Ep 14 - The Guitar Comes Together - Gluing Up - Making a Modern Multi-Scale Electro Acoustic Guitar

[@vamito3070]

You've done lost your mind in a good way! The back "spine". Have you done them this way before? Your enthusiasm shines! All good wood workers sweat the details. Again, Thank you for sharing.

[@chrisschulz3403]

In 2018, after a bad breakup, I needed to get away from my everyday life. I traveled from the US to take a six-day course at Crimson. That week in Dorset, biking to the shop everyday, was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I learned a new passion, not just for luthiery, but working wood in general. I make my living in a wood shop now, and am the happiest I've maybe ever been. Thank you, Ben (and Christopher, and Tom, and Sam...).

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

US?

[@markpotemra]

@@gramursowanfaborden5820 I think he means USA United States of America

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

@@markpotemra he means UK, United Kingdom, which is where Crimson is, in Dorset.

[@gramursowanfaborden5820]

wow, i can't read at all can i

[@sheumack]

Yeah. It's on my bucket list. Was halfway from Australia to UK (via Japan and Canada) when Covid hit.

[@woodstoney]

Lowering his hand to the workbench for support then looking up at us with that somber look of woe stating, "I've just put my hand in some glue." - That was the best! I really enjoy Ben's dry humor and his amazing amount of knowledge and techniques as he makes the work seem easy. Love these videos!

[@petedazer3381]

Ben, please take all the time you need, this is very enjoyable to watch a true craftsman at work.

[@BoneheadGuitars]

This build has been more engaging than anything I’ve seen in a long time.

[@samgendler]

Yes, but I'm dying to hear how it sounds. It's taking SOOO long!

[@BoneheadGuitars]

My builds too. I’m just happy to be greeted every Saturday with a little progress that’s a joy to watch.

[@Runoratsu]

Those videos are always over so much quicker than their length would suggest. I’d happily watch them at thrice the runtime!

[@davidfink4963]

Fastest 30 minutes of the week

[@scrawfordmusic]

I second that!

[@garagemasterguitars]

Two years ago I had a garage. Now I have a place full of sawdust and stuff! This is all Ben's fault. Thank you Ben, I am entirely grateful. I'm new to woodworking and guitar building and am having a blast. I have a couple of builds that I'm really happy with, this could not have been done without your excellent videos. I got a scraper yesterday (I didn't know what one was last week) I'm really pleased with it, it's so useful. See what you've done! Many thanks for driving me mad.

[@A.J.K87]

At 4:15: The moment we witness Ben sparking the idea for the project that is going to drive him insane for the next ten months. Seriously though, a guitar based on the Sutton Hoo mask and sword would be pretty epic ;)

[@Atherax]

Oooo that would be interesting

[@mikeburgess6153]

When Ben said lower horn, all I could think about was that episode of futurama.

[@dalgguitars]

This is such a fun build! Thank you so much for letting come along with you.

[@greenatom]

What a pleasure it is to see these builds! The design decisions, the beautiful abstract shapes that emerge, the craftsmanship, all so good. Thanks Ben!

[@sporadicamnesic]

Watching a well sharpened chisel effortlessly glide through piece of wood and watching the shavings curl away is really, oddly, satisfying!

[@PG-ex3kl]

Your genuine love and excitement for what you do is inspiring! Thank you Ben

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you. 😊 I am basically in luthier/tool junky heaven tbh. B

[@harrisonandrew]

It is absolutely fascinating being able to watch you you work and see your thought processes as you build.it’s a privilege. Thanks Ben ✊👍

[@Kabayoth]

And it's not said enough: I need to thank your video editors for keeping the content coming. Sister Talitha is doing a great job.

[@edwardjensen9737]

Love that subtle veneer in that bottom section, adds a lot!

[@dennisneo1608]

These videos fly by. I don't want it to end.😩

[@timcoombe7880]

This instrument just gets better and better.

[@driesvanoosten4417]

In a Spanish built, the neck is first glued to the neck, after which the sides are set into tenons in the neck. They are held in place by wedges. The back is the last part of the body to go on. The fretboard goes on last.

