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

[Kevin in California]

Today I made a routing template to cut the notch in the pick guard for the pickup. I used it on scrap a couple times and adjusted the template so I'd get just the right fit. Then I went for it on the real piece. I used a 3/16" straight bit with a 1/4" shaft. The shaft rode on the template. I had to make the cut out area a 1/16" oversize to get what I needed.

It turned out great. I also made the ebony block that will mount the pick guard to the fretboard extension. It gets epoxied to the bottom of the guard.

[John Parchem]

Will you be able to string it up in the white?

[Kevin in California]

Hey John
I am considering doing that, but....
Can I do it without gluing the neck in?? That is a question I can't answer but I could just try it.

That's what I've done with the violins but the necks are attach.

What do you think? Will the dovetail hold up for a string up?
Sure would be fun.

[Kevin in California]

So i started working on the tail piece. I cut out the profile last week from the same blank of ebony that the finger rest is made from.

I marked off the string hole locations and drilled 3/16" holes. Then I pondered how I was going to make the slots so they looked consistent and good.
I came up with a simple jig that I could use on my variable speed drill press, using a .0903" routing straight cut bit.
The tail piece is centered and pinned to the white board using two 3/16" fiberglass pins. The board has a flat square edge that I can index against a straight edge clamped to the drill press table and slide back and forth.
I put stop blocks front and back to limit the travel of the board. I'm running the drill press at 3200 rpm. I start the bit in the 3/16" hole and lower the chuck to take about a .020" cut, pull the board to the stop making the cut. Repeat until I've gone through the 5/16" tail piece blank, and PRESTO. A nice straight clean slot. I do have to move the setup after each slot, and move the pins in the holes to cut those slots but it works and it's simple and I'm happy with the results.

I can use the same setup with a bigger bit to cut pockets on the other end where the tail gut ends will come through. I'll just place the straight edge/T square on the right side of the table.

[Kevin in California]

I finished the drill press" routing" for the strings and the scarconni tail gut strap.

Now there is much shaping to be done. Hoping to work on that tomorrow

[Kevin in California]

Finishing tail piece and a mock up of the guitar with finger rest with pickup, bridge and tailpiece.
Getting close now.

[Jim Ebert]

Kevin, incredible work as always!
Jim