CudBucket

well the trem is on the jem, which already has a 24 fret fretboard. The v has a tune o matic on it, which had a 22 but will now have a 24 on it.

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Same deal on the V. You can't just go from 22 to 24 frets. You'll mess up your scale.

Have you routed you pups and trem cavities? If you did, you won't be able to switch to a 24 fret board.

On the other hand, I could leave it 1.75" thick, chamber it and then cap it. Hmmm. Semi-hollow explorer.

If I do change the body, I'm going to go with this:

I'm considering chambering it, then capping it so I'll be close to 2" thick. Not sure about this though. I may build the jig.

I personally do not see a problem with a bolt on on an explorer. I built a V with a bolt on and the neck pocket is so tight, I consider it to be as good as a properly built set neck guitar. Next one will be a set neck, just to see if there are any sonic differences.

With a bolt on, I think that if the heel is properly contoured and the neck fits right, it should be stellar.

F.M.

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I agree. It's just a body after all. Right now, I'm not sure if I'm going to change the body shape or not. I'm really considering building the router jig so I can take the body down to 1.5" so I can cap it.

Here you go.  This is basicly the same design.  I would substitute the MDF with something a bit more sturdy, or reinforce with aluminum angle bar.

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=18537

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As always, thanks so much Maiden!

PLus those other variations of the explorer are for sizzies!

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Do you mean all variations or just the ones Cud posted, becaue I remember a while back you made a nice little kelly (it was nuckin futs), im just joking ya.

Just the others... As far as variations, I mean the star, iceman, and some others. The Jackson Kelly, Ibanez Destroyer II ( the original looks too much like the iceman), ESP EX are still "true" to the explorer shape

Cud, you could make a jig like Setch and Mika and just rout the 1/4" off, then clean it with a big piece of 2X4 with sand paper to true it. Then just chamber and glue the cap.

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Oh! I forgot all about that jig. Where can I see it or get plans?

Thanks a ton Maiden!

Hey Matt! I knew you'd like the pointy-weapon-looking body.

Com'on....I've been waiting on progress on this, and now you chicken out of the explorer shape!!! I know that once we get old the heavy guitars start to kick our back, but what you can do is to plane it down 1/4"-1/2" and chamber it, then put a maple or whatever you may like cap on it! PLus those other variations of the explorer are for sizzies!

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Hey Maiden!

I'll give it some more thought. Maybe I'll do the star body after all. Problem is though, that I can't plane it now. It's too damn big! I'd love to cap it.

Currently, I'm favoring the top one. The 2nd one's lower horn makes the top horn look different to me in a bad way.

Or do you prefer something more like this?

Looks great. Very inspiring.

Yeah Dave... go on!!!

After your finishing job I wanted to see another one... but I think you're going for a natural finish on that body    Ok it looks great anyway.

Gian

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Thanks gun! But what do you think of the new profile I've PaintBrushed on the template to the left? That's how I think I'm going to re-style the body.

Yeah, natural with black binding and black hardware. If not natural, transparent yellow or orange. Both dyes that will bring out the natural color of the Mahogany.

By the way gun, I'm first generation American. My parents and all of my ancestors are from Italy. Province of Frosinone. A small town called Settefratti.

Hey guys. I've done next to nothing on this for months other than to trim and sand the body profile. I've had so much to do lately in my home that I haven't been able to build anything.

However, I'm getting the wheels on this project turning again. I've had the body laying around all this time and the only thing I kept thinking was: "This is a huge and heavy body!".

I breifly considered making it into an ML or Star type body to reduce weight. The problem with that is the body still has a huge profile. So I was playing around with changing the profile within the parameters of the explorer body. I've come up with a few options but I like this one best. It will reduce the weight and make the body smaller.

What do you all think? The idea is to make a new template, trace the new outline on the existing body and cut and sand.

Thanks for looking.

Dave

Beautiful guitar. Great job.

I use a cheap $30 HVLP gun that I got on Ebay. I bought a $20 Husky moisture trap and connected it all to a 2HP/6Gal Porter Cable compressor and it works great.

Great job! Did you use Homestead Transfast Turquoise Blue? I did with my first build. Again, congratulations. I look forward to see it in the next GOTM.

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Cud, Maiden,

Thanks for defending what you both saw as an attack on me but it really wasn't. I read that post and took no offense whatsoever.

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Phil, I didn't think he attacked you or your work. That would be flat out stupid. I just think his comments are conceited. There's enough of that going around here and I just pointed it out. I know I'm not alone in my opinion.

But that's enough of this.

Phil, I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Dave

If it was a Tele Clone it would have buried you and your 100 pics.

   

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I don't know about that. I was ahead of the only Tele clone in that GOTM. Seems tele clones are not in favor these days.

  I'll put my cards on the table and say that I entered, and will enter again, to guage the quality of my work against those that are both more and less skilled than I am.  If you look back at that post, you'll see my guitar was one of the last in.  That means I saw all the excellent guitars I was up against.  And as my first, I wanted to see where I stacked up.  Despite what you say, I think you did too.

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GOTM is a bad choice for you then. How a direct strat clone made from premade parts can vote higher than a full custom jobbie with 50-100 photos showing the progress, AND a sound sample to show off its capabilities, well never cease to amaze me... but thats just how it is!!

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True. I didn't know that before I entered. While it seemed that winners are usually good choices, I never paid much attention to how the rest stacked up against each other. But I don't know what you mean about the pre-made strat clone comment. I assume you're referring to my guitar as the "full custom jobbie with 50-100 photos" and I didn't get outvoted by a premade strat clone. Only you, Godin and the crucible outscored mine.

But point taken. GOTM isn't the "guage" I thought it was.

Cudbucket. You're being childish.

I disagree. I made a concise and articulate point. Most children can't do that.

I never said it didn't deserve it, but can you honestly say that it really deserved it more than any of the other entries?

Because, overall, it was better. I think the vote proved that the vast[/] majority agrees with me. I voted for Phil myself. Who'd you vote for?

All of the entries are great, but opinion decides which will get the title.

Don't try to back-peddle. Even I can say that not all of the entries are "great". And yes, opinion decides. That's why we call it a "vote".

I don't need a GOTM win to assure me the quality of my work.

You've got yourself for that. By the way, if this is true, why bother entering? I'll put my cards on the table and say that I entered, and will enter again, to guage the quality of my work against those that are both more and less skilled than I am. If you look back at that post, you'll see my guitar was one of the last in. That means I saw all the excellent guitars I was up against. And as my first, I wanted to see where I stacked up. Despite what you say, I think you did too.

Nice job of attacking someone who was only trying to offer consolation.

That is just a weak attempt at re-directing the focus of my original post. And for the record, if I'm "childish" why did you resort to name-calling? I haven't.

Look at it this way, about 50% of the voters are kids who only own a squire and know little, if anything about this stuff.

How do you figure?

I was really surpised when Phil beat me out for GOTM two months ago(maybe 3, i don't remember). I mean, how many people are building neck through semi-hollows?

Hmm. How 'bout giving Phil some credit. He didn't just "beat" you. He destroyed your guitar, my guitar and everyone else in that month. Second place was but a formality. Should a semi-hollow win by default? Uh, no. Phil's bass won because it deserved to.

A little modesty never hurt anyone.

xlr8's Les Paul is simply beautiful but I had to give it to Mattia.

I like it. Why? Because it looks kind of like a body I've drawn up and intend to build. Mine isn't quite as pointy though.

Matt, I haven't been around too much lately but congrats on the guitar. Looks great!

What about Grizzly? That's another quality tool you've left off your list.

Nice. I'd like to see pics of the back to see how your cavities came out.