Strings (half) On! FINISHING the HTOB build.. Finally!! pt1

[@deanmakin5762]

I've been following for twelve years and out of all of the fantastic and out of this world builds if I had to pick one this would be the one. There's something about it that intregues me.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@davidstout4826]

I've been following for that long too and it still isn't finished 😂😂

[@sootys4024]

It'll never be finished. But that's OK, we'll never stop watching!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

It will! I promise 🙏

[@sootys4024]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars in all your builds, this is the one I am most tempted by. Not sure I have the patience (or skill) for hand tools only but there is something about the concept of taking one chunk of wood and making everything from it that really appeals.

[@moogoomoogoo5990]

I remember when it was announced the Beatles broke up. I thought, damn what will take up my time going forward? Then I found this guy building a travel guitar out of a fence post and I have following ever since.

[@oldmanzen6682]

"I remember when that build began," will become a mark of one's age.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

ouch :)

[@robman717]

The sound of that chisel, and watching you slowly work a piece of wood it’s why I subscribed years ago! I love it man. So glad to see one of these videos again.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@AnimalJohn85]

Love watching these build vids, a great lesson in how to overcome problems whilst creating more for yourself :) proper building from a very clever sod :) Absolutely mint as ever sir :)

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you Sir ☺️

[@peterschut63]

One of the nicest projects to follow as it shows your craftsmanship in design with a lot of limitations in materials and tools. I am glad you made it this far after some personal struggles. Take care Ben.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Thank you very much!

[@Mechetegames]

BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Anytime you start with "This is the Last Video" I'm like, sweet. 3 more videos at least on this project. Love your acoustic work Ben. So much passion, and I love it. Since you have the time, you could make your mother of pearl inlaid pegs for it too..... Just sayin.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

😂 Nooooooooo! Not more Mother of Pearl suggestions!

[@Mechetegames]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars But really, store bought pegs? I mean.... there's still a few scraps of that post left... right?

[@yakbowbw]

Can't wait for the next video!

[@kiwischolz9811]

I am really looking forward to hear that guitar for the first time

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Me too!

[@normbarrows2]

I built a rig to test 1" vs 11" of string between the saddle and tailpiece. It had no effect on tone or sustain, but more string = slightly less bending effort. On some builds I keep them all the same length for simplicity's sake or for more uniform bending effort from string to string, and on other builds I'll use different lengths for aesthetic purposes.

[@Slovy_]

Best thing to do when drilling is what you do when working with sheet metal In aviation. Step up w/many bits. 4-5 bits together get to 1/4” for ex. It can be as tight as a reamer. Get an aviation structure mechanic book. It’ll open up a different way of dealing with proportions/ radius’s/ hole spacings & patterns. I know you’ll get really into it.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Interesting, thank you for the suggestion

[@normbarrows2]

No matter the angle of the string inside the bridge, the string tension force is still applied at the top of the bridge, so it should be just as likely to pull up over time - if I remember my engineering mechanics correctly. However, the backward angle of the pins should make them a little less likely to pop out accidentally.

[@tonyhunt4250]

The suspense is something else.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I am so sorry!

[@TalkingMonkey1]

Beautiful! A ton of fun has been poured into that guitar.

[@2802Bene]

Now Ben is just messing with us! just one more vid he said, then there was the side vid about tuner knobs that somehow was not a vid but also was a vid. now there is the final vid ... part1! this is dedication to trolling on a new level ^^ love the build and what you do ben! keep it up! but stop teasing us by telling when something will be done 😂

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

🤫 soon.....very soon (I hope)

[@davidsen1805]

That first hand drill you used, I've never seen that style before, it's so cool!!

[@rnzafwaikato6023]

It's called archimedean drill, and yes it is a cool hand tool!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

One of my favourite hand drills. I think I decided to do this build initially just so I could use all these interesting hand tools ☺️

[@CastlebayNet_Music]

On my 12-string guitars I don't use a saddle slot. The saddle rides on a flat table, which allows fine adjustments by sliding the saddle to lengthen or shorten the strings. The saddle is quite wide at the bass side to allow compensation to be off the back of the saddle for the low strings and off the front for the octave strings. This is a design trick I got from Nick Apollonio.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

This.. This is intriguing! Mmm. Thank you!!

[@CastlebayNet_Music]

@@CrimsonCustomGuitars Would you like a photo of the bridge?

[@rasputinsbeard3899]

Gotta say though, those circular rubber supports are the bomb!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I use them all the time.. I want to make guitar specific ones though.. I'm not sure I trust this rubber with oil or nitro finishes..

