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Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:32 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

So #2 is for my 11 year old son. I'm assuming I can enter this in the competition. I started it a few weeks ago and anticipate completing it later this summer. Curly black walnut b&s, bearclaw Sitka top, mahogany neck. We are nick naming it "The Fox" which is Austin's (Ozzy) favorite animal. Look closely at the soundboard bearclaw...it has whiskers much to my son's delight. I put in a sound port in the shape of a fox foot print.
I learned lots from number one that I hope to apply on this one.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Last edited by Doug Balzer on Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:36 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
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State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

More pics. Ozzy helping out on this one.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 5:38 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
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Status: Semi-pro

Fox theme - whisker-like bearclaw near neck and paw sound port.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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ZekeM

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 7:32 pm

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Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:52 am
Posts: 1388
First name: Zeke
Last Name: McKee
City: Goodlettsville
State: TN
Zip/Postal Code: 37070
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Cool guitar Doug! That's gonna be sweet. And your son is my kinda guy wearing a Hurley shirt lol.

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Jaybird840

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 06, 2013 10:10 pm

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Joined: Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:47 pm
Posts: 298
First name: Jay
Last Name: Swann
City: Austin
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 78739
Country: USA
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Better than the Hurley shirt is the fact that the young man is in the shop with his father where the two of them will make memories that he'll remember every time he picks up that guitar. My grandfather had a wonderful shop, and I still have several of his tools that make me smile when I pick up his torque wrench or miniature pliars. Good on ya for investing in your son! The world needs more fathers like you!!! [:Y:]

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:34 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
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First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
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Country: Canada
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Status: Semi-pro

Jaybird840 wrote:

Thanks Jaybird.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2013 7:37 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Update...and now closing the box. Sure glad I built all those clamps....much easier job this time.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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PeterF

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Tue Jul 16, 2013 12:34 pm

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Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 10:04 am
Posts: 773
First name: Peter
Last Name: Fenske
City: Leeds
State: Yorkshire
Country: Uk
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Wow, I really need more clamps!!

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nickinbruns

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 5:00 am

Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:23 am
Posts: 262
First name: nick
Last Name: dingle
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Wow. That's some srious bracing, OR, ny bracing is WAAYYYYYY to light for an OM. What plans are you using, Doug?

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 9:13 am

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

nickinbruns wrote:

Wow. That's some srious bracing, OR, ny bracing is WAAYYYYYY to light for an OM. What plans are you using, Doug?

I'm using the Scott Antes plans from LMI and my bracing is considerably lighter than the plans...I.e., using 1/4" rather than 3/8" braces, terminating finger and tone braces short of edges, etc. Brace height is generally the same as the plans. What plan do you build from?

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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nickinbruns

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Wed Jul 17, 2013 6:25 pm

Cocobolo

Joined: Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:23 am
Posts: 262
First name: nick
Last Name: dingle
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

I started with Kinkade's book and plan, but have reduced the size of the braces a bit as I've gone along. I'm tending to leave the widths at about 5/16" and reducing the height, which contributes more stiffness than the width.....here's the current one....

Attachment:

image.jpg

I don't have a photo on this computer of my first, which was much more substantial. Will check the other one when I get to work. Mind you, when I built the first, Kinkade recommends tapping until you get the tone you want.....WTF....first build? I just made it pretty.... :roll:

EDIT: Here it is. YOu can see that the X-braces are pretty consistent, but the rest is somewhat smaller....

Attachment:

brunswick rose 005 (Medium).JPG

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2013 7:17 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Test driving my new binding rig based on Chris Paulick's design. Very happy with this set up.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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mqbernardo

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 6:35 am

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Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2010 6:22 pm
Posts: 1295
First name: Miguel
Last Name: Bernardo
Country: portugal
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

not fair, you´ve got help with brace shaping and gluing linings from a seasoned pro...

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Beth Mayer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 9:54 am

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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
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First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Very nice, Doug! You are going at an amazing pace, too.

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ntredwell

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 10:18 am

Cocobolo

Joined: Thu Aug 12, 2010 10:34 am
Posts: 102
Location: Norfolk (UK)

Nice binding rig, after doing it by hand on my competition build, i think im going to invest some time making one.

