spottydog Posted May 29, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2018 Having researched the building of hollow body guitars. Its quite a few steps on from solid body guitars and I think it will take quite a while to build one. I hope I will be able to build a fairly decent 335 hollow body l guess there is only one way to find out if I can. Watch this space as they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted May 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2018 Plan has arrived.. I will need to study it quite a bit before starting as it looks complicated. It looks like this will be a very slow build. First thing to do as always start making the templates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 30, 2018 Report Share Posted May 30, 2018 Well, your work has improved since the first build however this will require a very careful and considered approach. That's putting it mildly! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted May 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 There seems to be a number of ways to make molds for a 335 style guitar. Has anyone got a favourite method which they use or can offer any advice for a first time mold maker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Are you talking the top/back or the sides? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted May 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 The sides for now. I think the top and back will probably be carved and sanded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 It's symmetrical, so if I had access to a bandsaw I would laminate or bend both sides as one piece. That's for certain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted May 31, 2018 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 Do you think it would be easier and better to make it as a semi hollow body rather than try to bend the sides using heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 31, 2018 Report Share Posted May 31, 2018 That's one option, definitely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpcustomguitars Posted June 1, 2018 Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 (edited) You could bypass both main difficulties in constructing this type of guitar by making two full wood frames for the sides, I think I left it about an inch wide. Glue those on a center block, planed and shaped for all the angles on top/back as per your plans, preferably with some hardwood dowels as the glueing surface is not that big. I was able to glue 4mm poplar plywood on, conforming to all surfaces with no problems at all. Use a lot of clamps and a few nails for reference points, and later sand/route the hangover, route the binding channel etc... I don't have much pics of the process, but this might help: IMG_20161001_154103 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20161027_202441 by Goran P, on Flickr I did it backwards, but you can glue a veneer strip around the frame and make it look much like a standard 335. IMG_20161013_073722 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20161027_202318 by Goran P, on Flickr I strung it up, and now I'm too lazy to remove the strings and actually install the pickups, but it plays nicely acoustically, it stands ready by the couch, so the method works OK. A friend wants one, so I'll be repeating the process sometime in future. Hope this helps! Edited June 1, 2018 by gpcustomguitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 1, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2018 Very impressed with your finished guitar and construction method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 Believe it or not its my 59th birthday today. Time flies when you get old. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 Is it still polite to wish a happy birthday? At what point does this transition into "well done old man!"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 2, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 Yes I think its still polite thank you though I do feel old sometimes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 You're only old when you quit playing and refuse to learn anything new. There's always something awesome to pick up or learn. I just can't get enough of that, anyway. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 I never refuse to learn anything new and in fact am still learning how to build and play guitars and I doubt I will ever stop. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatloaf Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 I don't care what people say, this old dog has learnt a lot of new tricks since I retired, You are never to old to learn you just need the right attitude. Forums like this really helped me to get inspired not only to make guitars but to make a whole bunch of other wood related stuff. My latest toy is an Inventible's X carve cnc, which has got the biggest learning curve of all the tools in my workshop but hey learning is fun and it helps keep that old grey matter alive. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Good to hear, gentlemen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 on the topic of 335/355 builds- a member (its been a while since he has posted) named Blackdog has done some of the best build threads ever. This one may be of interest to you in your journey. there is a lot of great information and pics -though I notice on some of his build threads some of the pics are missing. He has links to his hosting site and seriously- his build threads are terrific imho. Click on the subject line below- it will(should) take you to page4 of this thread where he did a les paul and a 355. (scroll down for the 355 stuff) or better yet start at the beginning- Blackdog always did super clean and detailed work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 I totally agree with you. I also make other things from wood i.e. Bird seed feeders, squirrel feeders, and things people ask me too make for them and I hope to learn a great deal with my next project. Thanks Mr Natural I will be sure to check out the threads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Agreed 100%. @Blackdog does great work, and that he shares his process is fantastic. I hope you feel inspired! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 4, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Black dog does make great guitars and his posts are very inspiring if only I could make guitars half as good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Had a fight with a drill bit this afternoon and I think I lost this time 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiKro Posted June 6, 2018 Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, spottydog said: Had a fight with a drill bit this afternoon and I think I lost this time Been there done that. Happy Belated Birthday!!! Still as we age, we can become a better wine or a sour vinegar. The choice is yours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spottydog Posted June 6, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 6, 2018 Many thanks. I would prefer to think of myself as a better wine but I feel a lot of people might not agree. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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