Acoustic Build in 10 days - Gav

[Gavin1393]

Once Glued up, lay the soundboard flat between two pieces of Wax-paper and position a ring such as that shown here over the mother of pearl to ensure the MOP glues in position.



...and leave overnight to dry.

[wokkaboy]

looks good Gav and you must need alot of patience to build an acoustic. Look forward to seeing some of the equipment and finished guitars at the south Geraldton man cave !

[Gavin1393]

Now I will look at the headstock logo.

Cutting the Abalone inlay for the headstock

Wear an appropriate mask as breathing abalone is not good for your lungs. Use template as shown and cut as close to the “V” as possible to avoid breaking the shell. Glue the template to the shell with superglue.
When fitting the blade, make sure that the teeth of the blade face down as the cutting must take place on the down stroke.
When inserting the blade into the saw, to ensure the blade is taught by squeezing the saw and tightening the final screw on the saw.
Most important: wax the blade before cutting as this will help with cutting the curves of the inlay design.
Ensure that the blade and the cutting is undertaken perpendicular to the abalone to avoid angled edges.

[Gavin1393]

Create a “V” template to use for cutting abalone. Idea is to glue a fine sheet of sandpaper (120) to the template, this will also assist with the grip.

Once the cutting of the abalone has been completed, use the 120 sandpaper and needle files to ‘finish’ as far as 90% of the inlay before removing the ‘paper’ design by sandpapering it off. With the paper removed re-file or sandpaper rough edges to be 100% complete and ready to place into the headstock.

It is possible to ‘paint’ the abalone with liquid paper and to draw the design on the shell.

[Gavin1393]

Almost Completed Inlay with Inlay design still super glued in place

The Inlay is then copied onto the ‘African Ebony’ Headstock piece.


Draw a centre line on the African Ebony to assist with positioning the Abalone insert. Paint the African Ebony with Liquid Paper and then trace the shape of the Inlay onto the liquid paper once dry. The insert for the inlay can now be carved using a Dremel router.
Completed Inlay traced onto headstock

[keloooe]

I love that design Gav, it's really cool!!! My logo will have to be PCG in a similar fashion!

[wokkaboy]

whats PCG stand for Pest = Pestocaster Guitars ?

[keloooe]

Nope, Pest's Custom Guitars

[wokkaboy]

hahah that will have a good ring to it - pardon the pun. Sorry Gav, Pest and I will stop hijacking your thread !

[keloooe]

Haha, yer, sorry Gav, I might add a pic of my logo design to my build diary, I want to use a waterproof marker on the LP until I get some good decal paper!