8 string 'newzouki'

[John J]

Nice bridge. Is that saddle slot oversized or is it just the photo?

[Dave Bagwill]

Yeah, it's a full 1/4" and it is parallel to the front of the bridge - I did some research as to why that is the recommendation, and mainly it's because of mandolin-family instruments based on an old Martin series. And like I said previously, the slot is at an 8* angle.

It's a plain-Jane instrument, so a little at the bridge and the headstock plate will help a little bit; this is a prototype anyway so cosmetics are not a priority.

[ken cierp]

Pretty cool Dave!

Actually a 3/16" or 1/4" saddle is a nice improvement when it come to precise intonation. Here's one I built about 40 years ago it has a 1/4" saddle and note it is also angle. So is it over sized or the right size? Got this recommendation from Don Teeter ----- And check out the Ovations -- I think Kaman got that part right.

[Dave Bagwill]

I know that Doolin is a big fan of the 1/4" saddle as well.

Herewith a couple of pix just for the record - the contractor's clamp holds the veneer in place and also provides a straight surface to hold your knife against; that's one way to do it and it works if you are careful - some knives will wander. I normally just use the clamp to hold the veneer in place against the edge of the mdf then use the stewmac tool to rip what I need.

And I did have to bend the .060" binding just for safety, around the guitar side of the thing. But at .060", the bending took about 30 seconds total.

[John Parchem]

I am getting excited to see how your guitar turns out finished. I once use .060" black fiber for binding it was a joy to work with. I was able to bind with only two pieces so I only had one visible joint.

[Dave Bagwill]

Allrighty - I'm hoping that these spots of color will juice up the plain jane instrument = headstock, endwedge, end of fretboard treatment, bridge - all bloodwood and gives the appearance of having a theme, at least. Ah - actually the endwedge is Bubinga.

The cat - yeah you've seen her before; she loves the shop.
My wife is holding a rat that the cat brought into the shop; she already had gardening gloves on so I allowed her to pick up and deliver the rat.

I clamped the fb to the neck and just used a 3/16" file to cut the nut slot - since I hold the file against the fb end, I end up with a slot exactly parallel to the fb end. Downside is it takes 10 minutes.

Gluing on the fb this afternoon - probably going to use epoxy.

[John Parchem]

Proud cat! doing her job. I think the instrument is looking great. I love the color contrast.