The first steel string guitar I build was this orchestra model sitka spruce ovangkol with cutaway.
It's got a L.R.Baggs Anthem SL pickup system.
I also made an OM version with Nylon strings and classical neck dimensions (broader, flat fingerboard).
While the steel string's top has got traditional x-bracing, the nylon model has a modified version.
The bridge is a pin bridge:
The top wood is torrified Sitka spruce. Body wood is Bubinga.
I have build two small guitars after a Martin design from around 1840-50.
All of Martin guitars prior to 19something were meant for gut strings.
So I build these for modern Nylon-strings. One with historical pin bridge, the other with spanish style bridge.
These guitars were build by Martin with a variety of bracing patterns finally leading to his x-bracing.
I used two kinds of x-bracing. To the left the more modern version, right a version which leans on Martins earlier designs.
My wife Kathrin is celebrating her birthday today. And its the birthdate of this blog.
On this occasion I'd like to share some photos of her ukulele, we build together this year. It's a concert uke build from a kit of stewmac.com. A pretty sounding instrument.
Blocks and kerfing are glued to the sides.
Soundboard waiting to be glued on the sides.
Back waiting to be glued on the sides.
Next, the the fingerboard was fretted and glued to the neck.
The finished instrument with strap.
Back view. It's finished with polyethuran wipe-on finish.
As you see, the back (and sides) are laminated mahogany. The Top is solid wood.
