gpcustomguitars

Thanks, it's really good to be back in the shop!

Mike, I've started this by making some simple pedals for fun, usual stuff like boosters, treble boosters, various electra dist. type stuff, and started daydreaming about preamps.

This amp is not valve powered, it has a class D chipamp inside, TPA3116D2, I've used a voltage module to set the voltage from my power supply to required max 24v, and built the clean preamp for it using FETs. I didn't have 2 250k pots when I started this, so to complete the tone stack I have to wait on them. I got the 12' speaker for free in somewhat bad shape, so I had to clean it up and patch it up in a number of places, but it works great now.

The cabinet making is really rewarding, it's a small project compared to what we usually do, and I need a dose of quick results now and then

If you're interested, I can PM you with the details of the stuff I've used, nothing inside exceeds 36V and it's all pretty modular.

Hello!

The winter break is over! It's finally warm enough to start gluing in the shop, so here goes:

I've since radiused the board and cut some simple abs dots with my leather punches, 2mm, 6mm and 8mm ones. I want some contrast in the fretboard, since the whole guitar will be cherry, not counting 2 accent pieces, so I've dyed it with some cognac coloured dye that I've used previously. I'll follow that with tung oil to seal it after fretting.

3-IMG_20190302_161430 by Goran P, on Flickr

and glued it together, 4 nails were used. Removed the clamps early this morning

While that was drying, I made a quick mdf jig for the 2 pots I'm planning on using, and routed the lower wing to about 23mm. I'm actually trying to preserve some weight there It's visable on the jig where I plan to drill for the jack.

5-IMG_20190303_152500 by Goran P, on Flickr

Then made my now regular little cut on the headstock (and realized that the second string pilot hole is a bit off, will take special care when drilling for tuners)

6-IMG_20190303_155355 by Goran P, on Flickr

and cut and glued my logo out of some 2mm abs with CA

6-IMG_20190303_155355 by Goran P, on Flickr

I'm planning to make the head plate darker, so the inner part of the logo will be taken care of a bit later.

8-IMG_20190303_183657 by Goran P, on Flickr

During the winter, I did manage to do some work, cutting a few pieces in the shop and gluing them up in the house in the evenings, so this is what came out of that:

1-IMG_20190203_122753 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20190221_211329 by Goran P, on Flickr

I'm waiting for the corners, still need to cut the back boards, and the preamp is missing the whole tone stack (pots in the mail also), but it's nice and loud. With the random 36V 1A power supply I had in the parts bin it gets up to 18 watt-ish.

BR

Goran

Excellent idea with the slotting jig! Now I have to try it asap..... Also, great workmanship all around Waiting for the developments!

Great work as usual! I'd like to see more in progress pics if you have any? I'm always amazed by the flowing lines you get.

BTW, I looked up the Osage orange on wiki and realized they are growing all around our house It seems that at some point they were planted all over the former YU as a decoration. Kids are using the "apples" to play bocce

Trimmed the headstock to final shape with router, again small cuts, 2mm max. No tearout

1-IMG_20181113_193323 by Goran P, on Flickr

4-IMG_20181113_195609 by Goran P, on Flickr

Now I'm ready to cut the fret slots and glue the fretboard on. I think I have the final decision on the some simple inlay for it!

Hi!

I'll remove more wood as needed when I drill the tuner holes. Regarding the volute, I decided not to add 2 strips to the headstock, as I laminated the headstock plate out of 1mm acero and 2mm cherry lams. The volute will be built up in the same manner, overlaping the seam a bit, I think it will be strong enough.

I did quite a lot of new steps in the meanwhile:

01-IMG_20181109_183813 by Goran P, on Flickr

03-IMG_20181110_140203 by Goran P, on Flickr

04-IMG_20181110_144039 by Goran P, on Flickr

05-IMG_20181110_144044 by Goran P, on Flickr

Picked a piece long enough for the fretboard:

06-IMG_20181110_164729 by Goran P, on Flickr

The cherry lam for the headstock is from the same piece:

07-IMG_20181110_164739 by Goran P, on Flickr

08-IMG_20181110_172006 by Goran P, on Flickr

The headstock seems warped

09-IMG_20181110_173001 by Goran P, on Flickr

10-IMG_20181112_113546 by Goran P, on Flickr

11-IMG_20181112_114631 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thinned to 3mm:

