Guitar Building Process
Throughout the guitar building process, many tools and jigs are used. It is my hope for this page to show how some of these tools and jigs are used to build a well-crafted instrument. A few quality features of an Urlacher Guitar are also explained below.
Side Bending Machine
A bending machine is used to quickly and accurately bend guitar sides. Heat and moisture are used to loosen wood fibers so the side can be bent to the shape of the guitar. After the bending process, the side pieces are removed from the bending machine and placed in a mold.
Bending Wood Binding
An electric bending iron is used to bend decorative purfling strips and wood binding. Only high quality exotic hardwoods are used for bindings.
Rosette Inlay
To inlay the rosette a channel is routed in the soundboard. The rosette is approximately .06in which is about ½ the thickness of the soundboard. Unique natural wood rosettes come standard on all Urlacher Guitars.
Domed Top with Scalloped Braces
Braces are radiused on the gluing surface which creates a slight dome when the braces are glued to the top. This dome increases strength and stability of the guitar top and will hold up well under great string tension. In addition, it is important for a guitar to have good balance between top bracing that has enough rigidity and strength, but also have bracing that allows the top to move and vibrate freely when the strings are played. Helping to create this perfect balance are scalloped braces, which are found on all Urlacher Guitars.
Gluing Top to Side Assembly
With the side assembly in the guitar mold, the top and sides are glued together by using many cam clamps.
Neck Construction
Top choice of one-piece solid Honduran Mahogany is used for neck material (unless other wood is preferred by customer.) This wood has become very expensive and hard to acquire quality large pieces. Since I only make a few guitars per year, I can and will continue to use this superior wood for guitar necks. In addition, a carbon fiber rod is installed along each side of the trus rod, keeping the neck light while adding extra strength and rigidity.
Bridge and Fingerboard Materials
Here are some examples of Ebony and Brazilian Rosewood that will be used for guitar fingerboards and bridges. Ebony is a very dense, strong wood with typically straight grain. Known to be the blackest wood, ebony polishes beautifully to a smooth high gloss and is very resistant to wear. Ebony fingerboards are becoming hard to find on factory guitars due to its high cost, but come standard on all Urlacher Guitars. Brazilian Rosewood is another option I offer especially if a little less weight is desired for tonal purposes.
Pearl Inlay for Headstock
Mother of pearl and abalone are shaped and pieced together to create the "bird" emblem. This design will be inlayed into the headstock of the guitar.