Guitar build (again)

[bugman]

I had a week of free time so I was able to get some work done on my build. The first time I tried was a flop. This time is going better.

So here's the work on my prototype. The template is a lot better than last time; it isn't sanded perfect so this test run will let me know the rough spots are.
The wood is alder
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0381.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0383.jpg

[GuitarGuy]

Looks like bass.

[JustStartin]

Nice slab.
Quit plunging the router so deep. :mad: You're getting psychotic with the Makita on the left side of the bottom pic. Brick by brick, Cassius, brick by brick.

I see....I see.... an inlaid scorpion in the body of this guitar, or any other 6 legged foul creature you can find. I wish I had been Johnny on the spot, when one of the posters here wacked that scorpion in his house. I would of paid shipping and a generous boxing charge for him to send it to me. Would of made for an absolutely sick headstock. :rotf:

[martinedwards]

that's why I use a bandsaw. hate routers!!!

[DLR Guitars]

Looks like things are going great. You ever get that template thing worked out?

[bugman]

Nice slab.
Quit plunging the router so deep. :mad: You're getting psychotic with the Makita on the left side of the bottom pic. Brick by brick, Cassius, brick by brick.


I did the deep plunging with a forstner bit and drill press. :)

Looks like things are going great. You ever get that template thing worked out?

Nah. not yet.

[JustStartin]

I did the deep plunging with a forstner bit and drill press. :)

My bad, as they say. But then again I hate to be wrong. :o Thinking of a he man way out, I say forstener bits are for chicks. :p Have router will travel. Where is a Clint Eastwood emoticom when you need one. :p

The router is your friend. forsake him and you're doomed.

[bugman]

my router get a good amount of work.
I used the forstner because I needed a way to take out some wood so I could route it...didn't feel like asking the guy who helped me bandsaw my template (he seemed cranky) and my jigsaw couldn't take it.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/haha.jpg

[JustStartin]

my router get a good amount of work.
I used the forstner because I needed a way to take out some wood so I could route it...didn't feel like asking the guy who helped me bandsaw my template (he seemed cranky) and my jigsaw couldn't take it.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/haha.jpg

Killer Clint jpeg. I tried changing my avatar to Dennis Leary, but the site rejected me. I was within the size parameters, but still got shot down. I've got persona non gratis status here. Must be a hoodoo thing. :p
Resize that Clint and get it as my avatar, I'll hook you up with a quilted veneer sheet for your headstock. Shipping on me. :D I'm serious. :)

Hows the progress on your neck template? I'm slack, I know. I'll get to it one of these days. :o

[SGshredder]

great job so far. the body looks really nice. very appealing shape

[bugman]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/clint.jpg
you should be able to use that for your avatar.
don't need a headstock veneer :p The neck for the alder body one is from a squier strat. Then I have a neck from warmoth for the limba-bodied one I'm doing after this that has a rosewood veneer. thanks though :toohappy:


my neck template is still at a standstill. my plan is to trace the heel of the neck onto some MDF and then use straight-edged MDF as guides for the sides and use the stew-mac template to guide the curved part...and hope like heck the neck fits!

[JustStartin]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/clint.jpg
you should be able to use that for your avatar.
don't need a headstock veneer :p The neck for the alder body one is from a squier strat. Then I have a neck from warmoth for the limba-bodied one I'm doing after this that has a rosewood veneer. thanks though :toohappy:


my neck template is still at a standstill. my plan is to trace the heel of the neck onto some MDF and then use straight-edged MDF as guides for the sides and use the stew-mac template to guide the curved part...and hope like heck the neck fits!

Sounds good. Wont happen on the first try, but it will come home on subsequent efforts. I always use my first screwups as templates for the next attempt. Deja vu. Speaking of which, I may have to bust out the Dione Warwick tune of the same name.

