#2 , a StewMac 000-18 Slot head, is in now in the building

[BlindBo]

SRick, don’t be too hard on yourself. It sounds as if you are a creative thinker. Plus, ou’re doing what 90% of the people couldn’t do. It gets better the more you do.
When I had my first kit on the bench, I saw a post somewhere asking “How many f’ing guitars do I have to build to get a good one?” The replies were hilarious but the highest response was 40. 😂 I’m now on about #15 and there have been lots of times when 40 sounded about right!
My first build was a SM 000-28, 12 fret, EIRW,, torrefied top. In hindsight, it’s so bad I wouldn’t even give it away. It’s now in storage waiting to be my burial urn for my ashes some day!😎
Hang in there, it gets better!

[Srick]

Thanks BlindBo!

That was just a tough day. It just kept getting deeper and deeper into the muck. It's so frustrating when you can see your goal in the distance, but the world doesn't to let you get there in a straight path. And once again, I realize when you see a problem with many different solutions (like binding jigs), it usually means that they pose a problem for everyone.

Of course, I'm pushing myself. I didn't "have to" inlay the fretboard and headstock. I didn't "have to" use a wood binding. I didn't "have to" bind the fretboard. But I wanted this guitar to be a step above "good." Each nudge you give yourself pushes you a little farther.

Again, I am absolutely amazed at the skills that people have developed. Of course, you never see their early work. And I wonder where all of the student guitars end up? I like the burial urn idea but suspect that space down there is at a premium. It's certainly not a problem that I want to leave for my family. <LOL!>

I think that I will now call my attempts, "factory seconds." And yes, I am already looking forward to a third build as this one is getting closer to completion. I still need to add some purfling along the fretboard before placing the frets, but the appropriate router bit is in transit from somewhere in Missouri. The bolt on neck is really a dream to work with. It's not as romantic as a dovetail, but you have so much more control over the build.

And one good side note - the frustration did serve to drive me back upstairs to play my nice guitars.

best,

Rick

[BlindBo]

What you are calling “factory seconds”, John Hall, the eternal optimist,likes to call these work arounds “enhancements”! 😂😎

[Srick]

What you are calling “factory seconds”, John Hall, the eternal optimist,likes to call these work arounds “enhancements”! 😂😎

That’s a good one! (“Yah, that’s the ticket… enhancements”)

Maybe mine are still at the “factory thirds” level? 😄

[MaineGeezer]

My disasters are "learning experiences."

How many do you have to build to get one with no mistakes? "Just one more."

[Srick]

[Srick]

Yup… there’s hope. Gee, a burst would look nice, but not this time! All of the nit-picking has been worth it.

[Srick]

Duplicate post

[Srick]

One more.

[Kevin Sjostrand]

looks good
be sure to turn the bridge 180 degrees before you glue it down 😁