avengers63 Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 I didn't want to tell anyone about this or post any pictures until I was sure I could pull it off. A couple months ago, I was contacted by a dude who wanted a carved top PRS body with a couple of contrasting stringers routed for TV Jones pups. We talked a bit and he eventually decided that he really wanted an SG Diablo, but with the same specs. I told him that there was no way I could pull off an accurate Diablo, but I could to a carved top SG. He wanted the traditional SG bevels on it as well. Yea... that's what I thought too. A full carved top but with bevels on the edges. But if that's what he wants.... http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip01.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip02.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip03.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip04.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip05.jpg Looking at it without the bevels, it actually doesn't look that bad. I was really not enthused about the prospect of a carved top SG, but seeing it, it's not bad at all. I'm still not liking the idea of combining it with the bevels, but again, it's not my ax. On the good side, I'm getting a LOT better with my carves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpa Posted December 13, 2008 Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 The original Gibson SG is one of the thinnest and lightest, (aside from a friend's swamp ash strat) bodies I've ever encountered. To the point of the guitar being on the neck heavy side. For a carved top you can't avoid having the guitar on the fat side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted December 13, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2008 I took a ruler & notepad to the store before I got started on this thing. An SG is 1 1/2" thick. The bevels go in 1/2" on the sides, leaving a 1/2" shelf around the perimeter. This adds to the feeling of a very thin body. This particular blank ended up just over 1 7/8" thick. I made the lip around the edge at the 1 1/2" mark. That leaves a 3/8"+ carve thickness. Right now, I'm waiting to hear back from him. I want an additional confirmation to go ahead with the bevels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psw Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 I quite like the wood choice...dare I ask what the neck is going to be My first guitar was an SG so I still have a little affection for it...but only a little...hehehe I really can't picture how you would do this carve and the bevels and to that extent I'm really not sure at all about it...maybe a profile of the edge in a drawing of what you are thinking might help...also, I hoe you will be carving the back also. The neck joint on a typical SG was always the weak point...a bit of a rubber neck of a thing...with a substantial bolt on (I presume) neck join there it kind of defeats the point of the all access SG design a little...I guess there is no way around it and it might be a little more solid for it, but the join looks a little bulky...perhaps furreles and a more AANJ could be considered to lessen the bulk. It also looks like a heavy slab of wood, if not the bevels then I would suggest a fairly hefty belly carve in it perhaps. Trying to be constructive here...so don't take offense...but it would be nice to see the total design idea rather than a simple body...the whole thing has to kind of work together and it is really the key to a successful design IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted December 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 No offense taken. From your posts I can tell that even were it worded badly, your intent would not be to offend. It'd have to be really over the top for me to get mad over your opinions. The woods for this are sapele wings with a maple & bubinga center. He told me what the neck was made from, but I don't remember. Honestly, I don't particularly care. My concern is that it's a bolt-on with the industry standard heel. The neck shelf on this body isn't finished, so that may be why it looks bulky. I have it in my head what the bevels will look like with the carve, but I SUCK with the drawing programs so it'd be a real chore to show it to you. Personally, I think it'll look like poo. But again, if that's what he wants, he's the one paying for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Nice work! I am not sure I like the crazy bevel carve but it is smart to respect the customer and guide them without being arrogant or pushy. Can't wait to get mine. Traditional SG in Sapele that is. No funny curves .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted December 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 Can't wait to get mine. Traditional SG in Sapele that is. No funny curves .... And I'm looking forward to a maple strat neck, byed blue with white star markers. Let's shoot for January. I'll email you after Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpcrash Posted December 14, 2008 Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 looks good John - Shellac finish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted December 14, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2008 looks good John - Shellac finish? You're paying attention. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuntinDoug Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 IMHO, this build will look better than a traditional SG. I'm a sapele fan as well. I also have my eye on that big piece of burl in the background. What are your plans for that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted December 15, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 I also have my eye on that big piece of burl in the background. What are your plans for that? Check out the "Other Woodworking" thread in "Off Topics Chat". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. pierce Posted December 15, 2008 Report Share Posted December 15, 2008 Curious to see how this might end up, but this is nice! On the good side, I'm getting a LOT better with my carves. First thing that popped to my mind seeing this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted January 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 I'm entirely NOT liking how this one is turning out. The carve looked surprisingly good. The belly cut was pretty decent as well. It's the combination of the carve and the bevels that's dorking it up. The super-deep look of the horns is GREAT, but I don't think it's working as a whole. http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip08.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip11.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip12.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip13.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip14.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip15.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip16.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip19.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelpusher Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 it might be cool if you continued the bevel all around the gtr if you don't like the places where the contours meet the thick part of the "butt" of the gtr .. i effed up a tele i'm working on by dropping it onto a concrete floor after sanding... ugh... the giant dent in the front face of the lower horn forced me to get creative and i cut a bevel all the way around and really like how it ended up setting off the top.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foil1more Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 I agree with continuing the bevel around the whole guitar. I like the idea of a carved sg. I saw one at the local Guitar Center a few days ago. I don't remember if it was an epi or Gib. I was distracted by an archtop before I got a good look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted January 12, 2009 Report Share Posted January 12, 2009 i think the diablo carve looks awful in all the head on shots i have seen... however i do have to concede that it works a lot better in person, the shot from the side gives a better impression... if they scooped out/recurved the bevels it could really start to work for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srrdude Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 I started building a neck thru carve top sg over a year ago..im in college i havent yet finished, hopefully this month. We should compare notes, ill post a pic later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maiden69 Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 Sorry to hear about your dislike, but I think that you should had gone 1 way. A carve and bevels would be a hard mix to get it to look right. Even that Gibson one look ugly to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted January 18, 2009 Report Share Posted January 18, 2009 I like it myself. I see a lot of potential if the right finish is applied. I think a red translucent finis on that would be gorgeous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted January 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip23.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip24.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip25.jpg http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff15/av...20top/wip26.jpg I gotta say... I didn't think it'd look any good at all. I was wrong. I'm REALLY glad I took this commission. I drastically undercharged him, but I wasn't sure if I could pull it off either. With what I learned from this, I'll consider the reduced price the cost of knowledge. The dude agreed with me that the bevels needed to be softened up in order to work with the carve, so here we are. I still wouldn't have gone with both, but overall, it's not bad at all. I think I'm going to get some pine and see if I can make an actual SG Diablo. Some experimenting with the angle grinder to get a recurve is clearly in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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