12-IMG_20181112_115400 by Goran P, on Flickr

13-IMG_20181112_121201 by Goran P, on Flickr

Marking the access hole:

14-IMG_20181112_123710 by Goran P, on Flickr

Routed the taper of the neck off:

15-IMG_20181112_131630 by Goran P, on Flickr

16-IMG_20181112_131758 by Goran P, on Flickr

17-IMG_20181112_131925 by Goran P, on Flickr

Ready to glue on:

18-IMG_20181112_132544 by Goran P, on Flickr

I used all 6 holes and screwed the jig to the headstock, then clamped:

19-IMG_20181112_134324 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thinned the fretboard to 6mm:

20-IMG_20181112_140159 by Goran P, on Flickr

Planed the taper of the fretboard from both sides, getting better at planing

21-IMG_20181112_152357 by Goran P, on Flickr

Cut the nut and the end of the fretboard lines:

22-IMG_20181112_161424 by Goran P, on Flickr

...aaand first real mockup!!!

23-IMG_20181112_162512 by Goran P, on Flickr

24-IMG_20181112_162521 by Goran P, on Flickr

It's slowly starting to take shape

I took a 2mm piece of binding and fixed it to the nut position, and placed it on a long straight piece of scrap and routed or milled? the correct neck thickness slope. The headstock veneer piece was cut out with some material to spare, but I'm still thinking of actually using more cherry for that, and thinning this piece to 1mm as a contrast.

1-IMG_20181108_175253 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181108_175704 by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG_20181108_180439 by Goran P, on Flickr

Then I started to shape the back of the headstock using the round router bit:

4-IMG_20181108_181957 by Goran P, on Flickr

5-IMG_20181108_182424 by Goran P, on Flickr

I used a round engraving chisel to further refine some details, and finished for now with scrapers.

6-IMG_20181108_183450 by Goran P, on Flickr

7-IMG_20181108_184242 by Goran P, on Flickr

I should get a truss rod now and enlarge the channel as needed to fit to be able to glue the headstock veneer(s) on, but I will probably add 2 strips of cherry or maple to the scarf before, just to be on the safe side.

Not too much progress, but I have thicknessed and flattened the headstock to about 13mm. I'll do some more sanding to have it perfectly flat, and add a layer of 3mm acero parana (in pics also). After sanding it should all amount to 15mm thickness. It's all still a bit slow, but it should get more interesting soon.

1-IMG_20181106_201830 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181106_204030 by Goran P, on Flickr

Not much time for the shop for a while now, but during the weekend I had some time to spare. Set up my router thingie, can do more different jobs now!

First, plugged that little piece missing at the end of the neck lam, used a improvised rail to cut the tr channel, and glued the headstock on.

1-IMG_20181103_170600 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181103_181109 by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG_20181103_183316 by Goran P, on Flickr

Then took off the excess wood first roughly by chisel, and then planes, to get a flat-enough surface to attach the headstock template. The idea is to get the surface to be leveled smaller.

4-IMG_20181104_120525 by Goran P, on Flickr

5-IMG_20181104_123501 by Goran P, on Flickr

and routed with handheld and a short bit with a bearing, 2mm at a time, luckily, no tearout at all.

6-IMG_20181104_124940 by Goran P, on Flickr

Then flattened/thicknessed the back of the headstock, and routed a bit of the future volute in with a round bit.

7-IMG_20181104_165215 by Goran P, on Flickr

8-IMG_20181104_165224 by Goran P, on Flickr

I'll flatten the face side of the headstock next and add a 2mm veneer over it, still haven't decided if I want some contrast or not.

...and done

2-IMG_20181030_212448 by Goran P, on Flickr

1-IMG_20181030_212421 by Goran P, on Flickr

Now I can proceed with 2 others!

Glad you like them! I'm really into this ALee, I shaped the neck after my favourite tele, and that went great. Also, the neck is oiled with true oil, so it has nice feel to it.

