Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Take us through building your guitar step by step. Post pictures and tell us what you're doing.
Post Reply
nkwak
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Pittsburgh PA suburbs

Re: Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Post by nkwak »

I just finished doing a couple of wet sanding sessions with 1000 and 2000 grit using a large sandpaper cleaning pad as a semi-rigid caul, paying special attention to the areas around the bridge that have taken abuse. Things are looking much better but I did burn through the finish down to raw wood in the area. I'm afraid I'll have to spit refinish it.

On the bright side, the spots where I filled with Gluboost and steamed out some dings in other places with a clothes iron are evening out nicely.
~ Neil
rcnewcomb
Posts: 406
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2015 9:04 pm
Location: San Jose, CA, USA

Re: Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Post by rcnewcomb »

the family drama of having disabled and elderly loved ones who demand attention and hit me with things out of left field
I am going through that as well
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out - another good day in the shop
nkwak
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Pittsburgh PA suburbs

Re: Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Post by nkwak »

rcnewcomb wrote: Wed Sep 17, 2025 11:20 am
the family drama of having disabled and elderly loved ones who demand attention and hit me with things out of left field
I am going through that as well
You have my sympathy.

I'm getting it from both sides; an adult disabled son who's been swept into the cracks too many times and an elderly mother who's showing early signs of dementia. I dread every time the phone rings but can't take either of them in either.

*sigh* I'd LOVE to disappear for a week and go camping or rent a tiny cabin somewhere. I don't even want to go far; just a few hours from home. Without my cell phone.
~ Neil
phavriluk
Posts: 658
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2012 9:49 pm

Re: Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Post by phavriluk »

Layers of 'magic tape' thicken up saddles just fine.

About 'too thick' saddles: I found that the saddle slots cut with a 1/8" router bit are too tight for my Tusq commercial saddles. Prior advice posted here about-saddle sanding is what I've been doing. And magic tape on those saddles that were too loose.
peter havriluk
nkwak
Posts: 736
Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:55 pm
Location: Pittsburgh PA suburbs

Re: Build #3: sitka/black walnut 000

Post by nkwak »

I spent a lot of time building up the thickness of the french polish on the top and it feels like it's cured enough to move forward. So I strung it up this week and my initial thoughts are very good about this, though I need to address a high 2nd fret which causes a dead note at the 1st fret on the high E string. I also ended up inadvertently taking the saddle from my 2nd build - which was still a tad too thick for the slot. Otherwise its height is 7/64" out of the slot which felt pretty good.

Image

BTW, No. 2 behind it also had some hiccups with the bridge coming off after I strung it up and its new saddle needs work. That's another story for another time though.
~ Neil
Post Reply