[@DaveDickens]

Never believe the bull 😂, great stuff Ben! Cheers Dave

[@OllavoTozzi]

I found your channel last night! Looking forward to your current guitar build

[@DaveDickens]

@@OllavoTozzi thank you! Cheers Dave

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

welcome to the ride :)

[@adrianodagenova6935]

Nice Bevel Beryl!

[@muttcrewmusic]

I so look forward to hearing this one sing.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Me too!

[@MarcSiqueira]

The suprised Michael Scott joke sent me hahaha! Had a good laugh from that, thanks Ben!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robinfawcett7973]

Brilliant Ben! I'm so glad you're finishing this one and so beautifully... Have you thought about asking Richard Durrant to demo it?

[@brymills]

Looks great. Needs a pick-up installing though..

[@billstolz9587]

Went to a guitar show yesterday I'm still happy 😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

That's my happy place too

[@dalgguitars]

You might want to read Ervin Somogyi's book(s) on acoustic guitar building. It's really the pinnacle of guitar building books. Thanks for the fun videos!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Love that book, I'm sure it on a shelf somewhere.......nearby........oh there it is!

[@claytonhudgins230]

Dude, I’ve been watching you for several years and you are the ultimate perfectionist. A great lesson for me, thanks.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Wow, thanks!

[@phcoh]

Well the 32nd law of thermodynamics does quite clearly state 'wood will do what wood, would do, if wood was static and stable'. Try and say that after 5 pints. BTW Ben, did, you know that the bridge pins with the black stars used on the EKO Rangers back in the day are selling on Ebay for 25€ each. Surely you know someone in China that could reproduce them.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

damn.. and damnnnnn :o

[@jon.martian]

interesting cutting angle on that chisel ben, made it look hard to use in a critical situation.

[@PrimalScream91]

Hey Ben, I've been curious about how you're combating the dust issue in your new home workshop since it is directly connected to your living space? I assume since you mostly use hand tools inside that it will help cut down on the dust, but I'm sure it is still a unique challenge.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

it is a problem.. I am using a vacuum to suck it up where possible and do the dustiest stuff outside when I'm not filming.. but.. it is a problem :(

[@mattomon1045]

great bridge Ben

[@NotThatOneThisOne]

Considering the force of the strings on a a couple of thin/small pieces of wood, what's the benefit of using a glued on bridge and pins vs a pressure held bridge and separate tailpiece?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

tension.. having the pins right there makes for more downwards pressure.. a separate bridge and tailpiece needs a carved top really to get the right pressure to drive the top..

[@MooCow2X2]

That mahogany bridge worries me just a little… wonder how it will hold up to pinpoint pressure from string tension. Guess we will find out eh!

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

We'll find out. I will have to do an 'after 6 months of playing' review video

[@shrimuyopa8117]

Now we need a CNC only build.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

I actually agree.. though, I also don't think that is physically possible if you want a quality guitar?

[@AlexTapisevic]

Kinda sad this is finishing... its been a blast! i would like you to do more like this but I fear that it might destroy you 🤣

[@BLBlackDragon]

Ok, anyone who dared to bet that Ben would finish in this video, pay up. (LOL) In all honesty, that's fine. Making things right takes time, especially when you are fabricating not only the parts, but the processes to make them.

[@El_Padre_Guitars]

I have faith in you Ben, but this better sound and play great after all the effort 😂. On the edge of my seat for the final vid 👍

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Me too!

[@richardfoskett8903]

😂😂😂😂😂 We believe you, Ben - it will be finished soon… Had you thought of making it a padded leather gig bag…?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

yes.. yes.. and yes!!!!!

[@normbarrows2]

Slotted bridge holes and unslotted pins are supposedly a "tone thing" on acoustics.

[@JoeThornhill]

What's the big pin in the middle for??? I've wondered for the last 11 years since I got my acoustic and started looking for replacement strings at Anderton's and I can't possibly think of a answer.

[@tom_dilley]

Its an end pin for attaching a strap to the body.

[@JoeThornhill]

@@tom_dilley Oh. You mean on the neck heal, like for classical guitars that only have the one on the bottom?

[@vincentvandervaart8019]

Finish a project you say I will ooh look a squirrel

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

😂

[@themaskedsinger.8861]

Having a large tool!!!!

[@Shaqsonville]

Let's not forget, I'm pretty sure this was going to be a 24 hour build... Just leaving that there....

[@A.M......]

If you put all the videos together it comes out to 24 hours

[@TheScubaboy56]

Whats it been, two years or more???

