rick_here

erikbojerik- Thanx for that Link! Actually I had seen that like about a day after I signed-up for Project Guitar, had it bookmarked and hadn't paid attention to that it's an Ash Body. (And have since gotten mine).... Btw, I didn't take a look at the Link (again) last nite due to my 56K waiting time. I bookmarked it 3 times this round (so's I won't lose it). Yeah, GuitarFrenzy's pretty awesome alright! I might just do it as Natural (after the black-epoxy-filler). Will wait & see what that looks like. Thanxalot!

D`s- Email me for any further: Thangs-Tennis-See....(plz). Thanx again! "Well, Ah'll be Hollerin' At Yew Later"....

Dugz Ink- ...this is Really-Weird, sorta.... (and somewhat off-topic, so PLZ forgive this post, Everyone Else)!!! Are you in Memphis, Tennessee? I lived there for ten years, not so long ago, and took some guitar lessons from a guy who was gigging & recording with Alex Chilton's Band...except I forgot who they were/are. This guy's name also slips my mind. (I have email, PG-message & Yahoo Messenger access, btw). Any Link (or anything else Re: Memphis, TN)....is always "pleasant" for me as far as that may go. For that I gotta Thank You. (thanx), rick ><> PS- Now. Back to: Yer Regularly Scheduled Thread.

*jchv4v--slash-- rick_here BUMP* Because we're working on very similar Projects and are sorta "shy" about it (as newbies). Also, we (both) just met here @ PG. PLZ forgive us if we go off into any "tangients" as it were. So, are you there, jch4v? (I hope you will be, soon)...I need your help! Getting Verklempt, rick (here) ><>

skibum- Thanx for this "another angle" on things. I'm quasi-newbie (enuf) to have seen some of "Drak's" posts.... OK, Here Goes: I'll use (black) Shoe Dye if I hafta (or Can-A, since I have some). Whichever & whatever works/ does the job....I'll pencil-in each grain with a Laundry Pen if that's what it takes! (I'm joking). But when anyone starts talking about mixing dyes with Super-Glue as a Grain-Filler...(or even with epoxy)...I'm basically "lost." But am still Open to whatever "that" might entail.... How's about regular Ol' Kiwi Shoe Polish? (not entirely kidding-around). Trust me---I'm willing to experiment (with pre-testing) on just about anything. It only has to be: Doable. thanx & be well then, rick ><>

westhemann- I agree. But I hafta admit I've never heard of anyone's hands being "too big" to be able to take-up Guitar Playing. Right. Ya Gotta Go With: whatever equipment you have (whatever hand size & specs) and whatever-guitar you have.... Along these lines I'm reminded of 2 rather "smaller" (famous) guys who play guitar: (1) Phil Keaggy, (of Prog-Rock "Glass Harp" fame) who's been doing "Christian Rock" since the early-70's....has been critically-acclaimed thru all these years and is only about 5'2"...(I recently learned here @ PG from a guy who met him). He played Les Pauls for some time early on; probably due to their smaller scale-length (as opposed to Fenders/with their longer 25.5" scale-length, I surely would think). Maybe he also (or "just") liked that Les Paul Tone. I dunno (???). I plan on asking Phil about this (and other things) when he comes to play in My Hometown, next May!!! (2) Kerry Livgren, of "Kansas." I've met him twice. Once after a Kansas show in '82 and in '94 at the T-Shirt Booth for a Jethro Tull Concert in Atlanta, GA (Kerry's home-base). I'm 5'9" and Kerry's about 3 inches, give or take, shorter than I am. But he CAN PLAY......(caps for emphasis, not hollering). Shaking Kerry's hand; I went, Huh? thinking: How Can He Do That (with such small hands)??? Here were coming into what's called "Feel" and probably "a full knowledge of the fretboard"....(that these Pros have, Giant Hands or Not)!!! IOW, the same note can be played in at least 5 different (basic) places along the neck. Go figure (that out)! It's a dream I have.... thanx, rick ><>

