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hi all, here is my first attempt at a build thread. this guitar is going to be a jumbo body with engelmann spruce top and "snakeskin" honduran rosewood back and sides. I have not decided yet on the other details so for now, i am just making parts!

here is the back being joined
IMG_1925 by sam guidry, on Flickr
measuring the top's resonant frequencies
IMG_1935 by sam guidry, on Flickr
rosette inlayed
IMG_1932 by sam guidry, on Flickr
laminating the side
IMG_1927 by sam guidry, on Flickr
finished laminated side
IMG_1928 by sam guidry, on Flickr

Interesting side benders. Where did you get the design for those?

Those where designed by Bryan Galloup (I work out of his shop). For bending sides, I use handles attached to springs to bend the bouts. That picture is the laminating process. I was able to modify our existing benders to work as a laminating fixture as well

Whatcha using for glue with your lams Sam? I love those jigs.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

Ooh, I like the bending machine. I am grateful for build threads like these.

When I saw your laminating fixture on the AGF . . . mind blown.

Very cool laminating press. Are those just dowels attached to the straps?

those are dowels with a hole drilled in either end then strung with a guitar string. the waist caul gets put down first then crank up the tension on the straps. it works great and you do not need additional fixtures to laminate, which is great for me because i hate making molds!

What software are you using to read the resonant frequencies?

I am using spectra plus. I really like it, it's super accurate and it functions as a real time analyzer. It's not free though...

so I've got some more work in on the build and she is starting to come together in my mind. for now, here are some pictures of the back decoration being crafted.
IMG_1937 by sam guidry, on Flickr
IMG_1940 by sam guidry, on IMG_1944 by sam guidry, on FlickrIMG_1946 by sam guidry, on Flickr

and the finished back decoration and gratuitous go deck pic
IMG_2012 by sam guidry, on FlickrIMG_2008 by sam guidry, on Flickr

Oooh, I love your work. The rosette is beautiful, and I like the creative back decoration with a
matching wood element. The Honduran rose is also very unique, I don't think I've ever seen that
grain/figure before.

Very Nice!!

_________________
Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Wow!! Just wow!! I love the look of that design in the back! I've never seen anything like it! Great job!!

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Chris

___________________________________________________
"It's not what you take.
It's what you leave behind."

Got back from memphis on monday, fattened up on ribs and fried chicken and got some work done on the guitar. i was able to box up before we left and today i got the purfling in. tomorrow should be for carving the bevels and binding.
IMG_0937 by sam guidry, on Flickr

I've got the guitar bound. hear are some pictures of the bevel and the finished (except the bevel veneers) body
Untitled by sam guidry, on Flickr
IMG_0942 by sam guidry, on Flickr

I've got the guitar bound and i decided to go with a armrest/ribrest and a bevel cutaway. First time I have tried a cutaway bevel and I think it came out Milhouse! Should have it sanded up and ready for finish by the weekend.
Untitled by sam guidry, on Flickr
Untitled by sam guidry, on Flickr
Untitled by sam guidry, on Flickr
Untitled by sam guidry, on Flickr

Any photos of the completed guitar?

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It will probably be alright.