Acoustic Guitar Construction

Hi Folks, my name is Kenny Wiebusch. I am from Southeast Texas. I started playing guitar 53 years ago and had built electric parts guitars before and always did my own repair work. I finally tooled up a bit and started building acoustics three or four years ago. I started with Martin seconds and kit style stuff. Then Harvey hit us hard. Five feet of water in our house and shop. I had to put luthiere down for a while. I am about to retire and I am back on my game. Last two builds are from scratch.
I had to chunk my first neck. It was fitting perfectly but I screwed it up trying to cut a slot head. Live and learn. I will try again on the next one. I get strings on this one and realize the sound hole is not centered! WTF? I guess the top moved while being glued on. I guess I keep this one or give it away. It has a French polish finish. It sounds and plays great. Figured mahogany and fir top. Cocobolo fingerboard and bloodwood binding. I really like the bridge I came up with. That was my first.
Unsure about the wood pickguard at the moment. This guitar was inspired by my friend David Newton who lives here in Beaumont. He builds some fine guitars and has been quite a mentor to me.

The guitar looks great. I did not notice the off centered hole when looking at the picture until I looked after reading your description. I love the bridge design. I am not sure what I would have done with the offcentered hole if I had run into it before the bridge was installed. I might redefine the center line a bit which would tilt the neck to the side some and move the bridge over a bit. It is harder to see an off center bridge than the strings going over an off center hole.

In any case it looks like a fine guitar as it is.

Beautiful guitar. Offset soundholes are a feature (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/for ... p?t=152699), not a bug. And outstanding workmanship -- though I might have offset the soundhole a bit more.

Thank you for the kind words. I started to call it an experiment! Oddly enough I had the honor of playing a Mcpherson last night. What a beautiful instrument. It sounded huge. The fingereboard is elevated from the top and the bridge is at least 1/2" tall. perfect craftsmanship.

Hey Kenny,

From here it looks like an excellent build. Well done. Don't worry about the offset soundhole. As long as it plays and sound good, you're fine.
I still make flaws all the time.
Herman

Thank you Herman. That is a nice compliment coming from such a great craftsman. You are a busy man and make fine looking guitars. You have a good looking web site as well!

John I just went to your web page. Man you build some pretty instruments. I think I can learn a lot here.