Riodectros

I've thought about, and it might come to that. It's just I'd rather do it all myself and feel like wicked proud of myself. I know I'll have to ask him for help on how to use some tools, and maybe my brother about the electric stuff, but I want the the most of it to be me. Not trying to be selfish, I just haven't built anything I've said I will, now I finally wanna do it. It might come to that anyways, depending on how much he has to teach me.

Well my dad got back from vacation this night, and I talked to him about this guitar-making idea. We do have a router (sweet), but I know we don't have a drill press. He also gave the usual speech "Well when you're older and have the money you can do that" as I tell him about how much cooler it would be than buying a guitar. He was like that with other things, half of which I ended up doing anyways. I hope this will be one of those, and I can get him on my side, cause I need his help with all the technical parts of it and wood working. I'll have to find a way to change his mind, like actually try at school or clean the house without being asked. Or... just figure out a way to get him into it, which is near impossible. Well, if he's not on my side I'm on my own to do everything, meaning cutting trees down. So I need him on my side, so this may not start for awhile. BTW, I decided that I'll give it a try. Once I get more details from my awesome music teacher guy, I might start the plans. Thanks guys.

Wow. I love you guys. Well I was gonna quote some stuff, but theres alot of different things to quote, so I'm just gonna copy and paste em and answer the questions or respond and so on. I'm only going to answer the neccesary ones, but I did read everything, so you all know. "What basic woodworking skills? Its not like nailing 2X4's together. Ever used a router that spins at 30,000 rpm's? " I've worked with jigsaws, sanders, nailguns, bandsaws, and those big saw things you push down on to cut the board. As for routers, I think I've used them in Wood Tech class 2 years ago, but I never paid much attention to that class cause it was boring. Too bad, I should have. Well my dad works with stuff alot, cause we live on a really old house (<150 years) so theres alot to do with wood that he does. We might have a router, I'll have to ask him when he's back from vacation. "It'll take exactly as much time as it takes. ;-) " Well that clears things up It makes sense, though, so it really does clear things up. As for a fretboard, it seems like buying a pre-made might be my path for now. "Sorry kid, but honestly, you'd be far better off just buying the guitar you want, you won't come anywhere near your goals on that budget or with your experience level." I understand. Well dispite what you've said, Drak, I think I might go through with this. The idea of painting my own guitar sounds too good to be put off by hard work. And anyways, I'll be having fun doing the hard work (hopefully). Thanks for another angle, though. Well I have to go, but I'll respond to the rest when I get back later tonight.

I'm new to this forum, but I may stay here if it turns out to be nice. well anyways I have been saving for a Gibson Les Paul Studio the past few months and I'll have enough aftert the holidays are over. But, I happened to stumble upon ProjectGuitar.com while looking at ways to customize guitars. And now, I want to build my own. My problems re I have no expiernce at all, I've never owned a guitar (I just use my families), I've only played for 1 year (and thats bass guitar), I'm only 15 years old, and I'm only willing to spend at most $600 for one try at it. Really I'm just looking to have a ton of fun (yes I've read and know its a ton of hard work too) making my own original guitar. I love originality, which is why I'd rather do this than buy one in the first place. I have the basic wood working skills, and I could always get help from my Dad, so thats not a huge issue. But as for tools, I think I have most of the stuff, or could somehow rent it. Now at my budget thingy, would I be able to make a guitar of $500 in value (by the time it reachs the walls or a music store, not that I would sell it) or not close to that? About how much time would it take a kid my age to build the guitar? Am I better off building a custom version of a already made style or am I just as fine off designing my own body shape? How hard is it to figure out where the frets would go (I read alot but didn't find anything about this except that it is hard)? And finally, Is this worth the time, money, and frustration? I realize I'm a newbie to all of this, but it'd be nice to know before I get into it.