The Open 'Burst Project

[TonguePirate]

I can't believe I "just" stumbled across this thread. Great work guys!
A few things of interest to add here.

-Archtop guitars built by cnc machinery
http://www.germanguitars.com

-Stewmac sells ebony & rosewood fingerboards slotted & radiused in Gibson scale for an extra $8. Don't know about you but it's a no brainer for me

-This is an Excel file that I created for figuring out scale lengths/fret spacing. All you need to do is put your desired scale length in the red box & the formulas will do the rest. http://www.bluebellyguitars.com/FretScaleCalculator.xls

 

[Tonefiend]

ReValveiT :

Does mastercam support splines / bezier curves???

I am just asking as I haven't used mastercam before and I know that some programs don't like splines, especally if nurbs are used.

Yes it does although I don't use them much. Once in a great while I will convert a series of arcs to splines. Or I will use them as projections onto a surface or solid.

Here is a link to photos of a guitar I programmed with Mastercam and cut on a Fadal. It might be of intrest to the digitally minded builders here. The folder "cnc guitar" shows the process, and Mastercam guitar shows the finished product.
This was done a few years ago. To get the ideas for the toolpathing I visited the Taylor factory. (I work there now) My fixture was pretty crude by todays standards but did the job. I also made the stop tailpiece. http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4035064



Here is the guitar finished.

B.t.w. the ash backed and the black one are analogue, built with routers and shapers. The tops were hand carved. The bottom burst and the unfinished "Mercury" were built digitally.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showalbum.php?aid=337&uuid=5

 

[Tonefiend]

Regarding neck angle around 3.5 degrees is perfect for a LP and what the vintage ones I have seen have been.

 

[TonguePirate]

The cnc pics are very cool! Thanks!

 

[P 59]

Yes it does although I don't use them much. Once in a great while I will convert a series of arcs to splines. Or I will use them as projections onto a surface or solid.

Here is a link to photos of a guitar I programmed with Mastercam and cut on a Fadal. It might be of intrest to the digitally minded builders here. The folder "cnc guitar" shows the process, and Mastercam guitar shows the finished product.
This was done a few years ago. To get the ideas for the toolpathing I visited the Taylor factory. (I work there now) My fixture was pretty crude by todays standards but did the job. I also made the stop tailpiece. http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4035064

Here is the guitar finished.

B.t.w. the ash backed and the black one are analogue, built with routers and shapers. The tops were hand carved. The bottom burst and the unfinished "Mercury" were built digitally.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/showalbum.php?aid=337&uuid=5

nice pics of guitar on fadal.

Did you us aniline dye on the prs style guitar, as the colour looks great.

Have you any tips when designing the neck??????

 

[TonguePirate]

What do you mean by tips? when designing the neck?

 

[Tonefiend]

I use aniline dye. The top was stained. It took a few tries mixing it to get the right intensity. To get the reds I made up toners then mixed them into the lacquer.

I stole most of the neck design from '50s Les Pauls applied to a 25.5 scale guitar with my own neck and heel shape.

 

[P 59]

revalveit

Have you had any offers of guitars yet??????

 

[ReValveiT]

revalveit

Have you had any offers of guitars yet??????

No,

I'm expecting delivery of a new R8 this week though.

I'll keep you updated..! :salude

 

[P 59]

No,

I'm expecting delivery of a new R8 this week though.

I'll keep you updated..! :salude

How is the quest for the 58 going????????

 

[cpsmaxima]

Ok, so has anyone gotten the top carve plans yet?

 

[ReValveiT]

How is the quest for the 58 going????????

Yip, got her yesterday. I'll have a full report later.

 

[P 59]

Yip, got her yesterday. I'll have a full report later.

I forgot to ask have you a digital caliper??????

I have a digital caliper from moore and right they also have a plastic version.

 

[P 59]

ReValveiT

Just thinking are you going to digitize your burst????/?????????

 

[ReValveiT]

Hmmm. As it stands now I probably won't be. :toobad

The digitiser's 'bed' is too small (apparently) to hold the Guitar's body...Plus, after reading up lots of info in the Vintage section, it appears that the Historic body ain't a true 50's copy anyway. :bonk

Looks like we'll have to find someone else for this job...

Sorry.

 

[P 59]

Hmmm. As it stands now I probably won't be. :toobad

The digitiser's 'bed' is too small (apparently) to hold the Guitar's body...Plus, after reading up lots of info in the Vintage section, it appears that the Historic body ain't a true 50's copy anyway. :bonk

Looks like we'll have to find someone else for this job...

Sorry.

I might know a person with a larger digitizer interested?????

I also know someone who has access to a 50's burst and compare it with yours??????

 

[cpsmaxima]

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with... Plans for a true 50's copy would be great!!! Keep us up to date. :dude

 

[P 59]

Anyone have the spec / cross section of the top, at the end of the fretboard next to the neck pup.

I think the area directly under the neck pup is flat ?

 

[P 59]

Anyone have the spec / cross section of the top, at the end of the fretboard next to the neck pup.

I think the area directly under the neck pup is flat ?

 

[Indiana Erick]

The recently updated Stewmac Les Paul plan was taken from Big Jim's '59, the famed "Iowa Burst". it was drawn by Don MacRostie when Jim was in town a few months back. www.stewmac.com/item/0857