How To Build An Acoustic Guitar Episode 14 (Gluing Together The Back)
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- Опубліковано 15 жов 2024
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In this video, Chris glues together the back of the 3,000 year old guitar.
For more information on Chris Alvarado and his guitars, go to:
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I'm that guy... I don't build, but luv watching the process. Luv your channel. Thank you for doing what you do.
I was always under the impression that gaboon ebony was the same as other african ebony, it just comes from Gabon which is tropical west africa, all the gaboon and african ebony I've bought has pretty much been the same, makes sense seeing as all african ebony is from tropical regions. it's like champaign and sparkling wine. Oh and here in the UK, we call the persuader a Birmingham screwdriver.
Thanks for all the tips in this series, they've really helped me crack on with my acoustic build, I've just voiced the top and I'm about to notch out the sides so I can get it glued down.
ATB, Ash
Here's a good video to ask about the voicing "tone" of the wood. The top was a resonant key of "D" and the back closer to a "C" note. Do the actual tones have an effect on the way certain strings or notes ring out on the guitar? Does it affect the bass, mids or highs in your experience? Are you aiming for certain pitches? Or is it by chance and wood type? Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us! Nice Mr. Miyagi reference!! 🙏🐱🚀
Your the only person I’ve heard that correctly talks about the back. If the back is against, it makes little or no difference if the back is birch or Brazilian Rosewood, if it’s not against your back, it makes a big difference..
I watch because of the prep and finishing. 3rd generation finisher, refinisher, restorer and wood conservationist, among other conservation activities.
Retired as of 2009, but still active for some projects and for and as a long time consultant for the wood finishing industry,came to a lesser extent,c the plastic and metal finishing industries.
What I look for if I watch a channel, is to
See what someone is doing right or wrong or better or worse, than high end finishing standards, if I can help I comment and if not, I just watch and learn more about what is being built and finished. I am a guitarist, but nothing special, no fame for sure, I play upside down because when I started back in 63, I didn't even know there were left handed guitars. So what I learned on was what was available and with the help of a friend figured out a dozen or so chords and continued on from there.
So I have loved the guitar most of my life.
I'm not a builder but I am a woodworker (as well as a decent guitar tech) and pick up some valuable stuff from your videos. The device you used to joint the back with the sandpaper is a simple version of traditional woodworking device called a shooting board, typically used in conjunction with a jointer plane. It worked well. Unlike some, I find your use of the CNC and templates just smart. The art of what you do is in wood selection, the bracing, etc and not cutting holes. Also, since time is money the use of the CNC, templates etc probably reduces the retail cost of the guitar by what 15-20%. Very nice work!
After watching you tap the wood , I went into my garage and tapped all sorts of things, looks like 1/4 plywood and gravel board is pretty good, I think maybe MDF could be good for a bass :(
The sound of a sharp plane shaving a piece of wood going with the grain is very satisfying to my ear.
Using that bench and vice set up makes me crazy. The entire set up is fighting you.
Don't know anything about building guitars or play the quitar,but it's interesting to see the work you do. My husband likes to watch you so now we watch you ❤
You like your templates?!? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your templates !!! Gotta work on makin' me some.
Cunninghams law 😂. Well done on there videos guys! Incredible to watch. Light hearted yet very informative. Keep up the wonderful work!
I am by no means an expert, but I noticed when you jointed the pieces for joining ;) you positioned yourself on the other side of the vise compared to when you jointed the top of the guitar. Perhaps having the bench in front of your hip was causing that slight variation in your posture/stance that made it more difficult to joint. Just a thought :)
As a guitarist and retired machinist, watching this craft is fascinating to me. I've been setting up my guitars for 50 yrs. I currently own a 2012 Martin HD-35 and set the neck perfectly straight = no relief. The action is 1/16" at the 12th fret (both E strings). Strings are 13-56. No buzz anywhere. I plow with a 3 mm pick. Anyway, I'm interested to hear the guitar you're building, especially with an Ebony back. Something tells me the tone will "project!"
