gpcustomguitars

The dots were the first, my junk-made cutter worked well enough. I'll radius it next. 1-IMG_20170901_184019 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20170901_184118 by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG_20170901_215758 by Goran P, on Flickr 4-IMG_20170901_215835 by Goran P, on Flickr

The "frets" are done, I can now either take care of the side dots, or start with the radiusing the fretboard. I started making some round 3mm stock from some scrap white acrylic using sandpaper and drill last night, but it seems to be slow and not that perfect. I could try to make one of those dowel jigs with a metal file or a chisel. 1-1-IMG_20170831_200151 by Goran P, on Flickr

My little jig worked great, should make an adjustible one, and nicer looking Anyway, routed the slots and cut and glued about half of the fretboard markers. Used the 3mm black acrylic offcuts. They will get polished with the fretboard polishing too. 1-IMG_20170830_195249 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20170830_201235 by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG_20170830_213504 by Goran P, on Flickr 4-IMG_20170830_222744 by Goran P, on Flickr 5-IMG_20170830_223539 by Goran P, on Flickr

Back of the headstock got some attention - I wanted to prolong the volute to the top. Starting thickness was 20mm, rough routed with router, then to closer thickness with dremel (too little surface) and finished to depth with scrapers. 1-IMG_20170829_183622 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20170829_185829 by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG_20170829_193209 by Goran P, on Flickr 4-IMG_20170829_193730 by Goran P, on Flickr 5-IMG_20170829_195820 by Goran P, on Flickr A quick jig for slotting the marker slots (once I find the bits......): 6-IMG_20170829_200446 by Goran P, on Flickr

Yes I can't tell how I ever got along without it! It's not in the pics, but after every round of coarser tools like rasps or spoke shave, I scrape it clean just for the fun of it I still haven't started to use the curved one... First 2 facets from each of the sides are done, refined the heel and the volute area some more too. I started with Fender P profile as I have one in the shop now and it feels nice, we'll see if it goes in other direction. Also not in the pics, marked the partial fret markers, about 1cm deep from the edge. 1 to 15th upper side, 16 to 28th lower (treble) side. 2mm black binding, just have to locate the small inlay bits......they could be in one of the piles in the southeast area.... 1-IMG_20170827_111140 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20170827_120807 by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG_20170827_122026 by Goran P, on Flickr 4-IMG_20170827_122206 by Goran P, on Flickr

For necktroughs I've built so far I do it like this. This one might be a bit different as I have to finish shaping it before glueing due to limited access under the upper horn. Had a good day yesterday, found some time for the shop: Rounded over the edges and shaped some more. Also, routed the neck to thickness (21mm at 1st, 23.5 at 12th). Last shot is shaving the edges to width, it's now 41.5mm at the nut. 1-IMG_20170826_120953 by Goran P, on Flickr 2-IMG_20170826_122133 by Goran P, on Flickr 3-IMG_20170826_122620 by Goran P, on Flickr 4-IMG_20170826_123752 by Goran P, on Flickr 5-IMG_20170826_130916 by Goran P, on Flickr 6-IMG_20170826_140608 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thanks! Not too much time after vacation, but I'd like to see this finished soon. New toys are a joy to use, scraper cam in really handy last night. Started the shaping, roughed in the heel and the volute. Headstock is still 20mm, I'll extend the volute to the edge of the headstock for added strength. IMG_20170824_215536 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_221029 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_221446 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_221710 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_222606 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_222609 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_223536 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_225216 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170824_225220 by Goran P, on Flickr

No slots yet, but I do want to mark the fret positions somehow, at least partially, if not across full width. Probably not veneer though, perhaps copper wire, or black abs to go with the black tuners (to be ordered), some MOP details.

