Sometimes A Soundboard Just Doesn’t Want To Be Part Of A Guitar Anymore

 

9. Purfling

Photo 21 click to enlarge

Use caution when removing tape as it is easy to tear out the grain. Apply light heat from a hot air gun to soften the tape. Be aware of the direction the grain is running out. Block sand top to remove residue. Always use a new up-cutting end mill bit when routing the purfling slot. The up-cutting bit leaves a little fuzz but helps to keep the channel clean. Set the router guide to cut no more than .005” of the existing binding. The depth will vary depending on purfling. Make a short test pass in the area under the fingerboard extension to be sure that the cut will be correct. (Photo 21)

 

Photo 22 click to enlarge

Take a deep breath and make a single continuous cut counterclockwise around the body. Clean out any tear-out or fuzz by block sanding the top. If the purfling will be wider than the end mill cut set up for another pass around the perimeter to achieve the correct width. (Photo 22)

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 23 click to enlarge

Seal the top with lacquer to prevent the Cyanoacrylate from wicking in to the wood. (Photo 23)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 24 click to enlarge

The CF Martin D-42 top replacement that is depicted here was originally trimmed in short 1” pieces of abalone. At the 2009 ASIA symposium I attended an excellent presentation/sideshow by Kevin Ryan. There were so many great techniques and jigs he detailed that I could barely stay focused but one product he developed stuck out as a real innovation (read time saver). (Photo 24)

 

 

 

Photo 25 click to enlarge

Zip Flex is a flexible strip of abalone trim that can be set into a channel flanked by decorative purfling faster than traditional methods. I like fast! (Photo 25)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 26 click to enlarge

The other unique part of replacing the top on the D-42 is the trim that follows the fingerboard extension. After the main perimeter trim was fit into place the neck was fit back into the heel bock then fit for correct neck angle. With the neck angle established I traced out the fingerboard extension with a pencil then routed a channel for the abalone, purfling and black fiber strip. (Photos 26 & 27)

 

 

Photo 27 click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 28 click to enlarge

Apply a bead of Cyanoacrylate along both sides of purfling. Let it cure then scrape purfling flush and prep for finishing. Aim the spray gun at the body and pull the trigger until it looks like (Photos 28-31). Just kidding of course that’s an article for another day.

 

 

 

 

Photo 29 click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 30 click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo 31 click to enlarge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trimmer: www.luthiertool.com
Cutters: www.richardsmicrotool.com part# 840-0093
Body Cradle: www.bluescreekguitars.com
Pat DiBurro has been an ASIA member since 1993, lives near the NH seacoast with his wife Andrea. When he’s not working on guitars, he’s reading about working on guitars.

 

 

<-- Previous Page

Next Page-->

The New England Luthiers is an association of professionals and amateurs brought together by a common love of making stringed instruments