Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, and new blog

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Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, and n...

Hi all,
I've started a new blog on my website, and I'm inviting anyone who's interested to come check it out: http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/

I've just started a Cedar/Padauk flamenca negra and I'm going to be documenting the process pretty extensively with pictures. The guitar will be for sale when finished.

Here is the first post, dealing mostly with the rosette: http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/10/ikosd20m9nzd3c3jaxnv159vu1mmdr

Thanks for looking!

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 10 2016 23:38:43

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1675
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Looking really good, Andy.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2016 2:26:35

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

What kind of saw do you use to cut the Mosaic tiles?

Can you give more details on your gluing jig?
How do the ropes get tensioned?
I noticed you put cut outs in center of the cauls so it doesn't get glue on it, I thought about doing the same for some 3/4" white oak board I am edge gluing for a nightstand.

Can you give details on the scarf joint? Did you cut it on a band saw and then plane it flat?

Does your shooting board have a ramp on it so the plane blade hits the wood at an angle or is it just flat?

Thanks Andy, this is really going to be very helpful.

I think understand your gluing jig better after looking at this:

http://routenguitars.com/2011/02/preparing-the-western-red-cedar-top/

Those pieces on top act as wedges to apply tension.
Most jigs I have seen use some sort of wooden wedge to apply pressure to the sides of the guitar top pieces.

_____________________________

Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco
very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2016 15:26:40

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Thanks, Ethan!

Great questions, Cervantes.

I use my bandsaw to cut the mosaic tiles. I use a piece of wood as a kind of throat plate, to minimize splintering. This is a picture from my old blog which shows this: https://andyculpepperguitars.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/img_2920.jpg

My gluing jig works very similarly to the one in your link. I put the large wedge on top of the plate being joined, wrap the rope around it end to end and then drive in the smaller wedge to tighten. The notches are there mostly to stay clear of any back strip, if it happens to be thicker than the back being joined.

The scarf joint is cut on a bandsaw, using a angled jig that I run along the fence. Then I plane it in the traditional manner, and use a flat wood sanding block to get it perfectly true. I wish I had pictures of every step in the process, but that would be a LOT of pictures

and sometimes I forget.

The shooting board has no angle.

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 11 2016 23:10:34

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Beautiful, clean working, like always.

Ruphus

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 12 2016 11:53:15

DavRom

Posts: 310
Joined: Jul. 16 2015
From: De camino a Sevilla

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Beautiful rosette

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2016 13:56:33

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

That looks like a really nice band saw, what is it?
I have a used Jet I bought off Craigslist cheap, its just ok.
The teeth on that blade look really coarse for cutting tiny pieces, I'm guessing you don't like changing the blade because its a pain.

_____________________________

Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco
very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2016 17:21:50

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Thanks, DavRom.

Cervantes, how dare you. It's a $200 Craftsman

But the table is good and flat, the fence is decent, and with bandsaws it's all about the setup anyway. It works perfectly for what I need it to do.

The blades I use take a 1mm kerf, but for me it's worth it for speed and ease.

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 13 2016 23:13:44

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1675
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

I thought it looked like a nice bandsaw too! I agree it's all about the setup. I have a MiniMax that cost ten times as much but came with crude guides which I changed to Carter guides similar to what you have.

_____________________________

Ethan Deutsch
www.edluthier.com
www.facebook.com/ethandeutschguitars
www.youtube.com/marioamayaflamenco
I always have flamenco guitars available for sale.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2016 14:54:11

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Andy Culpepper

Thanks, DavRom.

Cervantes, how dare you. It's a $200 Craftsman
But the table is good and flat, the fence is decent, and with bandsaws it's all about the setup anyway. It works perfectly for what I need it to do.

The blades I use take a 1mm kerf, but for me it's worth it for speed and ease.

Would have never guessed that, maybe like Laguna or something.
Looking forward to the next steps.

_____________________________

Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco
very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2016 15:35:35

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to constructordeguitarras)

quote:

ORIGINAL: constructordeguitarras

I thought it looked like a nice bandsaw too! I agree it's all about the setup. I have a MiniMax that cost ten times as much but came with crude guides which I changed to Carter guides similar to what you have.

Those Carter guides look really good.
I have the cheap cool blocks pain to adjust, probably less blade wobble with the Carter guides.

_____________________________

Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco
very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2016 15:42:46

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

New post!
http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/14/working-on-the-sou

Link looks funny but I think it works.

