boundsteelblues Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 I finished my first build. I choose a simple custom design rather than a traditional project. This was a learning curve and not a dream guitar. I decided to have fun with it. Possibly a more formal set of specifications would have helped. A short list of lessons learned would include “Mechanical design shouldn't be done as an afterthought.” and “Having the right tools is invaluable.” But the whole building experience was really enjoyable and I gained a lot of necessary knowledge and background for the next project. The design began with a conversation with my son about guitar shapes and his like of this guitar design with a mandolin type body. http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b..._d89ce0cc2a.jpg Someday I hope to build that guitar, but to keep a little more flexibility I wanted an asymmetrical body shape. I also wanted to make a simple bolt on neck with a straight headstock. I noodled around with designs for awhile not getting anywhere. The F style mandolin shape just didn’t engage my enthusiasm. One day I said to my son, forgetting the mandolin idea, what kind of shape would you want? He said make it a spaceship space. I Goggled “spaceship shape” and this was the first image. http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...ceshipShape.jpg The Driver was born. So to the pantheon of funky guitar shapes I commit it. The wood is tiger (fitting, isn't it) maple, body and neck, with a rosewood fretboard. http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...blues/Front.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...s/Frontbody.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...tfulllength.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...kfulllength.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...es/Backbody.jpg http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/b...s/Headstock.jpg We all are at different skill and experience levels. This is where I am at, I guess. I was hesitant to post about my first build because of the degree of quality of the builds on the forum. You guys are good! Overall, I’m pretty damned pleased, though. It was a good start. I know my commitment, perseverance and enthusiasm for the next build is really high and that should say it all. Let me know if the links don't work. I am new at posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drak Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 I think it is absolutely brilliant. I always save interesting looking guitars to a file for future ideas reference, and yours is now included. Don't ever sell yourself short, new builders have as much to offer as experienced builders, because they have no mental blocks or patterns to break themselves free from if and when they want to expand their horizons, you get to start off fresh with a clean slate (mentally) and your design is exceptionally refreshing, I totally dig it. Fantastic first build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenny Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 awesome job man! doesn't seem far off from those ergonomic guitars people build. (I haven't seen any here though) color is great! and like Drak said; keep expanding your horizons! Kenny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dadovfor Posted March 15, 2009 Report Share Posted March 15, 2009 My immediate impression was of an over-sized guitar pick . Good job. It's always good to see builds that explore new directions. There'll be aspects of your build that will encourage some to take a similar path to yours, while for others it might not 'work' and send them off exploring in yet another direction. ... and both of those scenarios are great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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