We now sell hand selected and resawn Tonewoods on our website! Each piece was found by Chris Alvarado, and almost always has a story to go along with it. Go check out the selection at www.driftwoodguitars.com/tonewood
and if you have a fret levelling beam you can use that instead to joint the top. Love the way this guitar is coming together.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever build a guitar but I am invested in seeing the way it’s done. Really fascinating.
Great stuff again guys... Always good for a laugh and some good guitar building tid-bits along the way.
I'm loving this playlist! I do have a question about the soundhole...? In this video, it looks like there's a binding around the inside edge of the soundhole that wasn't shown in the previous video. Did I miss something? I'd love to see how that was done... Thanks for sharing your expertise with all of us!
I learned to joint the tops with a steel (or was it aluminum?) 2 foot, or bigger level with sand paper on it. Similar effect as the Veritas and you can pick one up at your local hardware store.
Looking good. Will surely sound nice
Seems like using a shooting board to prep your back pieces for gluing would be a better option. As to the wood, it’s not African Blackwood, there’s too much cream color. It’s not Makassar Ebony for the same reason and it doesn’t have reddish brown tones in it. Granted I’m judging by your lighting and my TV but, given the cream streaks and the greenish tone, I’m going to go with Gabon Ebony. Difficult to say for sure without checking with your supplier.
That’s what I’m leaning towards as well. I use a TON of African Blackwood in my builds so I know that’s not it, and use Macassar for all of my fretboards, and it’s definitely not that either.
Love the intro music!
Diospyros crassiflora is known as Gaboon or african ebony. Just as pale moon is sometimes called black and white ebony. Most woods have at least 2 names.
Excellent excellent excellent man! Love watching this. Learning lots of tricks now that I am into my CNC as well. About to start my 3000 year old Uke. Gonna incorporate a lot of your template ideas into that project. I even got a small "Peace Of Stage" that I will incorporate into it also thanks to you. Now just need some great vids on some inlay work! Thanks for the show man!
That’s awesome man! Glad I can help.
That's gonna be a nice looking and great sounding guitar! Can't wait to see it. I have a question. I hand bent my guitar sides but left them at 3mm approx. Would you still put side braces in? Black Walnut is the wood. I made a homemade bender with a 100w lightbulb, Aluminum pipe and a dimmer switch. It worked great.
Chris, what is your opinion regarding double top plates. I have seen the top plate built using wood that is much thinner than normal with Nomex honeycomb sandwiched between the two top plates. According to the luthier the top becomes more responsive because it is thinner and more rigid. I had a second thought when you mentioned the back being up against the body. I have seen guitars built with literally two bottom plates. The one that is inside the guitar is the one that is being used to resonate the sound. The theory is that because the body doesn't come into contact with the "functional" back plate the body doesn't effect the resonance and therefore the sound quality of the guitar. I found it quite interesting to see the construction of these guitars but was very curious "ya but does it really make enough of a difference to go through a lot of extra work". Love your videos Chris, have a great weekend.
I don't build but I play, love your videos, very interesting stuff!
The GABON is in Africa. You may be thinking of African blackwood? Gabon ebony is < I believe , under a CITES control. There is a lot of poaching of these trees.
You could also build yourself a long shooting board to joint your back panels.
Macassar ebony to my eye 😁 loving the vids so far 👊🏻
congrats on making to 17K. Even i dont make guitars, but very interested to learn. you guyz give out a lot of knowledge needed for a guitarist. i guess you need to sort out the release of the new videos, like mondays for woodstock, tues for matt etc this might make your channel be a bit more organised n let the viewers wait for their fav series on the day. cheers to matt for the awesome videography
I have the sander, it works great with a shooting board.
Another great video. Thanks Chris! That’s going to be one killer guitar.
I like the technical explanation given next to a googly eyed CNC that's trying not to make eye contact... 👀 😆
Again, Thank you so much for these videos!!
