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Post by earwighoney on Jul 30, 2014 14:53:59 GMT
I always use the Spanish heel on steel string guitars: I think it gives a great structural integrity because the guitar body is built around the neck/soundboard whose angles and alignments are already set by the workboard or solera. I continue the top surface of the neck right up to the soundhole brace so that the fingerboard is sitting on the same piece of wood from end to end. This is great for stability as well as resonance. A neck reset can still be performed by freeing the back from the heel, adjusting the neck angle and re-gluing. This would involve ungluing the back binding in that area and cutting the rebate deeper. I think the advantages to structural integrity outweigh the possible future inconvenience of a neck reset decades down the line. The whole concept of building the neck and body separately and then joining them at the end of the process seems to derive largely from the American steel string tradition which comes from a mass production standpoint where these methods make a lot of sense for production reasons. I know this approach also existed in Europe before the American steel string phenomenon and is universal in violin making, but I think the impetus in modern steel string hand building came largely from people looking at the construction of old Martins and such. Great reply, thank you. |
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 30, 2014 15:08:29 GMT
I always use the Spanish heel on steel string guitars: I think it gives a great structural integrity because the guitar body is built around the neck/soundboard whose angles and alignments are already set by the workboard or solera. I continue the top surface of the neck right up to the soundhole brace so that the fingerboard is sitting on the same piece of wood from end to end. This is great for stability as well as resonance. A neck reset can still be performed by freeing the back from the heel, adjusting the neck angle and re-gluing. This would involve ungluing the back binding in that area and cutting the rebate deeper. I think the advantages to structural integrity outweigh the possible future inconvenience of a neck reset decades down the line. The whole concept of building the neck and body separately and then joining them at the end of the process seems to derive largely from the American steel string tradition which comes from a mass production standpoint where these methods make a lot of sense for production reasons. I know this approach also existed in Europe before the American steel string phenomenon and is universal in violin making, but I think the impetus in modern steel string hand building came largely from people looking at the construction of old Martins and such. Great reply, thank you. I did say I wanted away from the strict American tradition !!! |
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Post by ajlucas on Jul 30, 2014 18:03:51 GMT
Welcome to the Spanish tradition Andy.
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Akquarius
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Post by Akquarius on Jul 30, 2014 18:46:02 GMT
I appologize if anybody feels offended, but aren't the words "American" and "Tradition" contradictory ?
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Post by andyhowell on Jul 31, 2014 7:09:33 GMT
I appologize if anybody feels offended, but aren't the words "American" and "Tradition" contradictory ? Of course there is an American tradition - it's just not that long! |
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Post by Martin on Jul 31, 2014 12:02:27 GMT
Great thread, Andy and congratulations on your commission!  I've enjoyed reading your blog articles too  |
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 1, 2014 15:51:18 GMT
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davewhite
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Post by davewhite on Aug 2, 2014 15:05:03 GMT
Andy,
Great choice of builder. Looking forward to seeing this one grow.
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 4, 2014 8:13:04 GMT
Some new photos from Adrian: "Veneer borders with strips of teflon between.When the glue is dry the teflon is removed and reconstituted rock - black with gold flecks - is inserted into the channel".    |
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Post by ntredwell on Aug 4, 2014 8:28:22 GMT
Very nice rosette, i do like the of sett circle, i may have to try that myself on a build
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 4, 2014 11:20:17 GMT
Very nice rosette, i do like the of sett circle, i may have to try that myself on a build Nice but understated! |
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 15, 2014 9:21:13 GMT
Some interesting technique going on here ... Apparently soaking the wood in fabric softener helps with the ending process!  Setting angles on the top!  |
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Post by Martin on Aug 15, 2014 10:57:10 GMT
That rosette looks fabulous, Andy |
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Post by ocarolan on Aug 15, 2014 17:09:46 GMT
Not just built for comfort, but with Comfort!
Keith
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Post by andyhowell on Aug 15, 2014 17:46:43 GMT
Not just built for comfort, but with Comfort! Keith We should have all seen that coming ;-) |
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Jo whoever he is.
