Building a unique classical style guitar - carving braces and a new idea EP 10

[@SparrowStockwell]

We have finally caught up with all the back episodes, and now we are in the same lot with those who are waiting for the next episode. We are looking forward to it. It’s a fun build with lots of creativity and innovation and thinking up things as you go, like the inner dolphins. 🐬 My husband just said you are able to get advice from your inner dolphin. I am still eager to see the outcome of the “long bar of dolphin.” Maybe there can be a dolphin inlay on the headstock, too.

[@DaveDickens]

I love the idea of an inner dolphin 😄. If I have one I’m not sure the advice I’m getting is good 😂. My aim with these videos is to encourage folk just to have a go. There are so many really experts out there it can be a bit intimidating, we think “I could never do that” and don’t try, which is a real shame. My approach is just to go headlong into it and see what comes out at the end. And most importantly have fun along the way. Thank you for watching. Cheers Dave

[@SparrowStockwell]

By the way, we really appreciate that you narrate your videos and tell us what you’re doing and why and where this bit of wood came from, etc. So many these days are doing the silent ASMR-type of videos, and while those have their place, we prefer the talking. And it’s nice that you have a British accent, too.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you. I want the video's to be a conversation. To be honest if I wasn't talking to the camera I'd still be talking to myself. Apparently its what a lot of us introvert guitar builders do 😂. When the build it finished I will hopefully put out a complete build video and that will be set to music. I say hopefully because I've been working on the music for a few weeks and so far just have 8 minutes worth - I need to do some more composing. Cheers Dave

[@davidbourne1613]

Really enjoyed this post. As a retired guitar maker I love seeing the different ways and methods current guitar makers use. looking forward to seeing more.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you, as an amateur I very much appreciate your comment. Cheers Dave

[@robinleebraun7739]

Even the sound of a sharp chisel cutting wood is satisfying.

[@DaveDickens]

I agree, cheers Dave

[@rshizuya]

Beautiful work Dave!

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@fusion-music]

Your design ideas are beautiful, despite your confession of lack of expertise. Epiphone use a floating bridge on their jazz models, but the riser threads for saddle adjustment goes into the guitar top. I think this is so that the bridge doesn't drift. However, it locks the intonation which is off. For myself, I removed the bridge and elongated the hole to allow correct adjustment. I'm also in favour of thicker saddles for more adjustments for intonation. I've just adjusted a 12 string for intonation and they should really have a thicker saddle to do the job right. Always a pleasure watching your process work.

[@DaveDickens]

The intonation is something that always concerns me. If there’s no adjustment and it’s not in tune it’s very frustrating. My Guild acoustic suffers with this and although it looks beautiful it goes out the further up the fretboard you play. One day I’ll have a go at that 🤔. Thank you for your comments. Cheers Dave

[@SweetTGuitars]

Hello Dave. Try taping a ruler down beside your brace and that will keep you from digging into the back! This is going to be a sweet guitar brother!✌️&💙

[@DaveDickens]

Great tip! Thanks Todd, cheers Dave

[@mattomon1045]

Dave it looks great

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@PaulCooksStuff]

Looking good 👍

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@RuffTymesBob]

I have made many solid body electric guitars and bass's, and I would love to someday make an acoustic guitar. I have to admit that I am lost when it comes to tapping the "sound board". I am not sure what I am trying to hear other than it ringing out instead of sounding solid. I admire your ability, and I trust that this guitar will sound as amazing as all the rest. Keep doing Dave things, God bless!

[@DaveDickens]

To be honest I’m not sure what sound makes a good acoustic top. I’m pretty sure it shouldn’t sound dead or rattle, so I’ll go with anything else 🤔 cheers Dave

[@salvadormartin4203]

@@DaveDickensi have seen some old time luthiers tap the soundboard, and then a keyboard or piano to come close to an F# for a classic guitar. I love what you are doing. I hope to do the same really soon.

[@intersanctum]

visit Driftwood here on You Tube and check out their 3000 years old guitar build. There you'll find everything from the scratch in 47 episodes. The last one is about to be aired with the finished guitar,

[@cheapskate8656]

IMO all that really matters is that it generates some sound. If you imagine tapping a thick piece of wood the note will be short and quiet, thats bad. We want it to be loud and long, a bit like a drum. I personally dont see the point in going for a certain note. As soon as we glue it to the sides that note goes out the window. I suppose if you make a lot of the exact same shape and volume guitars then it will give them a consistent sound, which could be a commercial advantage (ie purchasers know what they are going to get). Different builders go for different notes. I've seen people saying A, B and G.

