Acoustic Guitar Building Course

[Zandit75]

From another forum, someone reached out to Fishman after they had installed their pickup according to the first lot of instructions.
Here is Fishman's response

We had done some additional testing and found the neck position to have a slightly warmer tone for the mic. It will still work fine where you have it, but if you need a little more warmth from the mic, you may want to switch it to the neck position. If you need further help, let me know

[Zandit75]

4 Weeks tomorrow! This is doing my head in!
I received my Black Diamond Strings last week, and I fitted up a set to my trusty old Maton.


Not a bad sound, but not what I would call bright, more mellow. The strings feel thicker against my fingers, but there don't seem to be any issues with intonation or interference with the nut or saddle. Not sure if I will use the second set with my new build, but we will see.

I've been scouring the web for images of what I like aesthetically, and some designs that may be too difficult, or time consuming to be able to pull it off during the course, but I need something to occupy my mind while I'm waiting to jump on the plane!
Here's some of my collection.
End graft/wedge ideas:




Bridge Design:


Headstock Design:

[blinddrew]

This is basically an excuse to browse acoustic guitar porn isn't it?
Works for me.
Have you got an overall vision in your head or are you just going to see what inspiration comes from the wood?

[Zandit75]

I think I've overdone it a little with the guitar porn, I'm addicted now!!

I'm not going to have a lot of time for ostentatious trimmings, so I'm really hoping for some timbers that really have their own character.
The first page of this thread shows what I would love to have with the Mastergrade Blackwood, but I'm going to be looking at an additional $3-400 on top of my already steep cost, but there is also no guarantee that he will have something of that quality available when the course starts.
Also further down on the first page is an idea for making the rosette, and I was also planning on using this design theme for the 12th fret marker, head stock inlay, and end wedge. Talking through this idea on another site, I'm going to delete the 12th fret marker, and I didn't take into account the different strengths of the timbers which may be softer than the fretboard, and mark easily. Since the fretboard is not normally sealed either, there is a strong chance that any light coloured timbers used will pick up dirt from my fingers and oils etc, and just look untidy. Hopefully I can get a really nicely figured fretboard to speak for itself with no fret markers at all, just side dots.

Speaking of the rosette design, Aaron has recently started building another guitar that used Black Abalone, and it looks really nice. Not really a fan of the chequered purfling, but the abalone looks really classy. It also won't be screaming out for attention against a dark timber like the Blackwood.


I think it's fair to say that the bulk of the aesthetic decisions will be made as we get to them, as I want timbers that compliment each other, but not distract from others. I doubt I will use highly contrasting woods for the binding and purfling etc.
Put it this way, I'm not looking to go with this high of a contrast!
https://www.facebook.com/goldcoastgu...6267319038904/

Sound wise, I'm looking for a real multitasker/chameleon. Something that can handle some occasional heavier strumming, but also do delicate fingerstyle. I play a lot of ballads, but also an increasing number of more upbeat songs, and I really hope that it compliments my voice too.

Things I know I can't have would be an arm bevel, and fan frets, which are to be expected. I'll just need to win Tattslotto, then go and do a course that lasts 4 weeks instead of two, so I can do everything I want!!

Thanks for following along!!

[blinddrew]

Seems like a good compromise of vision and practicality there.

[Zandit75]

Seems like a good compromise of vision and practicality there.

I'm trying, but looking at all of the high end guitars from professional luthiers makes me depressed, since I know I won't have the chance to do some of those features.
I need to be level headed in some of my decisions. Being an adult sucks sometimes!!

[Simon Barden]

You'll have a limited time to work on and finish your guitar, so you'll need to do things that can be achieved in that time frame. I'm sure my friend who did a month's classical guitar building course about 3 years ago, didn't make his own rosette at the time. He's since gone back to the school and has now made up quite a few, but they are time consuming and it's easy for things to go wrong.

Has the course tutor given you an idea of what will be achievable during the course?

[Zandit75]

I've talked to him about the rosette and other inlays, and he thought they would be doable, but that we would discuss it more at the course.
The photos I shared of the rosette being built on the first page of this thread are from his course that one of his students did. Within the cost of the course, we have the choice of a timber rosette, or a single ring on paua shell. I've seen some where they have combined the two, so I'm not sure if there is an additional cost or not.
From what I've seen in my research, classical guitars are a bit more labour intensive, especially if they have a spanish heel designed neck, but that's only me glossing over the info, I have no aspirations to add a classical to my collection, so they have not been on my radar.
The instructor has previously told me that I won't be heading home without a finished guitar, and that his forms, jigs, and methods are very streamlined, but the quality of the build does not suffer as a result. He's had a number of students finish their guitar several days ahead of schedule. He will have a good indication early on with my progress, and see where I can spend some extra time on certain aspects of the build or not.

[Zandit75]

I was panicking today. Thought I had blown it all.
I was at martial arts training tonight and rolled my ankle half way through the night. It blew up straight away, and all I could think of was the course, and how much of a struggle it would be if I'm in plaster or on crutches for the next 6 weeks.
X-Rays show no breakage thankfully, just a bad sprain. Will just need to be careful with it, and not aggravate it any further. Ice for the next couple of days, but I have to continue walking on it, the more the better.
Doctors actual words were "Have a cup of cement and harden up!!"
Best Doctor I've ever had, even though I only spent 5mins with him!!

[Simon Barden]

No excuse to go and get plastered then! Hope it gets better quickly, Zandit.

It's probably more the time element than the cost with the rosettes. The bigger they are, the more chance there is for something to go wrong and set you back though fixing it. But you've talked it through, so that's good.