2017 marked the 20th anniversary of mangore.com, one of the very first classical guitar website in existence with over 3,000 subscribed members the world over. Roberto is the luthier assigned to Bellucci Custom built 1,596. I consider him one of the most skilled luthiers and definitely a great master using the knife.... We will be building a Moon Ebony B&S, Franquette Walnut top, Mother Pearl/Abalone enhancements for Mike S. in Durango, CO, USA.
Day 1, February 9, 2017. S.D.G.
Day 1, February 9, 2017
Day 1, February 9, 2017
I wanted to make a filmed record of te making of Bellucci Guitar 1,596. She represents the essence of Bellucci Guitars construction. A Bellucci/Hauser Bracing built inside what I consider awesome and rare woods with grain and beauty beyond the realm of word.
On day one Roberto spent nearly 8 hours doing the following work:
1- Bookmatching the top,
2- Planing the 2 halves of Franquette Walnut top,
3- Gluing the top,
4- Routing the Rosette inlay
Roberto has built over 100 Bellucci Guitars since he started with Bellucci Guitars in 2010
Day 2, February 14, 2017
Day 2, February 14, 2017:
On day 2 Roberto spent 5 hours doing the following work:
1- Finished routing the rosette,
2- Presenting the abalone in the rout
3- Gluing the rosette,
4-Open the Soundhole
5-Sanding
This work requires sanctifying patience.
Day 3 & 4, February 15 & 16, 2017
Day 3
On day 3 and the beginning of day 4, the work took 10 ong hours to complete
-The top is sanded to prepare it for the bracing.
-The Spruce Braces are cut and prepared
-The Fan brace is kerfed and glued
-The top is kept drying overnight
-The fan brace is sanded
Day 4, Part 2, February 16, 2017, S.D.G.
Day 4, February 16, 2017, S.D.G.
We spent the next 6 hours mounting the remaining struts including the Spanish Style Transversal strut. This is perhaps the most crucial part of guitar construction in that the quality of sound, the unique tone capabilities and the sturdiness of the top of the instrument are defined here.
Day 5, February 17, 2017 S,D.G.
Day 5, February 17, 2017, S.D.G.
Today we bent the sides of the Moon Ebony Cutaway. Proceeded to preparing the tail block and the dove tail receiver of the neck.
In order to bend the sides, the iron is heated to about 350 degrees F. The wood is kept humid to allow for more flexibility and docility. Ebony is a very hard wood to bend.
Day 6, February 18, 2017. S.D.G.
Day 6, February 18, 2017, S.D.G.
On Day 6 we glued the kerf that will hold the top and the back in place, het-bent, finished and glued the stabilizer of the sides. The stabilizer of the sides is our way of achieving solid and stiff sides. This will allow for very little vibration from the bridge to be lost and this in turn will translate in more volume for the instrument.
Day 7, February 20, 2017, S.D.G.
Day 7, February 20, 2017, S.D.G.
We begin the week shaping the Cutaway. Roberto does it with the knife, his #1 "weapon" for the job....
The kerf is then glued and the top is set in place coinciding the slots in the kerf with the struts on the top. Finally, rubber bands are stretched across the top and the top is left to cure.
Days 8 and 9, February 21-22, 2017, S.D.G.
Days 8 and 9, February 21-22, 2017, S.D.G.
The joining of the 2 book matched halves that make the back is one of the 3 the tasks we had in store for today. As soon as the back is joined and the joining strut is glued and sculpted, I proceed to sign and dedicate the guitar to Our Lord with the initials S.D.G. Soli Deo Gloria, To God alone the Glory (This was Bach's way of signing his work). The back is glued and tightened to the top and sides with 4 clamps and rubber bands. It will cure overnight.
Day 10, February 23, 2017, S.D.G.
Day 10, February 23, 2017, S.D.G.
As soon as we remove the clamps and Rubber bands, the guitar is removed from the mold and inspected. The excess wood is removed from the top and the back and soon after we prepare the router and start routing all around the body at approximately 4,000 RPM to insert the Marquetry.
Days 11&12, Feb 24&25, 2017, S.D.G.
Days 11&12, Feb 24&25, 2017, S.D.G.
Days 11 & 12 evolved around the completion of the routing and gluing of the bindings and marquetry of the top. The wood for the neck was cut and presented. The rout for the Carbon fiber truss rod and the triple neck reinforcement/decoration was made and the neck was left to dry.
Days 13-16, February 27-March2, 2017, S.D.G.
Days 13-16, February 27-March2, 2017, S.D.G.
The final 4 days of construction revolve around presenting all the abalone and pearl inlayed parts requested by Mike. The main motif is a Hummingbird and butterflies. The inlay work is done on the headstock, the ebony tuners buttons, the bridge and the fingerboard. Tony and Bruce are the inlay masters responsible for all the inlay work on my concert guitars. It took 16 days to build Bellucci guitar 1,596. This afternoon lacquering begins and she should be ready to ship in one week. S.D.G.
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