Through-body neck guitar project update

[olrocknroller]

I have completed the initial finishing, and have assembled the guitar for final evaluation. It strung up nicely, and the neck did not move one bit...still perfectly straight. The double truss rod really holds well. I think this one could live easily with heavy gauge strings. It plays beautifully with tens, and I think that's what I will put on it when I do the final assembly. The neck still feels a little "chunky" on the sides, so I will take more off before doing the final finishing. It doesn't look too bad now, but will have a nice glow about it when I finish doing the oil rubbing...



I have re-organized things a little better in Photobucket, and have created a new album for 2011 projects It is located at: http://s1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc372/olrocknroller/2011%20Project%20Guitars/

[Sarah93003]

It looks awesome! I like it. Can you explain what's going on in picture 78? I don't understand the guitar being suspended with the neck on dial indicators. Very cool project.

[olrocknroller]

It looks awesome! I like it. Can you explain what's going on in picture 78? I don't understand the guitar being suspended with the neck on dial indicators. Very cool project.

That's my set-up jig. You strap the guitar on to it, zero the dial indicators on the back of the neck, then you work on the guitar, say leveling the frets for example, and the dial indicators tell you if the neck has moved from being perfectly straight. It means that you can catch a change in the neck before you remove too much material from one spot, and not enough from somewhere else. I use it for first-time set-ups, and nasty repairs, like twisted necks. Available from Stew-Mac, but pricey. Knowing what I have learned since I bought it, I probably wouldn't go the expense, but what I have learned from it about set-ups has made it worth the cost, even though I only use it on the a/m occasions now.

[TerryTNM]

Again, enjoyed seeing your procedures. I really like that mill set up. Where does it come from?

-Terry

[olrocknroller]

Again, enjoyed seeing your procedures. I really like that mill set up. Where does it come from?

-Terry

Thanks Terry. A local farmer brings machining tools in as his sideline, and I bought everything from him. It is Polish in origin, but I have forgotten the name...very difficult one to pronounce. I'll try copying it down, and will reply again with that info. I rely on it for anything that I want to have fine control over the amount, and accuracy of cutting. The work that comes off can go straight to scraping, then 400 and 600 sanding, which really reduces the time required to smooth the wood for finishing. The 400 only gets used where a tool has cut against the grain, and I didn't slow down in time... I have even developed adjustable supports so that I can mount an assembled guitar for detail work, such as accurate re-drilling of holes for new style tuners.

[olrocknroller]

Again, enjoyed seeing your procedures. I really like that mill set up. Where does it come from?

-Terry

Talked to the fellow who sold me the mill... They are available through Thomas Skinner and Son Ltd, Vancouver, Edmonton, or Calgary...

[TerryTNM]

Thanks for the info. I'll look it up. I just noticed that you're from Canada. . . as am I. I hail from Saskatoon!!! That was many decades ago.

Nice talkin' with you eh!