Americana makeover, Soundport and glossing

[daysailer]

Originally Posted by Hipster

Looking at the side shots, I'd never be able to guess that it was an Americana.

By next week, you'll have dozens of boxes mysteriously appear on your doorstep as other Gretsch owners send their Americanas to you for custom work.

I thought about posting just the sides and back and asking for guesses as to what guitar this was. But decided not to torture everyone and just put it out there

Porting these guitars is a bit of extra challage. As one might expect, the laminate, (plywood) is not the highest quality. Very thin veneers and mushy soft 'trash' wood core. Drilling, dremeling, fileing and sanding needed a light touch to keep from really tearing the edges.

Originally Posted by Dru Edwards

That looks like a fantastic job. And it's your first try?

First try porting a guitar. I have glossing experience and did build a Mountian Dulcimer from an ebay kit a few years ago and made these ports I designed in the top before gluing the top on. (much easier than after)

[daysailer]

Originally Posted by Blackwood

did it gloss up quite quickly?

Yes it did go quickly. The finish suprised me by how well it took the polishing. Using the 3M Super Duty compound lightly at first on a damp piece of terry cloth, about a dime sides dollup, and then rewetting, with water(spit), that same part of the cloth and rubbing some more, and then rewetting again without adding any more compound, it glossed up very nicely. Getting an even deeper looking gloss would only be a matter of using the next two steps of 3M products, Perfect-it-II and Finesse-It, which would take out all evidence of any micro scratches left by the Super Duty compound.

Originally Posted by ozrufus

Will glossing the top have any affect on the graphics on the Americana guitars? May be a fun project...

I dont think the graphics would be affected because they seem to have been silk screened on before the final clear coat of whatever kind of finish is on these guitars. BUT, I'm not dead sure. So will test a spot soon and find out.

[camera_obscura]

thank you for your explanations. learning much here.

i want to do this for my americana, at least the soundport. are there any tutorials online i can use to do this? i do (my dad actually) have some of the basic woodworking tools.

[daysailer]

Here is a link to the best instructions on the AGF, by Master Luthier Tim McKnight
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...ght=sound+port

You can use the search function on the tool bar of the forum to search for 'sound port' or 'soundports' and get much more info and opinions.

If you really do this, try to find some 1/8" popular plywood (hobby shop) or other thin laminate to practice on to get the feel for the tools and method. It will help you avoid most mistakes when you finally try it on your guitar.
ds

[ljguitar]

Hey ds…
That is very classy!

[Les Tension]

This is my first post. I will introduce myself shortly.
I have to say after reading this post, I immediately got out my sailboat guitar, a Jasmine S-34C and started drilling. What a difference!

By the way, nice O'day.

[daysailer]

Originally Posted by Les Tension

This is my first post. .......... ....By the way, nice O'day.

Awesome first post Les. WELCOME to the AGF
G.S. Lollipop is a 1966 O'day... Other stories for another day and forum...
Glad you like the sound ports. You took much less time than I to decide and do it. 2 years of him-hawing for me.

Thanks for both compliments...
ds