Another poor pic:

1-IMG_20181030_071955 by Goran P, on Flickr

I've tweaked the truss rod, set the bridge into a more-floating position, lowered the saddles some and set the intonation. I'll probably do it a few times more until it feels just right, but so far so good

Thanks! Sorry for the poor photo quality, but they're almost assembled, all at once:

1-IMG_20181028_152726 by Goran P, on Flickr

I strung up the Alvin Lee, having some trouble with the volume pot, probably burned it (max volume), but it's a really hum-free guitar. I'll test it when I get some time, and still need to cut down a wrench to fit the small access cavity. Truss rod needs a turn, to straighten the neck, intonation is fine, so when I set up the action nice and low, I'll be really happy! Sounds really fendery

Tele still misses the tuners and the strings, but I should get them today. This wiring, at least, gave me no trouble

Nicer pics to follow!

Assembly!!!

The Alvin Lee just needs wiring and some strings now. I'll use some retainers too, but I'd like to place them when the strings are already on.

Tele is still missing a pickguard, I need to do some preparations for laser, but it's coming along nicely. I will have to replace all 4 of the bridge screws, as they are......not that nice. Probably some stainless if i can get it in that size.

1-IMG_20181021_215151 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181022_075206 by Goran P, on Flickr

Just got some more pics!

They came up with the whole solution, so I'm really looking forward to seeing it in person. My only input regarding the lacquering was for it to be thin and reasonably hard finish. I actually like the color scheme We'll have to come up with a good pickguard for it. The working plan was to laser cut it from an old LP with really bad music on it, and glue a cooler sticker instead, but this might call for a tortoise?

3-IMG-e90ae7110763de36f822781e3274c002-V by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG-1ff32e1ada336ebc87714394b0fdc26c-V by Goran P, on Flickr

1-IMG-5a2d18c1d34b43b3772761d8d68bc57a-V by Goran P, on Flickr

Thanks a lot! Finally, some pics form the painter's:

Dyed black, with white binding:

1-IMG-20bb343d76cacb6c8154e7ea33c16462-V by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG-e5772b8a548096d131a527e9b3acd878-V by Goran P, on Flickr

before final sanding:

2-IMG-46478b344bd490b7f8f6d418ac7ccab6-V by Goran P, on Flickr

Don't know the details yet, just got the pics!

Also finally, the tuners are on the headstock! I think we'll have a jam soon with both guitars present

1-IMG_20181018_174904 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thanks Andy! I started with 50-51mm. After about five years, I finally replaced the detachable router unit that fits in the standard 44mm collar and can route stock to thickness. Had an hour or so to spare today, so here it is - flattened one side first, and then thicknessed from the other to about 44mm, both the sides and the neck portion of the body. I think it's a good starting point, never installed a floyd before. The wings might look thicker than they really are, as they are not that big. I'll post some overall dimensions tomorrow.

Also thinned the neck to about 17mm, final target will be 15mm at the 12th fret. Routing steps are 2mm max, but it's all rather quick (and messy.....) I need to fine tune the setup to route for the truss rod (still need to actually buy one ) and then I can glue it all up and start carving.

1-IMG_20181017_184833 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181017_190336 by Goran P, on Flickr

It's really nice to see the positive responses to the design Now I hope I'll do it justice.

Some more wood removed - started by routing the treble side straight, bass side is still needed as is for routing the TR channel.

01-IMG_20181016_181844 by Goran P, on Flickr

Sanded the wings clean, they seem to be pretty radial cut stock.

02-IMG_20181016_190030 by Goran P, on Flickr

Removed most of the stock on the sander to form the heel:

03-IMG_20181016_193734 by Goran P, on Flickr

04-IMG_20181016_200422 by Goran P, on Flickr

05-IMG_20181016_200428 by Goran P, on Flickr

06-IMG_20181016_200438 by Goran P, on Flickr

First real mockup, all stock still too thick:

07-IMG_20181016_200447 by Goran P, on Flickr

08-IMG_20181016_200911 by Goran P, on Flickr

09-IMG_20181016_200927 by Goran P, on Flickr

10-IMG_20181016_202946 by Goran P, on Flickr

And checked how the trem cavity correlates to the back carving, seems to be fine.

12-IMG_20181016_203616 by Goran P, on Flickr

Started flattening the surface for glueing, but need to cut the TR channel first.

13-IMG_20181016_210000 by Goran P, on Flickr

So, next step is TR channel, followed by routing the bass side straight, and then glueing the scarf.

My 4+2 locking tuners for the Alvin Lee finally arrived yesterday, so I can finish the assembly!

