Official Luthiers Forum!

I'm getting ready to bend my first sides today on my first build. This is the scariest part of the build for me. I have Brazilian rosewood. I also have some curly Koa for the binding. I've read up on the section on side bending in Cumpiano/Natelson. Any final words of wisdom from the OLF brain-trust? Thanks!

Here's my build thread in case you aren't familiars with where I'm at:
viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=41471

Not trying to be an arss, but bend something else first to practice & get a feel for it!

Kevin Looker

_________________
I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

Wisdom eh...ok
Bend a pile of orphans first.
Then go take up knitting or stamp collecting...you know , something not quite as humbling.

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

What Kevin said. Get some practice on non-Brazilian rosewood.

_________________
Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

I posted an answer over at the Acoustic Guitar Forum. I had hand bent sides for 13 guitars, and was bending my first BRW set by hand, and was totally unable to control the bend. It twisted and was totally unacceptable for a build. I couldn't fix it by hand, so I finished bending using a form with slats and a blanket. I will, most likely, not go back to hand bending. I do not have a side bender, but I use a form I made when I started building. It was one I used to see if my hand bends were right and square to the lines. I can post a couple of pictures here.

My bending machine.


First bent side - after correcting the bend on the machine.

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

"Bend a pile of orphans" ...?? ..WTF ???

As in, stray sides that don't belong to a matched back/side set. Which is good advice. My first bend was a spare mahogany side, and although it went well, I definitely wouldn't recommend going in blind on something you can't replace. Especially something that is notorious for being difficult to bend.

pick up some 5x1 maple from Home Depot - resaw it and bend. Or easier - HD sells poplar in what they call scants I believe, they are 1/8" by 4" wide, by 4 feet long - bend that -

I think you get the point to practice first.

_________________
It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

It's the OP's first build, his first attempt at bending.

My point was, that as it is his first build, it was therefore unlikely, to say the least, that he has a "pile of orphans" to practise on.

John A's advice re Home Depot poplar seems pretty sound ...

Exactly murrmac...it is very unlikely...however virtually all the tone wood suppliers offer orphans for beginners to practice on and semi pros like yourself for when you mangle one.

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

LMI has cheap practice sets. It took me a few tries the first time to get it right. Better to screw up a $10 set than your BRW. I would not risk it.

_________________
_____________

EddieLee

When I was starting out I called Walter Lipton to order some wood. He asked me how many I had built. I think it was 4 or 5. He said "I can't let you have the good stuff yet" meaning he would only sell me lower grades. I really respected him for that.

I'd also like to go on record recommending you get some practice sides and dial in your bender technique. My first BZ guitar was number 50 and I was still nervous as hell bending it.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

My advice would be that if you plan on building more than 1 or 2 guitars build yourself a Fox bender. The heat blanket and bending steel will cost you a couple $ but you won't look back. It's good to have some sort of hand bending iron to do touch ups on and know how to use it but a Fox bender is as simple as falling off a wall.

Your build is looking great BTW. You got some chops and I'm pretty sure you've been bitten. You will build more than one.

Cheers,
Danny

Bending wood is easy. Getting smooth curves in the right places takes practice. It's something you have to get the right feel for. As you practice, pay attention to how the wood feels as you bend using gentle
but firm pressure. Above all, have patience. The wood will bend when it's ready. A form and heat blanket is ideal, but expensive if you're only making one or two instruments.

Brent

Thank you everyone for sharing your experience and techniques. I marched forward against some very compelling advice. I have to say as nerve wracking as it was, it was also very exciting. I believe I have a nice juicy piece of BRW in my possession. Now if I can make the other side come out like this one did tonight, I will be very happy. I know I have a long way to go until its done. Fingers always crossed.

You're a natural!

Steven, I'm agreeing with the meddlingfool. Hope the 2nd side bends as well.
I'll have to admit I didn't practice on orphans initially, but I think that is sage advice for a beginner particularly if you're using a bending iron and not a fox style bender. I did, however, start with some really inexpensive woods to begin with, and because of expense, probably won't try BRW any time soon (you're a braver man than me). Anyway, good show, and I'll follow your build with interest.

Beginners luck. You still need to practice on orphans and puppies.

Nice work. Bending can be much more mentally difficult than physically. I was terrified to bend my first set of wood. Practiced on orphans and kittens, then some bent some curly claro walnut. I had read so much about bending that I was very nervous even after my successful bends with practice sides. Now, I just do it. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy as my kids say.

_________________
http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Good job! Looks like you have a nice, cooperative, set of BRW!

_________________
Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Well dudes , after looking at the pics and bending of Stevens 1st build, it looks like we may have a natural here, or dare me say "beginners luck"....no matter..nice job Steven!

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

I think some people just 'get it' and others don't. I am one of the ones that don't. I still bend by hand because I enjoy it and I like to be able to bend to any shape but it still takes a lot of effort for me. On the first couple guitars the problem I had was that the pipe was not hot enough then I learned to get the temperature right and it made a big difference. The hardest part for me is the transition in the curve from the upper bout as it goes round to the waste. I end up going back and forth there a lot.

Ya I got it once...took a while to get rid of it...going back for more...
Thats why cars have reverse gear...you know,

Ya...sometime the wood, she bends like rubber...other times its me attitude thats bent
outa shape and needs a tuneup. ...is true... ol' ?adma woodn't be leading you down the garden path now wood me.

_________________
.

Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


.

Looks great!

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I agree. I was looking at his build thread yesterday. There's clearly some experienced woodworking in there!

Good job! What did you put on the wood to make it shine like that?

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.