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E-mail me your comments.
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 | 2 December - The back is glued on and the ledges cut for the
binding. The ebony binding was prebent on the bending iron to
fit so that there was little pressure other than to hold it in place with
the tape. |
| Unfortunately, while routing the binding ledge with the dremel, I chipped
out a chunk on the upper bout.
. Remembering something I saw on the MIMF recently (someone else did
something similar) I decided to add an inlay. 
And how it turned out -  (slightly
out of focus picture). You may notice a crack in the soundboard as
well. This occurred after the sides were glued on and the kerfing was
glued for the back. (Santa Ana winds!!!!!!!) I decided not to
scrap everything, and to just fix the crack. I think (hope) I was able
to get it glued back together well enough. While I thought about the crack I
ended up at the recently opened right around the corner, Guitar Center
playing guitars I can not afford. One that I picked up had a similar
crack. This well known manufacturer appeared to take the same approach
as I did and glued the crack and went ahead with the finish. With me I
think it is a learning process, with them I think a QC issue. |
| Another thing is saw recently on the MIMF (may have been the same guitar)
was a very nice high gloss finish. This got me to thinking about how I
was going to finish this guitar. My plan to this point had been to use
Tru-Oil, which provides a nice finish that is fairly durable, and I have
used it before. Then I saw something else on the MIMF, Tru-Oil does
not harden on the cocobolo due to the oils in the wood. I also began
to think that I might want a deeper finish. It seemed that my options
were lacquer or shellac. Well not having the stuff to shoot a lacquer
finish, and being on a slight budget, I decided a hand rubbed, or french
polish, shellac finish is what I would try. |
| Completion deadline set for February 10, 2003!!!!! |
| I did a bit of research on the process, and bought a video. The
overall process does not seem to be too difficult to do, we shall see......
My understanding is that it is not as durable of a finish. This was a
issue at first, then I thought that if is gets too messed up it would not
only be a learning experience in the application, but also in the
repair. Besides, this guitar is for me. Now the concern is
making the time to have the guitar finished (and some cure time)
before the family trip to Mammoth in February. |
| 21 December - I began the french polish process and as of Christmas eve
have the seal coats applied, and am started on the pore filling of the back. |
The Finish Process
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