[@carsandguitars116]

I realized something with the veneer thing on the inlay : you should have a black binding around the top, it would look awesome ! Additional idea/question : are you going to stain things on the inside (braces...) ? Because they will be somehow visible.

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

Okay, now I need to see a Sutton Hoo inspired build. That would be incredible. Carved plates riveted onto a top with animalistic hardware. A guitar fit for an Anglo Saxon king!

[@sheumack]

Do we have to bury it again afterwards?

[@russellscott1151]

So you just watched The Dig on Netflix as well then :)

[@ianthomson9363]

I love the tail inlay, such a classic simple shape but it makes such a huge difference.

[@Ramplcro]

Great. I hope that in the next video you could explain exactly how you determine where the neck goes, given that the body is curved, the neck is raised above the body and if your heal bottom is parallel to fretboard or angled.

[@KingBespokeCreations]

Thanks linking the ‘voicing’ paper. After finishing my none traditional Archtop build I’m really curious about these small changes that affect sound. I watched @tommyhovington and his Mandocello build and found it fascinating.

[@jonhaynie1987]

I'm getting 90-hour vibes from this build: start off as a nicer version of a previous build and it slowly turns into a whole different thing but with the same wood. Loving it!

[@misinformationwithrandy]

Your end inlay detail is a masterpiece detail on a masterpiece guitar.

[@bronsoncarder2491]

I was about to come to the comments to suggest a plan for the neck... And then you started describing exactly what I was going to say. lol When that top just kind of slotted in place on the body, like it had finally come home, I teared up a bit myself. That was awesome. lol

[@ronsefcik6932]

Well Ben you say that read all the comments so I figured I would let you know that I’ve been watching your videos for years and at this point I hear your voice in my head narrating what I’m doing while I work! Lol 😆 Thanks for everything you do. I’ve never once built a guitar but I find your videos incredibly soothing to watch after a long stressful day.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Hey Ron, I really really appreciate this, thank you. People like you area a big reason why I keep on doing this with such ferocity! B

[@ronsefcik6932]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Well you’re doing an amazing job! And as the owner of a marketing agency I’m continually impressed by all of the work that you’ve put into making Crimson what it is today. And if I do ever decide to finally try my hand at building a guitar I will certainly be buying all of my tools from Crimson!!

[@PatonMacD]

@Crimson Custom Guitars You should do an inlay of chrome or brass on the side of the neck that you can only see if you peer into the hole on the top horn

[@rauschguitars]

Will be interesting to see the neck joint. I'd be a bit worried about the long term stability with the neck glued to the back as the main point of contact, but I guess it's not really that different from a dovetail style joint.

[@spensekirsch7771]

I cant wait to hear this thing when its done! I wish I had half the talent of this man, he is a true craftsman.

[@shivangagarwal8043]

Ben i have been a huge fan forever but your love for Linkin Park has made me an even bigger fan!!!

[@GregHilmes]

Wasn't sure what I was gonna watch today, and then I remembered a new episode was out and I got super excited! Loving this build

[@jonathan.connell]

I really like the new schedule with the Kit Build and Scratch Builds, I like having things to look forward to ;)

[@richardsandson]

I'm appreciating the 'warts and all' approach to this little series. Both refreshing and reassuring. I can't wait to see the finished result. Maybe in person at Crimson on 12th April! Whoop

[@Ryan_F.]

Man carved instrument bracing just looks so cool!

[@Atherax]

I'm loving this guitar so far, I appreciate your concern for the interior that's the kinda stuff I do when making things, even if no one else ever notices it it's something you know is there.

[@glennwhitlock1272]

Well said. I commented on some Gibson hollowbody guitars on Trogly's show the other day. What an absolute mess inside those instruments with splintered wood and glue everywhere. And that's on a £3,500, production-line guitar.

