KMG 00-12 Walnut - Daniel P's Build

[ken cierp]

Great -- and I really like your comment --- "slowly" --- I think some times guys and gals don't realize how little material needs to be removed to change these fractional angles.

[orison]

Thank you Daniel P for all of the information on your build! It has been very educational for me. It is encouraging, watching someone go through the building process for the first time in pictures. Your entries resembles an electronic journal..

[Daniel P]

Orison - happy to share my experiences, and great to hear they are helpful. Thats the spirit of this forum, great group of instrument builders sharing and learning. I owe a lot to those who have shared their expertise, insight and at times failures - so much to learn.

We all look forward to seeing your construction log when your kit arrives.

[Daniel P]

Time to start dimensioning my fingerboard.

I know Martin goes a little wider on their 00s, nut 1-13/16'' and 2-5/16'' width at 12th fret.

My 000 long scale has a 1 3/4" nut and I'm very comfortable with that - that said I've never spent much time with a short scale 00. Should I go with tradition for a short scale and go a little larger?

I know this is a very personal decision, but I welcome any thoughts on proportion of nut-12th, and the effect of the additional 1/16" at the nut on a short scale.

[John Parchem]

I do not think the 16th will have any difference on the sound. My suggestion would be to make the nut width where you like it for playing; the true joy of a custom guitar. I would work out the width of the strings all the way down to the 2 E string holes in the bridge with the fret board overhang of the strings you want in order calculate either the bridge hole spacing or the 12th fret width or both. I like the fret board overhang to be close to constant going up the neck.

Also check the string position you want against the tuner holes so you are not bumping a tuner peg. If you build to the plan that is all worked out. If you go custom you need to draw it to make sure it all works and adjust if necessary.

[ken cierp]

I believe Martin tracks the dimension at the 12th with the bridge pin spacing -- as far as I know the widest spacing is 2 5/16"

[petera]

and wiped down with naptha after scraping, just to get a sense of what she'll look like...

Great photos Daniel. Where did you get the backstrip material from? Keep up the good work!
-Peter