Welcome to the 2012 SIMSCal steel string guitarmaking class. As indicated on the previous page, this class is limited to the making of either a
• Dreadnaught -
The most popular choice among guitarmakers for their first instrument.
• 000 ("Triple Oh") or OM (Orchestra Model) -
The second most popular choice, both the 000 and the OM have the same body, and for our purposes, 14 frets to the neck joint. The only difference is the scale length:
the 000 has a 24.9" scale length, and the OM has a 25.4" scale length.
• Parlor-size guitar -
A not-so-big guitar with a surprisingly big sound.
Process Overview -
In overview, the guitarmaking process is easy: the body and neck are made separately, then joined together with a mortise and tenon joint. Then add the fretboard - fret it – add bridge, nut, saddle, tuners and strings, and there you have it, a guitar that is "in the white", ready for
finish. For a road map to steel string guitar construction, check the class outline at the end of this page.
Construction Features
Here are a few high-end construction features that will be used in our guitars.
• Spline-Joint Neck Attachment
It's a mortise and tenon joint, like a dovetail joint, but simpler – and more forgiving - to make.
• Radiused Top And Back
Examine the body of an acoustic guitar and you will notice that both the top and the back are subtly "domed" or "arched"; the back a little more than the top. "Radius" refers to the curvature of the dome. Tops and backs are radiused to add strength and improve tone.
• Scarf-Joint Headstock
The scarf-jointed headstock is favored for two reasons. First, it is stronger and more stable than a one-piece neck/headstock. It is also more economical - and environmentally more "correct" - than a one-piece neck. More strength at less cost; an easy call.
Safety and Tools
• Safety
Notice that we put "Safety" first. Safety is the number one concern in the shop. Accordingly, there will be instruction on the proper use of all tools, including bandsaw, drill press, routers, and thickness sander, used in the class. Before starting, you will be required to sign a liability
waiver. Please print out and bring copies of the following Shop Safety Rules and Liability Waiver to the first class.
• Tools
SIMSCal will provide all the specialty tools and fixtures necessary to complete your guitar. But, to complete an instrument within the ambitious 15 week schedule, you will need to do some
"home" work, which will require a minimum number of common shop hand tools, including ruler, chisel, utility knife, scraper, etc. More information about this in the first class.
Materials
Traditional steel string tonewoods include spruce for the top – Sitka spruce is particularly well-
suited for larger guitars, and Engelmann spruce a very good choice for smaller guitars. East Indian Rosewood and mahogany are traditional back and side woods.
First Class - Tonewood Selection – and the SIMSCal Annual Meeting
Besides administrative items, the first class meeting, Wednesday, 1/18, will cover tonewood selection – how to select a top that is strong, light weight, resonant and with good sustain.
This knowledge will then be put to use the following weekend, Saturday, 1/21, at SIMSCal's Annual Meeting, at which there will be a tonewood purchasing segment, at which SIMSCal
members, including all current students, can buy selected LMI tonewood sets – tops, backs & sides – at a discount. It is important to have purchased at least a back & side set – whether you
get it at the SIMSCal meeting or some other source - in time for the second class, Joining Tops
and Backs
We will also arrange to have for purchase at the SIMSCal meeting blueprints / plans, Sitka bracewood, and herringbone rosettes – all items that you will need by the second class.
To summarize: newbies should have the following by the time of the second class – the appropriate blueprint, a top set, a back & side set, a rosette or rosette material, and some bracewood. Again, the SIMSCal meeting will be a really convenient place to pick them up.
Bring The Following To The First Class
Please print out and bring copies of the following to the first class
Good information, but not necessary to bring to class.
2012 Class Dates: 15 Wednesdays (updated 1/25/2012)
January 
18, 25
18, 25 February 8, 15, 22, 29
March 14, 21, 28
14, 21, 28 April 11, 18, 25
11, 18, 25 May 9, 16, 23
9, 16, 232012 Steel String Class Outline
BUILD THE BODY
• Tonewood Selection
• Back
-- Joint, Join and Brace the Back
• Top
-- Joint and Join the top
-- Inlay Rosette
-- Brace
• Rims
-- Bend the Sides
-- With Sides in the Mattingly Mold,
- Glue in the Endblocks
- Radius the Rims
- Glue in the Linings
• Index the Rims to Accept the Brace Ends
• Glue Top and Back to Rims
• Rout Rims for Binding and Purfling and Glue them in.
MAKE THE NECK
• Neck
-- Scarf Joint
-- Add the Heel
-- Rout the Truss Rod Channel
-- Laminate the Headplate Veneer
-- Rout Profiles with Templates; Drill Tuner Holes
-- Shape the Heel, Shaft, and Headstock Transition
• Fretboard
-- Slot and Rout
ASSEMBLY- MORTISE AND TENON JOINERY
• Rims
-- Flatten at the Neck Joint and Rout Mortise
• Neck
-- Flatten at the Heel and Rout Mortise
-- Make Tenon
• Glue the Neck to the Rims
• Glue the Fretboard to the Neck & Body
[FINISH] - Lecture / Handout, But No Demonstration
BRIDGE, NUT & SADDLE, AND SETUP
• Bridge
• Nut & Saddle
• Setup
SIMSCal
Stringed Instrument Makers of Southern California
2012 Steel String Guitarmaking Class
Scarf Joint Neck Construction