[@fatpotanga]

Fabulous as ever Dave. As for fixing the neck you could perhaps use stuff and a thingy.

[@DaveDickens]

Ah the stuff and thingy! Just what I’m looking for 😂 cheers Dave

[@LoneRevD]

Love your concept, it should really look brilliant when finished. God Bless!

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@psnaith1]

Really going toe a beautiful guitar!

[@DaveDickens]

I hope so 🤞cheers Dave

[@Csharpflat5]

Like it flipper guitar ❤

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@TRICK-OR-TREAT236]

CAN'T WAIT 4 THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@stevesstrings5243]

Making great progress!

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@cheapskate8656]

With those dolphins in place, I guess you could say the back is going swimmingly.

[@DaveDickens]

😂

[@VoyeurGuitars]

So...my thoughts on bending the binding for the dolphins: I think steaming the wood will make it more pliable than the heated bending iron. Since they are small pieces, I might have tried placing them in a large steamer pot on the stove and steamed them like veggies for a bit to soften them up and make them bend easier. Basically a steam box, but in kitchen pot form. Might have been worth a shot. 🤔🧐🤷

[@DaveDickens]

That’s a great idea! Only problem is we’ve just had a new induction hob and a new set of pans. Not sure Mrs D would be happy me boiling up wood 😂. One to remember for the future thank you. Cheers Dave

[@RobertBOUSKILL]

Love your ideas.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you! Cheers Dave

[@sergiopires3408]

Muito bom! Obrigado!

[@denispitiot]

ce qui est important est ce qui ne se voit pas. Beau travail Dave

[@DaveDickens]

Merci. Santé Dave

[@KeenerGuitars]

Looking great seems like she has a lot of low end sound , also medium viscosity CA works really well to hold binding in place around really sharp corners until ur regular wood glue sets up , of course the tape is still necessary the ca glue is just another insurance it's going to be where u want it when everything is dry

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you for your advice. Cheers Dave

[@barrychristian4050]

Loving the dolphins back straps Dave, a thought for the binding around the other ones would sealing the binding first with say super glue help stop any stain creeping into it maybe?

[@DaveDickens]

That’s a really good idea. I’d thought of painting on so melted candle wax but super glue may be better. Cheers Dave

[@barrychristian4050]

@@DaveDickens just have to be careful not to get any on the top of the stain might not take 👍

[@meno3633]

Dave, just thought of something important. Next build, you gotta do it Orca themed... that way you can call it the Delphinidae Collection. Yes... this is the way (Mandalorian voice)

[@DaveDickens]

I’d certainly have a whale of a time making it 😂 cheers Dave

[@paintbox48]

Hi again Dave..sorry I'm late again to this vid - been away! Really interesting, enjoyable, set of processes to watch. One thing that puzzles me a bit though - is that you removed the back centre strip and replaced it with the dolphins on the basis that the grain was going in a better direction - unfortunately they don't cover the whole joint! Surely the purpose of the back strip is like a length of cleats? Also the dolphins add thickness across the back - don't know if this has any impact on tone. I've only made a couple of acoustic style guitars, and feel pretty ignorant about what really contributes best to tone and strength etc.

[@DaveDickens]

You know me, I’m just as in the dark about the centre strip. I just figure something is better than nothing 😂. It’s an experiment we’ll find out what happens. Cheers Dave

[@patrickwilliams3108]

My friend, you are making enough acoustic guitars to invest in some finger planes. They will make short work of brace shaping and there is a much reduced risk of cutting into the back or top.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you, you are right of course, perhaps one day when budgets allow. Cheers Dave

[@patrickwilliams3108]

@@DaveDickens Well, let's hope it's soon, eh? I am looking forward to hearing this instrument play. Cheers to you, too!

