It has been quite awhile since the last update, and I have made quite the progress on my Negra
Bracing The Soundboard
Finally, after the weather decided to work with us, we glued the bracing on the soundboard. Pretty amazing experience preparing the thickness of the braces with the flexibility of the soundboard. Of course, all this is a new experience and all bets are that it would not have gone so smoothly without Han’s experienced hands and knowledge.
Here are some shots of the top being braced:
Bending The Sides
The sides were bent using a bending machine that Han’s built. Yes, he even builds the machines that builds the guitars.
The sides are first wet with water then placed in the bending machine. The heated machine then bends and molds the shape of the sides. Each side takes almost two hours to complete, and the shape is not perfect as the wood “springs back” a bit. Final adjustment is done on a hot pipe by hand.
Here are some side shots :
Attaching The Neck To The Soundboard
Once the soundboard has been braced, we attach the neck to the top. At this point things are starting to come together as the project actually resembles a guitar. Closer and closer…
The Maestro himself, Hans Pukke, holding my soon to be Flamenco Negra
Hanging out waiting for sides
The Sides
Now that the sides are bent to shape, the neck is attached to the top, it is time to attach the sides. The sides are slid into the slotted heel and formed to the heel block. Definitely looks like a guitar now.
Get Back!
Glued the back pieces together with a tasteful simple back strip.
Tentellones
Tentellones are simple blocks of spruce, cut by hand and glued individually to attach the top to the sides. It is a long process and by the time you actually get the hang of it, the job is done. Time to build my next guitar!
Receive The Back
The sides have to be leveled, and kerfed linings have to be glued to the sides to recieve the back. There is much, much more involved, but that’s the shortened version…
Jack The Shop Boss
Jack is Han’s shop mate and best buddy. Total guitar Cat – even sleeps with his head rested on one.
***
If you ever need any type of guitar work done, contact Hans. He works on EVERYTHING with strings.
Contact Han’s here :
***
Vincent Zorn is a Santa Barbara, California Flamenco guitarist available to perform in Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez, Montecito, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties and beyond for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours and receptions, anniversaries, corporate and private events, fund raisers, wine tastings, or any special occasion.
Call Vincent at 805-679-3154 or email at : [email protected]