Made to be a birthday gift for a family member.
On one level just another bandsman and on another a build with so many first time tasks. Safe to say I learned a lot.
The design considerations when chambering, carve top styling, the joy/pain of carving a fancy maple top, double staining, faux binding. My very first attempt an a nitro finish. With all the sanding and buffing I should have forearms like Popeye (probably showing my age with that reference.). In fact I thought I had sanded the life out of this project and in the final analysis I could have and should have gone further. Everything shows up - even when it could barely seen. So, it’s not perfect but only I can see where the bodies are buried! I also achieved my best ever fret job! Plays like a dream.
So my best build so far and i am giving it away….., I had a lot of fun doing it and want to express my thanks to Mark for his supportin dealing with all my questions, queries and occasional moments of stress throughout the process. I will probably have to do another just because i can.
Looks great! I'm currently having my first go a faux binding, pain in the rear lol
I like to wipe down with thinned down polyurethane first, shows all the scratches I missed. Then I'll coat with shellac sanding sealer because just about any finish binds to it.
@nsj thanks for the tip and your kind comments. Good luck with your faux binding. I did not find it to be difficult. I used sanding sealer on the sides before staining the top right out to the edge, just in case I had an accident with the stain, once dry knocked the edges back with a fine paper wrapped around an eraser. I felt it afforded more control- helped achieve an even edge. Seemed to work out well.
cheers - Steve
Nice work Stephen, of course you’ll have to do another😂 it is addictive after all🤣🤣🎸👍
🤣 @brie you’re not wrong there!
🗝️ "Life's what you make it"🗝️