Btw, the site shot down your Clint avatar for me. Its on now! :mad: They thought the Hoodoo action I was laying on my axe was heavy, wait when they get a wiff of the hex I lay on jam session. :p This joint will drop for weeks. :rotf:

sincerely,
Dr. Ju$t
Gear Pimp
Registered Hoodoo Doctor license # 0000123

[DLR Guitars]

my neck template is still at a standstill. my plan is to trace the heel of the neck onto some MDF and then use straight-edged MDF as guides for the sides and use the stew-mac template to guide the curved part...and hope like heck the neck fits!

Yeah, put your neck down on the MDF, and then superglue the straight edges to the bottom piece of MDF, and use your router bit to trim the bottom piece. Just do a double check on the fit, and you should be good to go.

[bugman]

Updates

Got the body routed out; made a neck pocket template and routed that.

On the ironing board
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0389.jpg

with neck pocket
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0390.jpg

with neck from squire strat
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0393.jpg

with stuff on it -- the pickup is a DiMarzio tone zone that I picked up cheap from a JS member (LesPaulCustom). Going to put a strat pup at the neck position. String-through bridge from stewmac.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0397.jpg

closeup up of neck/pocket
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0395.jpg

the neck fits very tightly (can pick it up by the neck and it won't come out) but there are little gaps at the corners. Weird. Could be from how I made the template


Lots of sanding to do next.

[DLR Guitars]

Looks like its coming together really nicely. Can't wait for more pics!

[Builder018]

Yeah!!! That is so cool!!!

[JacksonMIA]

Looks awesome, man. I gotta get back to work on mine.

[LesPaulCustom]

Hey, thats a nice USA made pick up you got there...where'd you get it?

I wish I would have kept it now...the guitar was the problem, not the pickups........

[less_is_more]

Looks like bass.


I thought it looked like a bass too, but know with the pickups and such it doesnt looks good.

Are you going to paint it or are you going to leave it all natral.

[JustStartin]

Bug,

You're ill, sick, posessed!!! Never mind my spelling. You have a serious beard. In boxing parlance that means you have a championship chin. You can take a shot, and come out swinging.

No looking for a soft spot on the canvas with you. YOU'RE A CHAMP! Your axe rocks. You rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sincerly,
Just$tartin
Gear Ho

[bugman]

I've taken a roundover bit to the sides, started routing the control cavity, routed for the bridge pickup, and made sure the neck/bridge/strings were all lining up.

more pics soon.

[JustStartin]

Bug, I've been out of the loop, but roll dude roll.
This is the Big Labowski stuff. Jeff Bridges action.

You may be stagnant, but you roll on the sabbath. Walter is wack.

If your're lost, rent a copy of the the Big Labowski, it will bring the axe home.

Yeah, its weak, but it the best that I can do. :D

[bugman]

haha. i have no idea what that means!

clear your PMs

[JustStartin]

haha. i have no idea what that means!

clear your PMs

I dont get it either, but it was the best I could do. :confuse:

I'll try to explain it. Building a guitar is like golf, and bowling. No matter how long you do it, you never get it right. I dont bowl, but I golf. Same stuff. Bowling is a Big Labowski reference. You need a Big Labowski mentality to build guitars. The Big Labowski is a movie. Jeff Bridges played Labowski.

That came out cuz someone referenced me as Labowski. I like to think of myself as Robert Deniro. But you're, your own worst judge of your personality. A close friend refered to me as a cross between the Big Labowski, and Dennis Leary. Everyone agreed. :confuse:

I gotta reinvent myself. :eek:

Yeah, thats makes sense. Good luck Bug, lookin for clarity from me, its like getting directions in center city Philly. :rotf:

[bugman]

^I lived in center city for a little while. I think I could handle it.

[JustStartin]

^I lived in center city for a little while. I think I could handle it.

No you cant. :p Center of what city??? Midwest dont count!!

While I'm givin' directions, my boys are stripping your car. We invite you to the nearest bar. Beers and shooters on us. Then you come out, we're gone. Your life as you know it has ended. :eek:

You're surrounded by bloods, crips, and md13. They'll strip you of what little dignity you have left. :( Dont believe me. Ask Fretboardfire, we're both OG. We've been there.