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 14 2016 22:40:44

Cervantes

Posts: 503
Joined: Jun. 14 2014
From: Encinitas, CA USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Andy,

Great stuff.
What springs do you use in the Go-Bars? How do you know how much force is needed?
It seems some people use wedges and others do not where the sides mate to the heel.
I am guessing wedges might make for a more reliable fit without having to cut a slot in the heel that is the precise width of the sides.
Any down side to using wedges?
I also found some people using a table saw to cut the slots:

http://www.classicalguitardelcamp.com/viewtopic.php?t=90149&start=15

Is this more trouble than its worth? I am all for Japanese hand saws!

I found this nice article on wedges, seems they were invented by Jose Romanillos

http://finelystrung.com/2009/08/15/wedged-rib-to-neck-joint-for-a-classical-guitar/

_____________________________

Ah well, there was a fantastic passion there, in my case anyway. I discovered flamenco
very early on. It grips you in a way that you can't get away - Paco Pena

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 15 2016 3:25:16

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Cervantes,
I'll upload a photo of the inside of one of my go-bars soon. I made them when I first started and having the spring loaded ones is pretty handy.
I have 3 different lengths, one for regular fan braces and other low profile things, one for harmonic bars and back braces and one for anything in between.
My workboard turns into a go-bar deck, and I set the height of the top piece to get the right pressure from the go-bars, which you kind of learn by trial and error.

You're spot on about the wedges, it's the way I've always done it and it seems easier to get a good tight fit at the heel, but the other way can work fine too.

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 16 2016 0:31:48

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

OK here are the go-bar innards. I probably wouldn't have made these if my luthiery teacher hadn't advocated for it. It was time consuming but I must say I'm glad I have them. I have a total of 25. The tip parts that go into the spring were turned on a lathe.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2016 23:31:22

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

And here is a new blog post! I've actually gotten further than this already. I'll make another post this weekend with photos from today and tomorrow. I have a bunch of finishing projects going on too right now.

http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/17/more-progress

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 17 2016 23:34:04

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Coming along!

http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/21/beginning-assembly

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 21 2016 22:58:16

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

New post, exciting stuff!
http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/24/closing-the-box

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 24 2016 23:08:18

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

New post, with some interesting tidbits: http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/3/29/bindings-and-fingerboard

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Mar. 30 2016 0:34:36

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

New post, getting close. I hope someone is reading these

http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/4/2/carving-the-neck-bridge-and-fretting

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 3 2016 0:59:10

Dudnote

Posts: 1805
Joined: Nov. 13 2007

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

quote:

I hope someone is reading these

I clicked like!!

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Ay compañerita de mi alma
tú ahora no me conoces.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 3 2016 1:11:20

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Dudnote)

quote:

I clicked like!!

Hooray!

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 4 2016 0:25:56

Richard Jernigan

Posts: 3430
Joined: Jan. 20 2004
From: Austin, Texas USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Yes. I clicked like, too.

RNJ

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 4 2016 21:28:48

Leñador

Posts: 5237
Joined: Jun. 8 2012
From: Los Angeles

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Me as well, the quality of the photos is stellar!

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\m/

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 4 2016 21:59:25

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Thank you, gentlemen. I only recently realized that was an option.

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 4 2016 23:30:46

Goldwinghai

Posts: 215
Joined: Mar. 17 2015
From: Virginia USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Beautiful guitar. I am sure the sound would match the look. I clicked yes.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 5 2016 22:57:38

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Thanks Goldwinghai. I strung the guitar up today and I'm pretty thrilled with it. I'm going to get a coat or two of shellac on and then post some pictures and video.

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 6 2016 0:08:34

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Here is a new post, talking about my impressions of the guitar. It contains a video and pictures which I'll repost here.
http://www.andyculpepper.com/blog/2016/4/9/stringing-up-and-starting-the-finish

_____________________________

Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2016 19:15:34

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Video and pictures taken after the first couple coats of shellac.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

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Andy Culpepper, luthier
http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 9 2016 19:19:18

tijeretamiel

Posts: 441
Joined: Jan. 6 2012

RE: Building a Cedar/Padauk negra, a... (in reply to Andy Culpepper)

Superb!

I find to be the most visually beautiful guitar of yours I've seen. I love the combination of the gold hues of a cedar soundboard against the reds of padauk (it's a combination I have myself.)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Apr. 11 2016 12:50:27