How To Make An Acoustic Guitar Ep. 37 (Slotting The Headstock)

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Tools used in this video:
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Bosch Colt Router: stewmac.sjv.io...
Router Bit: stewmac.sjv.io...
Rotary Files: www.rockler.co...
Guitar Tuner Drill Jig for Slotted Headstocks: stewmac.sjv.io... Guitar Tuner Drill Jig: stewmac.sjv.io...
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[@roosky203]

Guitar will be 4000 years old when this is finished 😂

[@johnvcougar]

🙄

[@markgordon4368]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@danielbreaux1842]

Guitar building is all about waiting between steps

[@johnjlong]

Glad you uploaded the ending, thanks. Can't wait to see the inlay work.

[@joshuapaulsen7414]

Even if one is not a musician, and is not a woodworker, you have to appreciate art when you see it. The stuff you guys do, and the way you explain it is class. Cannot wait for the next one...as always. Always inspiring.

[@DarkArtGuitars]

Just started watching this series a week ago, super happy not having to wait for any of the next episodes. Seeing that it was started a couple of years ago and there are 37 videos, I thought it'd be finished long already... Now I'm at the end of the road having to wait like everybody else :D Also, just FYI, episode 32 and 36 are not in the playlist and ep 22 is after 23 in the order.

[@DavidDavis-smiles]

Gooood afternoon from central Florida! Hope everyone has a great afternoon!

[@randyaquatoad8975]

That midieval drilling ramp maneuver is the most pucker factor thing ever. The whole dang neck and all that work 😲

[@rickyretic]

Chris, I have had excellent success using a foot switch with my routers depending on the application I'm doing at the time. Doing your slots is an excellent time to use one. It takes the pucker factor totally out of the picture. Get comfortable with your router placement and just step on the switch and begin to rout. I also have had my drill press hooked up to a foot switch for many years now. You will need the end of the cord to have a male and female cord end. The male plugs into the wall and you then plug your router into the female. If you have trouble locating one let me know and I will look in my files to get the company name for you. Love the videos by the way.

[@keestoft250]

Chris you're a wizard with wood, and you're now beginning to look like one too👌

[@davidthebiker2955]

Wow. Love it! Thanks for being so transparent and showing us your process of building. I've been keeping up with this build series and it's amazing to me how simple and easy you make it look. Which in my life experience I've learned that only comes from someone mastering their craft. When you look at someone doing what they are very good at and think, "They make that look doable; I could do that too." That is when you know someone is VERY good at what they do. Then you try it and realize that it's not easy at all. This was very apparent to me when you were shaping the graded slots with the drill and file lol. Thanks again.

[@scottreeves1226]

Some people complain that stringing slotted headstocks is difficult. Stringing slotted headstocks is awkward if one lies the guitar on a bench. But if one sits down and holds the guitar between one's legs it is a breeze. I also prefer having the tuner buttons pointing back. Pretty easy. Of course, I've been playing slotted-head guitars for 60 years, so I am not only biased but practiced. I like your method for creating the slots. I'll try it soon. The StewMac guide is great and quite durable. Thanks!

[@ralphdeguzman770]

Hi, just a suggestion. To guarantee the depth you can also use a drill collar set at the depth you want. you can get these from mcmaster carr

[@tonyhunt4250]

Very nice to see you guys back

[@DavidRavenMoon]

Dowel with a point on it = transfer punch. Very handy tools. You can get a whole set from Harbor Freight for $12.

[@richiepatton2483]

Do you guys think you will sell a DVD with all of these episodes together when you’re all done? I’m not to the point where I can build a guitar yet, but I’d love to have the full set of videos for one day when I’m ready. I’d hate for this content to be lost to the bowels of the internet when I finally have the time and courage to try to build a guitar.

[@YummyPork]

Oh wow, I can't believe I caught up to you guys. I started watching a month ago and did not expect to be here. Guess I will go binge watch the amp build and give you a chance to get ahead again. PS. Cool series. I have ventured back into my shop and have even dug out a copy of "Guitarmaking, Tradition and Technology" by Cumpiano and Natelson that I had bought in the late 90s. Maybe this is the decade I actually make something.

