Acoustic Guitar Construction

Hello all,

I am getting ready to start the next build. Just realized the template I got from Ken a few years back is for a 12 fret model. So I am on the hunt for a 14 fret version. If anyone out there has one they want to let go of, let me know!

As an alternative, if anyone can show me what bracing adjustments to make for 14 frets, that would be great too!

Thanks!

While poking around, I have found a seller on Ebay by the name of cnc-products that appears to be selling either original KMG products or knock offs. Anyone know anything about these people? Are they reliable?

I think the ebay seller is Ken's account. If it is the one I checked out a year ago. It is a ghost account now. His wife was able to shut most everything down but I think the ebay account remains.

I assume you are talking about a bracing template. The main change is that the bridge location changes relative to the neck\body join. Different designers dealt with this in different ways. The relationship between the bridge and the x-brace is important to maintain. Once the X-brace is moved along with the bridge looking at where the sound hole is relative to the x-brace is, is something to consider. It would probably be good to find some plans or templates from others. I think waldron instruments https://www.waldronmusic.com/page.php?pid=3 still sells templates.

Thanks for the input on this. Interestingly enough, I ran across a neck that I purchased from Ken a couple years ago. He had acquired a lot of 12 fret necks from Martin. This reminded me why I had the 12 fret OM template as Ken had said the neck was closest to this. He did not know what the necks had been built for, or if he did, I have forgotten.

Long story short, I have decided to just go ahead and do a 12 fret OM build.

After doing some careful measurements and comparisons, it looks like the template will work with this neck. However, the scale length of the neck will require moving the bridge plate a little closer to the sound hole. Can I just move the bridge plate, or do I need to shift the X brace accordingly? I am not sure of the criticality of these placements. Of course, if I can just adjust the bridge plate, I wil be much happier.

Thanks for your help!

I would shift the x brace so that it hits the bridge on the corners. You can change the angle of the x a bit if you need to as well.

I realize it's a bit of confusion chasing these displacement dimensions around and keeping everything synchronized.

Some thoughts:
(1) Is Ken's template used as the shape a body mold conforms to, or is it a projection of the whole 'footprint' of the instrument? That could make a bit of difference in bridge position displaced from the front of the body. One of these might make more sense than the other.

(2) Does Ken mention the scale length on the template? Half that might tell you whether the nut sits flat on top of the neck or on beginning of the slope of the headstock. See above.

(3) Do your scale lengths match Ken's? Martin's long scale can be either 24.82" or 24.9", for example.

Besides all that, it's as easy as pie! Betcha' that some combination of all these considerations will allow using the neck and template together and the nut, 12th fret, and bridge are happy with each other.

I realize it's a bit of confusion chasing these displacement dimensions around and keeping everything synchronized.

Some thoughts:
(1) Is Ken's template used as the shape a body mold conforms to, or is it a projection of the whole 'footprint' of the instrument? That could make a bit of difference in bridge position displaced from the front of the body. One of these might make more sense than the other.

(2) Does Ken mention the scale length on the template? Half that might tell you whether the nut sits flat on top of the neck or on beginning of the slope of the headstock. See above.

(3) Do your scale lengths match Ken's? Martin's long scale can be either 24.82" or 24.9", for example.

Besides all that, it's as easy as pie! Betcha' that some combination of all these considerations will allow using the neck and template together and the nut, 12th fret, and bridge are happy with each other.