This is page 4 of a pictorial essay of a build. The guitar will be an all Koa 12 fret W body when it's finished. There's videos on page 1 and 3. Click on the images for a bigger view.
The back's installed. Now it's time for the binding. I use a homemade jig to cut the binding channels. I'm using one black purfling line on the binding. After the binding channels are routed I'll install the end wedge.
I didn't take enough pictures during the binding/end wedge process. I install the binding with Fish Glue. (the binding is one of only 2 places on a guitar I use bottled glue) I tape it in place and then use rubber bands to hold it tight while the glue dries. After it's installed I use a cabinet scraper to make it and the sides level. Using a scraper instead of a powered sander keeps the thickness uniform all around the body.
Here's a shot of the binding and end wedge
I can't find the pictures I took while I was preparing the neck blank. It's got a round bottom slot for the truss rod, and 2 carbon fiber re inforcement strips. I've also glued on a Bloodwood headstock overlay. Now it's time to prepare the slotted headstock. I use a jig to drill the holes for the tuners. Drilling the holes before making the slots will eliminate any blowout inside the slots when drilling.
The tuner holes are drilled. I lay out the slots, and rough them out on my drill press. I'll finish shaping the slots by hand with rasps, files and some sandpaper glued to a dowel. No fancy jigs here.
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