezer]

Do you know about this string spacing calculator? http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/ ... calculator

[Diane Kauffmds]

Do you know about this string spacing calculator? http://www.cigarboxnation.com/profiles/ ... calculator

Thank you Steve. I was going to search the internet for this information.

[Diane Kauffmds]

I feel like I'm finally making progress. I started this guitar on September 2. With the exception of the week that I had to put my beloved dog to sleep, I work daily on the guitar, usually starting at 5-6am. Finishing is by far the most time consuming and tedious part of the build.

I have a 3" polishing set that fits into my drill. I use it to do the initial polishing. I polish again, by hand, to make sure that the swirl marks are out. The set has a fluffy buffer that I use for good measure.

I feel like I'm finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I've started polishing the top. I did the back, then the sides, leaving the top for last. The top already had several thin coats of shellac; I leveled it today and started polishing.

[johnnparchem]

Wow! gorgeous finish

[Diane Kauffmds]

Wow! gorgeous finish

Thank you John. It's taking some elbow grease. There are some areas that can be done better. I'll start back on it tomorrow morning.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Boy that is one shiny guitar. Very nice Diane

[Diane Kauffmds]

It's official...it's a guitar.

After getting the neck set, and truss rod in place, I got the fingerboard glued on. I also got the bridge glued on. I must have done it right because I can't get tissue paper under any corner or edge.

I just got done cleaning it up and doing some polishing; I started at 6am and now it's going on 2am (yet again). It rests in it's new home, the case. I'll start humidification tomorrow; tonight I want the glue to thoroughly cure.

Tomorrow, I'll ream the peg holes, finish the nut and saddle, dress the frets, and install the tuners, then do more polishing...then when I get the nerve, I'll string her up and see how she sounds.

[MaineGeezer]

Wahoo!!!

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Golly that guitar looks GRAND!