How to top swap
How to top swap
NOT FINISHED
So first almost finished its currently being painted, but thought as it was a big walk through (5 pages) people may be interested in this one, should have the paint work finished by end of next week.
No link exists except for here.
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Acoustic_top_swap.html
Steve
So first almost finished its currently being painted, but thought as it was a big walk through (5 pages) people may be interested in this one, should have the paint work finished by end of next week.
No link exists except for here.
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Acoustic_top_swap.html
Steve
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- Blackwood
- Posts: 414
- Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 2:27 pm
- Location: Melbourne (Ringwood), Australia
Re: How to top swap
Thnx again Steve. Couple of comments & question .
Initially i expected u to just break the old top out. To then see the many benefits of a non-destructive approach was enlightening. To even use the old braces !!! I suppose u re-used old bridge as well.
I noticed u cut the binding rebate with hand held trimmer. Do u just do that on tops as they are pretty flat or do u freehand on backs as well relying on experience & judgement to keep the tool vertical?
Thnx agsin for sharing.
Frank
Initially i expected u to just break the old top out. To then see the many benefits of a non-destructive approach was enlightening. To even use the old braces !!! I suppose u re-used old bridge as well.
I noticed u cut the binding rebate with hand held trimmer. Do u just do that on tops as they are pretty flat or do u freehand on backs as well relying on experience & judgement to keep the tool vertical?
Thnx agsin for sharing.
Frank
Re: How to top swap
Flat top guitars, I freehand route the binding channels, older guitars, curved tops, curved backs I use a jig.
Link to jig
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Remove_Binding.html
Steve
Link to jig
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Remove_Binding.html
Steve
Re: How to top swap
I’m in need of replacing a top on a sassafras OM that plays like a Banjo. This has really helped, and as always it’s the little suggestions. In my case the cutting of the fretboard at 14th fret is something I never would have thought about.
Thanks Steve.
Thanks Steve.
Alan
Peregrine Guitars
Peregrine Guitars
Re: How to top swap
Only cut here if you have a supportive neck block, if the neck block has a grip length of an inch or under then do not cut at the 14th, as you loose the side strength to keep the neck straight with the body, slight jossle / impact and so forth and the neck can pivot side ways and crack your sides, in this scenario the fretboards strength is required.
Steve
Re: How to top swap
The neck block is only 35mm deep so cutting at 14th fret would be tricky. What if I were to beef up the neck block with an extension piece to mirror the missing fret board? I reckon I could glue it together with a decent enough dovetail joint to give it the stability it required.
Alan
Peregrine Guitars
Peregrine Guitars
- lamanoditrento
- Blackwood
- Posts: 585
- Joined: Thu May 05, 2016 9:50 am
Re: How to top swap
Great tute Steve. They are becoming quite a deep body of work branching off to a dozen other tutes for every step. Well done
Trent
Re: How to top swap
Thanks folks,
This all pretty well started when I started working by myself, no one to pass what I know or do onto, I have since taken on another apprentice, but she is more woodwind and brasswind repairs rather than guitars. I still teach a few people from Music stores on the occasional basis, but its nice to share.
To try and keep the size of the walk throughs down, I internally link to a more in depth one if I have already done it, imagine the top swap if I showed every single step and tried to explain each step exactly it would be thirty pages long
Thats a short neck block, if you were to beef it up (extend the tongue section back around 75 mm, you would be sweat) obviously when the top was off.
Steve
This all pretty well started when I started working by myself, no one to pass what I know or do onto, I have since taken on another apprentice, but she is more woodwind and brasswind repairs rather than guitars. I still teach a few people from Music stores on the occasional basis, but its nice to share.
To try and keep the size of the walk throughs down, I internally link to a more in depth one if I have already done it, imagine the top swap if I showed every single step and tried to explain each step exactly it would be thirty pages long
Thats a short neck block, if you were to beef it up (extend the tongue section back around 75 mm, you would be sweat) obviously when the top was off.
Steve
Re: How to top swap
Keep em coming Steve.
I've picked up a lot from your walk-throughs
And the discussions that often follow give a great insight on how others deal with similar issues.
I've picked up a lot from your walk-throughs
And the discussions that often follow give a great insight on how others deal with similar issues.
Re: How to top swap
This one has taken a while to finish as we are at the start of our christmas madness repair schedule for schools.
Just had a new Ultrasonic cleaner fitted to handle this years christmas chaos, this machine is big enough to take a tuba
Car parts need cleaning anyone
Just had a new Ultrasonic cleaner fitted to handle this years christmas chaos, this machine is big enough to take a tuba
Car parts need cleaning anyone
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- Blackwood
- Posts: 776
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:36 pm
- Location: North East Victoria
Re: How to top swap
Hey Steve, I know this is a luthiers forum, but are you posting brass and woodwind repair tutes anywhere on line?-Ross
"Everything I say on the topic is based solely upon inexperience and assumption!"
Re: How to top swap
No mate, eventually I might, have been asked by a few repairers to do some as well
What are you interested in doing
Steve
What are you interested in doing
Steve
Re: How to top swap
There is good money in repairng Woodwind and Brasswind, its hard work but pays well.blackalex1952 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:40 pmHey Steve, I know this is a luthiers forum, but are you posting brass and woodwind repair tutes anywhere on line?-Ross
This photo I took this morning of a Contra Bass Clarinet being Mechanically rebuilt, its costing them 2200 dollars, its the pink one.
Steve
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- Blackwood
- Posts: 776
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:36 pm
- Location: North East Victoria
Re: How to top swap
I love seeing pix of your workshop Steve! Green with envy this end! -Ross
"Everything I say on the topic is based solely upon inexperience and assumption!"
Re: How to top swap
This tutorial is all finished, back to the customer.
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Acoustic_top_swap.html
http://www.mirwa.com.au/HTS_Acoustic_top_swap.html
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- Blackwood
- Posts: 776
- Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2013 6:36 pm
- Location: North East Victoria
Re: How to top swap
I looks in your tute that the binding once the top is off is still there. After the top is glued on you jump to routing flush then cut a new binding ledge...when do you remove the binding? I assume that you do this when removing the top, it would be better for beginners if this was a little clearer.
Also, is Titebong good for sealing joints?
Ross
Also, is Titebong good for sealing joints?
Ross
"Everything I say on the topic is based solely upon inexperience and assumption!"
Re: How to top swap
I dont remove the old binding during removal, When I route the edge for cleaning the new top I dont route flush, I actually route deep enough to trim the old binding away
I will see if I have some additional photos that I can insert, I only put a few up, but take many
Tite bong is good for all ailments
(Amended now)
Steve
I will see if I have some additional photos that I can insert, I only put a few up, but take many
Tite bong is good for all ailments
(Amended now)
Steve
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