Sent from my KFTT using Tapatalk HD

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Nick

Follow my musings on getting started in luthiery http://www.tredwellinstruments.co.uk

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2013 2:41 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Kind words. Thanks. Loving the bearclaw on this top. Next step: fretting over fretting for the first time. My first build was a fretless bass. Fortunately I have a 7 lb sledge hammer to knock home those frets

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:41 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
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First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
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State: Alberta
Country: Canada
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Status: Semi-pro

My "customer" helping press in the frets. I tried hammering in a few and then decided to order the fret press caul for SM. Love it!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 3:43 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
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First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
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Country: Canada
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Status: Semi-pro

Doug Balzer wrote:

My "customer" helping press in the frets. I tried hammering in a few and then decided to order the fret press caul for SM. Love it!

BTW, as per a different current thread...he's not even 12 years old but this guitar will be for his 12th birthday coming up.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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SKBarbour

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 3:54 pm

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Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:02 pm
Posts: 195
Location: Glen Burnie Md.
First name: steve
Last Name: barbour
Country: U.S.
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

That's a great idea, have the kids make their own darn presents. laughing6-hehe

Just kidding, that guitar will be some thing that he will cherish for a long time, but not cherished as much as the memories being made in that shop. Good job.

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Beth Mayer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2013 4:52 pm

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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur

Doug Balzer wrote:

My "customer" helping press in the frets. I tried hammering in a few and then decided to order the fret press caul for SM. Love it!

Wow...getting the customer to do his own fret job...makes it harder for them to complain if they don't like it, huh?
I bought that fret press caul too, but after feeling like I was abusing my drill press by using it (yeah, maybe my slots weren't wide enough, or I'm too heavy-handed) I bought their fret press arbor too. Glad I did.
Looking good, Doug!

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 6:24 pm

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Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

Piñata party! (Not really). But lacquer spraying is underway on the body. I am using TruOil on the neck as my "customer" prefers the feel.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Alex Kleon

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2013 10:19 pm

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Joined: Tue Mar 01, 2011 1:32 pm
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First name: Alex
Last Name: Kleon
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Status: Amateur

Doug, your "customer" needs to learn that you will break your bat if you hit it on the label. laughing6-hehe

Alex

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 9:52 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

So the lacquer cured for three weeks. Buffed and now getting fitted with the bridge.

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

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Beth Mayer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2013 11:56 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 12:46 am
Posts: 1247
First name: Beth
Last Name: Mayer
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Country: United States
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Status: Amateur

How exciting! It's looking really great, Doug.

These users thanked the author Beth Mayer for the post: Doug Balzer (Sat Sep 07, 2013 7:20 am)

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Doug Balzer

Post subject: Re: Doug's #2 - OM cutaway for Ozzy

Posted: Sat Sep 07, 2013 10:04 pm

Contributing Member

Joined: Sun Dec 30, 2012 10:04 pm
Posts: 712
First name: Doug
Last Name: Balzer
City: Calgary
State: Alberta
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Status: Semi-pro

FINISHED!! #2 seemed to go so much better than number one. I strung it up today...very bright, responsive with lots of volume. I am hoping the low end develops a little more as it settles in. Now that the pics are taken I will be installing a K&K Pure mini pickup. I'll post audio/video later on. Some other specs (to save you from having to go back to the beginning of this thread):
-Scratch build
-Started June 14, 2013 - finished Sept 6, 2013
-Bearclaw Sitka top, sitka bracing
-Curly walnut sides and back
-Curly maple binding
-African mahogany laminated neck
-Ebony bridge, fingerboard, headstock veneer
-Nitro Mohawk lacquer on soundbox, TruOil neck
-Weight: 4 lbs, 3.5 oz
-25.4" scale
-Gotoh 510 tuners
-I built my own outside mold using Estes' plan
-Total cost= approximately $900 including everything except shop supplies (but includes the ridiculous but obligatory shipping charges we Canucks have to endure).

BTW - my son nick named this "The Fox" with three related elements: fox paw sound port, natural 'whiskers' in the bearclaw pattern on upper bout, fox head inlay at 12th fret.

Thanks for 'tuning' in and for the help and encouragement along the way!

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Doug

Don't let fear or common sense stop you from trying to build something

Last edited by Doug Balzer on Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:01 pm, edited 9 times in total.

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