Building guitars is not for the weak. Its dog eat dog. You either get a body tattoo, or get buried in a landfill.

I know. I've been there. I'm writing the novel as we speak. :rotf:

[bugman]

hahaha. center city philly. I lived in Martin Hall of Thomas Jefferson University. 11th and Walnut; across from Doc Watson's Pub. I hear ya though.

Don't have a camera now, but started shaping the arm-rest and belly carve, all with elbow grease and a rasp.

[bugman]

with stuff on it. if the bridge and pickups look crooked it's because they're not screwed in. one thing that concerns me is that the outside poles of the neck pickup look like they're not going line up with the E strings
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0405.jpg


prepare to laugh...











this was a freehand route for the most part...make a little guide to make the cover recess better. on the left you can see some woodfiller from a previous mistake. the crap in the cavity is saw dust and woodglue because i got greedy and tried to route too deep...the top in that area was waaaaaaaaaaaaay too thin (gave to the touch) and as a result of the wood glue stuff the top in that little area warped a little b/c i didn't weigh it down.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0409.jpg



this being my first real woodworking experience...I think I did fairly well.

[JustStartin]

I'm not laughing, the guitar looks SICK! You have the stones to show your mistakes.

Looks like tone filler in the control cavity. Great stuff. I used it on my first axe, and it sounded phenomenal. The pole spacings can be fixed with different pups. Run this beast as is for now. You may love it.

Its handmade bro. If the internet guitar experts :rolleye: want perfection, they can buy a CNC Samick. Looks good to me. I love it!! :D

[FrEtboaRDonFIRE]

No you cant. :p Center of what city??? Midwest dont count!!

While I'm givin' directions, my boys are stripping your car. We invite you to the nearest bar. Beers and shooters on us. Then you come out, we're gone. Your life as you know it has ended. :eek:

You're surrounded by bloods, crips, and md13. They'll strip you of what little dignity you have left. :( Dont believe me. Ask Fretboardfire, we're both OG. We've been there.

Building guitars is not for the weak. Its dog eat dog. You either get a body tattoo, or get buried in a landfill.

I know. I've been there. I'm writing the novel as we speak. :rotf:

^^For sure, man...OG just startin has already picked up what he's puttin down. Down here in Los Angeles, the crips, bloods, and MS will rob you blind before you blink, and if you look at them the wrong way, you're toast. :p As just startin said, building guitars áin't for the bros that're gonna cut and run. :D

On another note, that guitar looks killer!! I've got a bit of cash layin around and I might have a go at modding the hell out of an old jap squier or something like that if I can find one on the cheap. Also, sorry for posting in the thread so late...I would have done so sooner if I had access to my computer at home, but I'm in Europe right now lol. :toohappy: Good luck with the rest of the guitar build dude! :)

-=FoF=-

[bugman]

gut carve
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/f9d6fe6a.jpg

armrest
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/28813803.jpg

beer bottles in the background
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/9a9f3a01.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0417.jpg

i need to get a surform or something to smooth out some things from rasp teeth that i don't think sandpaper can work out

[JustStartin]

gut carve
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/f9d6fe6a.jpg

armrest
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/28813803.jpg

beer bottles in the background
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/9a9f3a01.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0417.jpg

i need to get a surform or something to smooth out some things from rasp teeth that i don't think sandpaper can work out


Sand paper can cure any ill. You used a rasp! GEEEZUS!, BUG! Sucombing(sp) to the butcher luthier crowd, I see. :mad:

Fretboardfire speaks the truth. I post this laid up after a driveby, The Gibson crew tried to take me down, to no avail. I'm east coast Carolina, Philly Kong. doc watson guy I see. GOOD MAN! There is hope. Keep pluggin champ, you'll bring her home.

