Shooting Board

Just put together my shooting board to join the top and back plates (never noticed until now, but why do we call it that instead of "front and back" or "top and bottom"? Just another oddity to love). I'm a little concerned about the length, but if it doesn't work I'll switch the stops. Per Steve Summerford's blog, I also chose to use a big enough sheet of MDF to double as a workboard for gluing the plates and anything else that may come up. I ended up getting this old wooden jointer plane off of ebay for cheap (I won't list the price, but lets just say it was a single digit). I have a feeling I'll need to true the sole and make a few other adjustments, but that's a small price to pay for using a unique tool. Unfortunately that's one of the sale photos with the shop in the background.....too bad that didn't come with the auction...

Another

Just for fun, experimenting with the rosette, learned that too much looks like too much. I think i will use this fingerboard though

Rough Outline

Here is the rough outline for the guitar, bridge placement is correct however the soundhole location was just eyeballed for perspective, i'll probably move it back towards the bridge a bit. Next up is laying out the bracing scheme, then I'll get the materials to make my template, and this thing may start taking shape. I've been really busy with other things lately and haven't had much time to mess with this project. Oh also I'm going to scrap the baritone idea, and make this a 14 fret, 25.5" scale. Also I'm considering getting a pre-made neck from Hanalei Moon to save alot time, and ensure a good fit. Besides, they have some awesome options.

The body design for this is inspired by two designs: most prominently, Simon Fay's "Modern OM" style, which although I've never had the opportunity to get my hands on one, they are beautiful guitars. The second is Taylor's GS series, which are dynamic, great sounding guitars. The main difference here is that the body is extended, and slightly widened. I haven't decided on the depth for this guitar yet, but here are the dimensions visible below:

Upper Bout: 11-7/8"
Waist: 10-3/16"
Lower Bout: 16-1/4"