Gibson J-185
Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2022 11:35 am
Good morning John and others. This is my first post so forum rules may be a bit disruptive for me for a while.
I am building something resembling the subject guitar. Black walnut B&S and neck with redwood top. This is my third instrument. My first was a baritone ukulele and I just finished an F5 mandolin. Those projects taught me a lot but apparently not quite enough. I have recently been reading this forum and its archives and I have three questions.
1. A post on October 7, 2021 indicates that the Antes plan contains some errors and results in an overbuilt guitar. In particular, I'm confused about the width of the lower back braces. I have the OLF SJ plans and it calls for 1/4" back braces rather than 3/4". Does that sound close for the 185? If so, how does such a significant error find its way into plans without some follow-up or an errata sheet? I have the CADGuitar plans for the 185 as well and it shows 3/4" back braces. What other errors might be lurking in the Antes plan?
2. I understand the 185 is a flattop guitar. The upper bout is flat and the top braces introduce some arch into the lower bout. I've made the neck block with the angled top and bottom per the plans. I'm trying to reconcile how the top remains flat while it is angled toward the soundhole to preserve the fretboard angle. Do the sides on the upper boat follow a similar angle? Help.
3. The Antes plans suggest the back arch is 27'. That seems counter to most of what I see for steel string guitars where the top radius about 28' and the back is 10-12'. What am I missing here?
Thanks to all for taking the time to read my first post and offer advice.
Gary Davis
Billings, Montana
I am building something resembling the subject guitar. Black walnut B&S and neck with redwood top. This is my third instrument. My first was a baritone ukulele and I just finished an F5 mandolin. Those projects taught me a lot but apparently not quite enough. I have recently been reading this forum and its archives and I have three questions.
1. A post on October 7, 2021 indicates that the Antes plan contains some errors and results in an overbuilt guitar. In particular, I'm confused about the width of the lower back braces. I have the OLF SJ plans and it calls for 1/4" back braces rather than 3/4". Does that sound close for the 185? If so, how does such a significant error find its way into plans without some follow-up or an errata sheet? I have the CADGuitar plans for the 185 as well and it shows 3/4" back braces. What other errors might be lurking in the Antes plan?
2. I understand the 185 is a flattop guitar. The upper bout is flat and the top braces introduce some arch into the lower bout. I've made the neck block with the angled top and bottom per the plans. I'm trying to reconcile how the top remains flat while it is angled toward the soundhole to preserve the fretboard angle. Do the sides on the upper boat follow a similar angle? Help.
3. The Antes plans suggest the back arch is 27'. That seems counter to most of what I see for steel string guitars where the top radius about 28' and the back is 10-12'. What am I missing here?
Thanks to all for taking the time to read my first post and offer advice.
Gary Davis
Billings, Montana