Barum Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 (edited) Hi, y'all. I've been a lurker here for about 6 months, reading, researching, and thoroughly enjoying my time here. It all began about 7 months ago, when my wife of 14 years saw a Carvin Guitar flyer and went "Oooh, Ahh!" over a Cali Single. I looked at it, and said to my self, "Self, you could make that for a lot less than $1500" And so I began. I don't play guitar, but I am a cabinet maker with access to a CNC. First off, let me say that I did MOST of my research here. Reading posts and following links. I bought my hardware and one of the woods on eBay. Oh, and a factory new Gibson LP neck that was "seconded" but not destroyed. (slight blemish on a corner of the peg-head.) I drew the body in ACAD, during off hours at work, and ran the body blank on the CNC after hours as well. I wanted to post pics to show off. Remember. I don't play guitar. I only knew about wood, and some electronics from back whan transistors were kinda new. Here's a lousy pic from a camera-phone of the front after shaping and a fistfull of sanding sealer: and the back after shaping and filling with autobody filler. (I'll explain why autobody filler upon request. I did have a reason. ) Yes, that's grey primer. You'll see why. It's a solid mahogany body, with a 13/16" quilted maple top. (probably more like 5/8" by now, after all the shaping and sanding...) 8 coats of sanding sealer, 4 coats of tinted laquer, (tobacco brown, from StewMac) and 8 light coats of clear laquer. Ok, here's a shot of the neck , just before install. Those are her initials, and in the lower left, you can see a small snip of the body back, and what happened to the grey primer after a bunch of tinted laquer was applied. And here it is after it was given to her for X-Mas. and: Just a couple of comments: The mahogany maple combo made the body just an amazing soundboard. It would actually ring in tune with the orbital sander. I used the autobody filler for its density. Famowood is fine for a jewelry box, but this guitar is going to get some wear and tear. The sound of this S.O.B. is amazing. running clean, straight into the amp, it is mellow, clean, not too bright, and can be over-driven with just the volume knob. (passive pickups) Details of harware and electronics available. Maybe in a later post. Thanx for putting up with my rant. I am REALLY grateful that you folks let me "eaves-drop" so much. And I'm really proud of the result. Edited December 27, 2008 by Barum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barum Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 Well "Self", that is a very beautiful guitar. I´ve always loved singlecuts and the California model is one of my favorites. I suppose I just wanted to welcome you officially to the board and congratulate you on a very nice guitar. Anyway, welcome again! P.S. I´m taking the liberty to move your thread to the In Progress Section... Thanx for the "Welcome!" You poor sots will be seeing more of my work, as I progress. Who knows. I enjoyed this one so much, I might just start cranking out bodies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 If you don't play guitar, what are you going to do with that? Great job! That's a stunning guitar, classy without being over the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barum Posted December 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 If you don't play guitar, what are you going to do with that? Great job! That's a stunning guitar, classy without being over the top. Thanx for the compliment. I built it for my wife, who does play. And I had more fun with this project than with any other traditional "woodworking" project. Next project will be for my 14 yr old son, who plays "shred" speed metal, a la early Metallica. HUGE custom work ahead. I figure it's gonna be a strange shape for a guitar, but... And others who have seen the project as it progressed have hinted at wanting similar work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I built it for my wife, who does play. All right, never mind... I was making plans for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 Wow! You're welcome for the help. And yes, I'm assuming I helped in some obscure way, just to be related to such a nice piece of gear. You drew the AutoCAD by eye, with just a picture for reference? That is some talent. I'm glad you got a girl who plays instruments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ae3 Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 "Self, you could make that for a lot less than $1500" Hahahahaha you must be Australian! That's what I (and everyone I know) say whenever I see something pricey in a shop. California single cuts are beautiful guitars, and yours is no different! That quilt is really something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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