Dean

Where are you located.....I have some bookmatched veneer... http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA270651.jpg or would you like some of this http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220681.jpg Let me know if you are interested. I'm from MA and as long as the quilt maple u have is flexible enough to bend over the arm contour of my ibanez I'm defiantly interested It is top grade lam ,but you have to get it to flex......you can score it to help it bend...but it's free for your use if you want it,so no harm no foul.Oh you do have to show pic's tho.Fare enough

I would glue the wings on before cuting....a flat surfice is easyer to clamp on,but I have yet to do a neck thru ,so wait on a little more advice on this one.

I'am guessing you mean 4 feet x 4 feet x1 inch......yes you can put two 20 inch x 15 inch x 1 inch boards together.I would reverse the grain to help stablelize the wood.And make sure the glue sides are flat .Wipe them with naptha to make sure they are real clean and dry,add a good coat of glue and clamp it real good .Let it set over night and draw your shape on it in the morning.No problems.

Where are you located.....I have some bookmatched veneer... http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA270651.jpg or would you like some of this http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220681.jpg Let me know if you are interested.

That's a good one.....sign of the times,a lot of new brands on the market.Bless China the new hard to beat ,price wise ,builders. I have built one and ahalf, but it is just a hobby to me.

I think instead of bolting on the neck ,he just glued it on .....his idea of a neck thru....paint hides alot of stuff.

That is by far the best travel guitar I have seem.....I see money in your future....better get your name on it real quick.High quility travel guitar fech $2000.00 or more.I think you have just won idea of the year,too!!!! Thinking out of the box is just to cool....and you have done it proud.

Maybe have your 11 year old ,put her hand prints in black on the back of the guitar .Kinda stager them like the hollywood walk kinda thing.I don't know why ,but every time I look at that guitar I like it more and more.I guess sometimes simple is just cool.

I think it is pretty cool,but you mite need a little more relief on the upper low e side horn.I like that shape tho,if I ever do a horn shape that's kinda the way I would go.

Your doing a really nice job,that is a cool guitar.Are you going to do any art on the paint?That's a perfict body to trick out a little.IMO

I agree with you on all points,how ever it will go down much better if you do not point anyone out personaly for not having your philosophy.

Last time I looked this is a forum....Anyone can answer the way they like,short of being totaly rude.The pro guitar builders I know ,really dislike someone wanting a custom guitar ,and then asking the builder what would you do?It's their guitar ,they should know what they want,and if something won't work ,the builder will let them know.Then make a comment as how to move forward.I know builders that have given someone their guitar back ,because they would not listen to reason.The builder would not put their name on it for any price.( really bad design kind of thing ) By the way Wes V I like your builds and your relaxed approch to your builds and advice,It's a take it or leave it world anyway.When Tom Anderson or Gene Baker come in here and give advice,I'll set up streight and read every word. I break all the rules on building....I would not know how to do it any other way.I can not just build a clone,it's been done to death. punkrockerluke,your idea will work ,you just have to be able to pull it off.If you understand the full concept of a full set up,you will be able to make it happen.Knowing what hardware your going to use is a big part of the final outcome.That and take your time don't rush it.

I just wish Gibson would put more intrest into the quility control end of their products.I had a friend buy a $5000.00 guitar and then spent another $300.00 or so trying to get it set up.Not only that, at NAMM they seem to make their area off limits to most of the people there,until 5 pm.Don't get me wrong I would love to own a Les Paul,but it would have to be a early version.I see this gemic as just one more thing to go wrong with a Gibson.It's all about the money IMO,not the quility.and last but not least I will tune my own guitar ,,,,,it would take forever to recoup $2000.00 plus on tuning.

I really like that guitar...and the way your bringing it all together.You've done a great job.Keep up the good work.

