How To Make An Acoustic Guitar Ep. 38 (Installing Inlays)

Check out our newest product we're selling, the Bench Caddie! www.driftwoodg...
Tools used in this video:
Guitar Repair Vise: stewmac.sjv.io...
Foredom Power Tool: stewmac.sjv.io...
Precision Router Base: stewmac.sjv.io...
Carbide Downcut Inlay Router Bits: stewmac.sjv.io...
Abalam Inlay Blank: stewmac.sjv.io...
StewMac Ultimate Scraper: stewmac.sjv.io...
Guitar Repair Vise: stewmac.sjv.io...
Inlay Tracing Scribe: stewmac.sjv.io...
Plastic Side Dot Material: stewmac.sjv.io...
StewMac Super Glue: stewmac.sjv.io...
Stewart-MacDonald Epoxy: stewmac.sjv.io...
Inlay Filler Colors: stewmac.sjv.io...
Like our content and want to help us make more? Consider supporting us on Patreon: / driftwoodguitars
Here are some of our favorite tools around our shop!
Stewmac Tape Dispenser: stewmac.sjv.io...
Stewmac Conductive Copper Tape: stewmac.sjv.io... Stewmac Super Glue: stewmac.sjv.io...
D'Addario Bulk Acoustic Strings: stewmac.sjv.io...
D'Addario Bulk Electric Strings: stewmac.sjv.io...
Stewmac 2 in 1 Straightedges: stewmac.sjv.io... Stewmac String Action Gauge: stewmac.sjv.io...
Stewmac Pattern Makers Vice: stewmac.sjv.io... JessEm Router Lift: amzn.to/3wa6Tor
Fosi Audio Receiver: amzn.to/3A9zLOE LED
Overhead Shop Lights: amzn.to/3AyFz60
T-Track Railing Used on Island: amzn.to/3Cki29Z
Shop Refrigerator: amzn.to/3A8U1QE
Sure Shot Chemical Sprayer: amzn.to/3A8MO2O
LED Magnifying Lamp: amzn.to/3T2xOMu

[@marmotsongs]

Isn't it at least 4000 years old by now?

[@monday6524]

😆

[@Impractical_Engineer]

Never seen a guitar become vintage while it's being built.

[@TheAciddragon069]

the customer's grandkids will love this guitar when it's done

[@misinformationwithrandy]

...in 3,000 years.

[@gmc3155]

🤣🤣🤣

[@richardlee6886]

😂

[@omar2fly1]

No no, great grand kids

[@TarynnElizabeth619]

Chris.! Jerry Garcia called from the grave, and he wants his look back.! just kidding! I enjoy watching your videos, your guitars are amazing! I actually bought two of your paint handles a while ago. A few guitars that I’ve painted on my channel. Satin Black PRS style Guitar, Ibanez PIA. Custom super Strat that I designed and shaped a custom headstock on, and it is an homage to EVH, and prince. Being that it’s purple.

[@batbeardscs]

Hopefully it’s not another 8 months until the next episode. The customer waiting on this guitar must have the patience of a saint!

[@austinclark2378]

When I worked at Fender, one of my duties was side markers. We would line up about 15 necks on a table, (after rough contour cut on CNC) and bust them out with that 2mm plastic rod, except we had it by the foot. Wood glue and insert and clip proud. then they'd get fretted, then off to final sanding, where those guys would clean up the markers. my fingers were toast after doing that for 8 hours a day

[@skipbechtold3735]

Good video, I particularly like the way you casually continue like the guitar hasn’t been sitting on the shelf for a year.

[@matsbetner3400]

Fun fact: Since the start of this build, they have actually invented electric guitars! You should look into that. Amazing things, really.

[@johngriswold2213]

So great to have you guys back! You gave me a great push at the start of this build, I was working on #1 and watching your videos gave me much more confidence. Not throwing shade at all...I'm stringing up #6 today and have #7 about 1/3 complete, but none of them approach the degree of fit and finish in your builds. I'm just trying to hammer them out as I refine my tools, fixtures and jigs, and of course develop their sound. Would love to see a video on how your electrics are coming, possibly that business soaks up much of your time;)

[@jjohnson893]

This HAS to be a personal build! That or the client is very very patient.

[@terrythegnome2408]

I use 11 blades for this. I usually break off the tinny tip and cut around the inlay that way, multiple cuts. Also buy that precision router base. That thing is essential.

[@joshuapaulsen7414]

Thank you guys for doing these vids. Always looking forward to the new ones, and still love the old ones as well. Learned a lot from you two about woodworking in general.

