| Project by Texasgaloot | posted 580 days ago | 649 views | 2 times favorited | 15 comments |  |
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Well, not exactly a Martin, but…
I decided that it was about time to try my hand at making an acoustic steel-string guitar, and being a bluegrasser from way back, I immediately thought, “Martin.” I called the factory and found out they offered “kits,” which are really packages of wood, binding, and fretwire, not to much more that you can get out of a luthier’s supply catalog, so I ordered one. Except, my “kit” isn’t one of their “kits.” It contains certain upgrades, such as the abalone inlay purfling and rosettes. As one might expect, the body literally flew together, and then come the details… each length of abalone needs to be mitered by hand (file and sandpaper) to the next length. Making the tight corners is the real chore, where a single length needs to be mitered several times to make the radius. Right now I’m working up the nerve to do some peghead inlay work, but I’m not really sure what it is I want up there.
I did get Martin to pre-bend the sides for me, but in retrospect I wish I would have bit the bullet and come up with some sort of bending iron to do the job. It would have saved me money. Incidentally, the top is Sitka Spuce, the back, sides, and peghead veneer are Indian Rosewood, and the neck mahogany. All hand tools except for the binding and rosette routing, which was done with a Dremel. Any suggestions for the peghead inlay?
-- There's no tool like an old tool...
15 comments so far
TomK
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503 posts in 767 days
posted 580 days ago
The fretboard inlay looks great! Just go for it. This is something I want to tackle soon. An acoustic for myself and a Les Paul clone for my daughter.
-- If you think healthcare is expensive now, wait until it's free! PJ O'Rourke
ChicoWoodnut
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895 posts in 708 days
posted 580 days ago
That’s sweet! Is the fretboard ebony? I’ve been contemplating shell inlay on a greene piece. Been doing some research.
-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net
rikkor
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11338 posts in 767 days
posted 579 days ago
Looking good so far.
motthunter
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2079 posts in 692 days
posted 579 days ago
how cool. looks good
-- making sawdust....
Scott Bryan
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20575 posts in 715 days
posted 579 days ago
This looks pretty good. My musical abilities are in tune with my artistic ones- both being non-existent but I do appreciate the woodworking efforts.
This is a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Russel
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2057 posts in 832 days
posted 579 days ago
Nice work. I admire the detail that goes into a project like this. Very impressive.
-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.
alanealane
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174 posts in 783 days
posted 579 days ago
Nice job!! I’m not bold enough to try acoustic instruments yet…
One day I’ll tackle an acoustic double bass, but I’m sticking to solid body instruments for now.
As for the headstock maybe try using the Dremel to inlay your initials or something like that. That’s a classy way to make someone wonder “wow, who made THAT ??”
-- Lane Custom Guitars and Basses
Duckarrowtypes
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51 posts in 797 days
posted 579 days ago
Awesome! I JUST bought Guitarmaking: Tradition and Technology by Cumpiano/Natelson and I’m really enjoying it so far. I told myself that I’d read that book and then decide if I wanted to drop the coin on a kit from Luthier’s Mercantile or not.
I’ve only been playing guitar for a few months now and I enjoy it very much. As soon as I discovered that it was possible to make my guitar sing I decided that I wanted to build one. I doubt that I’ll be able to build a prettier one than mine though; it’s solid quilted mahogany! DROOOOOL.
Your D-28 is looking great! Keep us updated!
-- Custom Daguerreotypes from your images and more: www.shinyphotos.com
CharlieM1958
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7608 posts in 1111 days
posted 579 days ago
Looks great so far! This is definitely on my “one day” list.
-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"
mrtrim
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1700 posts in 773 days
posted 579 days ago
a fine looking flat top . ive looked thru martins kits on several occasions but never had the courage to take it on . you did a great job
Hersh
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59 posts in 608 days
posted 579 days ago
Wow! Great job on this D. I have a D size under construction as well. But right now I’m very heavily buried in building a new shop, so will not be working on the next guitar for awhile. Keep up the great work and let us know how it’s going.
-- Hersh from Port Angeles, WA - Gotta Complete That Project!
bilsborough
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44 posts in 588 days
posted 574 days ago
Awesome guitar, inspiring, I need to take on inlay work.
-- What do you learn from being right?
tat2grl
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61 posts in 694 days
posted 572 days ago
Fantastic job on the inlays! I’m in the processing of getting the book by Cumpiano/Natelson and am really looking forward to learning all about this art.
-- "Creativity is...seeing something that doesn't exist already. You need to find out how you can bring it into being and that way be a playmate with God."
Chardt
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142 posts in 494 days
posted 485 days ago
Looks terrific. Once I get my shop finished, I’ll finally get to finish the guitars I’m working on.
I really need to learn inlay work as well.
-- When my wife ask's what I have to show for my wood working hobby, I just show her the splinters.
Bothus
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221 posts in 69 days
posted 47 days ago
Wow. That looks great so far. I didn’t know Martin sold kits.
I have toyed with the idea of making a guitar but it looks like to takes talent and time. I’m low on both.
I can’t wait to see yours when you get done. Keep us updated.
Thanks for posting that.
Bothus
-- Professional kitchen designer, amature woodworker.