ScottR

This is probably my favorite neck join/heal carve I've seen you do. I'm also pretty sure I'm going to love the the top when you're done.

SR

I have something similar on the 8 string (sir not appearing in this film) it is a pita to do. All access is overrated. Heck I so rarely need to play all those high notes...

This will be the first color top I have done in a while. I just felt that it wasn't stunning enough on its own and it needed something. Lets hope it turns out good. I am not as good at color as Drak.

I disagree about the pita part. It really should be no more difficult than the carves you do on the top and you can get every bit as fast with repetition. I agree that all access is overrated...there are way too many Fender and Gibson players for that to not be true. However, as you once told me, attention to detail and the ability to execute those details is the difference between a backyard builder and a high end luthier. Access aside, a smooth contoured neck join looks much better than an assembly line heel. And it feels a ton better whether it ever gets used or not. You are working on building a brand. This type of join should cost you no more than a couple extra hours--if that, and all by itself will set you apart from 80%-90% of the other custom builders out there. There are more than enough of us out here that can build perfectly playable custom guitars. Your headstock is part of your brand. It does not make your guitars any more playable than Gibson's open book. But it certainly looks cooler and makes your guitars more attractive and desirable. Don't miss an opportunity to set yourself apart and add value to your work (if you don't add a whole lot to the cost, it makes your stuff even more desirable). And really, I'd say your shallow carves on your super thin tops are a lot less forgiving than contouring a neck join would be. There's no reason for it to take a long time or be a pita; hell it's probably my favorite thing to do.

.....Rant over. That perhaps may have been better suited to a PM, but I think it's good advice in general to all aspiring builders. If you don't make what you build unique or better than what's on the market, you might as well buy your next guitar. Lord knows it would be cheaper. (In most senses of the word). RAD's builds are a great example of individualism and improvement on what's available.

As far as not being as good as Drak is at color....who the hell is. His stuff makes a great target to shoot at though.

SR

Okay, so I was reading threads in order and asked my question about this build in you other thread while this was waiting on page two. That's waht I get get for letting a few days go by without checking in.

It's beautiful as always. I'm looking forward to the next set of pics.

SR

I have seen those colors in box elder, but don't have a clue as to how well they hold up after finishing. Have you used this before Simo? Will you be able to keep those great colors?

....and one last question for now....

How did that awesome claro walnut topped best come out?

SR

This is probably my favorite neck join/heal carve I've seen you do. I'm also pretty sure I'm going to love the the top when you're done.

SR

Scott you need to carve out a neck for that think its awsome.

Yeah....and RAD said he'd make a little pup for it too. I'm saving it for when I get really bored.

SR

Hitone, I've always been impressed with the work you've posted. All I can remember have been posted as (beautifully) finished pieces often GOTM submissions.

Thanks for posting progress pics of this project.

I'm gonna enjoy this!

SR

Is it just me or has it been a long time since you posted a lacquer finish? I'm looking forward to seeing this top all shiny. What did you use to grain fill?

SR

This little body was finished with CA as a test project.

SR

Wow, this derailed fast!

Z

SR

I'm looking forward to see how this goes.......

"ZOMG DO THAT."

......and I'm probably too old to know what the "Z" stands for.

SR

Welllll, it doesn't do it for me.......but I can almost guarantee there will be plenty here that think it's great. See OurSouls' Comic-caster.

SR

you know, ive never tried it, but from what ive read on various places it just gives the upper strings more twang and the lower strings less twang. its also how hendrix had it, so that makes it like what, 10 extra bonus points?

just thought id give it a try. maybe i can find some example clips!

everything ive read about it has been good though

Huh. I would expect the opposite result. But you are correct in that would be exactly what you get if you reversed the strings like many left handers do.

SR

It's a good project, but I don't get the benefit of the reversed angle on the bridge pick up.

SR

This is coming along nicely and looking great. The carve looks excellent. These shots make the back look pretty thick. Are you going to carve that too, or have the chambers taken away that option?

SR

You got a part there that makes me think you're building a gun stock every time I see it. Then you put that big dowel in it and it goes back to being in an amp stand. Good stuff--carry on.

SR

Mostly jointers. Also hand planes and even sandpaper glued to a flat surface like a glass plate or table saw table, or a router table.

SR

Exquisite instrument. Love every detail of it.

Congratulations !

What is your "route down" headstock ? Got any detailed pics ?

What he said!

SR

Well, that certainly was a beautiful guitar....

And that pick-up combo ought to be awesome...

I don't know if I could get off the fence easily either, but I could certainly see a lean developing towards the '54.

SR

There you are. Big pictures and no more than 4 per post. Happy now ?

Yes indeed, thank you very much.

When routing the binding channel, was it difficult to stay on top of that cone shaped platform around the bit?

SR

That looks similar to some of finishes Killemall has done. I think his had something like a metalic base coat and then a candy coat that he pressed wadded up cellophane into. Do a search on his builds from a couple of years ago and you should at least get started in the right direction.

SR

Very clean work Josh.

SR

If you want to play it safe, you could put your logo on as long as it said, in small type, "Customized by". You could go further and use something like "Schecter customized by". No one except total guitar geeks is going to notice the small type. With them you would be displaying your honesty as well as your work.

+1

I was thinking the exact same thing as I read the OP.

SR

OK. so its up for GOTM this month, lets see ho it does. Then next month ill throw up my green quilted satch with the gold trem, pups, tuners & walnut neck. plain this month VS flash next month. see which does best. Might be interesting or not

Oh, it's always interesting.

Good luck with both Paulie.

SR

You need bigger pictures.

click on them

Doh!

Why didn't I think of that?

I'm lazy, so I don't click on all of them. It's just a more enjoyable read if you don't have to click on them to see them. Call me spoiled. RAD's threads got better when he went to the bigger pics. Blackdog is an amazing builder, so I want to see it all.

Yeah, I know....click on them.

SR

This is an excellent build thread, highly detailed and full of facts and background information and history. Plus your top shelf craftsmanship.

So I'm going to repeat a comment Killemall made to RestorationAD.

You need bigger pictures. Seriously, they don't need to be huge, the size the thumbnails point would be fine. Unless you've got a really good reason for not doing so....

SR