Finally had some time for the shop! Not much done, but I got all the main parts of the guitar cut out roughly, except the fretboard. Started with routing the wing shapes, went fine to the max depth of the short bit I use for this work. Switched to longer one after that, but I didn't like the feel that gave, so I just cut trough roughly with the jigsaw, and further cropped the excess on the scroll saw. I'll finalize the shapes on the sander, and thickness them on overarm router with myself appropriately out of it's reach

1-IMG_20181015_211545 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181015_223310 by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG_20181015_223321 by Goran P, on Flickr

Thanks a lot!!! Not much time for guitars for a few days now, making some furniture for my friends new apartment, but will get back to this asap

Thanks! I just couldn't look at that paper guitar any more The thing I like about this design is that it's all made from really small pieces, so I'm using some stock that would be unusable otherwise without a lot of laminating. The whole thing should be made out of 6, max 7 pieces, and still be relatively normal-sized and balanced.

On the side note, I finally replaced my overhead router unit that got stolen a few years back, so I can route and plane stock again Hopefully, some more shop time later today.

I definitely have no will power at all...can't understand how I quit smoking

I like this design so much that I just have to start it, so, the design again:

1-IMG_20180926_184927 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20180926_184933 by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG_20180926_184940 by Goran P, on Flickr

Started by making some templates:

02-IMG_20181006_134835 by Goran P, on Flickr

03-IMG_20181006_140945 by Goran P, on Flickr

and picked the center section out of  a few pieces I had in the shop, cherry again:

05-IMG_20181006_145025 by Goran P, on Flickr

I managed to fit the headstock part in there, slightly angled, to use the longer grain. Some cutting with the jigsaw:

08-IMG_20181006_153005 by Goran P, on Flickr

Sanded the templates, and drilled some holes to fix them to stock:

09-IMG_20181006_164434 by Goran P, on Flickr

I want a light-coloured wood in the back, so I'm adding a piece of acero parana to the neck lam to build up thickness:

10-IMG_20181007_132501 by Goran P, on Flickr

11-IMG_20181007_134548 by Goran P, on Flickr

...and fixed the templates to some more cherry stock. It's not perfect, but I've managed to pick sections that are fault-free:

13-IMG_20181007_143510 by Goran P, on Flickr

That's it for now!

Had a busy weekend! Among other things, prepared the top and the back, some 5mm to spare all around. Veneer for the sides is ready, so, assembly is not far away.

01-IMG_20181006_125420 by Goran P, on Flickr

Very nice, congratulations!!! Nice crisp sound, and good playing too!

Thanks! Definitely, I just set the to-do list to those 4 guitars, but in reality, the list of started projects is a ...bit longer... I'm trying to finish all the things that definitely have some potential but got pushed to the back burner. Also, from time to time I have my repair duties that must override some of my crazy ideas

Well, some pics - I think one side is reasonably carved, the other still to go, and then I'll pore over them again prior to the next step. The second pic shows the top/back angles in relation to the sides. I've blended the joins, so that there is no no-contact areas between the frame and the top/back. When it's all done, veneering should be a walk in the park.

1-IMG_20181002_200805 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20181002_203536 by Goran P, on Flickr

Here's what I plan to be my next project as soon as possible:

1-IMG_20180926_184927 by Goran P, on Flickr

2-IMG_20180926_184933 by Goran P, on Flickr

3-IMG_20180926_184940 by Goran P, on Flickr

I'll just start picking wood for it and putting it aside, perhaps just run it trough the planer to rest. 25.5, 12' radius, necktrough, most probably acero parana neck and cherry sides. 24 frets with partial access up to 28th just for show. I'd like it to have either a rolling nut, or a zero nut/fret and locking tuners, and sides profiles fully rounded.

Hope you like it!

Just a quick update while waiting on the tuners and the pup springs for the Alvin Lee.

No pics yet but I glued the body frame together, and should do some fine tuning, carving and sanding. Next step will be glueing some sapele veneer all around, and then it's time for top and back. I did it other way around the last time, and while it did work fine, it was a lot more work.

Pics to follow!

I already have the next project layed out on paper staring at me from the kitchen table, but I'm forbiding myself from starting it until the tele, ALee, 335 and another LP halfway done are done