[@PaulCooksStuff]

It was never a 24hr build. Cutting the fence post by hand was more than 24 hours in itself.

[@saulgoodeguitars]

@@TheScubaboy56 first episode released on 21st November 2021

[@Shaqsonville]

@@PaulCooksStuff I take it back. Initially it was meant to be a 4 parter

[@lukeharrigan904]

I haven’t been around these vids for a while, where is Ben making guitars now? Where did the huge shed go?

[@PaulCooksStuff]

The huge shed was at the bottom of the garden at the family home. Separation/divorce. Now his ex wife's home. This studio (living-room!) is at his new abode. A couple of neighbouring leased houses in a nearby town (that I've forgotten) thats accomodation for him and visiting kids, with next door rented to students attending the luthiery school. (Fine details probably not absolutely correct, but broad picture is close enough). At one point he had ideas of turning the house into a machine shop and moving all the lathes/drills/bandsaws from the shed, but the insurance company (or maybe the lease agent) went ballistic. With ADHD, he was finding it too distracting to work in the open plan workshop at hq. Too many questions, distractions and interruptions. He mentioned getting a solo workshop built at hq, but there's not really been any q&a streams to keep up with the wheels of motion.

[@marksby77]

“Phosphor bronze of course…” Because? They’re too zingy! I like nickel-wound.

[@asmnstn]

When did this build start? Seems like forever!

[@myoldmate]

Two years ago. kzbin.info/www/bejne/anewhHacg5iZjJosi=1i9xsvPw7iTQ_MYe

[@saulgoodeguitars]

First vid was released on the 21st November 2021

[@asmnstn]

Wow

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Wow, I feel old 😅

[@waynebake1123]

Mother of pearl bridge inlays?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

shhhh!

[@sidneycarpenter6723]

What watch are you wearing?

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Bremont chronograph.. not sure the model but I love it. Got a screaming deal a few years ago.. and they're a UK brand and starting to make their own movements in the UK too!

[@DonCue]

My 50mm chisel is named "Big Ben" as an homage.

[@mattomon1045]

Ben i know where your tools are there In my sock drawer!🤣🤣🤣😅

[@GP-Music.]

All this long while. We meet again.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Hello again 😁

[@davidwellings2783]

This build has become like Tantric Sex! Holding off the climax as long as possible!!!! Love to see you make stuff and this has been just wonderful! You are going to need so much of your industrial paper towel to clean up, when you are finished! Love it ! 🥰🥰😂😂☕️☕️🎸🎸

[@garethsnaim8174]

This would be the stage where I would right royally F it up.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

Wait...here's one more episode (we hope...)

[@phcoh]

Those hand drills are great, until the bit sticks and you end up walking in circles for a few mins till you realise.

[@phcoh]

Ps I think that instrument is going to be a lot louder than I first thought given the surface area of the body. Intrigued I am.

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

🤣🤣🤣

[@robraaiii]

“Finishing the HTOB”…….part 1 😂

[@jefferywarburton2116]

Ah ha gstring vibrations causing b and D vibrations. Right in the gutter.

[@howarddickson8727]

Ben, nice though the tuner 'knobs' are... and they are very nice... This IS a travel guitar, and they just scream 'I will be broken!". Personally, as a travel item, I would be looking to keep all extremities as compact as possible, even to the detriment of functionality. So yeah, nice and pretty, but I'd probably prefer shorter tuner stems and pretty basic, headstock hugging, narrow oval buttons, to lessen being bashed or catching on things. Just me being boring and practical! 🙄 Love the project though, and all you do. Love & Peace

[@TheVirakahScale]

I wouldn't be cross with myself, but I would be crindangley

[@oogkauwgum5123]

It's a pretty guitar, but those tuning key thingies... not so much

[@archloy]

This is the norm today but... while the title is saying "pt 1" "half on" ... there is no surprise 😢 But, the end is near !

[@CrimsonCustomGuitars]

The end is in sight!

[@peachmelba1000]

Always too much dither.

[@aceforyoutoo]

It’s getting annoying,you will never get anything done in normal time ,and it is not funny anymore,.

[@stu-j]

Don't watch and then! Simple.... pathetic....

[@howardcrane5902]

I have the opposite reaction. Attention to detail, artistic sensibility, using hand tools, takes time. So much to learn.

[@daniel_charms]

That's ADHD for you.

[@aceforyoutoo]

@@howardcrane5902 I think I have been watching about from the start , whit Chris and Ben etc. But this is taking the stretch in that the stretch is already gone ,.

[@aceforyoutoo]

@@stu-j how long can you stretch a build?