[@markgordon4368]

In the time you have been doing this build you have transformed into your great grandfather during the 70s 😂 , I can't get on my wi-fi and am using my data, better be worth it 😊

[@acepetreski]

I can't wait too see how will lock the final product:) I hear for sure:) You guys are awesome!

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Brilliant channel ❤

[@thecluelessluthier6520]

Very cool, I have done one slotted headstock and really like the look. (And thanks for fixing the end of the video! 😉)

[@oimate4201]

Great video. I’ll have to check out more of your work 😎

[@errobica]

f'n brilliant! Thank you.

[@dalgguitars]

OK Now. He's not using the Bosh Colt trim router. Every luthier on YT I've ever seen uses the Bosh Colt trim router. And! this guy is the KING of all tool lovers. (Ben Crow not withstanding, different thing) Something does not compute. There must be a story here. Inquiring minds want to know!

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

Ya the Rigid trim router kicks ass, I have used them all and it's my favorite by far. Everything about it is just perfect imho.

[@yelgerramirez]

Brutal👍🏼👏🏼

[@geamax1]

WE NEED THE CONCLUSION!!!!!!!!!

[@fredgosbee4617]

In the machine shop world, you pull out the bit after three diameters of depth to clear the chips and then pull out every 1/2 to 1 diameter as the hole gets deeper.

[@danlsmock]

Nice hair band😁

[@lastcall9998]

Can you make a video how to improve bass response of a guitar? I got an IBG J200, which as less depth than its Gibson counterpart. But the thing sounds... beautiful!!! Like for real, I think it has a great tone. First time I have a not made in China guitar. I feel its very well made, when I tune it up the tuner's needle stays like almost dead center to the desired note. That's a first to me also. Changed the strings (had PB D'Addario maybe 52's), to Lifespan Martin (PB) and right now it has Elixirs MEDIUM (80/20 because that's what I have) and now sounds louder in good way, still very good tone, like excellent. EXCEPT the bass is really not up to par. With the Elixirs it improved the midrange umph by a lot. I removed the under saddle pickup, replaced saddle with a bone one too. Soon will replace strings with Elixirs PB (Nanoweb ofc). If you know it can be done (I know about the changing the pins for no cavity ones, forgot the proper definition, etc. from one of your videos.) I will love you forever if you improve from afar my guitar X) In other words, I BEG YOU on my knees if you can let me know how to improve the bass. Sigh... Also, should I remove the pickguard? Can I take it to a carpenter so he makes it thinner? Then put it back on ? Will that help?

[@MegaTubescreamer]

A slotted headstock is right, ,it just is... i bought a guitar recently just to modify it into slots ..it looks beautiful ,its value instantly £quadrubillioned ,its not even for sale .the only one of its kind.😎

[@marmerg]

I enjoy your videos and respect your knowledge and experience .... but .... I don't understand your contention that a slotted headstock should sound better because of the greater break angle behind the nut . Wouldn't that then mean the advantage would become moot ,at or , beyond the first fret when using a capo ? For myself I feel the nut ( if properly designed , fitted and filed ) has very little to do with the sound . Otherwise using a capo at any/all frets would compromise this supposed advantage because the nut and break angle would be uninvolved with the situation . Also a non slotted headstock should be stronger, all things being equal . I have no problem with slotted headstocks ,other than strength , but I see no advantages other than looks and/or tradition . I love your work but tell me where I'm wrong ?