[@robmoreau3272]

@Ben I can't wait to see what you do with the neck joint. It's so exciting to see this innovative build style. So unique! A beautiful piece of art in the making as well as a potentially great instrument. Very entertaining to watch and i love the new home shop format. I hope you continue with it, even after life gets back to normal. Cheers.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I don't think I'll ever go back to Crimson HQ Full time again. It is so much more relaxing working from home and also much more efficient. The team at Crimson are great and I don't need to hold their hands day to day any more. B

[@robmoreau3272]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars that's great. congratulations!

[@bazzer124]

Personally, streaming at 10am UK time works best for me (Chicago). Nothing better than an afternoon cuppa whilst absorbing guitar stuff from Ben. Cheers....

[@joeleblanc7457]

Ben Thank you for craftmanship it really made me sharpen my wood skills. Beautiful wood your working with. Thanx from FL. JOE LEBLANC

[@soneraksan5168]

Ben I could watch you carving braces all day. Perfect sharp tool paired with perfect craftsmanship. So satisfying ☺️ Thank you and greetings from Munich

[@sittynine]

Excellent build! I recommend a fretless baritone guitar with a two octave multi-scale neck and a 35 degree twist from the nut to the bridge like a Torzal comfort bass. Also make the body like a Tosin Abasi or one of those basses where the upper horn is a massive hump for neck stability. Can’t get any more challenging or crazy than that!!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Sounds fun.. I'm sure I can go a bit further than that though ;) b

[@Ripper13F1V]

All your builds are particularly cool, but this one is amazing and is speaking to me. Keep up the great work, and thank your sister for hers as well.

[@gerrykavanagh]

I’m so happy with your neck mounting solution, mainly because that is what I was thinking would be a nice solution.

[@philwild5279]

I'm increasingly amazed by how strong wood glue is - at a casual glance you'd think the whole guitar's going to explode the first time string tension is applied. Love the 'Y Fronts' inlay ben, it sets off that end of the body really nicely. :)

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Good glue is incredible.. I agree. And you can't go wrong with quality underwear! B

[@BrentJJ]

Awesome looking build. Love watching your videos while taking a break from playing and watch you and drink coffee. Thanks for the entertainment and awesome builds. Hello from 🇨🇦...🎸

[@miahorg]

These multi day videos are like a survey in plaid flannel. I love it.

[@aipsong]

As always, fabulous, passionate attention to detail - it will be a truly beautiful guitar!!! My only desire would be to see it in its natural color, with no tints - just an oil finish. That would reveal the intrinsic glory of the wood. Thanks for all of your videos and the inspiration you offer so freely!!!

[@stuartgrier5605]

Ben, your live stream should go out at 21:00 Fridays UK time or 13:00 on a Sunday UK time.

[@jeremyschiesser7086]

I have faith that this is going to be a fantastic build! Very inspiring work !

[@yazman4040]

If my Google-fu is strong. Then I need you to start your stream at 02:00am Ben my dude. Get to it.

[@mikeivey8471]

Awesome , sir !! Just awesome !! This Nebula II is going to be fantastic !! Looking forward to what you will do to attach the neck !! You asked about the time for the live stream on Fridays , so here's my $0.02 worth ... I would love it if you did a 2nd live stream a bit later in the evening your time so that we American viewers could participate a bit easier . It's about 3:00 eastern here when you go live now & a touch difficult for me to be watching live because I'm still at work ... But I do understand if that's not possible or preferred . Just selfishly asking you to indulge me ?! LOL love your channel & I'll watch every episode no matter whether it's live or not !!

[@maxwedekind8992]

My favourite series atm

[@bobbrowne3027]

Lol. Your "L" plate is upside down and back to front on your overalls. ( sorry). Love that inlay detail added to the end BTW.

[@petediaper]

Love the little squirrel of distraction 🤣 the build is looking amazing 👏

[@stephencarey6114]

Loved this episode sir, especially the bit where you squirrel.....ooh shiny......

[@Charles-Darwin]

The neck's heel should have some planed underneath it - only where it's within the body cavity - and I think it would be cool af if it were float above the bracing in there and shaped into a sort of tuning fork. It might be great for sustain, and it would be unique

[@rrobster2851]

I really like the song playing in the background at 16:15. Any idea who it is or name of album?

