We’re trying to design assembly techniques that emulate methods Gibson pioneered in the 40s, but without building a factory full of heavy engineering. Here’s the best tour video I’ve seen on the Memph...

Mr @darrenking is still here occasionally ...

@robin I used Titebond for speed because we were only running tests, but I reckon the combination of Titebond AND spray AND thin (and a little warped) sacrificial veneers all contributed.

Conclusion? I can’t afford the time or the wood to do a full set of controlled experiments. There are too many variables: Mould depth The curve of the carve Thickness of veneers Number of layers Vari...

@jamesbisset And this time the lamination crumpled up like a hankie. You're certainly having challenges there. Do you think that wetting it is the problem there. I think I remember Darren using n...

And so I returned with a new mould made with 6 layers of 2mm MDF rather than 5 layers of 3mm MDF - so approx 12mm deep rather than 15mm. We were running out of fancy veneer we could risk on tests. So...

👍 I'd not noticed the tape.

@jamesbisset Hi James, Just wondering if it would be better not to tape the veneer to the mould and just allow it to slide into the hollow. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🎸Ἳ...

Was the trial cap, or the veneers, moistened at all or perfectly dry? Just wondering whether a bit of moisture would make any difference?

Don't blame you @jamesbisset.

Both pressings were aborted. I now had two slightly bent veneers with cracks. To continue the testing, we took the two cracked veneers and put a leaf of cross-grain poplar in between. Then we glued th...

We tried another piece of joined veneer, this time using the back mould. It happened again. Attachment : IMG_8873.JPG On the plus side, look how closely the veneer has followed the mould. Even ...

Moulds made. Veneers book-matched and joined. it’s time to get sooking no blawing. But first, a test press.As I’ve only got enough veneer for the actual build, Mr Bailey volunteered a piece of book ma...

Have you put the pick-up holes in the back???

@tv101 Ah yes... the other minor hiccups.

@jamesbisset Your lamination will wrap roundeverything, not just the bits you want it to. Looks like more learning curves.

@tv101 But weirdly, much less forgiving. If you cut out the various layers assuming that you’re going to be shaving them back, you cut them oversized. You can also cut them out quickly and roughly, be...

@jamesbisset All fantastic stuff James. Really looking forward to seeing this unfold 🙂🙏🎸🎶

Right, off to make a new mould for the guitar back. More posts when I’m finished with that.

So soon I have a big pile of joined veneers. Attachment : IMG_8866.JPG