CrazyChester

Doug and I have been working on these for a couple months. Last weekend we fretted 6 of them and I'm going to fret one for my son this weekend. My FB (the fiesta red one) doesn't seem to be horribly neck heavy even while sitting, without a strap. With a strap and standing I can let go of the neck and it balances pretty good. I think that the large upper wing tucks under your arm and helps to balance. I also think that the African Mahogany neck really helps the balance. It took me 5 months to finish mine. Doug had the first two completely machined in about a month and he finished his in another 4 or 5 weeks but I'm rather slow with my finish work.

Actually I love the Tuning machines. Very accurate tuning in either direction and easy to install. Pricey though.

Its been a while since I dropped in but I had to show off my latest build. Its my version of a Gibson Firebird. I've working on this one since September. Here's a few pics. If anyones interested I can post a few pics of the building process.

Here's some pics of the rear of the Bird. And some close ups of the tuning machines. Its a great hunk of wood.

Hm. Personally, i would leave the white pickguard on the gold body. It looks great that way. I think that's part of the Strat "aesthetic", the contrast between the body and pickguard. (Except on white bodies I guess.)

You're probably right. If I don't like the gold on gold I'll just have to put the white one back on and build another strat for the gold pick guard. Maybe black and gold.

I'm making a Goldtop pickguard By spraying goldtop paint on the back of a clear strat pickguard. It will have a 1/8" cream pinstripe around it edge. I'll post a pic when I'm done.

Its a Strat with a Clapton mid boost, Sperzels, Tonerider Pure Vintage PU's and a Gibson Goldtop finish. I played it tonight at a gig and it sounds and plays great. I'm also building a Gibson Firebird and a Hollow Bodied set neck Tele. Here's a few Pics.

Why not try a solid body or noncarved semi hollowbody first. All of the experience you glean from a project like this will apply. Not saying that solidbody guitars are a simple task, but as a guy new to woodworking, bending sides and carving a top are pretty highly skilled accomplishments. Building a body alone that has the neck pocket properly cut and the proper bridge placement. Even drilling a hole in a top without tearing out takes practice. You could build a body, buy a cheap neck, then practice carving a neck and setting frets then build your own neck for your body. After a project like this you'll probably have real success in your carved top project.

I've been working with wood for 50 years and have built 4 SB guitars (I'm working on #5 now) and countless other wood working projects. Now, finally I feel ready to try carving a top for a PRS style Hollowbody.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone. Who knows you may be one of those who has a natural talent for working with wood.

with no pots or anything in the way, that P90 is wide open. I'm not surprised it was harsh.

Right, the tone should mellow quite a bit when wired. We'll knock off the PRS Mc Soapy for the wiring.

I built this guitar in 1966. I traded it on a LP Custom in 1970. Ten years later I met a guy who had purchased it from the store that I traded it to and I bought it back from him. I couldn't resist. The original neck was hand built but to chunky and not perfectly in tune, so I replaced it with a Fender Tele neck, then to a Warmoth neck about 15 years ago. It plays great but is a bit bright sounding due to the solid maple body and birds eye maple neck. I'm going to build another guitar soon. My son-in-law is going to hook me up with his CNC and I'll give some modern technology a shot. Here's a pic of the ol' gal. give her a break, she's 41 years old.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g25/stay.../Picture5-2.png

Looking good Doug. I'm searching for a suitable piece of wood for the back. I've got to get the materials right for my next guitar. It's been many years since I built my last one. I'm sure I can get some help finding what I need around here.

Well, I did some measuring tonight, I goofed up a couple things. I need to route the neck pocket 1/8th deeper. Easy enough to fix really though. Back into the spoiler board and on the CNC again.

The shitty thing is I think I may have drilled the bridge pilots (just a small indention) 1/4" to far forward. Dont know how I did, but I did Lucky, its just a small indentation, easily hidden and fixed.

doh!