17" Archtop Jazz Guitar finally starting it 5 years late!

[Kevin in California]

Body binding is installed and scraped flush on top and bottom. I began to scrape in the recurve on the back. May go a little deeper.
I started sanding the sides flat. I left the binding .010" proud not much and the plastic sands easy. I have about 1/2 the way around done.

I finished scraping/sanding the headstock binding. I vairly happy with how it turned out. One of my boo boos....I assumed and did not check to be sure my side purflings matched up at each intersection. Well all but one of the 4 corners is off a tiny bit. I'll live with it but wish I'd been thinking about that when gluing the binding pieces in place. Maybe next time?????

Then I glued the fretboard to the neck and I've attached the purfling which is also .080" BWBW to the sided. The same white binding with BW side purfling will be used here also.

I need to remember to excavate the area on the headstock face for access to the truss rod. Not sure yet how I'll do this but will probably make a template and use my dremel plunge router to cut it out.

[Kevin in California]

I've decided I will do a tobacco burst...3 color. Black, tobacco brown and amber.....I think. Or maybe black, mahogany red and amber.
I'll do the sides bursted also using the black at the end enough to cover the bad spot then in the waist and at the neck heel area. I've found a picture of one I like so will probably try and mimic it.

I won't be doing the finish until next spring so still lots of time to figure it all out. Looks like Stewac rattle cans for the color will work out well so I won't need to try and mix my own and I'll use my HVLP rig for all the clear.

I think I'll be happiest with this kind of result....if I can do a good job of it.

Here is the fingerboard binding all cleaned up and radiused. Looking good.

[Kevin in California]

Here I've cut out access to the truss rod using a routing template I made and the palm router with a 3/16" straight bit. Worked great.

I also trimmed off most of the excess neck material on the bandsaw. I actually got the shaft mostly flush to the fretboard this afternoon too.

[Kevin in California]

I now have the fretwork done, nut installed and the truss rod access cover made and installed.

I'm still looking at my guitar body with the dovetail mortise drawn on it.....trying to work up my nerve to start sawing and chiseling. I'm a little scared of it.

[Herman]

Hey Kevin, about the dovetail mortise:
I did it a few times by hand. For me, the easiest way, was to rout the outer triangle out with a straight cut bit to the desired depth at first. From there draw the angles to the body and go ahead with a very sharp chisel.
For me it worked. Maybe a little tweaking here and there, but in the end it will get you there.
Good luck mate.
Herman

[Kevin in California]

Thanks Herman, good suggestions.
I put on my big boy pants this afternoon and.....

So this afternoon after sharpening up my chisels I got after the dovetail mortise.

I had it drawn out. First cutting down the sides with the dovetail saw (actually my fret cutting saw) then I started chiseling. It actually went pretty well. I got called in for dinner just as I was finishing the major removal so I don't yet know if or how the neck fits. I'll find out tomorrow. The mortise should be slightly undersized.

[Herman]

Fine job. nice pics
Herman