D506_1 wood conservation and the huge maple top

Wood conservation... I am going to try to explain this but I think the pictures say everything. I have a 13" wide 7/8" thick quilted blank. It is big enough to make a destroyer top but with some engineering I can also get a S9 top out of it. The bandsaw will only cut about 13" so rather than try and run this piece through like that I will cut the halves out. This makes it easier on the bandsaw and me to manage. Position the template on the center line and mark the outline. Then flip the template on the centerline and mark the other side outline.



With the other template still on the top position the smaller template. This time I wasn't able to lay it straight on the edge. In order to have enough to make a top I had to angle the piece. No big deal I will reestablish a center line after the piece is free of the main board.


With everything marked out it is time to cut them free. It is a really tight cut no room for error...


Now to fix the centerline. Lay the template on the board and mark the centerline at the back of the template. Next use a ruler to find out how far out the center is at the top. Use a straight edge and connect the mark from the back and the measurement at the front and draw a new center.



Check the line and then cut. Then off to the bandsaw for bookmatching.



Distractions aside here is the top for the Destroyer bookmatched and ready to go.



Somehow I forgot to clean this neck blank up the other day. Cut the excess away on the band saw and do some sanding, headstock trim, volute rough out...



Trussrod installed time for profiling.



A real Destroyer II is huge. Since I am still prototyping mine out I want to make some changes. Upper fret access leaves a lot to be desired and moving these things to 24 fret does not help (my 82 has 22) so we will start by removing some extra wood while retaining the original shape. I am going to alter the angle on the back of the body but keep the look. This will free up some weight without altering the lines too much. The top line were your arm rests must remain exact. It is one of the reasons I love these guitars.


This is it.