Greetings (once again), AlGeeEater- *Blech* I once knew a dude who said he met Jimi in a record store (in Orange County, CA). "Pardon me, but you look just like Jimi Hendrix." "Yeah, I'm Jimi." This dude said he was about 5'7".....and that he was FerSure it was Jimi. IMO (no offense intended); yer not as much "good" at yer stretching-abilities as yer "capable" (of them) in terms of this thread's topic. See what I'm sayin? I mean if, say, Shaqeel O'Neil took up guitar....(and so forth). As to yer "flat thumb"; I'm taking this as: it makes an "inverted L-shape." Mine's an "I" and only bends at the base of the I, as the case may be and is. My 5th Fret Stretch is guaged at: the 8th/9th (comfortably) and the 10th is probably non-playable. Thanx for the feedback/input!

darren wilson- One of several reasons I joined Project Guitar.... Nice to meet you, btw. Getting the Steps In Order (1, 2, then 3) is a lot of what I'm asking about. And Everything I'll be using will be oil-based (convering "compatibility"). Grain Fillers, I must admit, are a bit confusing for me (as I've never used em). If I'm not mistaken, Grain Fillers that are specially-designed for guitars come in a "gel" or otherwise, "specific" form to do that function. Right? Are they made to not-absorb into the finer/smaller grain? They go-on and you wipe em off with that "squeegee" looking tool (which you can buy, but I'll invent one using a similar concept)....perhaps a now-defunct Credit-Card, though they are doable for custom-made-picks, LoL! If I'm following you then, I should: (1) Stain the Body (with my chosen Gray-Shade). (2) Fill the grain with a "Black-Tinted" Grain Filler, especially made for guitars. (3) The rest is all sanding/ coats/ final-coat/ polish. To be honest about it, I really can't afford buying stuff from StewMac (or whoever) if I can get the same thing at a hardware store. If I'm not mistaken, Minwax has a Gel-Type Stain available in black. If this would work, I'd prefer to do it that way. In a nutshell, "Grain Fillers For Guitar" is where I'm (still) perplexed. I'd rather not have to buy a pint from StewMac (for 16 bucks) if I'm not gonna use more than a few ounces of it, tops. If there aren't any shortcuts, no problem. Would diluting have anything to do with this? This as a kind of side-(sub)-topic. I'm considering how staining/filling the Body-Sides might go....(How to prevent over-darkness). Thanx a lot!

Anatomically, (and I suppose Genetically?) speaking....I may have done well to stay as a Saxophonist. But I took up Guitar, leaving The Sax behind. I'm curious as to how Yer Hands & Fingers; what "role they play" in yer guitar-playing. Here's Mine, (as it were): I have sort of "odd hands & fingers." My palms are kinda Big. But my fingers are relatively (or comparatively) short. Adding to this is: I'm not "double-jointed" in my fingers & thumbs (for lack of vocab.). Put another way, I just can't "bend them back" very much at all. Illustration: I can't play double-bar chords---of the "A-Chord-Shape"---with My Ring Finger because it just won't bend back enuf! I use My Pinky for those unless it's a suspended 4th, which I can do. But the High-E-String (still) has to get "muffled" due to how my hands got designed.... Thumbs-wise, I have further "technicalities": They're "double-jointed" where they attach to Yer Hand and bend real far back. But, just like my fingers, they're "locked" at the other joint (medically, at the "1st digit")....IOW, when I play chords on the neck my left thumb itself is "stationary" and I hafta stabilize my left thumb (I'm a Righty) from bending-back. This same stabilization is needed, Thumb-Wise, for any kind of finger-picking (my right thumb/hand). When I was in a band, the muscle that's attached to Yer Thumb (in yer palm) was basically Huge! because I always have to use it whenever playing. All this made my hands look "contorted!" So. I'm somewhat limited Re: being able to both "reach" and "execute" many, many chords. However, and to my advantage; I've learned what "chord-voicings" are, as well as alternate chord positions (their smaller sizes up the neck). Finally, I'm in-progress on "making" a Les Paul Copy which will have that shorter scale-length. Should be a Definate-Poz! (I've never owned a Gibson). Been playing Fenders/ Fender copies. My Mexican-Strat has the smaller nut (1 & 11/16ths) and it hasn't been all that difficult to play---outside of the other Guitarist-Genetic-Defects I've inherited. Why God invented chord-voicings?...(I've been thinking).... I'm interested in hearing about any & all "Hands & Fingers" stuff, including those of you who have those Guargantuan Outfits. Can you play a Les Paul? or are they "too doggone little?" Etc., etc. I'll answer to, rick ><> PS- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Arthritis and other related stuff wouldn't be out of bounds here, IMO.