[@emptyMan0]

I really didn't expect the inlay from the same wood as the sides, but with the veneer, it works.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

a bit of highlighting does wonders! Thanks for commenting! B

[@kamba666]

Hi Ben. First of all I would like to thank you for making those videos. I have spent more time watching them then I would like to admit. I have a question if you dont mind. I would like to try to make a wood pickguard for my PRS S2 standard 24 but I cant find any suitable wood here in Ireland. I was thinking some flamed maple or burle veneer about 3-4mm ticknes. Would You have any suggestions where can I order something like that in UK or will Crimson start selling some wood on there websight? Thank you in advance

[@AdamTheKluga]

This is looking AMAZING! Sorry if I missed it, but have pickup choices been discussed as yet? I feel like this is screaming for a really clever internal setup a-la Jon Gomm, Mike Dawes etc. Like a piezo, internal microphone and maybe a magnetic pickup too..? Or maybe no top-mounted pickup so the whole thing is clearly visible. But yeah, I feel like a multi-pickup system could really do this thing justice 😃

[@tahoemike5828]

How is the pickup going to be mounted? You haven't left a hole for it in the top, is it to be surface mounted to the top from the outside? I'm wondering because you haven't included any structure for it to mount to. If it's to be mounted to the surface of the top why not include a mounting plate, like the bridge plate, under the top for it to screw into? If you intend to cut a hole in the top for it, will you be attaching it to the heel of the neck? If that is the plan, are you planning to carve a flat spot for it as you shape the neck and neck joint? Just trying to ask before the top gets glued on.

[@voxmortis5636]

18:43 my reaction whenever there is a closeup of the beautiful maple :D

[@denislamadeleine1181]

very entertaining and it only makes me wish I could get my work area finished so I can get started on my first build. Well done once again.

[@teslapete4461]

can't wait to hear how this guitar sounds acoustically. i hope you can build a traditional dreadnought at some point.

[@carlhouse8819]

Good god I think this could be the most beautiful acoustic in the land !!!

[@carlhouse8819]

Nebulosa is alive

[@edkovac8978]

It's coming together nicely. I can't wait to see what you're planning to do with stains...

[@SHUB_MetalZone]

this wood's really look stunning... and the body too 😉 the piece you add on the bottom is a really good addition...

[@PatonMacD]

TIL today: An Oscillating sander can be used as a thickness sander for small parts... never saw that before! I also saw a squirrel and got distracted.

[@IrchaMan]

Ben Is like a kid in a candy shop, and it's so addictive to watch :D

[@aaax9410]

I like what you have done so far with this guitar , keep up the good work Ben :)

[@teslapete4461]

Dana Bourgeois is your go-to for all voicing. he's known as the authority and has several videos and classes on top voicing. :)

[@graemecollin]

Are you going to be putting some LEDs into the body, to shine through all of the sound holes?

[@clarkbabin9799]

I'm wondering how your going to do electronics if you are doing that. Would love to see the carved body. Been thinking about just that sort of thing for awhile.

[@tuxcode7344]

Well I am building a guitar or trying to at least and I have been filming some parts of the process.. But the problem is that I'm doing some weird electronics stuff with the neck and fretboard that's going to require a lot of testing the process and the electronics and soldering over 400 super tiny components onto a 0.4mm thick PCB by hand, making sure the LEDs are not interfering on the pickups (for which I'm planning to flood the PCB with a very thin layer of graphite filled epoxy) and i fully expect the whole process is going to take ages and I'm going to make a lot of mistakes that I will need to fix. Which is fine with me because I'm building it for myself, but I don't think I'll be done on time for the great guitar build-off 2021 and I seriously do not want to rush this one. Though I could be persuaded to send some pics along the way or when it's coming together a bit.. 😁

[@DabFanatic]

What do you do with all your dust and wood clippings/chisel left overs? Keep them? Burn em? Use them in more projects? Haha just curious 🙂

[@Brandon-so9fp]

God you've made me start carving again, forgotten how much I love it making a arch too hollow body. Thanks for the inspiration.

