veneer top

[mo biscuits]

im thinking of trying this out but id like a few opinions about something first. would it make sense to plane the top of the guitar in the amount of the thickness of the veneer? suggestions please!

[mo biscuits]

15 views and nobody has an opinion?

[Timanator]

I'm not sure what your ven asking.

Is the question "Can you plane about 1 mm off the top of your guitar?"


Why would this matter?

What would be the point? To glue on a veneer top?

If thats what your trying to accomplish you ned to go read the tutorials on projectguitar.com

[shaddoe]

i think you should have it planed but not the exact thickness unless the veneer is finished on top. you'll have to shave the top where it angles and if the top that you are using is around 1/4"you should soak the top in water for a few days and then lay it on top of the body before you plane it and clamp where the body angles. let it dry to the shape and then plane the body, this will stop the top from cracking from bending it when glueing it. if its a thin top i would only take the finish off the body.

[frankfalbo]

If the body is stripped and you're just talking about 1/16th" or less, you shouldn't have to plane it. If you removed the finish already, that's about 1/16th-1/8th" depending on the guitar. Then your new finish, if it's an oil finish or a gloss from a spray can won't be as thick as a factory poly finish anyway. If you are going with a bent 1/4" or even 1/8" top, then you have to plane and bend. Otherwise the paper thin veneer will bend while you're appling it. You don't have to wet it.

[littlegreenman]

If it is a paper thin (.040" or less) veneer absolutely do NOT wet it, when it dries it will shrink and you'll end up with cracks in the grain all over. It's best done with a vacuum bag to hold it down tight.

If you're putting a 1/4" drop top on, you'll probably want to find a vacuum press system to put it on, bending 1/4" material even when soaked is no easy task.