2 new bar fret guits, sound file added

[Fred Blom]

Thanks, Grant, for showing the process. I've admired the bracing and to now see the "how" is very helpful. But now we are waiting for the next episode. Hope you have success with the computer.

[Steve Kinnaird]

Beautiful work, Grant. I love that back!
Now, on the bracing... when your computer works again, I'd love to see some assembly shots of that back bracing.
Trying to wrap my mind around that.
Thanks,

Steve

[whitespruce]

Beautiful work, Grant. I love that back!
Now, on the bracing... when your computer works again, I'd love to see some assembly shots of that back bracing.
Trying to wrap my mind around that.
Thanks,

Steve

Will do, I have the photos in my camera. It is actually quite straight-forward and faster than one might think. Thanks for looking.

G

[whitespruce]

Well, I have let this slide

I am back at this, ready to glue on the back. Definitely will have this playable at Stringfest. I will try to catch up on the photos tonight....gotta brew beer today, 2 kegs of Hot Summer Blonde to serve at Stringfest

G

[Joe Sustaire]

...gotta' brew beer today....

I'm certainly glad you've got your priorities straight!

[whitespruce]

Time to get caught up on the details of gluing up the back braces.

Here are the parts and the first layer ready to glue

This first layer is 1/8" high.

It just gets glued down to form the base of the braces.


Next I glue down the "X" pieces at the intersections

The small spring clamps keep them aligned with the base layer

Next the "birdsmouth" pieces are glued

I should mention that all of this is being glued with the back in a dish mold so the arch of the back will be set.

More to follow...

G

[whitespruce]

Continuing on....

Next step is to glue the short pieces between the "X" pieces

Again, the small spring clamps keep them lined up with the first layer

Here they are all glued


Then I glue the two 1/8" thick top layers

The small spring clamps hold the to layers together in the gaps.

Through all of this the layers are alternated at the "X's" to tie everything together

All of the layers are now glued


Low angle view to show shape before planning down the tops of the braces


Next I plane the tops of the braces to taper the ends

A small amount is planed at the intersections to give a continuous curve to the tops of the braces....

....like this


The final step is to bevel the sides of the braces

I use small planes to rough them out, and finish up with various sanding blocks. I taper the top edges to about 3/32" or thereabouts.

A bit more later....

G

[BRuddy]

I sure love the look of the "truss" braces Grant. And the fact that they are functional in the way you overlap the X's. Nice work as usual.

Brian