1st Own Built

adr1aan · 2015-08-03T13:30:20+00:00

Hi, I really want to build my own guitar. I got a plan from the inter-web (imperial ☹) will convert with the help of google. So it's a Gibson Melody Maker, looks simple enough. Was hoping to glean some of your experience in this regard, pitfalls, etc. Best Regards

Shibbibilybob

adr1aan wrote

I then have a next question: If the scale is 1:1 can I assume to work on the plan or must I still measure?

We all know the answer to this one hahah! You always measure. And when you're done, measure again.

I have found Zip print in Fish Hoek to be one of the only print shops around the Southern Suburbs who are able to print acoustic guitar plans to scale. Not sure if you've managed to locate a print shop near you yet?

adr1aan

Shibbibilybob wrote
adr1aan wrote

I then have a next question: If the scale is 1:1 can I assume to work on the plan or must I still measure?

We all know the answer to this one hahah! You always measure. And when you're done, measure again.

I have found Zip print in Fish Hoek to be one of the only print shops around the Southern Suburbs who are able to print acoustic guitar plans to scale. Not sure if you've managed to locate a print shop near you yet?

I am in the process of doing this, will reveal my investigation.

adr1aan

1st quote: R100per page, black and white at a shop in Rivonia ???
2nd quote: R22per page, black and white at a shop in Pretoria ?

adr1aan

Ok, so have my plans printed out, I have converted all the inches to mm and have a few leave days coming up where I will start the build, school is keeping me to busy (I passed grade 2 ?)

Pic's will follow...

briang-telkomsa-net

adr1aan wrote Ok, so have my plans printed out, I have converted all the inches to mm and have a few leave days coming up where I will start the build, school is keeping me to busy (I passed grade 2 ?)

Pic's will follow...

Congrats on passing grade 2, again...look forward to the pics

adr1aan

Well merry christmas and a happy new year yall!!?

I have started on my neck blank, i choose the scenic route, cut out four neck profiles and glue them together. I left about 1 mm around the edges that must be removed and then I will cut my neck out of the blank.

Stage one of that is done the profiles were cut and glued, and I used alcolin profesional glue, this stuff dries like superglue, now I have a lot of cleaning up to do.

This is hard work if you don't have a dedicated workshop.;D

Gearhead

Your trouble will now be that you do not have a reference face. Any dimensions must bee relative to something and on a neck there is not one straight face... in the end. For now, level the face that will receive the fretboard and take it from there.

adr1aan

I have drawn the neck shape onto the blank. I was wondering if I should cut that out before or after finishing the side profile. It's very rough and a band saw would have been nice to have.

Are you talking about a side profile pattern? to router against? or sand against?

Gearhead

adr1aan wrote I have drawn the neck shape onto the blank. I was wondering if I should cut that out before or after finishing the side profile. It's very rough and a band saw would have been nice to have.

Are you talking about a side profile pattern? to router against? or sand against?

I'm talking about any profile, just drawing it onto one side will mean you have to remain perfectly square to that side, which can only be done with a perfect saw. My band saw does leave me the need to robosand and even that is better when assisted by some lines on the reverse side... Which you will not be able to put until you square the whole thing up first.
Anyway, having glued already you will need to rout for the truss, which I would do before profiling so you have less trouble clamping.

On another note: what wood is that?

G-Man

Sticking those pieces together is not easy, I can see a tiny bit of movement there. Thats the exact reason I went the scarf route instead because it is quite tricky.

adr1aan

Gearhead wrote
adr1aan wrote I have drawn the neck shape onto the blank. I was wondering if I should cut that out before or after finishing the side profile. It's very rough and a band saw would have been nice to have.

Are you talking about a side profile pattern? to router against? or sand against?
I'm talking about any profile, just drawing it onto one side will mean you have to remain perfectly square to that side, which can only be done with a perfect saw. My band saw does leave me the need to robosand and even that is better when assisted by some lines on the reverse side... Which you will not be able to put until you square the whole thing up first.
Anyway, having glued already you will need to rout for the truss, which I would do before profiling so you have less trouble clamping.

On another note: what wood is that?

Plain old pine, this is a first attempt and waisting expensive wood would be a shame.

Gearhead

I thought it was pine which is why I asked. I have never seen anyone pull off a pine neck (pun intended). Even if you had used a more sturdy piece of wood for your neck, it would still not have been stiff and controllable enough without a truss rod. You might have looked at the direction of the grain a bit while cutting, so as to keep the neck from warping. In my humble opinion, instead of maybe wasting expensive wood you are certainly wasting less expensive wood. It might be better to read through a few build threads on this forum or even very many threads on tdpri.com or lespaulforum.

Shibbibilybob

G-Man wrote Sticking those pieces together is not easy, I can see a tiny bit of movement there. Thats the exact reason I went the scarf route instead because it is quite tricky.

Something I seem to be thinking frequently these days: Life would be so much cooler with an electric planer. even just 6" wide would be lovely thanks.

G-Man

Shibbibilybob wrote
G-Man wrote Sticking those pieces together is not easy, I can see a tiny bit of movement there. Thats the exact reason I went the scarf route instead because it is quite tricky.
Something I seem to be thinking frequently these days: Life would be so much cooler with an electric planer. even just 6" wide would be lovely thanks.

amen

adr1aan

Phew, the blank is sanded down to size

adr1aan

adr1aan wrote Phew, the blank is sanded down to size

My sander had this nice fitting that came in the box that i never used, and it works like a charm.;D

G-Man

Lookin good!

briang-telkomsa-net

G-Man wrote Lookin good!

Norman86

I like that grain. Pity you won't see it.

adr1aan

Norman86 wrote I like that grain. Pity you won't see it.

Some at the back of the neck;D

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