I'm surprised Chris didn't tell Matt "So this is how you do not do it". It's cool you guys are keeping it real
When is episode 15? Great job by the way
Hi Chris…
Was wondering what you thought about radiused back strap. Is that just a cosmetic thing or is there something more to it? Thanks
“Laying down the wood”
“Strap her down”
“Deep throated clamps”
😂😂 who knew guitar building was so twisted.
Love ya guys. Keep them Coming.
You see what I did there. Lol
Well played! Hahaha
I noticed that, in this episode, the sound hole is now bound. Do you have any footage or comments on the technique that you use for that process? I've been itching to try it but would love some guidance.
More one great video!
Oh shit…I’ve almost caught up with the series. I hate waiting! 😩
Thanks Chris, really great how to series. Can you say what router bits you use for different operations? Right now I'm most curious about the one you use to cut out sound boards and backs as I'm about to start on my first "from scratch" guitar build.
I use a 1/8 single flute for the index holes, soundhole, and profile cut. I use an upcut two flute .091 bit for the rosette
Just wondering how much your CBC machine cost. Love your content. Looking forward to more!! Cheers from Canada
That should have been CNC
@@tombrain3122 Your 'Canada' is showing! lol From one Canadian to another.
It’s about $20k USD all in. And I love Canadians
@@DriftwoodGuitars Only seems fair. After all, we love you. And I'm digging your videos.
@@DriftwoodGuitars I like the layout of your CNC ,what make is it? Love the videos! nice shop too.
First, you make beautiful, and beautiful sounding, instrument. Curious why you chose to have a CNC but no jointer?
He's getting a lot of versatility out of that CNC, whereas a jointer is a single operation machine, and where the function of the jointer is needed he's using his #7 handplane.
Hi Chris. Is there a specific grit you finish the inside (top and back) of the guitar with? Say a cedar top and mahogany back if it varies by wood.
Looks like Maccasar Ebony!
I had thought the same thing with all the lighter wood in there. I will probably be a snappy sounding instrument as that is a common tonal characteristic of ebony guitars.
I build drums and i love exotic woods. i love watching guitar building due to the skills and intresting tools and clamps but i dint build guitars.
As far as I know "Gaboon" ebony is just a misnomer, It's named Gabon Ebony, named after country of origin. Ebony grows all over Africa but from what i've heard/observed, Gabon Ebony is highly sought after for its hardness and lack of any real observable grain. Thats why they were used for old piano black keys. I have a question though........Is Ebony and African Blackwood the same thing?
thank you Chris and Matt. what is the difference between tight bond and lmi glue?
Yes the LMI glue dries a lot harder and is designed to be able to disassemble for repairs if needed.
I have some gaboon ebony in my garage. It’s considered the “blackest wood”, which that is not. So I at least know that that’s not gaboon ebony even if I don’t know what that is
Wow first comment 😎 really enjoyed this build.
Do you sell the lexan template you use for the top and braces?
Hi there, what is the name of that tool made by Veritas...approx minute 7:37 (from LeeValley) - Cheers
Hi there, I just had trouble finding it too but eventually discovered it’s called athe Veritas Shooting Sander. Ordered the 16” size for a little over $60 total. Hope that helps!
@@Mabemessage Thanks Ryan...I found it as well....cheers.
DO YOU HAVE A LINK TO AMAZON WHERE YOU BUY SPRUCE ?
enjoy your videos and I am not the craftsman that you are. I grew up in the time when we use more hand tools, was noticing that you was not able to get a good joint using your hand plane. This is just an observation may not mean anything, noticed that you dragged backwards your plane over the work area, also I was thought to lay the my plane on their side even on wood benches. this is not meant to be a negative comment just an observation keep up with the assume video's 👀😁👍👍
Thanks for the tips!
@@DriftwoodGuitars you guys CNC machine should be named Randy
I know good instructors will teach you the hard way first then the easier way. That's how my diesel instructor was.