[@cheapskate8656]

@@DaveDickens I think I hear opportunity knocking hear Dave. Maybe we will see a "Dave makes a finger plane out of scrap materials" video. :)

[@robertr4193]

Sense those top braces do not go all the way to the edge of the sides to anchor in at the side isn't that just going to be added weight on the under side of the top and may cause it to sag inward over time. Most acoustic guitar build I have watched the builder attaches the top and back braces to the kerfing around the top and back which spreads the load through out the whole body.

[@DaveDickens]

You know I think you may have a point. Of course we won’t find out if it sags for many years but I may look at mitigating this before I glue the back on. Thank you this is a learning project. Cheers Dave

[@codelicious6590]

Why not use cyanoacrylate for those fiddly little wooden dolphin perflings? It couldve been slightly easier but I dont know I sure lovw all the ideas. I have an abundance of ideas as well and intend to build a Firebird style guitar but I struggle with "decision paralysis" -so many ideas and beginnings I cant seem to settle on where to start!! Very frustrating.

[@DaveDickens]

Thank you for the CA glue tip. I usually end up with my fingers stuff to the binding 😂. A Firebird sounds cool, just go for it! Cheers Dave

[@SparrowStockwell]

Dave, we’d like the story behind the LOVELY CHEESE GRANDAD CUTTING BOARD!

[@DaveDickens]

Ah the Lovely cheese. I'm a big fan of the animated series called Wallace and Gromit. Its a bit of a cult thing over in the UK about Wallace (a whacky inventor) and his dog Gromit (who really is the one with the brains). Wallace love cheese and his saying is "Lovely Cheese Gromit". My eldest daughter has just done a practical DIY course that included woodwork and she made the guitar shaped cheese board for Father's day. Its not really suitable for cheese but it looks great on the wall in the workshop. If you get a chance look up Wallace and Gromit - very funny. Cheers Dave

[@SparrowStockwell]

@@DaveDickens Oh, we know Wallace and Gromit! We’ve seen a couple of the movies and we have an old VHS tape! We love them! There was one with Shaun the Sheep, too.

[@jerrywelch7165]

Coming along great (as usual 😊), very intrigued about your sanding station, apologies if you’ve gone through that during earlier days, I assume it’s a board with holes in and connected to an extractor, did you create a timber “funnel” to connect the hose into and to direct the dust collected from the top into the hose? Looking forward to hearing this one play, best wishes for the neck joint 👍

[@DaveDickens]

It’s a wooden box with OSB on top perforated with a grid of 6mm counter sunk holes. Inside I have a thin board which slopes down from the right to the vent hole on the left. Very simple but it seems to work okay. Thank you for asking. Cheers Dave

[@jerrywelch7165]

@@DaveDickens thanks, something else for me to build 😂😂😂

[@hendrikvandijk2483]

TY

[@DaveDickens]

Cheers

[@electricladyguitarsdevonuk1414]

Floating bridge could locate/lock via pins. Offset bracing will result in a characteristic it otherwise wouldn't have - just different, that's all. Could be a happy accident?

[@DaveDickens]

Let’s hope 🤔 cheers Dave

[@KeenerGuitars]

Hello my good and creative friend from across the pond can u give me advice as to what app I may be be able to get for free to edit my videos as I don't have any idea what I'm doing when it comes to editing so it has to be kind of dummy proof thank you, cheers mate

[@DaveDickens]

Hi if you have an iPhone or iPad or Mac pc you can use iMovie it comes free with these devices and it’s very easy to use. I’ve made a couple of my videos using it. I’m not sure what’s available on Android devices unfortunately. There is a free movie maker on Windows 10 that may be just call Movie ( I’m not sure). Just shoot the video on your smartphone phone and you are away. Hope that helps. There’s loads of good advice on KZbin. Cheers Dave

[@ПашаПашенько]

🤘💙👍

[@DaveDickens]

👍

[@seanjoynt2605]

Dave I will send some pics to your Instagram. So don't forget to go there. 😁

[@DaveDickens]

I’ll have a look, you know me 😜 cheers Dave

[@sigung01]

So sick of people doing nonstop talking. The ONLY thing that matters with an instrument is how it sounds, and the only thing we know about sound from this video is your annoying voice. Play the guitar, play it well, and if it sounds good, then talk.

[@DaveDickens]

Oops sorry you probably want to avoid my channel. Plenty of great guitar builders out there. Cheers Dave

[@intersanctum]

There's a mute option for jerks like you.