Granddaughter wants a classical guitar

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Thanks Rich. They are fun to make

So the weather is a bit nicer now and it's time to start the finishing. I decided to use Tru Oil on this one.

I've found that Shellac (French polish) does not fair well in India. Lacquer has done okay but I had one guitar finish start cracking after being there only a few months. 3 or 4 other guitars with nitro have been okay.

I did my very first guitar back in 2007 with Tru Oil but struggled with it. Wound up sanding it off a ND then using rattle cans nitro lacquer. Been spraying it ever since other than 3 classical done with the FP.
Anyway. Tru Oil for this one.

After pore filling the Spanish Cedar neck I've started applying the oil. Picks show 2 coats wiped on thinly. It is so easy to use. I think I will be happy with the outcome.

I'll do enough coats to fill the pores and have a flat surface to polish.

This should hold up much better in the high humidity and high heat of Goa, India.

More pics coming as I progress.

Kevin

[Kevin Sjostrand]

So I have this one almost done. I made it a satin/ brushed finish using 0000 steel wool.
I just didn't get enough Tru Oil on to feel comfortable leveling it a second time to try and buff it. It looks pretty good though. I'm hoping this finish holds up well in India. It is very thin. I'll try it again some time for a thicker one that I can take up to a high gloss.

Anyway. I glued on the bridge, installed the tuners, made the nut and saddle and strung her up.

It sounds in tune and has a nice tone. The action is a touch high at 4.5 and 3.5mm so I may bring the saddle down after a few days. We'll see. It plays quite good as is with no buzzing.

I'm happy enough with it. I think my granddaughter will like it.

[scamp]

Very nice! I'm sure your granddaughter will love it.

[Stray Feathers]

That's a very pretty guitar - you are a very versatile guy, Kevin! I have just (barely) started an OM to try to replicate a very successful Black Locust guitar I have sold. So I was looking at your classical, thinking it was Black Locust, but then re-read the thread and it is Osage Orange? I am not very familiar with it, and I did not know it looked like Black Locust. I know they are both among the hardest North American woods, and I am interested in using them more. Keep up the beautiful work! Bruce W.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Thanks Guys

Bruce the Osage when freshly cut or sanded is a orangy yellow in color but soon starts to oxidize(I guess) to a Tanisha brown. I'm sure this one will continue to darken in due time.
They say (the They Brothers) that American Osage Orange is close to Brazilian Rosewood as a guitar tonewood. Well I don't know about that but I think this guitar will have pretty good projection. It already has a nice tone

[Kevin Sjostrand]

My granddaughter receives her guitar in about an hour 😃

[Tomcat]

Woot! That's fantastic! What a good grandpa :-)

[TEETERFAN]

Very, very nice! She will certainly love that instrument.
I have a two year old granddaughter and perhaps I better get started on her guitar, since I am so dang slow!
Beautiful work, Kevin. Thanks for sharing this project.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Hey Kevin
She likes it!!👍👍👍👍

[TEETERFAN]

JACKPOT!!