I was "indefinately-borrowing" My Dear Mother's: 1962 Gibson LG-1 (not a pic of the actual one) It got ripped-off in 1979....right along with My 1st Electric...a '79 (just purchased) natural-finished Strat and an early 70's Ovation Legend. Do I miss them? (Uh, yeah).....especially considering the value of 1962 LG-1's right now! And the fact that the Gibson was My Own Mom's's guitar. I voluntered to buy her another one but she had since taken up piano...and "forgave" me. Thing of it was, I knew Who the Blankety-Blanking/ Blankety-Blankers were who ripped-me-off! But was moving out of state (that very day).... Gave the local-police the Models (but was too naiive to have the serial numbers written down). They were never recovered..... So. Plz write down Yer Serial Numbers (as I have since)! And also, "scribe yer name" in a conspicuous (hidden) area on Yer Axes. Guitar Insurance is quite inexpensive too. *sighs*

Please forgive me if I've missed any Tutorials or pertinent earlier threads (I'm a Newbie here). Also, I'm gonna be asking some some stuff and giving some of my opinions (at the same time) which I hope won't be too detailed or confusing. My only experience with finishing a guitar came with a Carvin Bolt-On, Strat-Type Kit which I "made" about 4 years ago. I made some mistakes in the finshing then, lessons-learned, and am about to do another "build." Here's what I have. A Tele-Copy Body (from Musikraft). It's a "Broadcaster" (1 & a half inches thick) and might be Hard (Northern) Ash; Musikraft didn't specify if it was Swamp (soft) or Northern (hard). It weighs 4.8 pounds and is "lighter" in color with no "reddish-ness" which is why I'm guessing it may be Northern. So. Here's what I've decided. I want to tint the body some shade of a Lighter-Gray (with no sunbursting). I also want to use a black tint/stain to bring out the grain. I'm planning to final-coat it with Minwax Wipe-On Polyurethane (based on certain opinions of others/ my tentative conclusion). I've considered Automotive Clear-Coat as well (prolly Dupli-Color, from all I've been hearing, should I go that route?). One advantage of the Minwax Wipe-On is that I'm gonna have to finish this inside (in my bathroom, to be honest about it)! Questions: 1) What kind of prepping (the wood) should I do? Sand to what? sand-paper type/number? Should I use any kind of wood conditioner? 2) As to Staining; I want to do the black first (to highlite the grain), sand that down and then do the Gray-Staining. Right? 3) Filling The Grain; my current plan is to use the Wipe-On-Poly to achieve this..."as many coats as it takes" (the more the merrier, I'm figuring).... 4) Or, should I use a "black gel" Grain Filler (before the Gray-Staining)? ...somewhat perplexed.... So what do y'all think? Did I miss anything "critical?" (Thanx In Advance) rick ><>

