Finalizing my design

[bugman]

Well, it's getting close to build time.

Here's the original body plan:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/nocut.jpg

And two possible cuts for the lower horn, since the original doesn't give much access to the higher frets (even though I don't use them much, it'd still be nice to be able to reach them).

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/lightcut.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/deepcut.jpg

Which do you think looks best? 25.5" scale if that helps. I think the last one looks UGLY but it's still an option.

Also, just for kicks here's the wiring scheme (ground to bridge not shown)
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/Wiring.jpg

Thanks to TomN for helping me out with the diagram.

[Stray Dog]

Nice!!

[RockinIt]

the first one looks the best! kinda loooks like a mcnaught!

[Stray Dog]

Oh yeah, I vote the second.

[Etingi]

First one looks best, last one is most practical (upper fret access), and the 2nd one is a good compromise. So #2.

[Robot_Boy]

first looks best, but the second looks pretty much as good, and has better access, so i say #2 aswell

edit: actually, i changed my mind, the 2nd one looks best too, so definitely #2

[martinedwards]

I'll go 2 ....... there is definitely a consensus here!!

[Carbohydrates]

First by far. Second doesn't look nearly as good.

[dkitt]

The shape of the lower horn on the first one is perfect - I'd shorten the upper horn by an inch or two, and make it a half inch wider at the base. Can't wait to see the finished product!

It would look great with a 1/2" round-over rout on the edges with a natural rubbed-in finish.:stylin:

[obilisk]

yeah id shorten the upper horn and go w/ #2

[bugman]

It would look great with a 1/2" round-over rout on the edges with a natural rubbed-in finish.:stylin:

You read my mind. I was thinking about a nice roundover but I'm gonna have practice up on the good ol' router. As for the finish, I'm planning to use a 1:1:1 mixture of boiled linseed oil, turpentine, and polyurethane (as recommended by the wood supplier).

aaaaaaaaaaand I'm going to try and make the knobs out of the leftover black limba I'll have or curly maple (stained darker to make them closer to the limba) that I found at home depot. Failing those, I'd go with chrome knobs like a tele.

[dkitt]

You read my mind. I was thinking about a nice roundover but I'm gonna have practice up on the good ol' router. As for the finish, I'm planning to use a 1:1:1 mixture of boiled linseed oil, turpentine, and polyurethane (as recommended by the wood supplier).

I wonder why he recommended turpentine - it stinks to high heaven!:xx: Always a big risk mixing things together...

Make sure you round the edges 'before' drilling for the jack plate...:eek: I almost wrecked my whole damn guitar doing it in reverse sequence.

[bugman]

I wonder why he recommended turpentine - it stinks to high heaven!:xx: Always a big risk mixing things together...

Make sure you round the edges 'before' drilling for the jack plate...:eek: I almost wrecked my whole damn guitar doing it in reverse sequence.

The turpentine is to act a solvent. I could probably just as easily use paint thinner. I'm not sure what I'm doing for the jack yet. As for the risk, the luthier at the lumber company (gilmerwood.com) said he's been using that finish on most the guitars he builds, so I guess it's ok.

I might end up having it on the front w/out a plate.

[sumx4182]

id agree with the others around here, the second is the best but the top horn could be shorter...

[t_shirtsnjeans]

With the top horn long it would add to the balance of the neck. I realized a while back that the reason a Les Paul seems so darned heavy even when the Paul and Strat are the same weight is that the Strat has a horn that extends over the neck and creates a better balance, and the LP strap button is closer to the 15th fret making the neck seem very heavy.
Cool design btw.

[bugman]

i also need a name for the design...ideas welcomed.

[bugman]

Another thing...
My hardware (including pickup covers) is chrome. Would these look better with chrome or black mounting rings?

[aussie_skater]

make it a set neck, i rekon they sound nicer... but its up to u

[gavb]

No 2 defo. Very nice shape.

[gavb]

i also need a name for the design...ideas welcomed.

What about The Bugman. Or The Bugman Spleenocaster, or The Bugman Z-8 Or SG killer, lol. Or Sonolight, the TS-28 Voodoo Biscuit, Omniville Deluxe.

[b3n]

the TS-28 Voodoo Biscuit

This one has my vote lol.

Oh yeah, and go number 2.

[dkitt]

Name it after one of those tropical beetles that have a long horn sticking out of their head!

[bugman]

Name it after one of those tropical beetles that have a long horn sticking out of their head!


haha latin or common name?

