Official Luthiers Forum!

Well there were a lot of firsts on this one and just when I thought that I've got it figured out...I DON'T! Major frustrations with the finish details which would be a challenge to fix without re-finishing the guitar. There are all kinds of cracking (crazing? I'm not sure?) below the bridge and where the neck meets the body. I really don't understand what happened? Oh well I'm chalking it up to a learning experience. This would be my first slotted head stock to embarrassed to provide a head stock photo, lots of shop rash from strings. I'll protect the hell out of it next time until the guitar is dialed in. An end graft oops that I turned into an artistic recovery. I reduced the overall size of the back braces and used a smaller laminated brace. I'm quite pleased with the sound but then I'm no expert. I'd love some finish help if anyone has any ideas about those cracks, thanks for looking.

S. Antes Parlor
Walnut back and sides
Engleman Top
Walnut neck with sycamore lamination's
Burl Walnut rosette, end graft, and head stock laminate
Sta-Tite tuners
Ebony bridge with veneered burl walnut
Boxwood pins
Oosik nut & saddle

Beautiful in every way!

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Nothing to be ashamed about, it is what it is. Mistakes are to be expected, we all do dumb things while building, the recovery from them is a great learning experience. As for the finish checking, what product did you use? The overall impression I get is you did a great job of the application and buffing as the finish looks quite good for a second attempt. We have lots of members who farm out the finish work right from their first and will never get good at it.

It is a cool looking guitar and you should be proud of it, you say you like the sound so what more could you ask from it. Good luck on #3.

Fred

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

Thanks guys! I used Nitro for my finish and didn't have problems with #1 (same finish) and the only difference on this one was I also used a sanding sealer which I didn't use on my first. I'm still perplexed at the cracks? I really need to figure out what I did wrong so as to not repeat the mistake.

If it plays good, then play it!
I think it looks great. I'll never have the skills to build a nice acoustic.
I know every little flaw in my electrics, but nobody else notices them.
Looking forward to seeing the next one!

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wah
Wah-wah-wah-wah
Wah

Was it a furniture or string instrument lacquer, I have never found a need for a sanding sealer. Pore fill back,sides and neck then a couple sprayed coats of shellac before the lacquer. 15 guitars done with Behlen string instrument lacquer without any issues.

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

Beautiful! I really like your choice of wood, that back is gorgeous.

I'm building one of those myself with a walnut back and sides, hope it looks as good.

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Phil

http://www.oleninstruments.com

"Those who tilt at windmills are only considered insane by those who can't see the dragon."

It looks ok to me, too bad about the finish crazing. Is it just the top with the finish crazing? Typically this happens when a guitar goes under extreme temperature changes and changes in humidity. The wood will expand and contract at a faster rate then the finish so it cracks. It can also be caused by putting a harder finish on top of a softer one, applying the finish too thick, applying the finish before the previous coat has dried or just bad lacquer. Were the sanding sealer and lacquer compatible?

I used to use a sanding sealer but then stopped. As Fred said it really is not necessary. But even so, the ones I did with the sealer are fine. I believe the sealer is used to raise the grain so that you can sand it right off. You pretty much sand back to wood.

If the action and the tone are good then play it till your fingers bleed and don't worry about it. Chalk it up to a learning experience. If it drives you nuts then pull the bridge off and scrape down to the wood.

Nice guitar!
The crazing could be applying to much finish on
top of the preceeding coats.
They need to gas- off for awhile.
Did you use the same thinner for all coats?

Mike

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Mike Collins

Thanks again for the input. I used Stewmac's rattle can nitro because I don't have the spray equipment. I did have some challenges with the top and had to sand back some finish and shoot it again that could be my issue and there were big humidity shifts. Oh well onto #3!

Sent from my Droid

Mark, that's just a lovely little thing! You should be proud.
I really like the "ice cream cone" motif at the end of the guitar!
Well done mate,

Steve

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From Nacogdoches...the oldest town in Texas.

http://www.stephenkinnaird.com

Sorry about the crazing. Looks really sweet otherwise