Interesting topic. I've got some stuff to add about "myself" and what I've read that the Pros have to say on "Burn Out" and/or a waning-of-creativity. I've been playing guitar since about 1974 (am 48). At first it was just to Try To Learn How (you know, chords at 1st-3rd frets, building up yer callouses, "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young, & so on). After I got all-that down...I started subscribing to Guitar Player (mag) and bought some Guitar Chord & Theory Books. Also, I started getting "albums" (big black giant cd's) by guitarists of all styles...the best of The Best em. Soon, I learned that "I'll never be able tyo play (this or) that!" and kinda gave-up. Right then and there. Not long after that I made-up My Own Rule: If It Ain't Fun, Stop. I've come to learn that---how can I put this?---there are other issues surrounding Guitar Playing.... How Yer Doin, overall (ummm, yeah, that). So. For as long as I have been playing I "should be kinda great." However, tryin to be great ain't no fun unless it's a goal that doesn't intimidate you. Or, otherwise make guitar-playing Un-Enjoyable. Taking it (oh so) "seriously" is another thing I sort of did away with. I'll never "be" Jeff Beck....nor should I wanna be ("should" got taken off my "list" of: Playing-A-Guitar too).... The Pros: Go thru these kinds of things too (they're Ppl also, btw). Jimmy Page didn't even touch a (single) guitar for Nine Months after John Bonham died. Steve Vai talked about how his "Sex & Religion" cd didn't work-out so well (thoh I still liked it ok enuf). It all depends on what yer doing & seeking to do. I've found that when I'm "uninspired" I go, "I'm uninspired" and may not play much till I "feel that" again. And when I do, I somehow suddenly Get stuff I didn't think I could...and discover new ways to play. Since I quit being Oh-So-Serious about playing a guitar I got "good enuf" to do part-time gigs in a Classic-Rock Unplugged Band. Now that was fun (even thoh I was primarily just a Rhythym Player)! Who knew??? Finally, I'm coming out of my longest "uninspired period"....of about the last 4 years of just not playing very much. And just "jammed" with a new Larry Carlton cd a pal gave me: ("Sapphire Blue"). Did I actually just play that jazz-chord??? Yep & Oh-Boy (oh boy)!!! rick ><>

RGGR- Posting a pic (the eBay one) again just for convenience: I don't have it yet. Nor the other non-routed LP Style body (pic'd above some place). They're on the way thoh & should be here next week. Sure, I'll keep you posted! Also, it may be a little while till I actually get to my (whatever this/these guitar/s? are gonna be). I've got a "Tele-Copy" scenario going right now too. Plus some other repairs to do on 2 other guitars, and a banjo! (all mine, btw). See, I haven't mentioned it but; I've sort of recently retaken-up my: "Guitar Stuff Hobby" (including playing)...after not-doing these very much for about 4 years. Anywayz, taking another look at the pic (above)...I'm gonna have to actually see (have, handle & measure) this Basswood, luthier-error mistake, body before I do anything. If it's really (rilly-rilly) off-center...I just may have to do a "top plug-block" as you've suggested, only if-need-be. Otherwise, I'll plug the trem-route & proceed with care & caution; keeping in mind I have never used a router! Once I've made the decisions (and get my new digital camera ta going), I'll start a new thread so y'all can follow along & advize, as needed. Cool? Thanx again.

Yes, erikbojerik, it's unfinished. And, right, I'll mask-tape the neck pocket so I'll get no further "build-up" inside (there). This worked great on the only other guitar I've "made" (a Carvin Bolt-On, Strat-Style Kit). The Carvin neck & body match was *perfect & snug* before & after. Thanx for that reminder thoh! PS- ...if we had a fryin pan...and a stove. Reiterating the importance of: Gettin All-Yer-Yer-Parts Together, ummm, first (before you put the "thing" together)!

RGGR (or anyone else who's been following all-this)- As yer basic Newbie (here at PG)...I keep hearing Ppl say, So, ummm, I checked em out. Under "Body Repair" I found this: Trem to Hard-Tail Conversion That's how I'll plug that Trem-Route in LP-type Body # 1 (above)....

Thanx some more, Frank. I think I've Got The Concept now!

Thanx for that info & input, guitar ed! (or would you rilly-be: "guitared?") In which case: we'd share a common addiction.... In any event, Goodnite, Ed

