verhoevenc Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 So, the topic of veneering carved tops comes up more and more and more these days. I've consistently said "It's not my technique to teach." Well, it's finally come up enough times that I contacted the person who did teach it to me and asked if he'd mind if I just went ahead and did a video on it. He said to go ahead and do it. In case you're not familiar with what I'm talking about: This is actually a spruce carved top I built with just the quilted maple being veneered on: Or for instance I couldn't find high enough figure birdseye without getting heart wood color in bookmatched carved top thicknesses, so this is just plain maple with birdseye veneer: However, here's the predicament I'm in. I usually make the videos as I go through the process on a build I'm working. But right now I have a TON of stuff on my plate. New home owner, have about the next 1.5-2 years worth of projects already started (none of which I've planned a veneered top on). So basically, I'd be putting aside all this stuff to carve and veneer a top that I don't even have a project for. Considering I'm very "theme" oriented on my projects, chances are whatever I carve and veneer here will sit for a long time, or just never get used. This is kind of wasteful. I have always said that my video tutorials would be free, and I have no intention of changing that policy; I will do this video, and it will be free. However, if you've enjoyed my videos in the past, would like to help support the creation of this one by sending something; a carved top blank to replace the one I'll have to use, a fretboard, or a cool drop top; whatever, it would be much appreciated. Once again, I will make this video regardless of any donation, it will be free for everyone when done, you don't have to do anything. But if you would like to, it'd be nice to at least offset the cost of doing this video since it's just not something I have time for or planned to do on any build any time soon. If you'd like to donate to the cause, please drop me a PM and I can give you my address. If not, no worries. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted May 27, 2012 Report Share Posted May 27, 2012 I'm in....I have a ton of veneer just waiting for someone who knows what they are doing. Shoot me your address, and what you are looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 2, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 And so it begins... I had this nice perfectly quartered spruce top cut out to a PRS shape because a friend wanted to build one (and then ended up not wanting to after all). Since I'm not big on building other peoples' shapes I figured this was the perfect piece to use for the tutorial. I did the topographic section of the carve just now. It will be a nice .6" deep carve (.85" total depth with 1/4" edge). Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmth Builder Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Looking forward to this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stringkilla Posted June 9, 2012 Report Share Posted June 9, 2012 As an accomplished woodworker I'd say one of the major issues will be, how to maintain it's pliability throught the process. I have done plenty of veneering in my life but all flat work. Most curved or circular work is done in multiple pieces and species so surface forming is not an issue. I too look forward to seeing how you've solved this issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2012 A little more progress made in and out of the busy daily life stuff: Gettin' there on the carve. That's the long part. Once the carve is perfected, the veneering and videoing is the easy part! For those that are super excited to learn this please consider donating to the cause. I'm putting off other projects and working on this in the little free time I do have to try and get this out there for folks to learn from. Even small stuff like some inlay material, or a cool headplate, or something is highly appreciated. Drop me a PM if you would like to. If not, no worries either. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Carve is done. I don't build too many small guitars (13" or so) so I figured I'd bust out the big guns. Some guns that only do just over 13". And... Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 Holy crap, that macassar ebony (I assume...) is amazing! I doubt I'll ever need or use this veneering process, but I will certainly enjoy watching and learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmth Builder Posted June 21, 2012 Report Share Posted June 21, 2012 That top looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Done and veneered and filmed Now just gotta video edit! Chris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Teaser: Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted June 22, 2012 Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Wow! Gorgeous! Mind telling where you picked up that Mac ebony veneer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2012 Sure: a once in a lifetime eBay find hahahah. Sorry, I know that doesn't help Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmth Builder Posted June 23, 2012 Report Share Posted June 23, 2012 Is that quilting going across the ebony? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2012 Alright folks, it has arrived! I even spent the time to learn how to get iMovoe hi-res export to behave with YouTube and not cause audio out of sync issues. You're welcome Postheta Although its done, you're obviously still welcome to donate to the cause with some lumber or parts or something. But as always, my stuff is always free if you'd rather not. Enjoy! Chris 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted June 28, 2012 Report Share Posted June 28, 2012 Nice!.... A couple questions: The veneer seems to "flex" more than I had expected (in the carved areas of the waist). What is the overall carve depth on your top? Does the scoop carved in the lower bout cutaway/neck area ever give you any problems with wrinkles? Have you ever tried a softening agent with say a 1 piece veneer? And finally, has the neck & FB arrived? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 So this is a 5/8" to 3/4" carve. Somewhere in there. Started at 3/4" CARVE depth, 1" total billet. But by the time I was done a little probably came off. Never had wrinkle issues. Never tried a 1-piece with softener. I have used softener on crazy burl veneer (that one I said was my friends at the start). Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shad peters Posted June 29, 2012 Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 Chris what are you doin with fillipo's guitar? great video, I have been currious about this for a long time. I am not really sure that I will ever use the technique, but its very interesting to know. The the thought did occur to me however, is there any particular reason for not using a one piece veneer? would it simply be to many complex curves for one piece? it just seems like if you could use one sheet it would be a lot less work that trying to get a perfect seem in the middle provided you could keep it from buckeling or having big air pockets and stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 29, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2012 Filippo's guitar was having electronics problems. It went home with him last night good as new. No clue about the one piece. This is the way I learned. Give it a go and let us know Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwedishLuthier Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Great video as always Chris. I'm thinking there should be some way to have a rough guestimation of the shaping needed for the sanding of the veneer overlap so that there might me a few less attempts in the bag. Have you tried to put them on a carved top unsanded, line them up on the top of the arc, have them overlap at the neck and butt end, mark the overlap and then sand the veneer "sandwich" halfway to the marked line? Or maybee som other way to have a good starting point without making a complete 3D-model in CAD... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Honestly, after a couple times, you just get a feel for it and it's really quick. Also, even the ever so slightest difference makes a visible gap. So I question that a template or something could be made with CNC precision or something. As for marking the overlap, I bet that's work. But like I said, once you do it a couple times, you have the shape in your head anyways. Now you sir, I'd be curious to see what you could do with this idea! Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bmth Builder Posted June 30, 2012 Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Great video! There must be a way of sanding/routing the edges perfectly and precisely or factories wouldn't be veneering carved tops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verhoevenc Posted June 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2012 Like I said, I'm sure there is if you have CNC precision. But god knows my tops, carved by hand, aren't exactly the same each time. So the best a 'centerline template' will do is get me in te ball park to start. I can do that by eye now. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonx Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Definitely a good video for anyone interested in veneering. Good work.Definitely a good video for anyone interested in veneering. Good work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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