A RASP!!!! :confuse: Never! Never! use a rasp.!!!!!!!!

[DLR Guitars]

I use rasps all the time...you have to be careful though because they can take off a lot of material. If I need to get rid of something like what it seems you've got, I actually use some rough sandpaper from a belt sander. It is agressive, but not so much that it leaves marks that take even more work. Looking good so far though!

[JustStartin]

I use rasps all the time...you have to be careful though because they can take off a lot of material. If I need to get rid of something like what it seems you've got, I actually use some rough sandpaper from a belt sander. It is agressive, but not so much that it leaves marks that take even more work. Looking good so far though!

A rasp! Cretins!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Impatience! Ya'alll are loooosers.
Go to the the acoustic thread. Stupidity reigns there. You'll feel good about trashing a guitar there,!!!!!!! :D

[JustStartin]

:o Bug,

Whats up? What going on?
Speak to me bro. I hate rasps, but thats my view. They may work for others. Not for me. If it gets you to the next step, DO IT. I aint the word. :o

[bugman]

It's sanded up to 600 pretty nice (by hand... )but a few spots have some non-rasp scratches...so I have to go back over them; probably gonna bust out the random orbital sander

[JustStartin]

It's sanded up to 600 pretty nice (by hand... )but a few spots have some non-rasp scratches...so I have to go back over them; probably gonna bust out the random orbital sander

BOOM! Banda Bing!! Thats why I hate rasps!!! Sorry I still hate em!!
Uneccassary(sp) rip, but Its a butchers tool. :D I'll stand behind that statement to anyone who calls me out. ;)

Just some stuff I learned. If using a fixed bridge. Set your neck 5/16 to 3/8 above the body. :) I've had to make some adjustments due to that reality. :mad:

I'm sure some luthiers here will chime in and say they knew that, but I doubt it!!!! :rotf:

[bugman]

yeah. that neck height thing is helpful. I just got what a lot of folks consider "the" book to get started in building electric guitars...says the same thing but without the exactness of measurements (just says fretboard height above the body is determined by bridge height).

What I did on this build is route neck pocket down to the standard Fender depth of 5/8". Then I noticed that neck stuck up way too high above the body. Had to route another 1/8" out. I guess that's what happens when you take a Squier neck and put it on another body.

[JustStartin]

yeah. that neck height thing is helpful. I just got what a lot of folks consider "the" book to get started in building electric guitars...says the same thing but without the exactness of measurements (just says fretboard height above the body is determined by bridge height).

What I did on this build is route neck pocket down to the standard Fender depth of 5/8". Then I noticed that neck stuck up way too high above the body. Had to route another 1/8" out. I guess that's what happens when you take a Squier neck and put it on another body.

I was brutal on rasps, can you tell I was in a bad mood. :p That book was right. Measure the saddle heights from the bridge base to the top of the saddles bottomed out, on the D and G stings. Set your neck reveal slightly higher than those dimensions.

Seriously Bug, if you get adept with that router, a rasp is virtually unnecassary. Its simple math.
Your guitar will rock. Book It! :)

[bugman]

stained the wood. the wood stained unevenly, but gives it a worn-in look. oiling starts this weekend

[bugman]

after first application of danish oil

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0450.jpg

[JustStartin]

after first application of danish oil

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0450.jpg

Judging from that pic, you Jackson Pollocked that bad boy. A royal splatter number. :p

Pollock(sp) would of never stopped there. He would of taken it to the house. Loaded up the brush, and driven home a statement. A full frontal assualt on all things luthier. :eek:

Do a search on jackson polock. Yeah, my spelling is lame, but you'll find it. :o

[bugman]

oh...i know jackson pollack.

[bugman]

finished...almost. still need to make back cover plate
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b367/bugman96/IMG_0452.jpg


sound clips soon

[r u experienced]

Wow thats awsome!!! I wish i could do that.

[mjshailes]

thats turned out really nice

[martinedwards]

looking REALLY good. we need sound clips!!!