Today I'm starting work on a new guitar project.

This one will be very different than my recent Fender-inspired builds. Instead, it will be built much like Alembic instruments (for whom my uncle built instruments for a time.

I'm starting with the bridge, which I'm machining out of brass on my drill press. This stage (which I inherited from my uncle allows me to place holes to within a couple thousands of an inch.

Here are the bridge rails, along with a bridge I mocked up earlier (but has incorrect string spacing for this project).

(Self-reminder to close my opened parentheses.)

Since a good chunk of any step of a build is setup time, I made enough rails for three bridges. (I also added the holes I'd forgotten to include the first time around on one of the rails - another benefit of the very accurate stage.)

Screw holes countersunk for the screw heads.

Making crossbars for the bridges. 3/8" dia brass rod cut slightly over-length on the bandsaw, then ground to length on the drill press against a heavy leveling file.

Target of 0.625" (5/8): achieved.

Pair o' crossbars.

Back at it after walking Logan around the neighbourhood. As an aside, I'm really looking forward to warmer weather.

Drilling the crossbars before threading. This setup yields well-centred holes.

Ready for threading.