SguitarM527 Posted March 3, 2004 Report Posted March 3, 2004 ive been planning for a while now to start the process of buiilding a guitar, and at first my initial worries were... money obviously.. but ive come to realize that all that isnt a problem but my larger problem is ... will i be able to do this? as a 14 year old freshman in high school, im wondering if i accually have the physical capabilitys to complete a project such as this... i dont wana my guitar to come out like junk you know... any feedback is appreciated Quote
tsl602000 Posted March 3, 2004 Report Posted March 3, 2004 I don't know. It doesn't matter if you're 14 or 69. You need tools and ALOT of patience. Don't expect your first guitar to be perfect. Also not your second or third. But it can be done... My first built guitar is still my favorite....... Good luck! Quote
SguitarM527 Posted March 3, 2004 Author Report Posted March 3, 2004 thanks i think im gonna do this... now im excited lol Quote
lotass Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 im 16 and im building mine, tools is probably my biggest problem besides money. Quote
skibum5545 Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 I'm 15 and building mine, luckily I have my dad's workshop at my disposal, but the biggest thing I can say is: BE ACCURATE!! Sometimes we're measuring cavities to within 1/128th. Don't EVER say "good enough", actually make it right! Quote
SguitarM527 Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Posted March 4, 2004 wow 1/128th? how do you get a measure ment that exact?? Quote
skibum5545 Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 Well, our little metal ruler (a tool I highly recommend you have, by the way) has 64th's on it, and sometimes (like for routing pickup pockets etc) we want to go a shade under one of the 64th lines to be as accurate as possible. That kind of thing. Quote
Devon Headen Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 Fretwork most definitely has to be absolutely precise. The more accurate the better. Most everything on a guitar is that way, but the frets are so integral, in solidbodies, I feel like it is the most precise thing. Devon Quote
SguitarM527 Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Posted March 4, 2004 yea from reading other posts i figured that if the fret work isnt right, the guitar wont sound as good, which is why im thinking of investing in some nice fretworking tools... my grandfather has an entire woodworking shop, because thats what he does for a living, so i wont have to invest in most other tools that i otherwise would need (bandsaw, belt sander, router etc...) Quote
Jeremy Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 i was just debating refretting a bass i was considering on ebay, but i didnt go through with it, someone on here suggested a refret kit from a company called stewart mc donald that seemed pretty nice, you might want to check into that, im sure someone around here could give you more info on it best of luck to ya Quote
MKGBass Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 I'm 18 and building with a 14 or 15 year old (Kirk) and almost finished with our first. Tools and money weren't necessarily a worry because i work at a hardware store, so discounts + getting paid = cheap tools. Only wish is that i could have started sooner... Quote
mdw3332 Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 Absolutely go for it - and pay attention to what everyone has said. Also, check through this site (tools, works in progress & finishing) for tips. My only advice would be to start with something a little simpler than a double neck. Not that it can't be done, but you will learn a bunch doing every one and I would work up to that. Plus, it will be more expensive. As far as fretting, you can find good deals on complete necks. I just ordered one from Brian's site. Planning, Precision and Patience Good luck, Marty Quote
BLS Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 I recommend takin a woods class at your school if you havent already. It will teach you how to properly and safely use all the tools, plus you would have almost any tool at your disposal. And like everyone else said, be patient. If theres a day you really dont feel like working then dont. Carelessness can be the biggest deciding factor on whether the instrument will be quality or not. Quote
JohnJohn Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 Definately take your time and measure a lot.Measure twice cut once.But a little trial by fire can help too.Just don't do this with expansive wood orparts. Try building a few parts out of scrap wood,2"x4" or other such wood.It may not be the most desirable piece to use,but it will gve you a feel for the process. Quote
SguitarM527 Posted March 4, 2004 Author Report Posted March 4, 2004 thanks for the feed back every one im really exited to wstart this project... thanks again! Quote
skibum5545 Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 one thing I did it I test-routed every pocket on a scrap of the SAME wood type the body is made of. The only pocket we messed up on AT ALL was the one we didn't test first. Quote
KeithHowell Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 I built my first guitar when I was thirteen and got hooked. (I'm fourty seven now) It will effect your whole life. It certainly did mine. Guitars lead me to electronics which in turn lead to software which is my career, and I'm still messing with guitars. So go for it. Don't expect your first guitar to be perfect, but then there's always the next one. (try explaining that to your wife someday) Good luck Keith Quote
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