Hitone Posted August 14, 2012 Report Share Posted August 14, 2012 I am building a 12 string Gretsch Tele. Here's a video of where I am at on the build. I'll post pics soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 Here are some more traditional pics of the build. I am going to have 2 TV jones pickups and a Ghost bridge pickup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted August 16, 2012 Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 ERMAHGERD! Very cool, proving once again that you can do just anything with a tele and it will still work. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraser Posted August 16, 2012 Report Share Posted August 16, 2012 I'm really interested to see/hear the combination of 12 string and ghost system. It's looking good. I'm liking the carve on the top. Fraser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted August 19, 2012 Report Share Posted August 19, 2012 Very cool build. I have a question about the Ghost bridge pickup. Are those saddles already slotted for 6 string- or did you somehow get 12 slots in there. I cant tell from looking at the pics or vid- I am curious about how you are approaching that if it is already slotted for 6 strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 Mr Natural they only make single string slotted saddles. So I will be going against instructions and making additional slots. We'll see how it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2012 A safety message about west nile and Luthiers, plus part II of the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2012 Tonights the night. I am finally going to route the neck pocket. Kinda nervous on this one. Time to take my time and go slow. So I have 2 Telel 12-string projects going on right now. I am finishing a 12 string tele kit for a friend. Kinda nice to just do the finishing and then be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Levi79 Posted August 25, 2012 Report Share Posted August 25, 2012 Looking super cool man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2012 My version of the Rickenbacker 12 string headstock. Playing dress up with the 12 string tele. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted August 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 East Bound and Down! Finally finished the binding on the body. I have to make several modifications. I started using the Stew Mac dremel attachement, but quickly realize it doesn't do arch tops well. So i went back to my homedepot special. With much rework I got it on. I have since cleaned it up and it looks much better. After some more clean up and a clear coat it should really stand out against the Gretsch Orange. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 31, 2012 Report Share Posted August 31, 2012 Very impressive project Rob. The wiring looks like it's going to be a real headache. One thing that's bugging me. The pics make it look like the curved slots need the curves smoothed out. Is that just a camera angle thing? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Glueing the neck in tonight. Also trying out the Mohawk orange toner. I have used it before, but it might be a little too red for this project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Very impressive project Rob. The wiring looks like it's going to be a real headache. One thing that's bugging me. The pics make it look like the curved slots need the curves smoothed out. Is that just a camera angle thing? SR ScottR not exactly sure what you mean by the curved slots. Are you talking about the f holes? There is still a lot of smoothing out that needs to be done. As for the wiring, I am going to be doing a wiring mock up on a cardboard template this week. I'll post pics of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Our Souls inc. Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 This looks very cool. I love what you did for the headstock. When i first looked at it, i wondered how you were going to fit all the tuners on there. On your friends kit-build, are you modifying the bridge? I only see 6 spots for strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Very impressive project Rob. The wiring looks like it's going to be a real headache. One thing that's bugging me. The pics make it look like the curved slots need the curves smoothed out. Is that just a camera angle thing? SR ScottR not exactly sure what you mean by the curved slots. Are you talking about the f holes? There is still a lot of smoothing out that needs to be done. As for the wiring, I am going to be doing a wiring mock up on a cardboard template this week. I'll post pics of it. No, the F-holes look great. Binding or purfling something like that has got to be a royal PITA. I was refering to the slots in the headstock....would you call those string post access slots for your second set of tuners? It's probably just the pic but the one on the bass side looks like it has a slight jog in it. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 Very impressive project Rob. The wiring looks like it's going to be a real headache. One thing that's bugging me. The pics make it look like the curved slots need the curves smoothed out. Is that just a camera angle thing? SR ScottR not exactly sure what you mean by the curved slots. Are you talking about the f holes? There is still a lot of smoothing out that needs to be done. As for the wiring, I am going to be doing a wiring mock up on a cardboard template this week. I'll post pics of it. No, the F-holes look great. Binding or purfling something like that has got to be a royal PITA. I was refering to the slots in the headstock....would you call those string post access slots for your second set of tuners? It's probably just the pic but the one on the bass side looks like it has a slight jog in it. SR Gotcha. Yes they are needing a lot of attention. I am still working on how to get the strings through. I am thinking these will be for the drone strings. Before I'm through with the headstock I'll hopefully have it all cleaned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 This looks