That Fast & Furious reference 🤣
Its insane that you don't have a joiner for the precision work you do
I wish I did! Just don’t have the room.
@@DriftwoodGuitars i understand that, I'm at max capacity with half the equipment you have
Build yourself a big bench hook!!
Could this be macassar ebony?
You didn't link the jig!
Plot twist: it IS spruce!
A plane on its side will work too for the joining.
if you have a cnc why don't you put them on top of each other and run with a router bit against it; one pass and ready....
If you can dodge a wrench you can dodge a ball!
Gabon ebony as possibly opposed to African ebony...? Gabon is in located in......Africa.
Kaboom Ebony.
Are those bits of your lunch stuck to the ebony at 2:43??
Haha I wondered the same thing.
I saw that star trek reference
First you add googly eyes, before you know it the CNC machine starts to think on its own...
It is not Gaboon, but Gabon, which is one of the countries on the continent called Africa. So, the African Ebony can come from ANY of the African countries and the Gabon Ebony from Gabon only. You will have to identify the country from which the African Ebony came or call the Gabon Ebony African Ebony also. It's all about geography. As an African we would like people to study geography before the approach naming things found in the very vast continent.
Well sorry to offend you, but African Ebony, and Gabon Ebony are actually the names commonly used for two different species of Ebony. I didn’t just make those names up. Don’t come after me and act like I don’t know where Africa is. Get a grip.
@@DriftwoodGuitars I'm a botanist so I thought I'd check what the current taxonomic situation is and it seems that all "ebony" exported in any quantity from Africa is just one species: Diospyros crassiflora.
This quote is from a recent study: "A great deal of confusion surrounds the taxonomy of ebony producing species of Africa.....Their botanical identity was poorly understood before the 1930s and no taxonomic revision or phylogenetic work has been done recently. Ebony exploited in the natural range of Diospyros crassiflora was commercially identified by its provenance: Benin ebony after the Edo-speaking nation in Nigeria, Old Calabar, Cameroon or Cameroons, Kribi, Gabon or Gaboon ebony. Usage of these common names persist till date." Here's a link to the study: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112720314249
With any tree species that has such a vast range across a continent, there's going to be regional variations in things like wood colour, density, and so forth, due to different growing conditions and local genetic variation. And that's probably where the local names (Gabon ebony, etc.) originated. But technically it's all one species and your supplier would really have to be certain that a piece of wood came from a given country before applying a local name. With that in mind, just calling it all "African Ebony" is probably the pragmatic solution.
I hope that's useful. I'm not a builder, but I do play a bit, and I really love the channel and the craftsmanship that you display. It's given me a whole new appreciation of how acoustic guitars are built and how they function.
All good wishes from the other side of the pond.
Jeff
Why not call it ebony. Its ebony. Cheers
cukup 300 dollar aja tak bikinin kembar itu😂😂😂😂
All these jokers talking about Gabon ebony as if that’s the only place it can come from in Africa... 🤦♂️
Just like Honduran Mahogany, it’s not like the trees grow strictly within national borders. The trees cannot possibly care about the borders we set. These wood varieties are named in all kinds of crazy ways, over the years.
Too many comments from the peanut gallery.
Much respect to your guitar crafting skills, but dang... I lost interest in this marathon build many episodes ago.
Looks like guitar building might not be in your future then haha. I totally get it though. This series is designed for people looking to know how a guitar is built, in full detail. It’s not for everyone.
@@DriftwoodGuitars You're right, brother... I'm not destined to be a builder. That said, I enjoy watching the craft, but maybe not the mundane portions of the build. Props to your UA-cam contributions and best of luck helping others learn your craft.
We have a lot of stuff coming soon that’s not so “in the weeds” so stick around.
Just curious. Since you prefer laminated sides on your guitars and the sound proves you're right. Why don't you use a laminated back on your guitars? Can't wait to see this guitar finished!
The sides benefit from being rigid and the back does not