[@yoriichiiii]

finally ! the 3k yr old build!

[@josephknudson5097]

Thank you Chris and Matt. God bless you.

[@rickgriffin3962]

How does the accelerant work if it can’t contact the glue?

[@knowyourjoe8826]

Good info. I really like learning about this sort of thing. Thanks for sharing.

[@joelnowland2196]

That inlay tool/router base has a port that you can connect an aquarium pump - which are very quiet - and work really well to blow the chips away as you route.

[@Bobo_Tapia]

Wow what great timing! I just finished the last episode a few days ago. Loving this series!

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

Welcome to waiting, like the rest of us 😂

[@RickMolloy]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has put the 12th fret marker on the 13th fret

[@zaredshawver9496]

I gasped so hard when you broke that inlay. It's like a horror movie. Good luck in Emmy's season!

[@WoodyPianoShack]

fascinating and admire the craftmansship. question, as you are cnc cutting the inlay, why not cnc cut one extra "stencil" of the inlay (the inlay as empty space) and use that as a jig when routing out the pocket for a perfect fit and quicker job?

[@just_a_guy_and_his_tacos]

that chalk trick is really a winner for me. Hated trying to see my scribe marks, and it just didn't click to do that.

[@WagesofGear]

awesome thank yall 2 videos in one week that's great

[@Acornhouseworkshop]

Surprised you're not using a very helpful tip. Wrapping a small piece of thin masking tape on the router bit as a flapper to automatically blow the dust away. Don't remember where I saw it but it's a game changer!

[@monday6524]

I do love the detailed explanations provided.

[@EarlsWorld4]

Love you guys.

[@bartholomewromero3383]

Awesome thank you for sharing, you guys build beautiful guitars.

[@emaneercsadeeni]

Chris took a Nazarite vow until this series is over?

[@Sammywhat]

🤣👍

[@lcguitars2393]

Nice! A $xx,xxx guitar and beautiful plastic side dots! Glad you didn’t cheap out and use something like free scrap ebony!

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Sure, because it’s the side dot material that make or break a great guitar. I probably should have used unobtainium instead of the plastic.

[@barrychristian4050]

Not sure which is longer this build or Ben's hand tool only build 😁 anyway it will be an epic guitar 👍

[@jimdoner3443]

Have you ever thought of jewels for side dots, larger side dots

[@robinkhoury5579]

Thanks chris and matt for them amazing videos One question that pops to mind regarding the fretboard markers installation, are the inlays pre radiused to match the fretboard radius or when inlaying them they're left sticking out a bit on the sides and then sanded down? Thank you

[@shawnpeterson887]

Nice work

[@trichromatic5717]

I know nothing about building guitars but wouldn’t a laser cutter be so much more efficient making inlays? I know they’re expensive but for the sake of ease.

[@Thexpertoneverything]

Love this!

[@jdfinley57]

Chris, it looks like you built your crown inlay on some kind of backer material. Did I see that correctly? If so, what material did you use?

[@richardlee6886]

I’m not gonna lie I forgot about this guitar 😂

[@johnjlong]

I think this should be named Episode 38

[@Benbenbenbenbenbenbenbenben]

I tried carbon fiber side dots once, but that's horrible to work with. Turns out a real mess and a lot of cleanup is needed when you sand them.

[@ShaneDavisDFTBA]

If this is the oldest wood you’ve used to make a guitar, what’s the youngest?

[@nathan2964]

Hi! Can you review Tyma guitars

[@davedavem]

Anyone know if the Ryobi rotary tool stands up to one of those Foredom ones? My Dremel is on its last legs and Foredom are free and far between where I am. Although a Chinese fake is tempting...

[@jeffalexander181]

Why don’t you just use your CNC machine to cut the pocket up for the inlay?

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Because it’s a hand cut inlay, so there’s no way to do it with the CNC

[@geamax1]

FINALLY!!!

[@KOvitt224]

Can you build a decent guitar with wood from the hardware store?

[@KOvitt224]

This should be a video challenge

[@maconmemories3085]

You're still working on this guitar? The customer must have some serious patience.

[@marmotsongs]

The delay is due to Chris’s fashion sense. He needed to wait until the the color of the 3000 year old wood matched his hair color.

[@DriftwoodGuitars]

Exactly! You get it!

[@sutorguitarsbytondewit6854]

I'm 63 years old, and the question is "will i see the end of this build"

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

To thine own sound be true.

[@davidedwards7172]

9th =)

[@waynejones6215]

Need to hurry with that 3,300 year old guitar before you lose all your hair