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Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 5:55 pm
by Kevin in California
Good work!

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 2:20 pm
by Eric_K
JoshColvin wrote:Thanks for the advice Kevin!

Here's where I'm at after day 2:
That is very tidy work on the kerfing and side bracing. I'm jealous.

However - you might want to read Ken's article on reverse rounded kerfing. It really does add a lot of strength to the body.
I think that it looks better too.

I'll be following.

Eric

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:25 pm
by JoshColvin
Thanks Eric! I had read the article about reverse rounded kerfing, however the kerfing that came with the kit was pre cut as regular kerfing...unless I just don't have a good grasp on how to make it reverse rounded...which is totally possible!

Today was a pretty big day in my opinion. I finished the top bracing, and went to work with the chisel. I learned a sharp chisel is truly a joy to work with. After shaping all the bracing, the top had a pretty distinct tone. I have no idea what tone to shoot for, so I followed the lines that were drawn on the braces, and left it at that. (Side note, this past weekend I was in Santa Cruz and had the opportunity to tour the Santa Cruz Guitar Co. shop with Richard Hoover. He is a fantastic guy who was very free and open with info on how they make their guitars. He suggested I read the book 'The art of tone tapping'.)

After that I notched out the sides using a utility knife. Then I did a dry run of the top clamping with 5/16 bungee cord. Everything fit nice and snug and I didn't have to put much tension on the cord at all. So I glued 'er up!

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 1:44 pm
by ken cierp
You did good -- RR kerfing is now an option in the KMG kits

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:33 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Ken - I've been meaning to ask you this - I'm not trying to derail the thread! - but when we use rubber bands or bungees, would it be any improvement at all to use a stand-off of some sort where the rims meet the top or bottom? The aim of which, of course, is to keep the force of the bands off of the top/bottom, and on the glue area only?

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 2:53 pm
by ken cierp
You mean like the one shown here? First picture:

http://kennethmichaelguitars.com/attachback.html


I found it to be a waste of time.

Re: My first build. KMG 'D' kit.

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2014 4:30 pm
by Dave Bagwill
Like this?