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Welcome back to Woodworking Wednesdays, the segment of my blog where I showcase some of the weekly luthierie projects I'm making. This week we continue with our instrument from the previous entry. You can check the beginning of the project clocking right [here](https://peakd.com/hive-189641/@bertrayo/woodworking-wednesdays-el-corocoro-a-special-project-going-far-away)


![IMG_20220807_163104.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23ywuQrMR3keJfXJnP5q5boNqcsJkaCEV88VS2Nn4ZS5A1yT94zB2Di2sW3SrnrKfozpg.jpg)

> "El Corocoro (to the right) next to another project that was made during the week.


https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://images.hive.blog/DQmPTLhVNyDnLA1pK3vUcmhgCVCDtvqDiE2TE95zU7V5w5Y/hive%20dividers-11.png

###### Position markers

These are totally optional. It is a visual cue made to help musicians remember key positions on the fretboard. There are some school of music that forbid the use of these as the claim is that any musician should know their instrument by heart.

I say that's nonsense! We need some help with so many things that details are easy to forget. Also, positions are learnt and memorized. The marker doesn't help of you don't know what it marks!

Anyway, I made these out of wood since I have no more aluminium. Need to restock on the pieces I used for the markers. However, working with wood on this gives me some ideas on how to make some interesting things for the future. 

The idea is simple, we make these holes on frets, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 12. Then, these are filled with some material that has a different colour from the fretboard. On fret 12 we have a double mark since it means we have reached the octave of the tuning of the instrument.

![IMG_20220804_093457.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23yd1GkYvKhqA4VZTypZzhPcZmeA3FavY7NcBWnS3pThsJ2YGnZpfQ1thTPjagj6RYCha.jpg)


![IMG_20220804_094001.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23wzzRcCr84L8Vx6W9jH81d72r9xwanUm2ejZACXQd1UwVEGxayi3yBqNd1orD4FK3FBB.jpg)


https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://images.hive.blog/DQmPTLhVNyDnLA1pK3vUcmhgCVCDtvqDiE2TE95zU7V5w5Y/hive%20dividers-11.png

###### Frets at last

I received the frets I ordered. However, these weren't the ones I needed. This are an alloy of nickel and silver. Such tough frets are a problem for a softer wood like the one on this fretboard. Fortunately, I had learned some tricks on to workshop as how to deal with such an issue. First, we need to set the fretwire straight on another piece of wood (preferably hard wood). Once we have done this, getting the frets in the slots is the same process of hammering them down. Nevertheless, we need to be more careful with the blows as these could chip the fretboard.



![IMG_20220804_104712.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23xAPbM36SeAMrgkjANQE3SW26ACVsF1LVuU4Gbsi58e5LKYQah76QwZX7758uwdRw4qe.jpg)



After getting them in place, we need to file the sharp edges and bevel the ends. This way we have a neat and tidy fretboard. And we can finally going the neck.

![IMG_20220804_113142.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23xediwDgJproD3KAjieobjJkGAL9s1mwi79wZ4a326q8cWzSYadeRBtsyvGiPi1unT9y.jpg)

![IMG_20220804_115404.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23x12zsyAAvjuS6S1AghDyDeSQY8YMLk2gKUkgbnztNCp9DGt7AXjGmBmpppHVZcTtCnq.jpg)




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###### Make it round

With the fretboard ready this piece can finally get in shape. With the help of some guiding lines and our trusty rasp, we can make quick work of the wood and get it in shape. It is funny, you make something square round by making corners. First, you have two; then, four; once you arrive at 8 you can see the round shape. Once all the materials is removed, we go ahead with the details and sand the whole neck to make the surface smooth.

