Cherry parlor guitar, project #2

[rcnewcomb]

I like to the look of the Perflex position markers. Very elegant.

[ericschaefer]

That looks amazing! I second the ebony fiberwood suggestion. Please post pics when this project gets on its way...

[MaineGeezer]

The back is now glued on, closing the box. I've also glued the fingerboard to the neck and begun the process of shaping it.

African blackwood is full of resin, so before I glued the fingerboard I gave the back of it a couple applications of paint stripper to get rid of the resin. Carter thinks paint stripper is more effective than wiping with solvent. In fact, I guess there is some indication that wiping with a solvent makes the problem worse by bringing more oil or resin or whatever to the surface.

[johnnparchem]

The guitar is looking great. I had less trouble with African Blackwood than with cocobolo but I am sure the same issue with oils exist. I will try the paint stripper. I have tried a few different ways to deal with the issue all I have gotten off of one forum or another: freshly sanded, freshly planed, wiped with acetone and all three. I use cocobolo a lot and most times I have no trouble at all. Still I can not relate any of the above methods to when I do or don't have problems.

The problems I have had include using thin CA to glue bindings strips to a fretboard. Came right apart like it was never glued. Switched to yellow glue and it was OK. I recently joined a set of cocobolo plates with yellow glue. A good joint with great squeeze out along the entire joint. Four hours later when I took it out of the jig the platess separated with no effort. The yellow glue squeeze out was stained and still sticky.

[MaineGeezer]

I use the lethal sure-death paint stripper, not the safe not-hazardous stuff.

[Danl8]

Or the less toxic acetone can also effectively clean oily woods prior to gluing. Easy to get and works okay for me, at least.

[MaineGeezer]

I've heard that Fine Woodworking magazine published a test a while ago that attempted to measure how effective various ways of preparing glue joint surfaces on oily wood were. I've not seen the article, but apparently there was some indication that wiping with solvent could make the problem worse because the solvent penetrates the wood and brings more oil to the surface. I don't know. Seems as though it would depend on how thoroughly you wiped it down. Regardless, if it works for you, you're doing something right!

[Dan Bombliss]

I'd be cautious using paint stripper. If you don't do a good job getting it out of the wood you'll have issues with any finish staying down properly. The thing is acetone or xylene is that they are solvents compatible with lacquer. Not only do they evaporate quickly with no trace, but if you were to lay lacquer over acetone, you would not have any reactions.

Using paint stripper on a guitar to even remove the finish is generally considered not a good idea for the same reason. If for any reason you don't get it all out before putting down a coat, you'll be in some trouble.

I'll be honest in saying I didn't read the entire discussion, but if it was mentioned to use paint stripper for oily woods, I would be extremely hesitant to give that a go.

-Dan

[MaineGeezer]

I used the gold-colored fretwire, from LMI, I think. It should go well with the gold Gotoh tuners.

I haven't finished off the ends yet.

[Diane Kauffmds]

Very nice choice Steve. The fretboard looks great.