DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Hello all! I dont know why I never bothered to find a guitar building forum, glad I finally found this place! Little back ground. Name's Doug obviously, been playing guitar for about 10 years now, off and on with local bands but pretty much just a hobby any more (house payments and cars eat up most of my time lately lol). Anyways, Im a second generation custom cabinet maker working in the family business (in sig). Been doing that 15 years too lol. Well long story short, once or twice a year one of our local lumber suppliers takes all the solid lumber that falls out of their racks, bundles ect and sells it to us for dirt cheap. 3 years ago, this piece showed up: (obviously I had already planed and glued it back together by the time I took this picture). So I stashed it and mentioned something to my (future) wife about one of these days I need to build a guitar. Well when my birthday came around, I got a box full of P90's and a fair amount of hardware (helps my father in law has been playing semi-professionally for decades so he knew what I wanted) so I guess I was building a guitar! So I worked up a game plan, decided I wanted to do a walnut, chambered body. I decided to pick my battles so I ordered a Warmoth bolt on neck figuring if I wasn't happy in the long run, I can take the "hard" part off and try again. specs: Walnut neck and body maple cap seymour duncan p90's goto 510 bridge planet waves self trimming tuners Now I should mention, I feel a bit of a looser after surfing around here all day. I cheated, I've done almost everything on our SCMI Sigma99 CNC router. I do the majority of our programming so this was almost natural for me. Now in all fairness, our SCMI is both Italian and fairly old (late 90's) so the italian version of CAD that is specific for our machine is a bit of a handicap... so Ill call it a draw : So I started off in the programming stages (back in late 2004 lol). I started by taking a black and white picture of a PRS, printing it to a transparency and sticking it to my monitor to "trace" in our cnc's software. This got the basic generic shape down then started doing some mockups on the CNC. pic2 pic3 So that was mock up 1 There was things I liked and disliked, notably the thickness', knob and switch positions and I decided to chamber the body horizontally. pic4 pic5 pic6 [Edited to change pics to links] Edited October 26, 2007 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Mock up #2 using a squire neck I had laying around. So I should mention, that this has been a major on again off again project for me. I started the mockups in june 2004. The next time I touched it was Sept 05 when I glued up my body blank. pic1 pic2 1.25" thick black walnut pic3 Planed, sanded and ready to go (and enough to build another guitar... though I'll be damned if I can find that extra blank right now) pic4 pic5 [Edited to change pics to links] Edited October 26, 2007 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) My neck showed up. Warmoth bolt on, 25.5" scale, american walnut with rosewood fret board. I think I finally decided I was ready to take the plunge by this point. So I put the walnut on the cnc and crossed my fingers. pic1 Came out rather well, exactly like it should have. Next I glued up the cap, stuck it in the vac press over night and pulled it out the next morning. pic2 At the end of the day I had this (the neck is just sitting in there, its really not mounted crooked I swear!) pic3 pic4 pic5 pic6 [Edited to change pics to links] Edited October 26, 2007 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) So that was october 2005... the last time I touched the guitar till this week. For one reason or another I just kind of forgot about it (car projects, bought my first house, remodeled my first house' kitchen ect, lived out of state for a while ect lol). I finally decided I was ready to start sculpting the top. So back to the trusty CNC I bought up my 1/2" OD fluting bit and started programing that. Once again our CNC software is pretty limited so I wasn't able to "see" any 3d shaping I might have been doing. Basically I freehanded arcs on the program and started offsetting them on 1/10th of an inch increments dropping various amounts as needed. After a day of mockups I had the program basically dialed in. Now like an idiot, I didn't have my camera with me so we basically skip straight to the results. After a few hours of sanding I had the guitar basically sculpted. pic1 pic2 pic3 Now... when I programmed the back it wasn't routing quite deep enough. Instead of fixing it at the computer end, I just told the CNC that the piece was 2mm thinner each time till I was happy w/ the neck relief. The problem was, I forgot it was cutting the taper on the top of the back. So w/out thinking I finally got the neck relief deep enough, but it routed right into one of the body chambers (3 to be exact)... DOH. Instead of fixing it walnut though, I decided to make my mistake an opportunity and make light of the situation. Ended up making maple plugs to fix them. [Edited to change pics to links...that last one was so cool I let it slide though ] Edited October 26, 2007 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) pic1 