CrazyChester

Doug and I have been working on these for a couple months. Last weekend we fretted 6 of them and I'm going to fret one for my son this weekend. My FB (the fiesta red one) doesn't seem to be horribly neck heavy even while sitting, without a strap. With a strap and standing I can let go of the neck and it balances pretty good. I think that the large upper wing tucks under your arm and helps to balance. I also think that the African Mahogany neck really helps the balance. It took me 5 months to finish mine. Doug had the first two completely machined in about a month and he finished his in another 4 or 5 weeks but I'm rather slow with my finish work.

Actually I love the Tuning machines. Very accurate tuning in either direction and easy to install. Pricey though.

Its been a while since I dropped in but I had to show off my latest build. Its my version of a Gibson Firebird. I've working on this one since September. Here's a few pics. If anyones interested I can post a few pics of the building process. Here's some pics of the rear of the Bird. And some close ups of the tuning machines. Its a great hunk of wood.

You're probably right. If I don't like the gold on gold I'll just have to put the white one back on and build another strat for the gold pick guard. Maybe black and gold.

I'm making a Goldtop pickguard By spraying goldtop paint on the back of a clear strat pickguard. It will have a 1/8" cream pinstripe around it edge. I'll post a pic when I'm done.

Its a Strat with a Clapton mid boost, Sperzels, Tonerider Pure Vintage PU's and a Gibson Goldtop finish. I played it tonight at a gig and it sounds and plays great. I'm also building a Gibson Firebird and a Hollow Bodied set neck Tele. Here's a few Pics.

Why not try a solid body or noncarved semi hollowbody first. All of the experience you glean from a project like this will apply. Not saying that solidbody guitars are a simple task, but as a guy new to woodworking, bending sides and carving a top are pretty highly skilled accomplishments. Building a body alone that has the neck pocket properly cut and the proper bridge placement. Even drilling a hole in a top without tearing out takes practice. You could build a body, buy a cheap neck, then practice carving a neck and setting frets then build your own neck for your body. After a project like this you'll probably have real success in your carved top project. I've been working with wood for 50 years and have built 4 SB guitars (I'm working on #5 now) and countless other wood working projects. Now, finally I feel ready to try carving a top for a PRS style Hollowbody. I'm not trying to discourage anyone. Who knows you may be one of those who has a natural talent for working with wood.

Right, the tone should mellow quite a bit when wired. We'll knock off the PRS Mc Soapy for the wiring.

I built this guitar in 1966. I traded it on a LP Custom in 1970. Ten years later I met a guy who had purchased it from the store that I traded it to and I bought it back from him. I couldn't resist. The original neck was hand built but to chunky and not perfectly in tune, so I replaced it with a Fender Tele neck, then to a Warmoth neck about 15 years ago. It plays great but is a bit bright sounding due to the solid maple body and birds eye maple neck. I'm going to build another guitar soon. My son-in-law is going to hook me up with his CNC and I'll give some modern technology a shot. Here's a pic of the ol' gal. give her a break, she's 41 years old. http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/stay.../Picture5-2.png

Looking good Doug. I'm searching for a suitable piece of wood for the back. I've got to get the materials right for my next guitar. It's been many years since I built my last one. I'm sure I can get some help finding what I need around here.

Well, I did some measuring tonight, I goofed up a couple things. I need to route the neck pocket 1/8th deeper. Easy enough to fix really though. Back into the spoiler board and on the CNC again. The shitty thing is I think I may have drilled the bridge pilots (just a small indention) 1/4" to far forward. Dont know how I did, but I did Lucky, its just a small indentation, easily hidden and fixed. doh!