More progress ,getting closer to finish line... http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC220704.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC220703.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC220702.jpg the new lam is a sun effect and is very lightly blinded in .....did not want a perfect defined shape.Any input is looked forward to.Thanks for looking !!!!

right on man! i hear people say they dont bother making templates for single time builds because its like doing the same thing twice! that makes me sick; instead they do a sh!t job and make excuses for the rest of theyre life saying its 'hand built' i call it hack jobs; just because your routes are clean and straight dosent mean you cheated or wasted your time; i bet you could cut out and sand a neck templte out of mdf and route your wood faster than doing it all freehand following a piece of tape If your going to be so pickie,in reality tape is a template.just not the way you think of one.And as to hand made guitars (ie. no motorized tools, old school ) I know people that do it that way and their guitars are not cheap or **** jobs.In my case it has nothing to do with doing something twice.When you work with hand tools you learn more about the way wood reacts.This helps you understand wood and the reason you cut oneway instead of another.Soft and hard spots,how to get thru a knot cleanly etc..Also using a template does not guarantee a perfect job either.I have already stated it was the better way to go,but not the only way.At this time it is just a preference for me,and if it turns out to be junk ,then its junk.Everything in life is a choice, it's just another way of doing something.IMO

We're all hobbyists here, just ask Zachary guitars. But I meant making your own templates--nothing wrong with an unusual build. I just think that with all the work that goes into building these things, you might as well take the extra time to properly prepare. But sure, it's your build, your guitars, and if you're happy with your work, that's part's fine with me. LOL I think old Zachary is out doing old Ed Roman.....two of the best in the known world.So humble and helpful in the guitar world.If I could only get some one on one time with either of them,my life would be complete. Really tho I do respect your helpful info.I like the good and bad input on anything I do.Thanks Dean

Dean, I've seen your other threads about your builds. You seriously need to consider getting a router and working with templates. And make sure your templates have smooth lines (i.e., not bumpy wiggly lines) and that things are symmetrical. Even though I can understand the appeal of working with hand tools and all. As for the neck pocket thing: I think it definitely helps to work with the actual neck you're going to use. I've done both methods, the rail technique and making a template. I like both for their own reasons. The template is definitely a better option if your necks are all going to be the same size (i.e., they're all built from the same template). It's much faster and there's less risk of things getting out of line . I use the rail technique to make the template. I prefer a good-sized piece of a thick stable (dry) hardwood, rather than mdf, which I find too soft (or I'm too brutal). The template has to be wide enough to be able to clamp it to the guitar (I use double-sided tape too) without interfering with the router. I make a center line on the wood, then drill 'spy holes' along the way. In this way I'm able to match the template's line with the center line on the guitar. I also undersize the neck pocket by a fraction by wrapping a small piece of tape around the bearing bit. I hear you ,but I mainly do this as a hobby and as you can see I don't do standard builds.I do own a router ,just like doing it the way I am.If I was going to do this for money I would make templates.Another problem I have is ,I have a concept in mind ,but it can change as I am working.There is just something about shaping a piece of wood by hand.Well anyway the tape thing is how I do it ,so I thought I would throw it out there.Thanks for your input tho ,it is the better way to go.Now back to your regular station.

I just line the neck up and draw a line around it.Then I use painters tape and outline it as a guide.I cut just inside the line and finish it by hand.Snug as a bug. http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC100689.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC150692.jpg Still have to clean up pickup holes,but did them the same way.

Hear you , I told my kids WHEN YOU QUIT BELIEVING ,YOU QUIT RECIEVING ...safe Holidays to all !!!!

I just have it in veneer form,but two sizes http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB220681.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA270648.jpg that stuff is really cool,alot going on and it is pretty easy to work with.

Awe man, I love that dude!!! Awesome set!! Hey Ron, I know I've been out of touch. I've been so busy I can't see straight!!! The F-holes (or should I say G-holes) are an outstanding idea and look really good! I would have to say to you trust your gut on what you're doing, you seem to have a very creative thinking process and doing well with it! Thanks man,I am really taking my time ...two reasons...1.It is for someone else and 2. I learned from my first build to stop when I get tired.I have alot more work to do ,I'am going to widen the head stock and lam it and I'am going to take more wood out of the top and reinforse the bridge and pickup area.I sculped the back slitely to give it a little concave effect.The G's in the top are still a little ruff ,so I still have to clean them up.

You are a winner,yhea it is Terry's.That thing is to cool.

Some progress http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PB270684.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC070685.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC100689.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PC100690.jpg Just a little more progress, I did the back wood removal by hand and it took awhile. Here is a pic for fun ;HOW DO YOU LIKE MY NEW KIT? http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA080365.jpg http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff185/r...er/PA080367.jpg Hope everyone has a great holiday !!!!