pic2 pic3 So thats basically how it sits now. I have some hardware coming that I need for when I spend my day on the drill press doing the bridge, tone/volume pots and the jack. I still need to finish making the rear cover plate, planning on maple for that too. I wrote CNC programs to make the knobs and pickup covers out of wood but Im not sure if Im going to go that route (I do have some zebra wood and some brazilian rosewood laying around). So now basically a bit of time on the drill press than its sand-o-rama time Oh, some other projects I've done. I built this cab to take a 67 fender bassman piggyback into a combo pic4 pic5 pic6 The case is Cherry, soundboard is mahogany and maple Built this Allen amp (from scratch, did their DIY kit, freaking blast) pic7 pic8 pic9 Btw that is the best amp ever made. I never even touch my bassman anymore... those allens f'ing rule! Well, thats my project(s)! I'm hoping to be able to play the guitar by xmas.... or new years of any year I guess lol. Doug [Edited to change pics to links] Edited October 26, 2007 by Rick500 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fookgub Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Welcome to the forum . Very nice looking work you got there. Too bad about the routing mishap, but you seem to have made the best of it. Any idea on what kind of finish you'll go after? I have to warn you that you've broken the PG picture post rules, which only allow one picture per post (the rest have to be linked). Also, you're not really supposed to post back to back (prevents people from circumventing the picture posting rules). Not trying to bring you down at all, but it would promote general goodwill if you save the mods the trouble of editing your posts by changing them yourself. Anyway, I really like that Bassman cabinet. It's so nice it would almost be a shame to gig it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick500 Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Welcome, and thanks for sharing your work... That's a really nice maple top on the carved top. (I had to change your pics to links, as fookgub pointed out.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Welcome to the forum icon_wavey.gif. Very nice looking work you got there. Too bad about the routing mishap, but you seem to have made the best of it. Any idea on what kind of finish you'll go after? Blue and shinny lol. Probably isn't going to be super original but for my first attempt, I just want to see how everything works out then maybe go a bit more creative next time. Actually, thats the reason I found my way over here was to start reading up on the finishing techniques (we dont do finishing in house any more). Anyway, I really like that Bassman cabinet. It's so nice it would almost be a shame to gig it. LOL it weighs so damn much (and is so freaking loud) that it didn't get gigged for more than a year or two. Now it just moves from one side of the room to the other any more. Welcome, and thanks for sharing your work... That's a really nice maple top on the carved top. (I had to change your pics to links, as fookgub pointed out.) No worries about the rules... every board has different ones. I moderate a couple turbo volvo forums so it happens. Not a bad piece of maple for 10 bucks eh :-D Edited October 26, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Looking great Doug!! I must say that I am very jealous of all those that spent years woodworking before even starting a guitar, sometimes I feel like I shorted myself by spending all my time fishing in the past. The only woodworking I had was building numerous different ramps for when I skated, which took some skills, though not much. The tough part was developing a solid support system for very thin masonite as it is very weak stuff, otherwise it would bend and break and be miserable to ride. Anyhow, the project is looking great and I can't wait to see how it turns out. Definitely keep the pictures coming and look around on guitar finishes, there is a lot of information and so many different ways to go about it. I'd imagine you have plenty of knowledge of finishing, but I'd imagine there are some finishes that you may not have used before that are great for guitar finishes, not sure really. I know polyester is popular for those with the ability and desire, and skills I should add, too bad I don't have those because thats what I want to use. There are so many more too. You mentioned wanting to go blue and shiny, well I got a link to someones guitar which is my favorite blue and shiny. It makes me depressed because matching or beating that finish will be damn tough, lol. Anyhow, here is the link to one of my favorite guitar builds-Marcovis Keep the pictures coming and keep up the excellent work. Best of luck Doug and thanks for sharing. Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Yep! Thats exactly the color and look Im going for. Man Im really enjoying surfing around here (so bored with cars now). I'll be spraying it in our spray booth, probably using a nitrocellulose lacquer. The side note of the CNC taking ALOT of time to program is now I can crank another one out in about 6 hours... my father in law is already pulling stuff out of our lumber racks (btw, stay safe in San Diego. My brother lives there and the fires came with in a couple ridges of his house before the winds shifted finally) Edited October 26, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Thanks for the wishes Doug, its been crazy around here! So far so good on this end, but there is no relaxing, so many flare ups of the Harris fire have kept us slightly worried. We have a decent buffer zone for now and hopefully nothing will change. I will say a few family friends haven't been as lucky. Glad to here your brothers house made it through. That shift in the winds was both a blessing and a curse depending on where you were at. Anyhow, again thanks and give my best to your brother as well. As for your project, I can't wait to see how it turns out. I had a feeling that blue finish is what you were looking for, when looking at natural wood its tough to imagine that blue could look decent, but as you saw if done right it looks amazing. Best wishes with the finishing, I'm sure it will turn out great. Keep the progress pictures coming and I look forward to see what lumber your pops in law has for you. Jason Edited October 26, 2007 by jmrentis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 (edited) Thanks Jason I farted around a bit today at the shop. Im mostly hung up waiting for hardware so I decided to mess around. I wrote a couple programs to knock out some knobs and pickup covers out of wood. Dug through the rack for something hard (so it wouldn't explode on the CNC) just to see what would happen. pic1 I *had* 2 knobs... the belt sander sent one across the shop ... doh pic2 pic3 pic3 Honestly, Im 50/50 on it. If I do make them out of wood, it'll probably be Maple but left clear so it'll contrast from the blue cap. I think I might make up a set just to have. If I dont like em I'll stick to the plan of just using cream pickup covers and black knobs (I wish they made cream speed knobs). Sadly, thats about all I get to do between now and next week. I might go ahead and put the bushings for the bridge in this weekend... but then again I might get lazy again lol. Edited October 26, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyChester Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 (edited) 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! Edited October 27, 2007 by CrazyChester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carousel182 Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 looks good, i like those covers and knobs, i think you should use them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 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! double doh! That would be me on my father in laws account Im actually up right now because this is driving me nuts. Half tempted to drive down to the shop right now and fix the problems with the neck pocket/bridge. ... turn off brain let me sleep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs man Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 vary cool I like the body top contour for your forarm. I have done the same on my projects and I like it better then a prs body contour. keep up the good work and welcome to project guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted October 27, 2007 Report Share Posted October 27, 2007 Honestly, Im 50/50 on it. If I do make them out of wood, it'll probably be Maple but left clear so it'll contrast from the blue cap. I think I might make up a set just to have. If I dont like em I'll stick to the plan of just using cream pickup covers and black knobs (I wish they made cream speed knobs). Cream Speed Knobs: http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitark..._speedknobs.htm This is a very interesting project and it looks like its coming along really well, aside from the CNC screw up on the walnut. I come from a woodworking background too. I have to say that you have very good woodworking skills and you should definitely try a set neck neck time and build everything, including the neck. If I can do it, so can you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Honestly, Im 50/50 on it. If I do make them out of wood, it'll probably be Maple but left clear so it'll contrast from the blue cap. I think I might make up a set just to have. If I dont like em I'll stick to the plan of just using cream pickup covers and black knobs (I wish they made cream speed knobs). Cream Speed Knobs: http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitark..._speedknobs.htm This is a very interesting project and it looks like its coming along really well, aside from the CNC screw up on the walnut. I come from a woodworking background too. I have to say that you have very good woodworking skills and you should definitely try a set neck neck time and build everything, including the neck. If I can do it, so can you. Sweet! Thank you so much, thats exactly what I want!!! I actually really like the "mistake" on the back, I think it worked out for the best. Makes it kind of unique (atleast thats what I have to tell myself). Did get a bit more done today. Got the cavity mostly hogged out, setup for the switch and the volume/tone pot. Got the bridge done, fixed the mistake pilot holes and got the straplocks on. Till I get a few things on order next week, I think this be it for now. pic2 I am REALLY enjoying my time here... was up most of the night surfing around (plus this icon rules) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmrentis Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Just so you know, I really dig the mistake on the back, its almost like your signature mark or something. Honestly if possible I would so something like that for each one you make. I don't know that I have ever seen anything like that and think it is very cool, just my opinion. Anyhow, its looking great and keep the progress pics coming. I can see you have good taste, PRS guitars and New Castle! While I was still drinking if I didn't feel like it was a Guinness night, I brought out the New Castle, lol, good stuff. