Acoustic Guitar Construction

Or you could have put the bolt in the plywood base, note there's also hex nuts provided if you need additional clearance. However, we do have plans for a hardwood layer on the guide to help prevent you "strong guys" from wallowing out the slot. Thanks for the heads up.

I do like the way you made the repair -- pretty neat!

Got the fret board clamped up today. I'd feel that I'm coming down the home stretch now if I didn't have to paint it.

You only need to paint it if you want it to look clean for more than 5 minutes of playing. Otherwise, no lacquer needed!
Nice looking work. Keep the pics coming.

I finished the work on the neck today other than trimming the end and drilling the tuner holes, which I do after painting. I find the paint builds up too heavy around the holes if they are drilled first. I made a fret beveling tool as per Ken's instructions and it worked great. I beveled the frets on my Fibson J-185 freehand and they turned fine as well but I went the extra mile on this one. Tomorrow I'll tackle routing the binding channels and trim the end of the neck.

On a real Martin OM-28V the herringbone binding pattern runs from the bottom center up to the top on each side. Mine will be different to match the 360 degree rosette pattern. My binding will run the same direction all around the perimeter to match the rosette. After all this is a one of a kind hand made guitar.

It seems that they have started breeding at my place and my wife is getting worried (lol). Actually the OM is going to a new home around Christmas time.

If I were only allowed two steel string guitars -- those are the styles I would choose. --- Looking real good!!

They both look great, and I hope to make a jumbo some day.

I'm still casting a vote for the venerable Dreadnaught as my fav body style. They are BIG and CLUNKY like ME! :>)

Kevin