I make my mini chisels by grinding the point off a #11 x-acto blade then put an edge on the end. You can make any width chisel you want. Also, no need to make a handle: use the x-acto blade holder . Cheers and keep the excellent content coming.
Hi Dave - really enjoyed this. It was good to chat on the TH-cam telly on Friday, although our chat didn't get close to this guitar! I love the sense of adventure - as you say "Why Not". The guitar community is fairly conservative - for understandable reasons - price, availability of materials, ease and cost of construction - but one of the liberating aspects of being a non-commercial builder is the fact that we can do what we want. I'll be watching with interest. Cheers.
Thank you Simon, I really enjoyed our chat. Unfortunately my equipment let me down and I just lost all sound from you guys and in trying to correct that my sound went haywire. Ah well, I learned a lot from the conversation and its clear you are far more experienced than I. My approach is very much to dive in and see what turns out, not always successful but always a lot of fun. I thought the quality of your builds was absolutely fantastic and the fact that you use re-cycled material inspiring. Please keep in touch. Cheers Dave
@@DaveDickens That's so kind Dave - I've just been lucky to find the right environment that has allowed me to effectively complete a luthier's apprenticeship. I was impressed with your approach to recycling on your last build - I've never made a metal bridge!
Dave: This info probably comes to you too late to be of use. However, many classical guitar makers, angle the saddle a bit for the sake of intonation. The 1st string can be .5m1m long, and from there on the saddle can angle back up to 3mm for the 6th string. This bit of temperament does make a difference in the guitar playing in tune. This might provide the effect you are looking for regarding a mast.
Hi Dave, well, whilst I like the design and creativity, as it appeals visually, Im a bit dubious about the practical side of the design. First, using zebrano is not really very practical, esp for a nylon string guitar. Have you tapped it to see how it sounds? How heavy is it? I suspect you may be disappointed with how it sounds, esp with all tge work your putting in to your first build. There's a reason classical guitars usually have either cedar or spruce tops...its the weight versus stiffness. Nylon strings dont produce the vibrations that steel strings do, and thus need a much lighter top. I would have thought you could get a reasonable quality Western Red Cedar top for a fairly small outlay? To get the zebrano to sound okay, you'd probably have to make it extremely thin, thus making it too weak. If you leave it fairly thick, theres a good chance it will sound dead and flat when played. Also, if you put unusual sound holes in the top, its a very good idea to make them fit in around the bracing pattern, not alter the bracing to fit the sound hole. Would be a bummer if the top collapsed the first time you strung it up! Sorry to be so negative, but Im just concerned you might be pretty bummed if tge guitar doesnt work properly after the amount of effort it takes to build it.
Mr. Practical. Where were you when I was making all those huge mistakes while making my first full sized acoustic? I hope Dave is reading this comment, though. I’m sure he appreciates the sound (pun intended) advice.
@@robinleebraun7739 where was I? Probably making some of the same dumb mistakes lol. I think these problems often arise with folks who've only made electrics because the issues of strength, lightness, stiffness, tonewood etc are irrelevant in electrics. But they are the core, critical issues in acoustic builds, but cant be found out unless you are told by an experienced builder, or do a lot of research beforehand.
Andrew thank you I always appreciate your advice. I'm aware that the Zebrano is not ideal for this type of guitar and initially I thought of changing it. Now? Well I'm sort of hooked on it and I'm of the view if I'm prepared for the problem then I may be able to mitigate it. I have an idea for the top bracing which again is going to be little unconventional - its aim will be to create the thinnest top can achieve with a fan style bracing that transmits the vibration from the bridge across the top. This will involve some sort of internal structure that gives strength to the body but without damping the top. At the end of the day this guitar is an experiment, I could have worked to a standard plan and created, probably a very acceptable classical style guitar, but you know me, I'd like to try something a bit different. I really appreciate advice from you experts, as they say if you see the train coming down the line, you can jump out of the way 😂. Cheers Dave
@@DaveDickens cool mate, so long as you are aware of the possible isdues, Im sure you can come up with an innovative way to deal with them 😁. I very much look forward to seeing how it works, I might learn a few new tricks 👍🏼. Good luck mate
A great concept Dave. Have you considered making teardrop shape pockets on the top and filling them with crushed mother of pearl in epoxy resin?
That’s a really good idea, I was wondering if that would work. I shall do a test! Cheers Dave
Dave, the coloured top is really convincing as the surface of a sea and the dolphins set this off beautifully, well done!
Thank you! Cheers Dave
It’s charming so far.
Thank you! Cheers Dave
I make my mini chisels by grinding the point off a #11 x-acto blade then put an edge on the end. You can make any width chisel you want. Also, no need to make a handle: use the x-acto blade holder .
Cheers and keep the excellent content coming.