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyChester Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitar2005 Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 Sweet! Thank you so much, thats exactly what I want!!! I actually really like the "mistake" on the back, I think it worked out for the best. Makes it kind of unique (atleast thats what I have to tell myself). Did get a bit more done today. Got the cavity mostly hogged out, setup for the switch and the volume/tone pot. Got the bridge done, fixed the mistake pilot holes and got the straplocks on. Till I get a few things on order next week, I think this be it for now. pic2 I am REALLY enjoying my time here... was up most of the night surfing around (plus this icon rules) Love that top carve. So cool and the brown ale... I see that you have good taste in beer too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 (edited) Just so you know, I really dig the mistake on the back, its almost like your signature mark or something. Honestly if possible I would so something like that for each one you make. I don't know that I have ever seen anything like that and think it is very cool, just my opinion. Anyhow, its looking great and keep the progress pics coming. Me too! I think Im going to be doing that "mistake" from now on out. 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. Thanks Steve-O! Im sure we'll come up with something. I can see you have good taste, PRS guitars and New Castle! While I was still drinking if I didn't feel like it was a Guinness night, I brought out the New Castle, lol, good stuff. J Love that top carve. So cool and the brown ale... I see that you have good taste in beer too! Sure is hard to beat New Castle... 'specially after 5 hours of polishing cars (both the wife and I's were in dire need) On a side note, Im missing some of the hardware I need. I think between the 3 years and moving twice it maybe lost for ever. Im missing the nuts for the tuners (planet waves says they dont sell replacement nuts for them...lame) and the nut for the switch. Im not having much luck finding replacements for either. I think Im going to have to try mcmaster-carr or something unless some one knows of a place I keep missing. Edited October 28, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joobsauce Posted October 28, 2007 Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 that looks like a really nice project there! Good luck with it! And btw I love your strat and homebuilt amp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted October 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2007 (edited) that looks like a really nice project there! Good luck with it! And btw I love your strat and homebuilt amp! The 74? Thats technically my dad's, I have to ... "borrow" it from time to time. Absolutely my favorite playing guitar. Edited October 28, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougK Posted November 2, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2007 (edited) After a crazy week at work, we all took friday off. Couple of the guys went fishing, I called "Crazy Chester" to come over and help me get the neck attached. I drilled the back for the ferrules and then all the way through for the screws. Steve and I then aligned the neck by stringing it up more or less. Clamped it together then drilled into the neck. Since the Warmoth neck came predrilled, I made dowels to plug those and set it with 2 part epoxy. The holes we drilled sat in from those so it wasn't really an issue but we did it just to be safe. length shot close up of neck pocket angled shot Did a few other things today, but this was the battle of the day. I did get to finally hang the guitar from its strap... the balance is very good. Maybe a bit heavy towards the neck but I think by the time the electronics go in it should be just about perfectly balanced (its so damn close to perfect already). Im excited I think sunday Steve and I might start on the nut and getting it "strumable". On a side note, the planet wave self trimming tuners, once we figured out how they work are really really slick. Just dont put the strings in the wrong end, you cut em off the wrong end LOL. - been looking at it for a while now... I still think I might need to route that neck pocket deeper some. I'll wait till we finish the nut on the neck before I make a final decision. Edited November 3, 2007 by DougK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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