mjrbuzz Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 well this is my first attempt and I didn't build the neck, I know that is part of building a guitar, but I wanted to start somewhat simple for my first. tell me what ya think on my progress so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted January 30, 2016 Report Share Posted January 30, 2016 Looking good! Mesquite is better in instruments than used to smoke jalapeños. It's a close run thing though. Two humbuckers? That'll roar, man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10pizza Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 Hey man, looks good. Already have an idea on what pickups you'll put in? And I'm still messing around customizing stuff in stead of building from scratch ( which is on my list ) to learn stuff so don't feel bad about not building yourself a neck! you can Always do that with the next one. good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 I think starting a first build with a bought neck is a very sound approach. It's one less steep climb on the learning curve and you will learn lots and lots, with a better chance of a problem free build and preparing the ground ready for the next one It's looking really good, by the way Andy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 1 hour ago, 10pizza said: Hey man, looks good. Already have an idea on what pickups you'll put in? And I'm still messing around customizing stuff in stead of building from scratch ( which is on my list ) to learn stuff so don't feel bad about not building yourself a neck! you can Always do that with the next one. good luck! I ordered some slick "old school" pickups from guitar fetish, I was really shooting blind when I ordered them tho I did read one pretty good review. Still trying to decide on the tuners. any suggestions would be really helpful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitaraxz Posted January 31, 2016 Report Share Posted January 31, 2016 looks great! I would put some PAF type pups in there, or better yet a PAF bridge & P90 neck, 50's wiring. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 I've always wanted to use mesquite in a build. I've carved it a couple of times and the stuff is gorgeous when finished. Makes a brisket smoke up mighty tasty too! Plus the stuff grows like weeds around here. I'm looking forward to seeing how this turns out, and hearing about how it sounds. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 It doesn't grow that straight or large does it? Mmmmm. Brisket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 It doesn't grow very straight or tall at least as compared to trees normally used for timber. the trunk does get thick enough to get some timber from, but it is twisted and corrugated and full of bark inclusions ....... and the various things that account for "character". The hardwood shop I go to locally has a good selection of mesquite slabs 10 or 12 feet long for mantles or tables. So pieces suitable for a guitar top exist. What with the burls and things we're making tops out of these days, a mesquite top full of "character" would not be out of place I think. And MJRBUZZ found a nice piece for this top after all. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 1, 2016 Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 Totally. That's a great top given it's a locally-sourced product. I have trouble finding anything interesting-looking on our doorstep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) Thank you all for the kind words and the encouragement!! We are over grown with mesquite down here in about Texas, I was pretty happy to have a chunk that was big enough. I wish I woulda had a band saw to get the bookmatch closer but all I had was a table saw and a sawzall... I am currently waiting on the pickups and a router bit to arrive before I go any further but here is a photo with one coat of Danish oil on Edited February 1, 2016 by mjrbuzz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 I can't keep brisket out of my head now! Instrument codename? This is where you tell us you're a vegetarian, leaving us conflicted. Mesquite looks really warm. That glowing Koa kind of warm. Does it produce burl much, or flame? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted February 2, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 (edited) 32 minutes ago, Prostheta said: I can't keep brisket out of my head now! Instrument codename? This is where you tell us you're a vegetarian, leaving us conflicted. Mesquite looks really warm. That glowing Koa kind of warm. Does it produce burl much, or flame? mesquite is a beautiful wood, it does burl and can have a lot of figure, this piece is really neither but I like it the same I am really conflicted whether to put a lacquer on it or just leave it with an oil finish it is very "warm" feelin right now. veggies? that's what cows turn into fajitas aren't they? Also I am debating on replacing the stock tele control plate with one made of a piece of texas ebony a friend of mine gave me as well as turning some knobs outta the same. I really am having a great time with this project!! *edit codename mesquito-caster if it hasn't been formally taken Edited February 2, 2016 by mjrbuzz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 Sounds good to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 2, 2016 Report Share Posted February 2, 2016 I was thinking it was it was even related to Koa.....and it is in the same family but it is not an acacia as I thought. It does have a lot of really nice feather crotch figure. Texas ebony is another local wood I have always wanted to use. I do have a Texas ebony bonsai that I started from a seed. And desert ironwood! Not from Texas but from right next door. I'd love to have some of that. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted February 3, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2016 hey guys/gals, I got another question for ya. I hope this is the right forum to ask it in. I was wondering if all the pots are the same dia. as far as the spline part, and if you think they sell a cheap-o one at radio shack that I can destroy to put in the drill chuck on my lathe. while I am waiting for parts I thought I could turn my knobs. Thank you for any input ya got on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 For the most part the two main styles are coarse and fine splining. CTS use fine splines over 24 teeth (15°) whilst almost everybody else uses coarse at 20° which is 18 tooth. Oddball makers such as Aria used a weird number back in the 80s which is why Matsumoku fans are always cruising for knobs in online classifieds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 16 hours ago, mjrbuzz said: I was wondering if all the pots are the same dia. as far as the spline part, No, some are 6mm and some are 1/4". I don't think you'll find any at Radio Shack, but StewMac has cheap pots as well as good ones. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 Are the ones Radio Shack stock like Alphas or different? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 4, 2016 Report Share Posted February 4, 2016 I never found any at all there, at least at the one nearest me. SR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted February 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 well got some parts in and some work done, should be ready to start the finish this weekend!! I still am leaning for an oil finish I just love the warmth of the wood. oh and i'm not that good of a painter!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Even though i hate teles, this is a great job for a first attempt. Great job with the planning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Totally. Looks like you were on top of everything at every stage. That really makes the difference as I'm sure you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 Those are some fancy boxes your pickups came in! I agree about the oil finish. That mesquite will look sweet all oiled up. It looks like your daughter is mighty proud of this guitar too! Love the avatar pic. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjrbuzz Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 well my planning fell a little short... I went to do a final mock up and drill the string through holes and figured out that my drill press doesn't have enough length to fit the guitar in there to drill the holes. trying now to locate a larger drill press or order a bridge that loads from the top. any tricks or tips would be a great help hahah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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