Finished

I completed the Nitrocellulose lacquer finish. I restrung with steel strings. I also found that the piece I laminated to the top was making the headstock too thick and the friction tuners were wearing out. I fixed that.

Compare to the photo from April.

Refinishing

So I have decided to refinish the Tiple. I have sanded it  down and prepped it for Nitrocellulose lacquer. I had some leftover from the acoustic guitar that I built.

It still needs to be re-strung. I am switching to steel strings to check that out as well.

Completed

Below are front and back photos of the completed instrument.

Ebony Nut and saddle

The sound-hole and rosette are done. Neck and fretboard attached. Looks good. nice and flat.

In my quest to save some dough, I thought I would make an ebony nut and saddle. I have some small blocks of ebony around, and said heck, worst case I throw it out and buy bone. I have read loads of reviews online comparing different nut and saddle material. I wonder if there is truly and difference if everything is set up well?

So I ripped the block to size and filed it into shape. I then put it on the Tiple and trimmed the excess. I filed the slots on the nut using Stewmac nut files. I used the .028" file. It looks nice and "plinks" well when dropped. similar in tone to the bone nuts I have made. Plus ebony looks mint.

Note: next time I make a saddle I will make a jig to help hold it. small pieces stink to work with.

Bound

The Tiple is now bound and purfled. Next step I will cut the sound hole. I will probably make a rosette from the black and white binding I  have. I'll see how this turns out.

Bridge

I wanted to save a few dollars and to see how to carve a bridge so I roughed this bridge out of walnut.

I  have to see how this looks with a saddle.

Below is the instrument with purfling and the beginnings of the maple binding on the top. I  had some leftover herring bone purfling from a ukulele I built. Bought it at www.stewmac.com.

I'll probably cut the sound hole this weekend.

Kerfed lining

Both sides are attached now and I am starting to add the kerfed linings. After adding the lining I planed them flush with the sides, notched the lining where the bracing was and glued up the top and sides. I used long rubber bands to hold the top and then the back to the body. I glued up using titebond. I love this stuff.