LOTS OF PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION...

[jingle_jangle]

The reason I stopped doing the step-by-step essays is that so much of my work is repetitive. I've shown binding, painting, sanding, redoing inserts, disassembly and neck resets, etc., and most of my work is "repeat as necessary" of these basic processes.

I think I'll post some "knee deep in shavings" shots, though. There's too little actual sweat in these pictorials. Hand-shaping an acoustic neck is probably the most physical job there is in luthiery. That would be a fun one...

RE: THE 12-STRING that was supposed to have been posted today--did not get any photos this AM, so tomorrow, folks. My apologies.

[cjj]

Ah, but we do so love to see those step by step essays...

But I'll have to agree that your time is probably better spent completing those repetitive processes rather than documenting them repetitively.

Knee deep in shavings, huh? Yes, more pictures of how an acoustic is created would definitely be interesting to see!

[jingle_jangle]

In any event, I'm working too hard, it seems:

http://www.chrischappell.cc/

[bosco64]

In any event, I'm working too hard, it seems:

http://www.chrischappell.cc/

What the hell is that about????

[jingle_jangle]

Shotgun blasts, car crashes, and aim-for-the-bleachers swings at concrete block walls.

In other words, Traditional American Values, at $4k a pop.

[johnallg]

In any event, I'm working too hard, it seems:

http://www.chrischappell.cc/

What the hell is that about????

Yeah, I don't, um, get it....

[johnallg]

Ah, but we do so love to see those step by step essays...

But I'll have to agree that your time is probably better spent completing those repetitive processes rather than documenting them repetitively.

Agreed.

Paul, even if it is repetitive to you, watching the transformation is a wonder to us mere mortals.

[jingle_jangle]

Humor aside, I'm here because of the friendly, accepting, group of Rick enthusiasts. I've got no problem posting the photo essays, as long as there's some member interest in them.

Anyway, as the thread title indicates, there's right now a lot in my shop that's approaching completion, just as there was when the thread started up.

I've decided to merge this thread into a new one with a more appropriate title, "ON MY WORKBENCH". I'll show all sorts of stuff from set ups and minor tweaks to the restoration threads that many seem to enjoy seeing.

I'll be doing this as soon as a new project starts, so it shouldn't be more than a few days. Meanwhile, there are two 730/12s to show. One is finished and the other close. Then we'll move on to more variety.

[johnallg]

Sounds good and very interesting.

Hey, I have a question for you. What is the function of a truss rod in a short acoustic neck. I received my new acoustic guitar and opened it up this morning and the action at the upper frets is pretty high. Does tightening the rod bring the whole neck back towards the back of the guitar body to lower the action? The neck along the fretboard is almost flat, but the high action further up. I got the same instrument I got my daughter about 6 years ago but I can't clearly remember how adjusting the rod reacted and being a bassist this is new to me and also being heavy fisted I don't want to hose this up.

[beatles beatnik]

The reason why I came to this site was to watch your processes unfold, and ever since I have been reading up on so much rickenbacker material that I feel completely set for when I finally buy a one!

[aceonbass]

John, the truss rods in an acoustic guitar operate the same as a bass. Quite often the neck will be flatter in the higher registers because the neck is simply wider and therefore stiffer there. Just tighten the truss rod with the strings tuned to pitch and it should move on its own without having to move it first like we do with our Ricks. Since it only has one truss rod, you may be only able to get one side perfectly flat though. If your new acoustic is a 12 string, you may have to actually tune it with a capo at the second fret as many less expensive acoustics can't really take the tension of all 12 strings very well.

[manta]

Hey, you just hit 1001 replies!! This is a popular thread, that's for sure!

Manta

[captsandwich]

I'd love to see more of the early stages of the acoustic builds.

[jingle_jangle]

Here's the OTHER end of the latest acoustic build. This is the finished "Tumon Bay" 730/12L that I built for Tim Rock.

The colors on your monitor may make this look like another one a them Blueburst variations, but in person it's much more Turquoise in the darker areas of the shading. Ah, digital cameras.

This one has some unusual coloring and lovely grain, too, on the back. LR Baggs iMix dual-element pickup system with active preamp, personalized pickguard with Tim's signature laser-engraved on the back side, and checkerboard-bound headstock.

To characterize the sound: crisp, balanced, and very precise. This one is notable for its SUSTAIN. I had it in a stand, walked by and strummed the open strings absent-mindedly. It rang out nicely and it was a long time before the sound died out. Melodic. It's set up for very easy playing with low action.

[winston]

Now that has WOW! factor. Great job Paul!