very cool. I love what you did for the headstock. When i first looked at it, i wondered how you were going to fit all the tuners on there. On your friends kit-build, are you modifying the bridge? I only see 6 spots for strings. I think 6 string go through the body and the other 6 go through the back of the bridge. He didn't drop off the bridge, just the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Okay, I made the Part III video. The neck is glued-in and most of the binding is done. I still need to bind the headstock and get the side tuners tweaked out (technical jargon for more sanding). A big part of this build is the wiring. I'm using the Graph Tech Ghost system and it's a little intimidating. I will be working up wiring and testing on a template I made before I install it. Not sure if anyone used this system. It looks straight forward. There is a switch in the wiring diagram that is labeled "optional" in some diagrams, but not in all of them. I am hoping to go without it, but I did flatten out an area under the top just in case I need to drill an additional hole. The other thing about this system is that I will have to file new slots for the double stings to go into the bridge. Graph tech states not to do this in the instructions, but I am throwing caution into the wind to make the customer happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Natural Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 (edited) timestamp='1347047967' post='513963'] The other thing about this system is that I will have to file new slots for the double stings to go into the bridge. Graph tech states not to do this in the instructions, Thus my previous question. I am most interested in how this turns out. The Veillette 12 string I am building- I was going to go with an undersaddle pickup- but seeing that the strings are in unisons (not octaves)- I really wanted to go with a TOM type bridge so I could individually adjust each unison set of strings. Some piezo loaded TOMS look like they have the slot exposing the element (or have some type of buffer material- so I have been fearful of spending the money and trying to slot each saddle only to fook it up cause I have filed into a wire or am unable to file deep enough for the element to work. That would be my luck. If you are sucessful- I may go ahead and be a lemming and follow your lead. (and thank you for blazing that trail! perfect timing!) The build looks great. I can appreciate the amount of work that headstock has created for you. Cant wait to see and hear this one. Edited September 7, 2012 by Mr Natural Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvteles Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 This is going to be great when its complete. Looks a tidy job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 timestamp='1347047967' post='513963'] The other thing about this system is that I will have to file new slots for the double stings to go into the bridge. Graph tech states not to do this in the instructions, Thus my previous question. I am most interested in how this turns out. The Veillette 12 string I am building- I was going to go with an undersaddle pickup- but seeing that the strings are in unisons (not octaves)- I really wanted to go with a TOM type bridge so I could individually adjust each unison set of strings. Some piezo loaded TOMS look like they have the slot exposing the element (or have some type of buffer material- so I have been fearful of spending the money and trying to slot each saddle only to fook it up cause I have filed into a wire or am unable to file deep enough for the element to work. That would be my luck. If you are sucessful- I may go ahead and be a lemming and follow your lead. (and thank you for blazing that trail! perfect timing!) The build looks great. I can appreciate the amount of work that headstock has created for you. Cant wait to see and hear this one. You are absolutely right. There is a chance that I am taking on this. My customer is willing to try it, since it's the only option we could come up with that would allow some type of compensation. It would great if we could compensate on each string. This is closest we can get. I'll take pic of it and do some sound clips. This wee I will be wiring it all up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2012 2 simple goals this weekend. Get the headstock bound and figure out the tailpiece. I've built a few wooden tailpieces and I really like them. They make the guitar look much more high end. I wanted this one to feel much lighter than it will actually be (since it has to hold 12 strings). The center maple block will be stained orange like the rest of the body. Giving it the appearance that it's hollow in the middle. I also radiused the top to make it feel more delicate. The one thing I have never figured out is how to attached them. I never liked the Benedetto approach. I've seen some guys with an angled metal bracket, which seems hard to build out of brass. I do like the way Myka builds his. He uses a big piece of brass with a pin running through. I started to build it like Myka's, until I took another look at a big brass hinge I had. I was able to knock the pin out pretty easily. This made it a "no brainer". After a ton of finessing and routing I was able to get the hinge to fit into the tailpeice and angle the right way. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted September 24, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2012 I am still making headway on the 12 String build. Started on the finish. I have stained the flame maple top and sanded it back. Now I am on to the Z-poxy filler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitone Posted October 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2012 Finally sprayed some color. Photo looks red, but it more orange in person. I am scraping the binding now. I must have used the wrong tape, because there is a ton of residue on the binding. This will take some time and patients. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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