Final Steps...
- colorofarose
- Mar 31, 2015
- 3 min read
Hey everyone! Sorry it's been a while..again. I've been on vacation, trying to soak in some sun, but I'm back now, and on to the final steps of building my guitar! (*Click HERE to check out the guitar school I'm going to.)
*Gluing the headplate
We had finished the neck, so the first thing we did was make, glue and shape our headplate. We had to make sure everything was exactly right, lined up, and even, because we needed to leave an exact space between the headstock and fretboard for our nut to go. We then sanded the rest down, and shaped the headstock to an oval.
*4 pictures above: finished headplate.
We then started making the holes for where our tuners would be. We used a reamer for this job...
*Using reamer to make peghead holes
*Inlayed "H" before filling
...Brian then began to teach me how to make the inlay. Brian's logo is an "H" on the headstock for "Hawkins Guitars", so it was a great great opportunity to practice inlay; since it's only one letter.
We began by setting up the router, using the method I've described before. I then practiced tracing and routing the "H" about a half a dozen times before trying it on the actual headstock. When I got to the headstock it was much easier, because the wood I had practiced on was much more brittle. When finished, I used some sawdust to fill any gaps, and then filed/sanded everything down nice and smooth!
Before putting on the frets, we did a test run on the tuners, to make sure they fit properly. I had originally drilled the holes a bit crooked, so Brian fixed that on the drill press, and then I...Let's just say the reamer became my best friend. After some adjustments everything fit perfectly! I then took the tuners off and began putting in the fret wire...
*Measuring & cutting wire
We began by cutting the fret wire with wire clippers. Measuring everything and making sure the wire barely hung over the frets in on each side. We then placed the cut fret wire one-by-one into a numbered jig Brian made where we could place each wire in order, so as not to get lost or mixed up with the others.
*Gluing/Hammering the fret wire
After cutting we glued and hammered (lightly) the frets individually with a mallet, until every one was snug, even, and just where they were supposed to be.
*Example of files used on the side
When all the frets were nice and snug, we began to file them down on the sides using a specific fret file. We got the sides down until the were nice and smooth.
After getting the sides of the frets done, we used another file to round out the edge of the wire on top from a square to more of an oval. This needed a bit more "finesse", and I was very happy to see how my skill set was developing!
The guitar should be done in a week or so. I can't wait to show you guys the final product!
Speaking of the "final product"... Lat post I shared with you all a video of me playing a parlor guitar that Brian was working on. Well here it is finished in all it's vibey vintage glory!
You can view more about this guitar by clicking HERE.
To hear more about Brian and "Hawkins Guitars", click HERE for his website, or HERE to "like" his FaceBook page!
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Later days,
~Daniel
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