Imagine...a guitar model called Eupatorus gracilicornis

[dkitt]

Imagine...a guitar model called Eupatorus gracilicornis
Perfect...Dali would have described the shape as 'rhinocerotic'!:p

[Carbohydrates]

Dude, do a Brian Moore jack.

http://mi-images.instrumentexchange.com/images/photos/a_3501375191639_13.jpg

http://mi-images.instrumentexchange.com/images/photos/a_3501375191639_15.jpg

Sweet.

[bugman]

ew. I don't know where I'm going to mount it yet. on the top is easiest and it's cheaper (don't need a jack plate).

[DeviantSnow]

This one has my vote lol.

Oh yeah, and go number 2.


same opinion I have.

[killerkiwi]

name it the spiffycaster (like i did with mines)!

[DLR Guitars]

With the top horn long it would add to the balance of the neck. I realized a while back that the reason a Les Paul seems so darned heavy even when the Paul and Strat are the same weight is that the Strat has a horn that extends over the neck and creates a better balance, and the LP strap button is closer to the 15th fret making the neck seem very heavy.
Cool design btw.

How about the Balacaster, as in Balanced. Anyway, I say the third looks better, and the second is cool too.

[bugman]

I found this http://www.matmusic.com/nss-folder/warwickbasses/Warwick%20bass.jpg

which is sort of what I wanted to design it after...a guitar that looks like a bass.

Anyway, I'm fairly certain that I'm going to use #2, but also bring the point where the upper horn meets the neck down too.

[pagodas_fiesta]

I really like the new designs bugman, I remember in your previous thread on this project I had attempted to solve the upper access problem but I couldnt make anything even worth posting. #2 is a great solution IMO.

[gtrhrcane]

IMO I like the 1st one, but that's just me. Either one should be fly.

[bugman]

Alright...it's crunch time for deciding on a neck
here are my options:
maple neck
or mahogany neck

with maple, rosewood, pau ferro, or ebony fretboards.

I'm leaning towards mahogany/rosewood to use with PAFs (going for an LPish sound as I hear limba is similar to mahogany)

[Wildhawk]

The shape of the lower horn on the first one is perfect - I'd shorten the upper horn by an inch or two, and make it a half inch wider at the base. Can't wait to see the finished product!

It would look great with a 1/2" round-over rout on the edges with a natural rubbed-in finish.:stylin:

I too think the top horn should be shortened. IMHO

[Barlo5]

gnarly

[paul_jam]

i like the first one more, but if you want upper fret access, no 2 is probably best.

as for the hardware, what wood is the body going to be? i quite like chrome everything though, chrome pick ups, rings, tuners, knobs, bridge. but that depends on what colour the body actually is. black is my second favourite for hardware

[bugman]

the body is black limba and will have a natural finish
http://www.thornguitars.com/images/018_11.jpg

My piece is darker than that one and maybe gold would look better, but I already had some chrome stuff anyway

[paul_jam]

yes, if your going with a natural finish, i agree with the gold hardware. im not a fan of it, but that wood just has gold written all over it

[JustStartin]

Bug,
That body is absolutely SICK!!!, and I mean that as a big complement!. Watch out for gold hardware. I used it on my tele. The first time I used a polish on the hardware, the plating on the control cover started to wear thin.
If you go with gold it may be a good idea to spend a little extra for higher quality stuff. :)

[bugman]

thanks! I'm definitely doing chrome though; I had a set of chrome sperzels I got a while ago and didn't use because I didn't trust myself to drill the holes for the guide pins. And stuck with chrome so it all matches

[paul_jam]

i think with a body wood like that, chrome will also look killer, and the unusual body shape will definatley counter lacking in chrome compared to gold. its gonna be a killer axe. what are your plans for the head stock, and what kind of bridge?

[bugman]

i think with a body wood like that, chrome will also look killer, and the unusual body shape will definatley counter lacking in chrome compared to gold. its gonna be a killer axe. what are your plans for the head stock, and what kind of bridge?

Bridge (http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_tailpieces/Electric_guitar,_non-trem_bridges/Hipshot_Hardtail_Bridge.html)

headstock (http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=warmoth_warmothpro)

[Barlo5]

i love that body shape Bugman

[paul_jam]

that bridge looks pretty cool, and im glad that you wont have a fender shaped headstock either, because that wouldnt have been right at all. cant wait to see this project come alive :)