KnightroExpress Posted August 25, 2014 Report Share Posted August 25, 2014 Hello PG friends! I've spent the last several days reading through various build threads and I'm super inspired to get my tools and make some sawdust. Unfortunately, the wife and I have just moved across the country and we're still settling in, so that'll have to wait. In the meantime, I'd like to go ahead and post pics from my first complete scratch build. A lot of this build was done in my apartment, but a few larger processes were done at a wood shop I rented time at. Most of this design is based on old Gibson DC JRs, but with my own modern touches here and there. Specs: One piece African mahogany body One piece maple neck (with scarfed headstock) East Indian rosewood fretboard 24.5" scale 24 frets single P90 (bridge) Here we go! This is the beginning. I ended up getting three bodies out of that chunk of mahogany! After I worked out the design with a few prototypes, I had these acrylic templates lasered for me. 1/2" acrylic First rough body, from bandsaw to sander to prep for routing. Routed! The template worked very well. I made this quick jig so I could easily cut the scarf on a common chop saw. Home at the end of day 1- neck pocket started, pickup cavity done, control holes drilled. I realize now that I should have waited to do the cavities, but hey, I'm still learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Back at the apartment, I'm preparing to attach the headstock to the neck blank. I need to work on measuring my blanks... the headstock will be about an inch short, as we see later. Clamps! The next morning, clamps were removed. Looks ok. The ryoba makes short work of these little tasks. I picked up this Dremel Trio mini-router on sale a while ago. Happily, it included an edge guide and a 1/4 inch straight bit, which makes it ideal for routing for truss rods. Adding a heel block. Thanks for looking, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 26, 2014 Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Happily, it included an edge guide and a 1/4 inch straight bit, which makes it ideal for routing for truss rods. That's pretty slick. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 26, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2014 Indeed! Just a few passes and an LMII rod drops right in. I do wish it had a better depth adjustment system, but it'll do the job until I can get into a proper workshop. I like Electrosocket jacks, so I'm gonna recess mine. Enter the hand drill and 1" Forstner bit. Once the lip is done, I switch to a 7/8" bit and drill through to the control cavity. Easy! Making sure everything fits as planned. Also, you can see the recessed jack down at the bottom. I'm pretty happy with the result. These show the grain after a quick naphtha wipe. A bit over 5 and a half pounds at this point. Thanks for taking a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2014 Back to the wood shop! This is a pre-slotted board from LMII. I've cut my own fretboard before, but I wanted to try their service. It's pretty nice! I attached my neck blank to my template and cleaned it up on a router table with a big pattern bit. Works really well, and I can't see a reason to do it any other way at this point. Dots! And fretboard tapered on the template. Back at home, here's everything so far. Adding silicone to the truss rod slot and gluing in a filler block under the nut. My P90 arrived, so of course I had to test it. Finally, here's the finished filler block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Time for some more pics! Double-checking the fretboard on the neck. Clamps! Glue! I insert the tips of some small finish nails in the 1st and 24th fret areas to prevent slippage. Some hot clamp action The next day.... Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 That looked like epoxy you used for the fretboard glue up. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetterOffShred Posted August 28, 2014 Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 I have been enjoying the progress of this build over the last few days, thanks for sharing it with us I have also been enjoying your book and dvd collection there in the background. Based off the beginning information am I to understand this guitar has already been completed? It's looking pretty amazing for a first build! Thanks again for sharing -Brett 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Scott- That's just good ol' Titebond 1. I haven't tried epoxy yet, though I'd like to in the future. BetterOffShred- If your name is a reference to Better Off Dead, that's one of my favorite movies, so thumbs up! And thanks very much, I appreciate the compliments. You're right- the guitar is complete at this point, I just never posted them on PG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 28, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2014 Time for pics! Side dots installed. Cleaning the fret slots after chamfering. The dots are 4mm on the face, 2mm on the side. Experimenting with hemispherical fret ends. I need a lot more practice! I cut a slot in a maple offcut to hold the fret tang, then use the fret crowning file to shape the end into a dome. It works fairly well, I just need to refine the technique. Frets! I'll probably try hemispherical ends a few more times, but for now I prefer the standard bevel method. Thanks, guys! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2014 Time for some neck work. I marked a centerline and quarters. I seriously can't wait to build myself a proper carving jig. This clamp setup worked, but is prone to flex when I dig in. Knocking down the facets Slowly getting round I hand cut the control cover ledge with my mini router plane, a gouge, and a chisel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2014 We're nearing completion here! Neck glue-up. My template slipped while I was working on the neck pocket, so this one has a little shim in there. I'm not happy about that, but I had to at least make this one work. While waiting for the neck to set, I made myself a little outboard control prewiring station. This is so much easier than trying to solder everything in the body. Neck's all done, now I'm drilling my bridge stud holes. Sanding! I need to work on my heel carving- this one feels ok, but doesn't look so hot. This is sanded up to 400, time for oil. Thanks for taking a look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted August 31, 2014 Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Cool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted August 31, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2014 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted September 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Looks like we're at the end here. I wish I would have gotten more pics as I went through the finishing process, but I suppose watching me rub oil on a guitar might not be super interesting. Oiled up and pickguard attached. Electronics installed. My wife caught me doing the initial string-up And there we go, all done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Nice clean looking instrument. How does it sound? SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted September 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Thank you! It sounds nice- got the proper vintage vibe. The pickup is a StewMac Golden Age P90, which was surprisingly good for the price. I have a sound clip somewhere, but it's pretty bad quality. I'll try to record a quick one later today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Cool! I'm a fan of P-90s. RAD (RestorationAD) made me a set a few years back that just oooze blues. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BetterOffShred Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Real slick build sir! I hope my first build is half that nice. That turned out pretty marvelous 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renkenstein Posted September 4, 2014 Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 Heya Knightro! I've been lurkin 'round these parts too. Finishing up my build within a week or so. Just waiting on the oil to cure. Excellent job on the JR. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted September 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2014 @ BetterOffShred- Thanks! What are you working on? I'm sure yours will be great @Renk- What's up dude? Don't worry, I've been keeping an eye on the Siren- she's gorgeous. And thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff St. Germaine Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 Looks great! Certainly a first scratch build you can be very proud of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thank you! She's got her rough spots, but overall I'm very happy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmensik Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Hey, I reallly like the body and headstock curves, a nice clean build, except the neck heel. Is it not possible to refine the transition? Than it would be perfect from all viewpoints. Congrats, looking forward to see next build. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Hey, thank you very much! It is entirely possible to refine the neck heel, I just need more practice. Hopefully the next one will be much nicer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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