MikeM
Hey guys
So I've had tons and tons of ideas for the past few weeks, but the first one I've acted on is this...
I'm gonna build a guitar.
From intensive personal debating on the woods to use, today I bought myself enough wood to make 2x poplar bodies, and 2x ash bodies.
You WILL NOT believe the insanely beautiful grain on the ash! Omg clear finish for definite!
Anyway, so far I've planed the wood, gosh hardwood is HARD! And glueing myself 1x poplar blank. Doing a second blank tomorrow using a different glue!
All in all, really fun, and looks cool so far!
Cheers
Mike!
P.S. Pics to follow ?
Sean
How is the tele coming along, already onto the next project? You don't waste time do you? We still need to hook up and jam.
MikeM
Definately!!! I'm writing art on Wednesday afternoon, after that, um how's Thursday? We need to set a day so I can't forget ?
Anyway yea, the Tele is taking a backseat ? Ordering pups and stuff for it so long.
Oh yea and guys... Grain filler... It is different from wood filler right? Where can I get?
Gearhead
Hey MikeM, if you need to plane and thickness a log of soon-to-be-guitar just drop by; I've got a planer-thicknesser and I'm in the neighborhood.
MikeM
Awesome man!
That actually might save me a crap load of time! Where you situated?
MikeM
MikeM
Lots of views, few replies ☹
Gearhead
can't speak for the others, but I dunno what to reply. How about: it's sorta unorthodox to now start cutting the neck pocket.
MikeM
?
Oh yea, did I mention that in the pm? That's my biggest worry actually.
Martyr
looking good....you gonna use your old tele's neck or you gonna buy a new neck?
FatBoy
Can't wait to see the end result! Good luck dude!
MikeM
Using the old neck for now ? If all this goes well, I'll make one ?
Thanks Fritz!
Sean
MikeM wrote
Lots of views, few replies ☹
How about "Are you not supposed to be studying for your last exam." ?
Spyke
Very bold approach, i commend your efforts.
One day, I too will build my own. Don't know what I'll do with it once I'm done though - I don't know how to play it! ?
MikeM
Sean, I've got my project on hold until after next Monday. Too much happening with paintball tourney and the last couple exams ?
@Spyke, thanks, I've spent LITERALLY hours on the phone to a pro builder, getting as much advice as I can. Also been reading a book on some of the more complicated stuff.
Like I mentioned, my only real hassle is the neck pocket, but that's why I'm learning on cheap wood, if I screw it up, it's like R150 that has been spent on learning how to do it properly ?
I'm a hands-on person and do a lot of diy and similar stuff, so I've got most tools needed, just had to buy a router but otherwise, there's nothing else I can think of that I need.
Anyway... Back to art ?
Heath
word of advise with the router , firstly you have the same one as mine , watch that the bit doesn't move down , mine does it all the time . respect it , it has bitten me more times than i care to imagine . and use hard templates for routing guides , doing it by hand is damn near impossible . also watch the ball bearings on the copy bits , they tend to explode every now and again and bugger up your copy .
MikeM
EH!!!
Thanks for the advice!!!
I bought a very decent bit, particularly one with a bearing on top for using with templates, and then bought a cheap set that's got 45 degree bevels and silly things I won't use often.
I'll make sure I tighten it properly. Getting a template printed sometime this week, will grab some mdf and make it out of that. Thanks again man!
Squonk
Good stuff Mike
You are very brave but it looks as though you are a bit arty anyway. Keep us posted. The electrics will also be quite interesting.
MikeM
? Yea well studying for my art finals at the moment and I'm gonna study architecture next year so I do have a creative side.
As to the electronics, wait rather...
This body, is for nothing but learning. If my neck and everything can go on and it plays, then I'll start on the next one, doing something different.
If I feel confident after those two, I'll be making a replacement body for my tele, out of the ash. It's REALLY nice and will be an improvement on my MIM tele body.
I'm thinking of making a bolt on SG body with the second blank, yep it's against tradition but eh, I'm not bothered. I'm hoping that after all this I'll have enough experience to try my hand out at making a neck, I'll import a fretboard then as getting rosewood isn't easy, especially that size and quality.
LMinnie
MikeM..You've inspired me to break out me old woodworking tools.....
Ive been tempted to try building one from scratch...maybe its about time!! ?
