Lets build a little guitar

[Freeman Keller]

I've had a box of wood sitting under the bench to be built into a little parlor sized guitar. Today I got it out and started building up steam to get started. If anyone is interested I can post a little ongoing thread showing progress, frustrations, mistakes, my thinking process as I go along and whatever else comes up. As you all know, I am not a pro at doing this but I've built a few kits that have turned out to at least be playable guitars. Let me know if this would be of interest.

 

So there is no misunderstandings - I build kits, which means some of the things I could really screw up are already done for me (mitering the fretboard, bending sides, rough shaping the neck - most supply houses call this a "serviced" kit). I highly recommend this as a way to build at home - after you've built a few you can start buying the tools and doing the harder tasks. This one is from Luthiers Mercantile International, or LMI for short

 

http://www.lmii.com/

 

They have some standard kits (like StewMac) but they also have a trick little way to spend extra money, er, customize your kit with a Kit Wizard. The parlor is a result of running the Kit Wizard, and here is what I got

 

 

It is basically a very small guitar, East Indian Rosewood back and sides, Sitka top, 12 fret slothead neck. From left to right in the photo are two pieces of spruce and one of mahogany for braces, the neck, truss rod and neckblock, top with the rosette channels routed, on the top are purfling, bridge, pearl for some inlay, and the fretboad above. The curved strips between the top and back are prebent rosewood binding (I plan to do a style 41 pearl trim with wood binding like my 12 string). On the back is some fretwire and the back reinforcing strip, some maple and ebony for the peghead, and the prebent sides. Above is the kerfing and under everything is a set of plans for a "Small Concert/Parlor" sized guitar. This little package cost almost exactly $500 and does not include tuners, finishing materials, or the pearl to go around the edge of the body.

 

I picked up materials to build the body mold and a go-bar for clamping braces - if there is interest in me continuing this I'll take some pictures of making the molds and jigs. I'm guessing that this will go on for a couple of months before it is ready for finish so bear with me......

[Broadus]

I'd like to see this project take shape. I enjoy being creative vicariously.

 

Bill

[Stackabones]

Looks like cool little project!

[Glenn F]

I'd love to see you do this, Freeman.

 

Cheers,

 

Glenn

[kwakatak]

Aawwww, how cute!

 

I'll be watching this with interest.

[denvertrakker]

Can't wait to watch your progress!

[BrandonBrinley]

yay your getting started :]

cant wait to see the progress begin :]

[T.B.]

Please, let's build a li'guitar. I'm looking forward to this pictorial Freeman.

 

Trina

[AugTPD]

I love build threads!!!

[OldGuitarPlayer]

Please, let's build a li'guitar. I'm looking forward to this pictorial Freeman. Trina

 

+1:thu:.....and T.B...let's share some

 

[babablowfish]

Cool! I'll enjoy following your progress.

[RKO]

I'm in too, Freeman. remember, if your daughter doesn't want it, I called dibs!

[BrandonBrinley]

I'm in too, Freeman. remember, if your daughter doesn't want it, I called dibs!

but freeman if she doesnt want it you can save on shipping and give it to me :]

[SkippyX]

 

I love build threads!!!

 

 

+1:thu:

 

Build Threads are BADASS!!!!!!!!

[Queequeg]

I love them little parlor guys.

Wish we could rig up a time lapse photo op.

[Krash]

 

Wish we could rig up a time lapse photo op.

 

 

Could probably do something like that on the Annex.

 

Freeman?

[C70man]

This is perfect.....your timing couldnt be better.....My "kit" will be a standard stewmac when i get to it.....Can't wait till I see yours step by step.

[daklander]

Please do post your progress with pics.

[mole2]

I'd like to see the guitar get built.

 

 

[guitarist21]

You sure do dig those slot heads, don't you Freeman? Well I can't wait to see the finished product. And there is DEFINITELY an interest in a step-by-step (or, you know, step-by-every couple of steps) pictoral of this project.

 

Ellen

[Dances w/carp]

This is cool stuff. I'd like to do this one day soon. I'll be watching studiously.

[eflat]

Freeman - please DO do this build - I've been meaning to PM you for ages about building a kit guitar, where to get a good kit etc, so I would very much like to see how this develops.

 

 

A bit OT, but can someone recommend any other sites for buying kit guitars other than Stew-Mac? I'd go with them but I don't want another dreadnought, I'd prefer something a bit smaller, something like the kit you've got in the above pic, actually!

[daklander]

Freeman - please DO do this build - I've been meaning to PM you for ages about building a kit guitar, where to get a good kit etc, so I would very much like to see how this develops. A bit OT, but can someone recommend any other sites for buying kit guitars other than Stew-Mac? I'd go with them but I don't want another dreadnought, I'd prefer something a bit smaller, something like the kit you've got in the above pic, actually!

 

LMI, Luthiers Merchantile International should have kits and Janet Davis Music has some kits as well.

 

By the way, if you're interested in building a kit, while watching Freeman build his, An Amateurs Guide to Building an LMI Guitar Kit by David Painter. Tons of pictures and information.

[Terry Allan Hall]

We have consensus!

[eflat]

LMI, Luthiers Merchantile International should have kits and Janet Davis Music has some kits as well. By the way, if you're interested in building a kit, while watching Freeman build his, An Amateurs Guide to Building an LMI Guitar Kit by David Painter. Tons of pictures and information.

 

Thanks a lot for the link, I've been looking for somewhere that does this kind of thing in the UK but it looks like I'll be paying a lot of shipping costs!