![IMG_20220804_143910.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23w2oL9H2bUFtuqYs2iReRK66gvVAjtUHJ8meEzE3v8Sk1K1U7WcUxeeYsKMFWtBJRF9S.jpg)

![IMG_20220804_150104.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23vsQCmViEowpwMX2D8DbNqzfpFUfvFGib2E4SqEMeCdEqy73X1JGmYDwnbYtw6DXKcg1.jpg)



![IMG_20220804_150704.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23wqkHn1Qi1CzVZRVKTFbPhNNFGmXwfGSsfquGAVp9ZChQw1Bp7U7HYNR9EXUp8FBSWSZ.jpg)

![IMG_20220804_153455.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23wWwRJ93H5iKrDh2niA5rStGtDqPNqdRK67y9YQCcMKtVfyRk7cjpW9v8Uhiukfjzw84.jpg)

This is one of the pieces that might need some input from the musician since necks have two varieties, the round back or the flat back. The choice of one over the other is a matter of ergonomics. I tend to go for the round version. However, I always test instrument's comfortable with my hands. But this doesn't mean I'm not ope. To suggestions for instruments. I'm usually tailoring them for someone else and I can't feel the world as others do.

https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://images.hive.blog/DQmPTLhVNyDnLA1pK3vUcmhgCVCDtvqDiE2TE95zU7V5w5Y/hive%20dividers-11.png


###### Sealing the grain


![IMG_20220805_151343.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23wMSNn1sfgD8YpzC6LubPKZbeJSKj8KUiRYkwHyVVMTvrZb9yz3FLGeqRbgjFY139Q95.jpg)


It is a repetitive process, but something one gets used to after doing it several times. After all the sanding, we apply our pore filler of choice. I'm using nitrocellulose sealer. I use thinner to dilute to my thickness of choice and with the help of a spatula, apply it over all the surfaces of the instrument. This way we build a smooth surface for the upcoming varnish process. 


![IMG_20220805_153052.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23xejtcsUZz7XbqDTySnaYq5x2eMowKJejT3MSzvE4XoJ4XBVHCBYjw3Nhr1TwinUhS2h.jpg)

![IMG_20220805_153102.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23uQtiNRA5jzkp14Z4cjYhvBJ5v4LdLjsV117uuwNiCSoaJg8VrRVBy4z2X8VtEEmGUVN.jpg)


We let each coat dry and sand between each application. The process is complete once we have applied enough coats to see a smooth surface. Touching the surface also gives us soe valuable input.

https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://images.hive.blog/DQmPTLhVNyDnLA1pK3vUcmhgCVCDtvqDiE2TE95zU7V5w5Y/hive%20dividers-11.png

###### Bridge

Bridges connect two places. This one does something cooler. It is a vehicle for vibrations. In this cases bridges send all the movement of the strings into the sound board. The movement of the latter makes all the air in the body resonate and thus, the instrument produces sound!

![IMG_20220809_115420.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/242DG9AHbkZMxX22Jv6zjZfCRjRmoMYtT65rjBJm1poyR7u2hQYsXKyQ29pdU5aCQJkNr.jpg)

![IMG_20220809_115430.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23u6KvzPV49baXz9DzS3cUQdP7VRTRLkbVjiE88dkvHoVtuAGHGCBaXgzRsJyUF2rfcH7.jpg)




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There are more and more projects coming up next. There's also quite a few that have been sitting on my couch waiting to finish. All those and more will be covered on future entries!


![IMG_20220806_105238.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/bertrayo/23y8jVCwA7P9vMkS48NWPSJX1MNteVe2oYtg5wYVWvKPdJG8rtcMTy6hgi3dzT7GBvyem.jpg)

>There's not much space left on the couch!


https://images.hive.blog/0x0/https://images.hive.blog/DQmPTLhVNyDnLA1pK3vUcmhgCVCDtvqDiE2TE95zU7V5w5Y/hive%20dividers-11.png


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<em>Follow me on [Instagram](https://instagram.com/luthier_andresalvarez?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=) for enquires and commission.

If you'd like to help the workshop grow, you can make a donation [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/LuthierAndres).

You can find me at discord as bertrayo#1763</em>

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