Glued the fretboard last night! Some trimming to follow. IMG_20170821_210902 by Goran P, on Flickr

Back from vacation, and back to work ..... Anyway, had 2 days to settle, and some new toys for the shop which came in really handy. Note to self: buying tools on vacation is easier, as She will probably buy something not completely necessary too Result - 2 Japanese saws, 1 handsaw and 3 scrapers! IMG_20170819_200049 by Goran P, on Flickr Put to use the same evening - I had the plank sawed form both sides on the table saw previously. IMG_20170819_204205 by Goran P, on Flickr Made a small filler piece to hold the nut down firmly: IMG_20170820_150303 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170820_164811 by Goran P, on Flickr My logo in MOP - cracked once, but I was able to save it. IMG_20170820_194529 by Goran P, on Flickr Penciled in and lines scored with my little jigsaw knife, then routed by Dremel, and tweaked with small chisels. Glued with CA and some packed cherry powder. IMG_20170820_195138 by Goran P, on Flickr Some initial filing followed by orbital. I'll probably round over the top edge after trimming and can glue the fretboard on. IMG_20170820_204421 by Goran P, on Flickr

No pics, packing for vacation I got the truss rod today, and it just slipped in the channel tightly! Great! I just had to run a sandpaper-wrapped piece of 4mm plywood down the channel about 3 times, as it's slightly wider that my 6mm router bit. Well, cutting, gluing and shaping the fretboard will have to wait a while...

Not much done yesterday, but I did squeeze in a few minutes in the shop to rough out the other side of the headstock, and to sureform-plane the surface to about 4mm. I'll reduce the thickness from the other side to about 15mm, and probably leave a few mm's for a hint of a volute. IMG_20170731_224810 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thanks a lot! Yes it helps, very much, as I now know what to aim for. I was thinking mostly of MM pickup, which has largish slugs, so replacement is probably not an option. On the other hand, this is a fretless, and I'm planing the fretboard to be 6mm at it's thickest, so the overall distance is not that big. Inserts would just help out a bit, and perhaps look nice embedded in the fretboard. I'll have to rethink if I want to go trough with this on this bass, perhaps the piezzo would be enough.

Lots of small things done! Shaped the headstock halfway roughly, trimmed one side to the line, routed the tr channel and glued the faceplate. IMG_20170728_224333 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170729_181917 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170729_183032 by Goran P, on Flickr I figured this in one off, so no templates - routed to the line shallowly with the dremel, then used that edge to guide the router. IMG_20170730_120034 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_131050 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_131056 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_131105 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_134327 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_144101 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_160501 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170730_162710 by Goran P, on Flickr Now I can trim the other side and start on the fretboard, shape the heel etc.

Here's what I meant: pickup idea by Goran P, on Flickr The extension slugs could be superglued to the fretboard piece that comes off, and by simple magnetism of the pole pieces under it be both held in place, and providing closeness to the strings. Would it work?

Some more progress! Prepared a headstock plate, scarf seems OK :). I have to decide on the fretboard, and since I'm actually scared of the unknown properties of acrylic sheets regarding glue durability under stress, shrinkage, cracking, especially in relation to truss rod, I think I'll go with cherry. I could try to darken it somehow, to provide some contrast to the wings. Could someone give me some thoughts on lengthening the pole pieces on a pickup - meaning would the adding of some mild steel stock on to each individually change anything tone-vise? I'd like to perhaps hide a pickup under the fretboard, leaving just pole pieces visable? I hope I explained correctly, can provide a drawing if needed? fb25 by Goran P, on Flickr fb26 by Goran P, on Flickr fb27 by Goran P, on Flickr fb28 by Goran P, on Flickr fb29 by Goran P, on Flickr fb30 by Goran P, on Flickr fb31 by Goran P, on Flickr

Hello! It's a piece of hardwood flooring. I got a few leftover packages some years ago when my uncle was decorating his place, works great for necks. Tongue and groove routed off, it still has 90mm x 20mm of clean material, and I have two sizes ~70cm and ~90cm long. I'll look up the exact species on the packaging. I made 2 tele necks form it so far, 1 bass neck, 1 LP Jr and the 335 recently. As a bonus, I got some free exotic flooring samples that were an option. No pics, but I did manage to scarf the neck, with some help from my 8 year old helper It took a while, and he did leave me to go to dinner at some point, and I did have to realign the whole thing when he left, but we had fun! He usually just wants something made or fixed, but yesterday he took part

