Triple 0 in Blackhearted Sassafras and Bunya Pine

[Bob_H]

Howdy

Just thought I would share by current project, which is starting to take shape.

This is build number 14. It all started with a StewMac ukulele kit at the outset of the first Covid lockdown, in March 2020

This will be Triple O steel string acoustic, with a 25.34 inch scale length. Bunya Pine soundboard, Blackhearted Sassafras back and sides, Blackwood binding, bolt on Queensland Maple neck, Jarrah bridge and fingerboard, River Oak headstock, Lacy Oak rosette and Gotoh 510 tuners.

At this stage I am not using either an external or internal mould, but rather free air building on a solera of sorts, similar to the approach outlined by Natelson and Cumpiano.

The back and soundboard are thicknessed and bracing is largely complete (waiting on some brace wood in the mail for the transverse brace above the sound hole). Next step is to start work on the neck and fingerboard and to thickness and bend the sides.

[TallDad71]

That’s beautiful sassafras Bob. You must be very pleased with how it’s looking.

What made you choose which side to have on show?

The inside face seems to have more symmetry, the outside is nice but more asymmetric.

[Bob_H]

Thanks Alan - I was very pleased with the sassafras and the bunya pine, from Tim at Australian Tonewoods, now in Tasmania.

The side I chose to face inward has some issues with the transitions between shades, which while more symmetrical are less distinct - a bit blurry - than on the side facing outward - difficult to see at a distance but more obvious close up.

The texture and colour in the bunya pine was an unexpected bonus and might split the audience, but I like it, and this one is for me

[ozziebluesman]

G'day Bob,

Lovely instrument mate. I have a friend who builds in a similar fashion to you and he also makes class stringed instruments.

I have bought guitar wood from Tim when he was in WA and will buy again in the future. His quality and service and excellent.

I have a similar guitar to yours built by Taffy Evans and it is a beautiful, big sounding guitar. I like it for Eb or dropped D and open D tunings.

Love your work mate.

Cheers

Alan

[Bob_H]

Thanks Allan. I agree Tim always provides a great product and he was very patient with an absolute beginner. I always check his store ( https://australiantonewoods.com/) first when I need timber!

[Taffy Evans]

Hi Bob, wow, that back sure is fancy, I like it. I started a 000 yesterday and put an inlay strip in the back. I won't show it as the New Guinee Rosewood I'm using is so lacking in figure after seeing your back.
What finish do you use Bob?
Cheers Taff

[Bob_H]

Hi Bob, wow, that back sure is fancy, I like it. I started a 000 yesterday and put an inlay strip in the back. I won't show it as the New Guinee Rosewood I'm using is so lacking in figure after seeing your back.
What finish do you use Bob?
Cheers Taff

Thanks Taffy - I was certainly pleased when the timber arrived! The last couple of builds have used a hardened shellac finish, with which I am progressively achieving better results as my technique improves, so I’ll probably continue on that path.

[Mark McLean]

That is looking great Bob.
I did a sassafras L-00 as my number 3 or 4 build. Very pretty wood, also from Tim. One thing to be aware of (Tim warned me at the time) is that it is slab sawn, not quartered. I think this is done to better show off the amazing colours. At that time I was blissfully ignorant of the importance of humidity control while building. I remember being very proud of my braced back panel, which looked almost as beautiful as yours. A day or two later when the weather changed it was twisted like a potato chip. Slab cut timber is very prone to that. I rescued it by taking the braces off and redoing it after installing a dehumidifier in the shop. You might be a whole lot wiser than I was - but be aware that that back panel needs to be handled more carefully than most of the quartersawn stuff you might have built with in the past.

