Cherry parlor guitar, project #2

[MaineGeezer]

See http://purflex.net for the complete details on Purflex. I'm not sure I'd use it again. It's a bit of a pain to install, and it's quite expensive. It sure does look nice though: http://purflex.net/Purflex/Testimonials ... nials.html

[Diane Kauffmds]

You'll be glad you used the purflex once you get done; the guitar is looking truly beautiful. I know how it feels to be frustrated by something with intricate detail. I haven't used purflex, but I've done extensive inlay in my fretboards and headstock, which at the time I figured I would have to think long and hard before doing again. But, I'm already choosing intricate and beautiful designs to inlay into my next fretboards. (note the plural. LOL)

[MaineGeezer]

Well, maybe. I think I'm getting better at installing the stuff. I hope. We'll see how the edge purfling finishes up. The website says it's "easy" and "low cost." I'm prepared to believe it's easy if you know how, and I guess if you build $20,000 guitars, paying $200 for Purflex does look like "low cost."

[MaineGeezer]

Progress! The purfling and binding are on, the Purflex has been filled with black epoxy, and everything cut down flush to the surface.


I used a block plane to cut everything down to just proud of the top, then I used a scraper to take it down the rest of the way. I chose a scraper over sandpaper because sandpaper produces black dust (from both the black epoxy and the blackwood binding) which then gets rubbed into the surface. A scraper doesn't do that.

[johnnparchem]

I do like the look of your guitar with the perflex. Take care when you finish sand so you do not sand the purflex down too much. I did that once, what a pain. In my case I installed a little tall, and over sanded in the upper bout.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

Turned out really nice.

[MaineGeezer]

It's getting there. I know all about sanding through Perflex. :-)
If you look back in this blog to where I describe doing the rosette, you will be able to read the gory details.
See viewtopic.php?f=48&t=7255&start=30#p39594

[Diane Kauffmds]

I think you made a very good choice on the purflex Steve. It's turning out really well.

[MaineGeezer]

The French polishing is going much better (so far!) than it did on my first guitar. I think the smooth grain of the cherry vs. the open pores of the black walnut I used on guitar #1 is making a big difference. It's difficult to take a good picture of how it looks, but it's looking pretty good.

I had started doing the finish earlier, but stopped and sanded it all down to get rid of some sanding scratches that didn't show up until I started putting on on the finish. The second attempt looks better (so far!).

I'm getting a better appreciation of how important it is to be very careful not to ding the surface while working on the guitar, because those dings take an inordinate amount of time to get rid of, if they can be eliminated at all, when the time comes to do the finish.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Jeez Steve, that looks great! I really like that cherry. Man, you got that right about the dings and scratches. Every little imperfection shows up when you fp. I clean the guitar with naphtha before I start french polishing. It helps me detect little problem areas, as well as cleaning dust off the guitar.