Construction Question

loumt123

I'm a casual Gypsy Jazz listener and player, (not nearly as gung-ho as some here,) but I have a question.

I understand the genuine GJ guitars have a pliage in the top, but I also understand this is fairly difficult to accomplish.

If one does not have access to pliage, how is the top formed and fitted?

Oh, and could someone tell me how a forced top is done, and better yet, the Busato Bombe top?

And on the topic of the pliage, what type of iron is used and how is it bent?

Jazzaferri

Some GJ guitars have pliage some do not.

loumt123

I understand that, but what I'm asking is how is the solid spruce top fitted to the braces if it does not have a pliage? Is it soaked and bent for the forced top? How is the bombe formed?

Does anyone have pictures or video of this process being done?

Additionally, does anyone have video or picture of a pliage being performed, and the type of iron used?

JazzDawg

This page / link may get you some info on the topic...

http://www.pluckandsqueeze.com/Mac%20project/Pliage.htm

:idea:

frater

I've beeen very happy to know the upcoming JWC models will incorporate the pliage (and a very pronounced one, it seems!)

Jeff Moore

Frater. Who is JWC?
Pliage is good!

Thanks Jazzdawg for the link to pics of the soundboard refurbishing.

It doesn't seem that the people building modern Selmacs have a consistent methodology. Some force the tops dry over the bracing. Never heard of anyone steaming or soaking the tops, but who knows. Seems a small minority even to the pliage (I hear its risky - you lose some soundboards trying).

loumt123

That link helped clarify a lot.

Now, what would be considered an authentic pliage, as the site points out about 10 different methods to do it all!

" Heat bending by hand, without any scored line to form a gentle arch before gluing.

Heat bending with a jig, as shown by Michael Collins in his book on Selmer guitar construction.

Removing a tiny wedge before joining in a radius dish with go-bars.

Scoring a line and using a ruler and wedge to form a crease, as shown by Benoit de Bretagne.

Scoring a line inside for the bend and heating, to form a crease (pliage) before gluing."

I like the idea of making a score in the top before bending, though it's likely not authentic. Anyone know how heat bending with a jig works?

SteveG

Jeff Moore wrote:

Who is JWC?

http://www.jwc-guitars.com

More about them on the thread about the demise of the Manouche brand name at:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7386

cheers

Elliot

frater wrote:

I've beeen very happy to know the upcoming JWC models will incorporate the pliage (and a very pronounced one, it seems!)

It seems like they're going for a drier sound overall, I think unfortunately. My Manouche deflects not more than a few cents overall across the board, which is one of the best things about it; I would think the greater hump of the increased pliage would compromise this. Beyond that they blast like cannons, hold notes beautifully and sound very Gypsy so I'm not sure what more I could expect at this point...I guess we'll have to see.

loumt123

How much will the JWCs cost?

And I was looking through the gallery...I see metal rods in the neck, but no truss rod. Is this normal?

klaatu

loumt123 wrote:

And I was looking through the gallery...I see metal rods in the neck, but no truss rod. Is this normal?

Check this topic, especially Bob Holo's response:
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=7468