Some small progress, roughly cut the butt end of the neck-trough and routed close to thickness, removing the stripes. It's now at 40mm thick. Sawed the scarf angle, 12.5 angle, headstock still to go. Cherry smells nice when worked, coffee-like, but this other stuff I always forget the name of doesn't exactly smell but it's not pleasant... Nut will be 41.5mm. Starting to look like a bass. fb22 by Goran P, on Flickr fb23 by Goran P, on Flickr fb24 by Goran P, on Flickr

I'm thinking of adding a thinner piece to the back, also cherry, perhaps carved, so I got a neighbor, carpenter, to help me with this piece. It went trough thicknesser and circular saw as deep as it was possible, I'll have to finish the cut by hand. I'll probably cut out the shape first to make the job a bit smaller. fb20 by Goran P, on Flickr fb21 by Goran P, on Flickr

After a pause, a new project, hopefully a quick one! I saw a nice bass shape on my daily dose of Pinterest and decided to use 2 offcuts that were to small for most uses. I do not know who to credit for the shape, but it's really nice. Adding a few twists of my own, but here goes. I got a small Japanese saw and it got me to using hand tools more, fun and quiet. fb01 by Goran P, on Flickr fb02 by Goran P, on Flickr fb03 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170721_222942 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170721_224547 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170721_232253 by Goran P, on Flickr A few hairline cracks on the bottom side, will get to it later, IMG_20170722_151808 by Goran P, on Flickr Bottom piece was 10mm thicker, sawn off, and got a nice piece of cherry to perhaps use later IMG_20170722_160026 by Goran P, on Flickr The center piece, upper layer (it's 20mm thick), and my idea - I've had this piezzo unit forever, perhaps I could use it here? Has anyone tried this before? I would probably omit the standard pickups and go with the cleaner look. It opens on a hinge for the battery, and I would probably make a black plastic riser for it, angled towards the player. IMG_20170723_100316 by Goran P, on Flickr It might not turn out fanned, and for the fretboard I have a few options/dilemmas - more cherry, whitish walnut (which could be darkened) and black acrylic, sanded with some steel wool. I would really like to try this, but I've never used it that way - I would have to epoxy it on, does it shrink over time, or crack? Center piece laminated, scarf joint to follow, 2-way truss rod on the way. I could perhaps make 2 rods instead with some 5mm steel. IMG_20170723_144455 by Goran P, on Flickr

My blank is about 8" I think, it should be fine. I'm working with the short one from stew-mac now, so double length would be great.

The table cloth should be credited to my wife, she refused to leave the shop without it It is nice, though. The amp cab is made from some pieces of cupboards I had to modify a while back, which left me with a garage full of cutoffs, most of them pretty large, that I could not just throw away (....hello, my name is Goran and I'm a hamster...) and now I'm trying to use them all on projects. Some small late night progress on the neck, pared off the excess maple, and added a piece of cherry to fill the heel. Next, I'll flood the fretboard as needed, try to accent the cracks, and radius it. Finally some progress.... IMG_20170516_220105 by Goran P, on Flickr IMG_20170516_223549 by Goran P, on Flickr

Great idea! Please post some pics of the results. I've prepared a blank for a longish radius sander to be taken to be machined on a cnc, but this would be much better!

Thanks !!! I'll get to it asap

Here is the speaker used by DNH Norway: IMG_20170514_114932 by Goran P, on Flickr One channel is kinda trebly and gainy when turned up, and the other has more bass. Back to the guitar, the truss rod fit right in, the measurements were very precise (thanks again Curtisa!!!). I sawed a strip of maple for the "reverse" skunk stripe last night, full thickness of the adjusting nut, and proceeded with thinning the sides to 6mm. Not pictured, but almost done. I have to scrape it some more to fit and then glue it in. Then I can proceed with radiusing and fretting. IMG_20170514_205458 by Goran P, on Flickr