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 | Ed Jednacz helping to bend the sides. Ed is one of a long list of people who have helped the design and construction.
The fixture being used is a "Fox bender". The sides are bent one at a time in just over 20 minutes. What is produced is almost usable as-is, usually a little touch up is still needed.
The bending fixture is not a stock item. One has to be built for each unique guitar shape desired. This guitar design requires two separate benders, one for the two sides, and one for the cutaway.
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 | Test layout of the top bracing. The glue has not been applied, so everything is just setting on the inside surface of the guitar top.
Since it fits correctly, its time for the glue! |
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 | Checking the acoustical response of the top with tuning forks.
What this accomplishes is verify that a chord sounds "balanced".
If there is any imbalance in the sound this is the last opportunity to fix it easily.
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 | Hard at work in the shop. I would give a photo credit, as clearly I did not take this shot, but I don't remember who took this one! Whoever it was, thanks!
On the left you can see the "hoop" outline of the guitar under construction.
On the right you can see the aluminum frame of a huge pantograph. I designed the pantograph so i could cut extremely precise inlay patterns using an ordinary dremel tool.
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 | Test fitting the tuners. The tuners will not be installed until the finish is complete. At this point it is still bare wood. |
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 | Installing the frets. Not very exciting, just hammer the fret wire pieces in.
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 | Gluing the bridge to the top! The guitar is almost complete.
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