12th Fret 000 - First KMG Kit

[Kevin in California]

Never used that adhesive before. Sounds interesting.
Here is a pic of the rosette cutting jig I made.

[Oli K_]

Oh wow, that is the business!

[Oli K_]

This weekend I worked on the top bracing.

I spent a while getting a good fit on the x-brace notches, struggled to cut out the tapers and peaks on the braces with only a handsaw - but got there in the end. Gluing them all down was straight forward - i just followed Ken's instructions - although more cam clamps would have made things a bit quicker!

The next day I got to work shaping the braces. The popsicle brace and shoulder brace were very straight forward. The finger braces took a bit of chisel work to get the right size (and a few shallow gouges in the top!). The upper bout portion of the x brace was quite simple as it is just a taper, however getting the scallops right on the lower bout was hardwork. The tone bars I messed up a little - instead of having neat peaks I have 'elongated peaks'. I didn't want to keep taking material off to get it right though. With size and weight being more important than looks I am happy to leave them as they are.

I have been tapping at the guitar throughout this process (and before I braced the thing), and I can tell you that the soundboard makes a lovely sound when drummed on! I only have a vague idea of what I am listening for - but it noticably opened up during shaping the bracing. I am getting pretty eager to put this all together!

I will be using the IA router attachment for the binding channels. Just wondering what router bit is recommended for this setup?
I will probably order something from these guys - http://www.wealdentool.com/acatalog/Onl ... k_237.html
Any help would be appreciated!

[Oli K_]

I have closed the box! And I think I have solved the issue I was having with my photos..

So here is a few that might not have shown up before:

My sound hole binding and rosette


X brace notching


Purfling & Binding mock up


Back and Top bracing.

[Dave Bagwill]

Thanks for the pix, very good!

[Oli K_]

Routed the back channels - was quite scary with the router but it went well. A small tear on the lower bout but I can sand it clean I think.

I have also modified some grover sta-tite tuners, replacing the standard nickel buttons with oval ivoroid ones. To do this I mounted the tuners in a block of wood, clamped it in a vice, then used a claw hammer to pull off the buttons. Then I enlarged the hole with a drill press. I think I managed to do it without damaging them .. !

I am just working on the neck fit then will rout the other channels, glue in the binding, and then get to work on the fretboard.

[John J]

Looking good. I like the ivoroid buttons.