frank- Thanx.... My eBay seller had this one-piece maple neck as made from Northern Michigan or Canadian Hard Maple. It is a fine piece of wood, having somewhat of a "flamed" effect. Very nice looking, iow. I'm not totally up-to-scale on Fret Materials but these frets seem to be somewhat of a lesser quality as far as what they're made of. But they're well-dressed and an (almost) Jumbo size. I can "ReDress" this issue later, if need be (hehehe). I've done some fret-filing/dressing before.... As to: Yer Other Advice (Gotcha) I wouldn't even think about doing a single thing to my "Musikraft" body as it is Just Oh-So-Fine! (and is compatible with *stock* Tele-Necks) if I'd need to go that route. I "hear" what your're saying and think I'm following. Yet there are two ways of "looking at this." 1) Frontal. Or from the top, so to speak. 2) Side-View. From the (1) Frontal Viewpoint, I see what you are saying as far as the frets go. I probably won't have to sand off so much that it would be a "frets issue." The major point here would be not to make the neck tilt (left or right) if we were viewing it in a Frontal and say, "on a guitar stand" way. In short, the Square of the neck-heel has to remain intact! Side-view (2) gives me other options. Here I could sand only as high as needed without needing to be concerned about the frets. However, this is more intricate work. (You go, s...l...o...w). OK. So my current plan is to score the neck's heel (facing down) with perpindicular lines/either side---that goes with the angle of the heel itself. Put another way, I'm gonna make lines "just under" the size & shape of the neck's heel, going "straight across" the angle that the neck has. These lines will be my Sanding-Guides, so to speak. This should preserve the contour of the Neck & Body "match." Make sense? On the other hand, taking a (1) Frontal View; I could take a T-Square and score it (make a line) squaring-it-off to the heel itself. And, therefore, would be sanding "more off" at the end of the neck; more "off' at the higher-frets. Put another way, I can sand "with" (the existing neck's contour/angle) or: Do it "square" (to the neck-heel base)...where it meets the body. One way---the "with" way---wouldn't change the shape of the neck at all; just making it smaller. The "squared" method would take more off, the higher up the neck I go. Either way would work (measure as you go, not twice, but about a Whole Lot)! Btw, I have some "Luthier's Best Friend" (head-worn magnifying glasses) on the way from eBay....and "our own" Universal-Jems. So I'll wait till then. Thanx again, Frank!

I recently bought a Telecaster-type body from: Musikraft And am very satisfied with the product. "My Tele-Body" has not been made yet. It's just sitting here with what other parts I have ready-to-go for my first (semi-project) solid-body guitar. I came across Musikraft via a Gooogle on "make a Telecaster." Here's what I found: Building A Telecaster, by James V. Roy Like Mr. Roy, I ordered & got a "paint grade" Tele-body which was $85/ and $92 total (with shipping). That's "my post" at the bottom as "Rick C." In any event, Wow, is this a nice body! Unfortunately I don't have a pic to post (just yet, will soon). It is: A Vintage (1950) Broadcaster Body (1 & 1/2" thick) and weighs in at 4.8 pounds. I'm not sure, but have reasons to believe it is Hard (Northern "Baseball Bat" Ash)...judging from the weight, grain & color. Has anyone else used any Musikraft products?

sepultura999 noted- Exactly, and How-So! There are several things to consider too (beyond this). First and foremost, if you have a body & a neck that are made by different companies...don't expect a perfect match. I know this from experience. A lesson very recently learned, as I'm fairly new to this stuff (though I have "assembled" a Carvin Bolt-On Strat-style Kit). Right now I have a Telecaster-Copy body from "Musikraft" (in New Jersey) who's reputation is Very Good...in terms of *stock (Fender)* Tele-necks fitting like a glove. However, I ordered & received a "Mighty Mite Tele-Style" neck off eBay and am currently facing that---the body & neck aren't a Perfect Match. So I'm working on how to resolve this dilemma...first. The neck is too wide at the heel.... Someone else mentioned something to the effect that: The fact is, no they aren't! In the Luthier's Section you will come across (occasional) replacement necks for Les Pauls, which are the Glue-In (standard) LP necks. As far as "(quote) Bolt-On Les Paul Necks (unquote)"....these are few and far between on eBay (and elsewhere) as Bolt-On-Necks are NOT *standard* with Gibsons. In a word, they're Copies. Many an eBay seller lists these necks as "Les Paul." But they almost always never give any dimensions...and do not reply to questions. (Advize: Steer-Away from any of this sort of thing by avoiding it altogether)! I did manage to find an "LP-type bolt-on neck" on eBay which I have on order & is due any day now. The eBay seller was a "builder" and answered all of my questions to my satisfaction; so I bought it. (I also have a couple LP bodies on the way as well...one is not routed at the neck)...so I figure "I'm covered" as I can make the thing fit---one way, or another! So. With any kind of "(so-called) Les Paul Bolt-On Neck"; I'd recommend getting a body to match from the same company and/or seller who can guarantee a "fit." If they don't give Specs, avoid em At All Co$t$, IMO! (Or you'll pay)....

