Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello everyone,
So right now I am hoarding away woods and materials to make a my own unique Martin 000-45, I don't know when I am going to make it, certainly not now (I am by no means skilled enough) but with legal pre-ban rosewood and ebony getting rarer its best to get the wood and Paua abalone now and stash it away. I'm planning on using a pre-ban Brazilian rosewood back and sides but the only sets I ever see for sale are for dreadnoughts or classical's. Can a Dreadnought set be used to make a 000 guitar or are the dimensions so different its not possible?
Thanks,
Benjamin

Dreadnaught size designation just denotes that it is big enough for a dreadnaught. Any size smaller will work just fine.

I believe triple O's may require sides slightly longer than a Dreads, but usually side sets are longer than necessary, so probably not a problem.

Dreadnaught sized sets are normally over 8" wide and the sides are normally wider also. I have several sets that were sold as Dread sets but I will use as OM/000 sets. If your sides are 32" long you will have enough material to trim when your bends aren't perfectly centered. Shorter sides will work but it's more trouble. It's nice to have the extra width in the back plates to work with also. Maybe wind up with a matching head plate.

Certainly a D size set will give you enough room.... And as an added bonus - it's big enough to accommodate almost anything that gives you the itch if you change your mind in the future.

It's also going to be easiest to sell the set if you end up in a bind financially or decide to pursue a bespoken luthier instrument. Frequently - you don't receive much if any discount for using your own wood..... It's generally a better deal to sell your wood and let them use theirs.

Thanks

My half patterns have the dred a little wider than the OOO, but the length on
the OOO is 7/16th longer.

Brent

Bengamin, welcome to the world of guitar building. The info above is good and this is a good time to stock some wood.

It sounds like you are interested in Martin style instruments. That is a good place to be. Most of the great custom guitars are based on Martin designs.

You say you are planning to build with BRW, that is a pretty lofty starting place. You might want to invest in a few sets of East Indian Rosewood. It is a great wood and is still reasonably priced. It is the widely accepted standard wood for acoustic guitars these days.

I would build at least 2 guitars before i start on the BRW. You will be glad you did, trust me.

Other wood that you might want to grab up while it is still around is Honduran mahogany for necks, and ebony for fingerboards.

_________________
Joe Beaver
Maker of Sawdust

I would build a lot more than 2 guitars before I started anything with BRW!

Not only is it crazy expensive, I am just not convinced that it makes the guitar better. At least, not until everything else that you can do to the guitar to make it "better" is already done. Even then, it will only make it "better" if it brings in that one thing that it alone can bring. Mostly, it adds bling and bragging opportunity as a status symbol.

I couldn't care less if I never build a guitar with it.

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

To this I will add that after you make several guitars, it is likely your taste will change a bit and you may find that your idea of the ultimate guitar will not be your current plan. You may loose interest in the 45 theme all together.

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.