[@andrewbailey7999]

Are there any plans for a line of crimson acoustics? Also have you ever built a resonator guitar?

[@C36B]

Absolutely entertaining as always. How about adding the black veneer between the body and the top to keep the theme?

[@ballyshannongirl]

When you said you're old because you're listening to Linkin Park, I had a look at my turntable where Rory Gallagher was spinning.

[@LuciFernato]

Same story...only it was Sinatra

[@martidiarkay8576]

Rory never gets old, only died young

[@robmoreau3272]

same, except mine was Led Zeppelin

[@claudevieaul1465]

Miles Davis 'Kind Of Blue' 😎

[@DJBuglip]

Well, I'm going with your pick, no offense, Ben.

[@juliedwayne7218]

Wondering when the neck is glued in will the glue surface need to be radiused, or are you gluing another plate in that is radiused on one side and flat on the other? I've been wondering about this for a couple of weeks now.

[@patchevansbrokencountry2583]

I have a Rob Armstrong guitar that was made for Gordon Giltrap. It was never meant to play acoustically and the top is vvvvv thick. So...if you make the guitar more "acoustic" will it be prone to feedback at low volume?

[@stringsalive20]

Martin certainly tucked their braces in. Not all builders do - especially those building with a live back in mind.

[@HardRockWorkshop]

Great build Ben and I’ll be booking my course at Crimson hopefully very soon. In the meantime your livestream might work best a couple of hours later. Early evening and after work UK, later evening Europe, midday ‘ish in mid west USA and a bit earlier further west.

[@thatjacksondude858]

You could hide a small battery pack and inlay a few LEDs into the neck block to light up the inside of the guitar.

[@johnfenton9283]

Newb here. Is there a round over plane you can use. I was thinking when you were doing the ribs

[@jamesbroxton9414]

Early morning video. Rude 😋 Also hit me in the feels when you said you are old because you listen to Linkin Park

[@hlynurth6259]

When your chisel is so sharp that you wield it like a pen....

[@steviereilly6550]

Hi Ben. Why not hide your signature inside the guitar, so it can be seen through a sound hole? Great build 👍🏻

[@chrishunter9256]

So.....for this wood veneer...(6:40 in) ... is this actually ebony, is it even wood at all.... started pricing out ebony veneer in USA...and was astonished at the cost.... wondering if that's what most builders are using for this accent....... comments very much appreciated!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Hi Chris, great question. This veneer is actually black stained tulipwood, by www.thewoodveneerhub.co.uk/ I'm not sure where to find it in the US. But you are right, ebony would be far too valuable to use as an accent, unless Ben was using on off-cut from an ebony fretboard for an inlay piece or truss rod cover. Hope this helps - Talitha

[@davidmcausland4088]

I wonder Ben are we going to see more Videos like this making electro-acoustics in the future i'm really enjoying this series

[@Kabayoth]

How are you going to stabilize your sound holes? I'd hate for those to start flaking away into the rest of the burl. Would a subtle binding protect those edges?

[@btlxguitars7606]

"Best superhero costume ever Ben", he said in the most soothing reassuring voice he could muster, meanwhile backing slowly out of the workshop to a safe distance while Ben works the excess caffeine out of his system.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

That would take years.. years I tell you :l B

[@roelschouten8834]

Hi Ben, where do you get the black veneer from???? I'm having real trouble sourcing it in NZ. Thanks

[@MrPod15]

I have been thinking about your green to ebony colour scheme (obviously, pft) Am I being presumptious in suggesting a sensual Lime Green?

[@seeteasea5497]

Thank god this video finally dropped! Been waiting all morning

[@teslapete4461]

do a dovetail, it'll be way easier down the road if the neck ever needs to be reset!

[@migael581]

Hey Ben, what types of wood would you recommend for a first time scratch build?

[@teslapete4461]

it would be nice to see a mini-episode of your watch collection! :)

[@marklamontagne3919]

What brand of chisel are you using Ben? It looks like a 25mm with the rounded back. The guitar is looking amazing.