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Who among you has worked with the Manzer Wedge type construction? I am constructing a parlor size instrument for my own use and am wondering how to profile the wedge shape into the back.

You could leave the whole body 1" deeper than normal and simply plane the shape into it after the end blocks are installed. That's a lot of extra work for a shoulder that is painful and the principle reason for the wedge design So, I am hoping that someone has a method of arriving at a profile that is, at least close the the final shape prior to installing the end blocks.

Any other insights int this design feature would be very greatly appreciated.

TIA,
Cecil

not of much help myself, but IIRC Fred Tellier has made at least a wedge guitar, maybe you could PM him?

good luck,
miguel.

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member of the guild of professional dilettantes

Cecil,

It's not hard though I question the need for a wedge on a Parlor. It's more at home on larger, deeper guitars. Whatever --

The first time I make a wedge body for a given model, I make the whole rim about 3/4" deeper than normal. Remember that what you take off one side, you add to the other. A total difference of around 1" seems about right. I place the rim in a radius dish, top up (so I'm tapering the back). Then I prop up the treble side to the angle I want, shim a pencil so it intersects the centers of the blocks at the correct depths, and trace around the rim following the radius dish. You should end up with a thicker treble, shallower bass, and "normal" depths at the center of the head- and tail- blocks. Chisel/saw/plane/chew off the excess, sand to precise shape. NOW MAKE A PATTERN for the next time!

If you have a 3-D CAD program, you ought to be able to get the patterns that way. But that's beyond my ability.

The only other thing you should know is that binding the wedge is difficult. Be prepared to spend extra time on that step! Good luck!

What is the cause of the hurt shoulder?

The wedge baritone experiment I'm working on right now was done like this. First I ran tape around the inside of the body mold. Then I set the mold in my radius dish and wedged different things under it until it seemed about right. I measured from the dish to the lower edge of the lower bout on the lower side. I came up a touch from that and measured all the way around the mold, marking the same height every inch or two. After that it was like any other profile -- transfer the tape to the sides, rough cut to the line, bend them and trim up with the block plane.

That all worked well. We'll see how the rest of it shakes out in a month or so.

I don't think I've got any pictures. Sorry.

Mike

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Mike Lindstrom

I've done two - it's pretty simple using a radius dish.

Place body on the dish, prop up so various sections (for me: heel and tail blocks and extremes of the lower bout) are where you want them/angled the way you prefer, then mark. I just used a scrap of wood with a hole drilled in it to let a pencil through, just using an appropriately sized scrap also obviates the need to measure every time. Plane down more or less to said line, then dish sand the rest.

Thanks all, that helps a lot.
Rick, the reason for the wedge is a shoulder that does not like to be extended outward from the body. Nothing to do with tone or looks. I am just trying to get back to being able to play without a total joint replacement. Right now I can't play for more than a few minuets without paying for it the rest of the day.It is starting to affect my building so I am probably just delaying the inevitable.

cecil

I have done 5 now and made templates using the methods Mike mentioned with the tape and it works great. I did cutaways on all of mine so added a little bump to the template in the middle of the cutaway area to allow for the extra needed in that area. I also have shoulder issues so decided to build one though all of mine have moved on to new owners. I find that my OM is ok but when I play my dreadnought I either stand or play in classical position when sitting. The wedge really helped when I had one available to use.

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks for the encouragement Fred. I am glad to hear that it helps, even a little bit. I also may have trouble keeping this one.
One of the musicians from the group Blackberry Winter,the featured group in the Oscar nominated film Winters Bone last year, is also looking for relief from a balky shoulder. I have promised her a go at this one when it is completed.

Thanks again everybody,

cecil

Cecil, Sorry to hear about your shoulder, hope you things worked out.
I’ve only built one wedge and I can’t add to the advise you’ve already been given
They’re not really that difficult, don’t over think it.

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Say what you do, Do what you say.

While I have not done a wedge before I figured I'd offer my two cents as a Physiotherapist. In my everyday practice I'd say the majority of my patients are there for a shoulder issue ( well probably tied with low back pain), and there are quite a few different things which shoulder pain can be caused by. Causes can range from referred neck pain, neural tension, postural faults, or just wear and tear over the years.

In Canada you do not need a doctors referral to see a physiotherapist (you can self refer) and there are quite a few states in the US where you do not need a do doctors referral. There is always the insurance issue and if you have some in Canada you can go to a private clinic (aka not a hospital) otherwise its best to contact your local hospitals physio dept.

Even if you attend once you would likely be provided with some advice on posture, a tentative diagnosis, simple stretches or strengthening exercises, or referred onto other appropriate health care professionals (for shoulders if a rotator cuff tear is suspected that would mean consult with orthopaedic surgeon).

If you would like cecil you could contact me via pm if you have any sort of specific questions, or if you would like some kind of advice I would be pleased to try and assist you somehow,

Thanks

Matt