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Well gang, here goes my first build! I just retired and will be building this as my personal instrument. I have done a little guitar repair and refinishing over the last 35 years, so I am not a total rookie. I will say that I have learned a ton reading all the postings and build blogs on this forum. A sincere “thank you” to all my fellow members and your selfless contributions here.
I contacted John and he put together a terrific custom kit for me. The ziricote top and sides are super nice. This guitar will be a D-45 style, based on John Arnold’s 1937 D-28 drawing. Top is torrefied red spruce. Fretboard/bridge ebony. Blue paua pearl.
Nothing exciting accomplished yet, building the mold. It’s bandsawed out and I am currently trueing up the “perpendiculars” and curves.

Cleaning things up

How thick is your mold? The top and bottom of the sides have to project a bit beyond the mold. I'm probably being misled by your picture.

The mold is 3” thick, so I should have the projection you recommend. I reckon my skinny hand makes it look thicker!

Hi Tetter
Looks like great materials for a fine guitar. I wish you well on the build. I too just retired and spent much of my first week in this status in the shop on my current guitar build.
Sure is nice to go to work at home. Enjoy!

Kevin

Thanks for the positive thoughts, Kevin. I got a lot of work ahead of me, but I feel pretty good. I have been researching for several months, so it is nice to start “making sawdust”.

Very nice looking wood. Looks like you have a good start.

Pretty wood, for sure. Enjoy.

I got a little accomplished in the past few days. Thankfully, things are real straight, angles correct. Moving on to linings and perhaps, fingerboard inlay.

Out of mold