[@0whitestone]

I believe that slotted headstocks may very well improve the sound, I personally just hate dealing with them. You have to be very careful when a stringing, it's easy to scratch the edges and behind the nut; I've seen only of vintage guitars that are all chewed up. It also takes me longer to string them, but all this might be just down to practice. I do have to admit, they do look very classy

[@MusicWithWW]

Hey Driftwood, I would love to see you cut open a Maton guitar!! :D

[@StinkyParadox]

If you cut the slot with a smaller diameter bit and flush trim with around 2 mil left to cut, it should eliminate any tearout and diminish cleanup. You can achieve everything without the manual plunge if you build a jig (or 2) for the cuts. The jigs are simply open ended boxes to fit the head into both ends (for the reverse procedure). Wedges to clamp the head and threaded inserts and bolts on the wedge side to tighten the clamp (so you don't have to make accurate wedges for each headstock, but with cnc it wont matter). Also put two wedges underneath to make sure the head is making contact with the top of the box before tightening the side wedge. The box for the first cut has an overhanging platform with a fence and stops for a plunge router to rough cut the slots. The platform of the box for the 2nd cut is just a plexiglass top with your slot size cut into it as a template and then flush trim. I use the same flush trim bit for both cuts and not as risky as this method.

[@monday6524]

The jig is up!

[@walterrider9600]

thank you . why not drill the holes use the jigsaw then clean up with the router ?

[@jdfinley57]

Patience may be a virtue, just not one of mine! When do you think we'll see the next video in this series???

[@guycripplecock7804]

Where is the finished gutar

[@texhaines9957]

I don't mind a slotted headstock IF the barrel is not nickel or shinny. I cannot see to thread the B and high E through the barrel. I am legally blind: really hard time finding the holes in the barrel of slotted headstock tuner. I use toothpicks to find the holes on slab head guitars. Toothpicks fall through the barrel in slotted head guitars.

[@mynonameyt]

I’ve always liked the look of a slot headstock. I have a D41 with normal pins. Do you think it’s a bad idea to change it to a slot type?

[@texhaines9957]

Wonder how far we get. It was blocked after a few minutes before.

[@vanshankguitars]

This is not the Ben Crowe "last episode" right?

[@Today_I_Want_To]

Moses with glasses?🤔

[@BillySoundFarm]

I forget how many years ago I gave up on finding out how this guitar turns out

[@ZayyzYT]

7 months?!

[@davidedwards7172]

I'm team Slotted headstock, Who's with me !

[@Sammywhat]

They are a pain when it comes to replacing strings, but I agree, there is something special about a guitar with a slotted headstock. It's more traditional and just seems right.

[@davidedwards7172]

@@Sammywhat Agreed, The expensive guitars of the past had slotted headstocks with tuning machines. The cheap ones had solid headstocks with tuning pegs. The reason for this was that the tuning machines basically had to be hand crafted by a watch maker.

[@Brahmstein99]

who is goin to get that guitar :)

[@irishsquire1]

How can I get episode 38 on your 3000 year old guitar build?

[@aliasname602]

I'm going to give a 3000 year old guitar a series of lifestyle tests, then saw it in half and evaluate the construction.

[@rbaker1423]

You sold me on the bridge pins. You sold me on the laminated sides. But you will never sell me on the slotted headstock.

[@alistairwallace77]

What’s the wireless mic you guys use?

[@AMCKINGDOM]

Ok i sense some slacking going on! Hop to it!!🤨

[@eyeofamon]

I've gone to locking tuners for close to thirty years now, so slotted headstocks are an automatic No for me. If somebody would come up with a design that incorporates a locking feature, maybe I'd reconsider.

[@markossrarkos2729]

building 3000 years old guitar for 3000 years

[@zekragash4294]

It would take 2 years for my hair to grow that long. Wait a minute.....

[@waynejones6215]

So how long before this guitar is ready to play 3 more years😂

[@andsoistopped]

Get jiggly.

[@waynejones6215]

Don't jack it up

[@brunoleal9592]

Vai demorar mais 3 mil anos para acabar a guitarra. Tanta publicidade aos 3 mil anos da madeira... ridiculo.

[@waynejones6215]

Your not use a jig

[@waynejones6215]

You are not using a jig. Damn.

[@tysonkonken-jj3vd]

I know nothing about guitars. I am a fabricator. Metal. Welding, more specifically TIG. Personally, I'm curious why the individual parts are not completed first. In other words. I know you have machines, but what if during cutting something happens and you cannot use that part? I make EVERYTHING first, then test, then disassembled for finishes, then final assembly, testing for quality control.