Very clever! Thank you. Cheers Dave
Hi Dave - as usual great to see your thinking process in practical experiments - looking forward to seeing things progress. Cheers Terry
Thank you! Cheers Dave
Couldn't help but hear dolphins talking as you cutout and filed the dolphin silhouette!
Ah you heard them too 😂 thank you, cheers Dave
Hi Dave - really enjoyed this. It was good to chat on the TH-cam telly on Friday, although our chat didn't get close to this guitar!
I love the sense of adventure - as you say "Why Not". The guitar community is fairly conservative - for understandable reasons - price, availability of materials, ease and cost of construction - but one of the liberating aspects of being a non-commercial builder is the fact that we can do what we want. I'll be watching with interest. Cheers.
Thank you Simon, I really enjoyed our chat. Unfortunately my equipment let me down and I just lost all sound from you guys and in trying to correct that my sound went haywire. Ah well, I learned a lot from the conversation and its clear you are far more experienced than I. My approach is very much to dive in and see what turns out, not always successful but always a lot of fun. I thought the quality of your builds was absolutely fantastic and the fact that you use re-cycled material inspiring. Please keep in touch. Cheers Dave
@@DaveDickens That's so kind Dave - I've just been lucky to find the right environment that has allowed me to effectively complete a luthier's apprenticeship. I was impressed with your approach to recycling on your last build - I've never made a metal bridge!
Best of luck with the build Dave.
Thank you! Cheers Dave
Grate in lays Dave
Thank you! Cheers Dave
Dave: This info probably comes to you too late to be of use. However, many classical guitar makers, angle the saddle a bit for the sake of intonation. The 1st string can be .5m1m long, and from there on the saddle can angle back up to 3mm for the 6th string. This bit of temperament does make a difference in the guitar playing in tune. This might provide the effect you are looking for regarding a mast.
Thank you, this is very helpful. I'm sticking with the fan frets but I can still incorporate your suggestion. Cheers Dave
like you said, why not have a fanned fret classical guitar it innovative and something new! really digging this build dude!
Thanks chef, for me its all about making the best of ingredients you have to hand, or at least trying 😂 take care cheers Dave
Same with me on cooking
🤘💙👍
👍
Hi Dave, well, whilst I like the design and creativity, as it appeals visually, Im a bit dubious about the practical side of the design.
First, using zebrano is not really very practical, esp for a nylon string guitar. Have you tapped it to see how it sounds? How heavy is it? I suspect you may be disappointed with how it sounds, esp with all tge work your putting in to your first build. There's a reason classical guitars usually have either cedar or spruce tops...its the weight versus stiffness. Nylon strings dont produce the vibrations that steel strings do, and thus need a much lighter top. I would have thought you could get a reasonable quality Western Red Cedar top for a fairly small outlay? To get the zebrano to sound okay, you'd probably have to make it extremely thin, thus making it too weak. If you leave it fairly thick, theres a good chance it will sound dead and flat when played.
Also, if you put unusual sound holes in the top, its a very good idea to make them fit in around the bracing pattern, not alter the bracing to fit the sound hole. Would be a bummer if the top collapsed the first time you strung it up!
Sorry to be so negative, but Im just concerned you might be pretty bummed if tge guitar doesnt work properly after the amount of effort it takes to build it.
Mr. Practical. Where were you when I was making all those huge mistakes while making my first full sized acoustic? I hope Dave is reading this comment, though. I’m sure he appreciates the sound (pun intended) advice.
@@robinleebraun7739 where was I? Probably making some of the same dumb mistakes lol.
I think these problems often arise with folks who've only made electrics because the issues of strength, lightness, stiffness, tonewood etc are irrelevant in electrics. But they are the core, critical issues in acoustic builds, but cant be found out unless you are told by an experienced builder, or do a lot of research beforehand.
Andrew thank you I always appreciate your advice. I'm aware that the Zebrano is not ideal for this type of guitar and initially I thought of changing it. Now? Well I'm sort of hooked on it and I'm of the view if I'm prepared for the problem then I may be able to mitigate it. I have an idea for the top bracing which again is going to be little unconventional - its aim will be to create the thinnest top can achieve with a fan style bracing that transmits the vibration from the bridge across the top. This will involve some sort of internal structure that gives strength to the body but without damping the top. At the end of the day this guitar is an experiment, I could have worked to a standard plan and created, probably a very acceptable classical style guitar, but you know me, I'd like to try something a bit different. I really appreciate advice from you experts, as they say if you see the train coming down the line, you can jump out of the way 😂. Cheers Dave
@@DaveDickens cool mate, so long as you are aware of the possible isdues, Im sure you can come up with an innovative way to deal with them 😁. I very much look forward to seeing how it works, I might learn a few new tricks 👍🏼. Good luck mate