Pariahrob

A little more done today. Router cavities for pups and tuner access and broke out the file for the bevel. 

Mall good except my template slipped and I took a small chunk out of the top next to the front pup route. Only 3mm deep and about the same wide but so annoying. 

Move cut it square with a chisel and will fit a piece from the top to repair. I’m hoping it won’t be noticeable but still kicks by myself. 

So got some more stock in. A few black limbs blanks, curly maple tops and neck laminated. Plus this lovely ovangkol top. Looks like this has been chosen by a client for a Strat build. 

Well damn you! Now I ‘need’ a pink superstrat! 

Sorry, Had to get that off my chest. 

Right then! Made some progress today. This in between finishing off another jazz bass and a corvette. 

The body is coming along. Mostly been laying things out and deciding if what my templates say look right in the flesh. Mostly yes so here I’ve marked out the bevel. 

Then cut the trussrod channel and drilled the access hole. Part router part chisels.  Bit tricky but lots of double checking saw me through. 

Final job for today was marking up the neck pocket. I tend to do this based on the neck rather than template for the best fit. Funky laser fun times! I’ll probably end up casting a mould for this and then route using that. 

Plan is for a 21mm pocket so the fretboard sits above the body. That will mean recessing the bridges but that was the plan all along. 

Onwards!

Yep.  Guilty as charged. 

Thanks. Lookinglt lovelier still. Got the top on but forgot to take any photos. Will do so tomorrow. Needs a little tidying but overall ok. 

Derail welcome! All good knowledge. 

I got a bit more done today. Started routing the body. Coming along fine. 

7 hours ago, Prostheta said:

Looks like there's a brass or phosphor bronze washer between those also, unless that's part of the mechanism/body.

Good spot! There is a brass washer there too. 

Waiting for some glue to set so thought I’d actually open my t4m package and have a closer look. Excellent build quality. Now just need to work out my install process!

Oh exotic can be good. I use David Dyke too. Always useful to learn of new sources. 

Got my top jointed. I’d really have liked to get rid of the darker area down the join but my blank just didn’t allow for it. 

still. It’s a nice looking top!

Very nice and that’s a great technique. 

Just out of curiosity, who do you get your timber from? 

Ha! I’ve been saying the same thing. I actually borrowed this one from a friend. I really should make my own!

Making a start on the actual build now. Neck roughed out and truss rod in. Different to most of mine as this is headless so had to drill the access hole in the end. Not a problem but had a moment of worry thinking it might not line up. Lucky it did!

The body is jointed and now so is the top. Here’s my ‘arty’ shot taken mid way. Shooting board and plan method. Not as quick as using a jointer but oh so satisfying. 

away tomorrow but Wednesday I’ll route the body and get the top glued on!

Good week in some ways not so in others. 

So ive has to put more time into normal repair work than I’d like. Basically had to make a replacement neck for a Warwick. Went well but really wanted to get going with this. 

The t4m bridges and head pieces arrived. Gorgeous craftsmanship, so thanks Alberto!

also got my templates from the laser cutters and very happy with them. 

Plus got my timber in and prepped. Swamp ash body. Curly maple top and wenge neck blank. 

i also got a new bandsaw so really need to today my workshop! I’m on the first floor of an old mill you can see the crane by my double doors. Very useful indeed!

Got to love the swamp ash. Lovely clean build and plenty of photos! No problem there. 

Stunning guitar!

Gorgeous wood you have there. Shame we have to wait until March to see more!

I think I’ll risk it for now. The battery install will be on the cavity cover so easy enough to replace should I ever need to. I like the visual charge indicator too. Useful for this who lose track of when a battery was last changed!

Alberto is such a helpful guy too. He sent tech drawings over so I could plan properly as well as suggesting some useful ideas. I’m going to keep the neck level with the body and recess the saddles. I think that’s the most elegant solution for this model. If it doesn’t pan out I’ll just have to reasses down the line. 

Nothing to show but thought I’d share my pickup decision. This is going to have a set of modern fish man fluence humbuckers and a rechargeable battery pack. Master volume and tone and a three way toggle. 

Ive not these before but I think they should suit the ethos of this build. I hope!

i wonder if the 200+ hours per charge is accurate. I did wonder about having a USB port on a guitar but I think that’s the Luddite part of me. 

Ive also got some single string bridges and head pieces coming from t4m so excited to try them out. 

Oh man! Speedy recovery I hope. 

I use a similar planing jig and never thought to use tape either. I might try it. Much more efficient than the wedges I’ve been using. 

Hey @curtisa Thanks for the input. I would love to take more out of the upper chamber but I'm going to have a fairly big bevel across the top of the body and wanted to minimise the risk of cutting through and leaving a gaping hole!

Totally agree about the horn cutaway though. It's been adjusted since I posted that drawing and now has a little more room to breathe.

Yep. I use acrylic as a master. It can so easily heat up and warp when a router bit is hot. 

Agree about flipping for guides. Makes accuracy better. 

@Stu.I was thinking of having a thin layer of walnut between the swamp ash and maple. Agree that could look ace. 

As for laser cutting I’m ahead of you there. I’ll make the prototype by hand and if it pans out as hoped I’ll get some made. My quote for two body templates and a neck template was £75 on good thick acrylic. Not bad. That included etching working guides like centre lines and fret positions. 

Doing things a bit differently this time and drawing everything on the computer. Will print This our, glue it to mdf or acrylic then cut templates. 

So far I have three drawings done. A neck, body outline and this for cavities etc. 

Depends on the player. Thumb space might be an issue for some but ask Tosin Abasi. He seems to donok with a neck pocket that goes to the 12th fret on the bass side!

3 hours ago, Prostheta said:

I'll answer from an more oblique angle; if this is going to become a regular model then consider which is the easiest to replicate reliably. It is an answer from the soulless depths of manufacturing economy I guess. 

The voice of reason! Very good point indeed.