Building a Student Model

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Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

Building a Student Model

Good Morning everyone.

This is the first time I have attempted to make a build thread.

In this thread I will be showing pictures of me building a new student model guitar. I will update the thread with images at the end of the working day to show you all what progress has been made. I will give a few explanations for the processes I have chosen.

Being a student model all of the decorations will be minimised with the main focus of the guitar being sound and playability. Every thing will be made from scratch with high quality materials. No bought in components and I will be the only person building this guitar.

So just to kick things off here are most of the materials I will use for this guitar. I took this picture just before stating this thread.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 10:19:51

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Looks good. How does it sound?

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"Ya no me conoce el sol, porque yo duermo de dia"

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 12:25:44

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Pretty good I think. A bit woody mind, so perhaps there is a little more work to do

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 13:04:34

Escribano

Posts: 6415
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Brilliant! I look forward to it.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 13:25:38

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Great starting picture!

How do you guys manage to keep your places so free of dust?
( Some like Andy even manage to keep carpets in there!)

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 15:41:01

keith

Posts: 1108
Joined: Sep. 29 2009
From: Back in Boston

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Ruphus)

ruphus--probably not the best price in town but this should give you an idea.

http://www.rockler.com/dust-collection?sid=v9100&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=(roi)+dust+collection&utm_content=dust+collectors+for+woodworking&utm_term=dust%20collectors%20for%20woodworking&utm_creative=p

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:21:00

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

So my day has come to an end. I have taken quite a few pictures today. I haven't taken a picture of absolutely everything that would turn into a huge thread. I've had a good run today encountering no problems so far. So here are todays pictures. Feel free to ask any questions I will get back to you when I get a chance.

These 3 pictures show the soundboard in the jointing board. Cutting the prepared neck at 14 degrees for the head join and gluing the head join after planing.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:37:05

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The picture shows gluing the neck reinforcement in place. The second and third pictures show two stages of putting the rosette in. I had put all of the vaneers in place then used the masking tape to take them out whilst staying together. The next stage is to add glue then put the rosette back in.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:40:51

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The first shows how I glue the head plate on. The second is how the top and back had progressed and the third is a close up of the rosette. I have copied a rosette I have seen on a very old Vicenta Arias guitar. I love the look and have always wanted to do it.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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Classical and Flamenco Guitars www.EdenGuitars.co.uk

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:44:36

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

In the first picture you can see how I glue the sound board struts on in my go bar deck! The clamps are just Mahogany sticks!
The second picture shows how I glue the zoque in place. (heel and slipper blocks)
The third is routing the head slots. I had done quite a bit more work on the neck up to that point but didn't take pictures sorry!

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:48:37

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The final two pictures are just there to show todays progress.

I hope you have enjoyed day one of my first build thread. Let me know if there is anything specific you would like to see me doing and I will try and take a picture of it.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (2)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 17:51:37

tijeretamiel

Posts: 441
Joined: Jan. 6 2012

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Liking the pictures so far.

Are you going to sell the guitar through your own website or through Kent Guitar Classics like the classical guitars you have made for them?

Will the student model have a French Polish finish?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 19:45:50

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

You did all that between 11;20am and 6;50pm?

Impressive.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 20:11:59

Andy Culpepper

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

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Ruphus)

quote:

How do you guys manage to keep your places so free of dust?
( Some like Andy even manage to keep carpets in there!)

Shop-Vac

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http://www.andyculpepper.com

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 21:31:09

Andy Culpepper

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

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to krichards)

quote:

You did all that between 11;20am and 6;50pm?

Impressive.

+1

Looking great, love the rosette and look so far.

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

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 17 2014 21:32:39

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Nice thread. I´m looking forward to the rest. Will it be finished tomorrow?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 7:43:46

Joan Maher

Posts: 213
Joined: Dec. 3 2013

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Wow that was a productive day! Did you make the jig for the headstock yourself?

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Gracias!

Joan Josep Maher

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 8:00:30

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Anders Eliasson

Will it be finished tomorrow?

Hehehe! :OD
Really amazingly fast and tidy, looking so light & easy like in an origami tutorial or so. ( "How to pleat yourself a crane guitar.")

I have a jig question too. How do you ensure accurate placing of the roller holes in the headstock?

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 9:02:13

orsonw

Posts: 1934
Joined: Jul. 4 2009
From: London

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Great thread, thanks for posting. I really like the rosette.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 9:17:41

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Good Morning again. I have just stepped into the shop and thought I would answer a few questions before I get cracking.

tijeretamiel. At the moment I am not sure how these will go. This one is an order from a flamenco guitar shop. It is possible they may only be available through this shop at this time. Kent Guitars is doing a fantastic job of the classical version but is not interested in the Flamenco version. It will be a light french polish.