[Bob_H]

That is looking great Bob.
I did a sassafras L-00 as my number 3 or 4 build. Very pretty wood, also from Tim. One thing to be aware of (Tim warned me at the time) is that it is slab sawn, not quartered. I think this is done to better show off the amazing colours. At that time I was blissfully ignorant of the importance of humidity control while building. I remember being very proud of my braced back panel, which looked almost as beautiful as yours. A day or two later when the weather changed it was twisted like a potato chip. Slab cut timber is very prone to that. I rescued it by taking the braces off and redoing it after installing a dehumidifier in the shop. You might be a whole lot wiser than I was - but be aware that that back panel needs to be handled more carefully than most of the quartersawn stuff you might have built with in the past.

Thanks Mark - good advice. Did the nature of the cut cause any issues with bending the sides? Re humidity, I moved house 18 months ago and have been lucky enough to have the opportunity (and understanding partner) to build an insulated clean room in my workshop with both air conditioning and a dehumidifier. I use it for gluing, finishing, wood storage and hiding from the heat and the cold (it also has a bathroom, fridge and wifi!). Big step up from my previous working environment which was indoor / outdoor at one end the carport!

[Mark McLean]

It sounds like you have humidity issues well managed, so it should all be sweet. Bending sassafras is like folding wet cardboard - no problem at all. Also, no pore filling!

[lamanoditrento]

Looking good! 14 builds in 3 years is great going. Well done!

[Bob_H]

Looking good! 14 builds in 3 years is great going. Well done!

Learning by doing, I think it’s called! Plenty of improvement still to come Still, it’s been great fun, and very satisfying.

[Bob_H]

It sounds like you have humidity issues well managed, so it should all be sweet. Bending sassafras is like folding wet cardboard - no problem at all. Also, no pore filling!

I hadn’t really thought through the pore filling issue - a very welcome development!

[Bob_H]

A very satisfying time of the project - neck and heel blocks attached to soundboard, sides bent, kerfing applied and attached to soundboard, sides profiled for the curvature of the back, and more kerfing applied. Closing the box next, and moving ahead with the neck and bridge.

[Taylor]

Great looking build mate, very nice Sassafras.
I just finished a build for my mate a few weeks ago with Sassafras and a Silver Quandong top, had a very sweet sound and I was very happy with it for my second guitar.
All the best with your build!

[Bob_H]

More progress.

1. Box is closed, and binding channels cut with the StewMac jig. Fitting Blackwood binding plus black/white purling on the top. Still having some trouble getting consistent depths and a consistent cut - I think greater patience, and a new router bit, are called for.

2. Installed sassafras bindings on the jarah fretboard, installed abalone dots, then hammered in some medium gold frets

3. Installed a two way truss rod in the Queensland Mahogany neck, then attached fretboard. Some gidgee for the head stock veneer.

4. A bit of a dress rehearsal, a check neck angle and fit, before seriously cleaning and detailing body and neck. Very hard to exercise patience at this point - really keen to hear it, play it!

[Bob_H]

A couple of coats of shellac for sealing - and to start to see the colouring. A light sanding and then time to start applying the hardened shellac finish in earnest.

[Bob_H]

Colours coming up nicely. The soundboard is particularly interesting. Using a hardened shellac, wiped on, and will polish up after curing

[Mark McLean]

It is all looking very good! The finish job is coming up very well. Are you going with shellac for the neck too?

[Taffy Evans]

Hi, that's looking really nice. After seeing that finish I can see my spray room being used for storage. Gonna have to try that hard shellac.
Taff

[Bob_H]

Thanks Mark and Taffy. The intention is to use the hardened shellac for all components, let it sit for a week or two, and then to polish up with micro mesh. The photos and lighting make the finish appear a little smoother than it really is, but I have found that the hardened shellac can be polished to quite a nice finish.

[WJ Guitars]

The guitar and the finishing is looking great Bob with the hard shellac. I think it also time now for me to also try out the hard shellac.

Wayne

[Bob_H]

Pretty happy with the fit and finish so far - really liking the colours coming through, including in the soundboard (thanks Tim). Time to glue on the bridge.

[kiwigeo]

Looking good Bob....

[Taffy Evans]

Hi Bob, getting close to the exciting part of a build. Looks nice.
Taff