JimRayden Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 I found some suitable alder for me in the local woodshop but it's thickness is about 1 inch. Now, would it be too bad to glue the guitar out of 6 pieces: three side-by-side and in two layers. I've never seen guitars built with two layers of wood, will it be alright or should I keep looking? ------------ Jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Setch Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 I found some suitable alder for me in the local woodshop but it's thickness is about 1 inch. Now, would it be too bad to glue the guitar out of 6 pieces: three side-by-side and in two layers. I've never seen guitars built with two layers of wood, will it be alright or should I keep looking? ------------ Jimbo It'll be fine structurally. However, you may find that the joint is visible through your finish, even if you use an opaque colour. This sometimes happens with 70's LP's - the Norlin era guitars where often pancaked out of 1" mahogany since it was cheaper. For a first instrument, which is likely to be slightly shy of perfect (at least finish wise) it'll be fine. You can save the more expensive materials for later, when you've got a little more experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimRayden Posted August 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 Hmm, what causes the side seam to be seen if I form it and sand it to the same level? I mean, there's grain fill, sealer, all that stuff to make the finish look smooth... ---------- Jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpeg2 Posted August 25, 2004 Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 I do most of mine this way - the woods I use are hard to find in 1.75" thickness - mostly they are 1/2 the required thickness. No problems yet with building or sound. I've built two with 2 layers of the same wood and the layering is visible. On one, there was a faint line at the joint - maybe due to glue absorption into the wood surfaces. In the other case, you could see a change in grain direction above and below the joint. In neither case did it look bad - go ahead... Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimRayden Posted August 25, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2004 I'm gonna put a solid finish on it, so grain direction is no big deal. I got a huge piece of ash but I think I'll buy the 1/2 size alder too. I think the ash isn't dried enough... Oh, won't it damage the sustain a bit if I make the body out of that many pieces? What do the drying process look like? I can throw it down to the corner of my room and take it out after a year or two? ------------ jimbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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