This build is meant to be fairly swift. I have a very logistical approach to this type of build. Making the best use of my time in the shop. I have got most of the bars in the right dimensions already. I just have to shape them.

Yes I made the jig myself finding the perspex was the hardest bit. It also has an extraction point so no dust escapes into the workshop. I mainly use my trusty Henry hoover who is always happy to help ;).

Ruphus - Both my head slotting jig and roller holes jig have been made to line up to the same reference point.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 9:33:45

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Thank you, Stephen.

If you don´t mind, I would be interested to see how a jig for roller holes can be looking like.

Ruphus

PS:
Seems as if the availability and value of perspex ( or "Plexiglass", as we name it in German) has changed. When I was a kid it seemed not big deal to find.
I used to glue sheets to blocks with acetone and then make sculptures like e.g. of a horse from it.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 10:26:01

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Stephen,
I'm amazed at the amount of work you get done in a day. Now I see how you produce so many guitars a year. You make me feel lazy.

Do you freehand the scarf joint on the neck? I'm surprised you don't have a jig for that operation.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:05:49

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Good evening all. I have finally finished sorting out the pictures ready to be up loaded. Here is today progress. I have to say I was a little disapointed today as I didn't quite get as far as I would have liked. This guitar is going having a pick up put in it and I always slow right down when I don't know what I am doing. So no Anders I'm afraid I didn't put any string on it!

First and second picture is how I make the linings for the back. They are made from 3 sawn vaneers stuck back together again in a mold. The effect is they still look like the same bit of wood but at 4.5 mm a hell of alot easier to bend!

The third is side bending. Cypress is sooooo springy.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:31:41

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The First picture shows that the harmonic bars have now been shape and I am scalloping them.

The second picture shows how I cut the slots in the Zoque for the side and wedge. The third shows the inside of the slot after I have removed the waste and given it a little clean up with some 120 on a stick.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:36:50

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The first picture shows how I do the square ramps in the head slots. I used a saw either side, then chiseled out the waste. I usually do round ramps but I find this method to be faster.

The second is a picture getting ready to carve the heel with my weapons of choice. You just cant beat fine Japanese steal!

The third shows the second stage of the heel carve. Putting the curve into the side of the heel

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:42:43

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The first picture is how I clamp the neck to give me good access around the heel when using my knife for carving. I am lucky in that I am good at using the knife with either hand so the are no awkward moments.

The second picture is how I leave the heel at this stage. I have always found that I end up doing more work to it later in the build to theres no point going all out with the cleaning now.

The third picture is all about fitting the wedges. Rather clamping the work it's far easier to slide the work of the clamped plane.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:48:50

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

The First is show how I like to cut the rebate for the top. The ruler taped to the table adds just the right angle to the neck in order for it to be a snug fit. I do clean the rebate with a chisel and sand paper to make sure it is correct.

The second and third pictures show how I use a simple piece of card to fit the sides into the heel slots. I mark the starting position of the slot on the side then use the card to mark the exact angle of the inside of the slot. Using the card you can make sure it fits perfectly everytime without the need for lots of measuring and marking!

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:54:56

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

And Finally the first picture shows the wedges the have just been glued in. Don't worry. it doesnt matter that they are different lengths they do get chopped off in the next process.

The Second picture shows how I glue the end block in place.

Last but not least is the guitar that has now had all of the peones put into place. (or tentalones if you will).

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (3)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 18:58:55

Stephen Eden

Posts: 914
Joined: Apr. 12 2008
From: UK

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Ruphus - I shall take a picture of the roller jig tomorrow .

Plexi glass is I think fairly available just not in the small size I needed.

John - You can only do what you can do. I don't ever feel like like I am rushing anything and would never sacrifice quality in order to get something done faster.

I just do it freehand and plane it to fit properly. I go from that stage to gluing in less than 5 minutes. Surprisingly, I actually use very few jigs considering how many you could use!

Hope you all enjoy my second installment and again don't hold back if you have a question to ask. I will probably answer it tomorrow before I start day 3!

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 19:05:44

timoteo

Posts: 219
Joined: Jun. 22 2012
From: Seattle, USA

RE: Building a Student Model (in reply to Stephen Eden)

Thank you for sharing your building process and posting these great photos. I always learn something new about guitars when I see the details of how they're made, and it helps me appreciate my own (luthier-built) guitar even more.

I do not build guitars, but I have done some woodworking (cabinets, furniture, etc.), and it surprises me that you don't let the glue dry for very long before you do further work on a piece.

For example, with the neck you cut and glue the scarf joint, then within hours you glue on the head veneer, then within hours you route out the head slots. And you glue on the heel block then within hours you're shaping the heel. It seems like you're clamping the pieces for the minimum recommended time then immediately working the pieces, where personally I would let the joints dry for at least 24 hours before working them. Am I just overly cautious?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 18 2014 19:59:57