First scratch build

[dave d]

Hi everyone.
I've been working on this for many months and at last have some pics of the finished product. A J45 style, with sitka spruce top, cherry back and sides, and mahogany neck. Ebony fingerboard and bridge. I used a pipe bender for the sides, but I sure didn't enjoy that process. I'll probably make a fox-style bender before I begin another build. Some jigs, like a fret-slotting platform made using Ken's plans, were fun to make along the way.
I cut the nut and saddle last weekend and have had it strung up for a few days. It sounds great. Quite loud with a flat pick.

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KMG pics.jpg (161.68 KiB) Viewed 1244 times

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Thanks to the forumites who gave me advice on some of the tricky parts.

[Dave Bagwill]

Whoa - that's a great looking guitar, DD!! And it stands up to close-up shots!
Would really like a sound clip.
Great job!!

[John Parchem]

Nice looking guitar, great work with the bindings and purflings. Impressive wood working work all around.

[Dave Bagwill]

What finish?

[dave d]

Thanks fellows. I forgot to say thanks to Ken for help in getting the right side profile. This one is now like a twin to my KMG-J45.
Dave, the finish on the body is rattle-can Watco clear lacquer. I wanted to use Deft which I've used before but I couldn't find it locally anymore. This brand seemed to require more spray coats. I sanded through the finish in a couple of spots and had to re-spray (and then waited another couple of weeks before sanding & polishing).

I used West System epoxy underneath for the back and sides. Although maybe cherry doesn't need pore filling, the rosewood bindings and tail wedge did, so it was easiest to just do everything. Plus, I need the practice of applying and sanding back.

The neck is finished with epoxy and then Tru-Oil. Lots of thin coats, and then rubbing with a 3M pad and/or other buffing until it looked and felt nice. A wise man gave me this good advice.

[Kevin in California]

Super nice Dave. Awesome work on those mitered side purflings too. Impressive.

[John Link]

Simple and clean - the gold standard for looking good.