I'm doing a (my very first) "project" for a Tele-Copy and got the body and neck from two different suppliers. Body: It's pre-cut & routed with no holes drilled in the neck heel. From: Musikraft, in New Jersey; this is a very fine & well crafted body from what-all I know and can see. The width at the neck heel is exactly 2 & 3/16ths. Neck: (Unfortunately, it's a Mighty Mite)...I got it off eBay and by the time I had paid for it I realized I'd have done better getting something else/ almost anything other than a Mighty Mite Neck (from all I've been hearing)! Anyway, this neck also doesn't have any holes drilled which is a definate plus. Potential Problem: Though this neck was "listed" as 2 & 3/16ths wide at the heel; it isn't. It's slightly over that by "not a whole lot." Maybe 1/64th (+/-).... Since I'm new at this stuff (though I "made" a Carvin Bolt-On Kit, if that counts?)...I'm confused! Especially since the Carvin Neck had a tight fit into the Body/Heel (nice & snug). I realize that both neck heels & bodies, at least with Fenders, have a gradual taper. What's throwing me off right now is: If I should taper-down this neck equally on both sides till it fits snugly, right? In other words, that's what I need to do? Measuring these "unmatched" pieces of wood I can see that there's a symmetry (in both) that would let me do this without messing up. How do I do that, if this is what I need to do? I'm limited as far as the appropriate (luthier's) tools go. Iow, this job will be done by hand with olde fashioned hand-sanding. My Guess Is: Make perpindiculer-lines---on either side of the neck (underside)---and "sand down to them" using a sanding block....measuring for fit (with a T-Square) as I go. Any advice? (Am I right or wrong?). Thanx, in advance!

RGGR- (makes me wonder about starting a new thread called): My Most Worstest (Ever) Mistake I once glued-on an acoustic bridge perfecly straight, only backwards (and have since made some significant progress on the drinking-problem I had/ Kept-on running out of beer)!!! Till just now only one other person "knew" about this In-Yo-Face-Goof. They say, "Confession's good for the soul." Well, in any event, Gotcha as far as filling up the whole (existing) pup-routes; I shouldn't and/or need'nt. "Partially" epoxying/wood filling doesn't seem like an option either; the (existing) Neck Heel wouldn't line-up.... The intrigue of a "bigger route-out" is, ummm, intriguing. Were you talking a "body thru top" so to speak? That's what I'm thinkin. A slab of a contrasting-color, good tone wood & then clear-coat it....right? A kind of "middle, really thick veneer".... Mahogany or walnut would look sweet with that Basswood shade.... I could always "build" that 1st Guitar Wall Clock with it, if my Frij should suddenly get invaded by beer...... Thanx, Pilgrim, for being a Real-Wilbury!

Yeah, (prolly) that.... PS, Jehle (or would that be "Jelly?").......Ppl regularly mess-up my last name too. Anywayz, as an aside to the thread's topic.... I'm working on my 1st Project Guitar, more or less, and just happened to notice this: Yer Winning! Guitar of the Month (from November, last year)....very nice job! I visited yer website and have tried to find links (to "Amber" here at PG). With no luck. That's a Hipshot bridge, isn't it? (What I'm planning on using). Got a link? (ISO: specs & so on). Thanx, in advance, if ya have the time.

bowser- @ 56K & what-with those "frames"....it was still worth the wait (& the left & right scrollings). Now all's I gotta do is find this stuff. That would be; "if" this would be The Option I Choose (???). So. Keep up the Good Work! PS- Does this stuff fix "roof leaks?" (not rilly, just funnin') but I bet it would......

nor- Now there's another "angle" on things...... I'm assuming yer referring to the "first" (already partially routed) body, pic'd above. But 'thing is; the neck (heel) route & the rest of the routes (pups & partial-trem) are all "exactly in-line." They're just "oblonged" to the body itself. So if I wanted to go wider for a 7-string, it would be "equally wider" on either side. (I hafta match the heel & pups, etc.). Who knows? One of these project-guitars (whichever "one" we're talkin about???) just may wind-up as a 12-String? No? Warmoth has necks for that, I think. Thanx for yer input!