mistermikev

"I understand that carbon fibre necks..." 

"I know for sure that Crimson guitars use both"

roger that... feel free to comment on things I DON"T say!    Perhaps you are having your own conversation over there!

yeah, no, carbon fiber rods might be a good idea too.  also carbon fibre is not like bret favre.

"Rods are apparently round. "

https://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Truss_Rods/Carbon_fiber/Carbon_Fiber_Neck_Rods.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2020-04-gp&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy62k6JDH6AIVF8RkCh37wAP7EAQYASABEgKq7fD_BwE

stew mac, bitterroot, and the entire guitar community does not agree with you, but for the record I do... rods are round. 

Just now, Bizman62 said:

I know for sure that Crimson guitars use both, it's been both said in the Q&A and shown in their build videos. According to them there's no issue. Truss rods are much tougher than carbon fibre rods. Crimson used them also in their fret leveling files at some point and bending a file epoxied on a thick block of high quality tonewood (they use offcuts) sure requires some force!

I was referring to an entirely carbon fibre neck, but it sounds like you are talking about rods?

I understand that carbon fibre necks tend to not have a truss.  I suppose a truss rod probably wouldn't do much in a neck like that.  The other issue is I like really low action... I suspect this sr800 would be fine as is if I lifted the action but then I really wouldn't like it.  make it out of ebony and it'd probably be too heavy. 

I imagine there is a reason ibanez stopped making necks of that shape/size.  much like the newer jems... probably not ideal for mass mfg.  a certain percentage is just going to have problems. 

one of my fav basses is an 88?ish ibanez sr800 beautiful ash body and headstock overlay but it's nothing blow your mind.  The neck on it feels like a toothpick and it needs constant adjustment (despite being an early 3 piece lam) but it is like nothing else I've ever tried.  Seriously you play this and instantly know why soundgear dominated in the 80's/90's.  The new ones are not even close and I suspect the specs will bear that out... (newer soundgears are 1.5" - 1 7/16" nut width, 7/8" thickness @ 1 )

so for curiosity sake, and for hopes of someday building a more stable version of this neck... I took measurements of the profile and thought I would share it.

yup, incredibly thin.  My measurements were ending at the fretboard itself so there is likely 1/32 to 1/16 more there... but I'm measuring 23/32 deep and only 1 3/8 inches wide at the 1.  not much more depth at the 12 and only 1 5/8.  so... I believe that's about typical nut width for a jazz bass but thinner profile. 

so... if you had to build this neck knowing that quarter sawn maple wasn't going to be ridgid enough... what do you think?  multi (5+)piece lam enough?  wenge/maple?  need graphite stiffeners?

also am curious... have any profiles (guitar OR bass) that really worked for you?

you don't waste any time do ya!  right on.  looks like some noice gtr makin's there.

6 hours ago, komodo said:

Sure, I use Adobe Illustrator. Mostly as I'm a graphic designer by trade and use the full Adobe suite every day.

It's not an octopus anymore, it;s the unknowable, shall not be named, ancient evil of HP Lovecraft's Cthulhu.

The center bit was grabbed from the web, I had it a long time ago to use for a custom bottle cap design for one of my beers. The original design was the octopus, but realizing that I wanted the Lovecraft / Cthulhu, it was a good fit and better than I would've done. It was vector art, so after I brought it into Illustrator, it wasn't hard to make the tentacles, as single lines to get the adjustment just right. Then, apply a brush to them and adjust the point size of the line as desired, Once, I had it nailed, then create outlines of the paths and combine everything so it was a shape.

you caught me off guard with unknowable.  thanks, I needed a laugh!

right on - you make it look/sound easy.  thanks for the info, I do appreciate.

26 minutes ago, ScottR said:

That will work. The preferred method is to mix the dye with the solvent for the medium in use, which in this case would be lacquer thinner. Remember that it is an additive process. Each coat darkens what is already there.

Also, if it is your first time, do not be alarmed at how dull and matte the tinted coats look. They'll go to transparent gloss as soon as you spray a layer of clear lacquer over them. Finally, make sure you enough enough clear layers over your tinted layers. You do not want to get into the tinted layers when you are leveling.

SR

right on.  Idk if keda has any issues being mixed with lacquer thinner... I know  it mixes with either alcohol or water so will research that.  Good info afa dull.  Already one step ahead afa clear layers under.  Had already thought of that as was anticipating - if things go wrong - might need to restart the burst part and don't want to effect the yellow under... but thanks for confirming I'm on the right trail!

so... if I may... how did you draw that octopus?  by that I mean, what tool did you use?  fretboard looks great btw.

30 minutes ago, ScottR said:

I get accused of that from time to time. Like you say- it bothers me not at all!

SR

I feel like the back might be mocking me tho... "You'll not top this!".  ok.  we'll see. 

going to try to do a cherry burst with a preval kit and some watco lacquer and aniline dye - any advice on that?  I'm guessing you just mix the dye w alcohol, let it sit for a while, and drop some in with the lacquer?

I fear this may be the dreaded "back eclipses front" build for me... but not a bad problem to have at all.

not that you need another 2 cents on this... but

if the neck is diving... and this were mine... I'd move the upper strap pin closer to the centerline of the guitar.  basically on the back of the heel.  or move the tail pin further from centerline.  It'd be a shame to add a piece of metal imo because the guitar is so beautiful and that would foul it for me. 

also, I'm a big fan of the sg and most I've owned had neck dive.  I've replaced tuners (obviously not an option here) to some success... and used straps with raw leather back to minimize it.  had gone with bigger metal knobs to weigh down that side.  at one point I had added some sinker(fishing) weights to the ctrl cavity.  I hate to add weight to a guitar but I'd hate more to do something that would visually compromise it. 

just one a holes two cents. 

that's probably a better way to do it.  last couple builds I wanted to change the color at the last min cause the wood was pushing me in a dif direction... but I wouldn't let myself because "I set out to do this... I'm doing this!"  who do I think I am?  babe ruth?  just go w the flo.

like that silver(ish) look to it.  looking fwd to watching your progress.

15 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

Hey, things happen! And having built such a beauty you're allowed to be a little confused.

The meter of "Rose" seems to vary, the first notes I found said 2/2 but truth to be said I've never really understood the difference between the two.

"I can't be held responsible for things I say and/or do... also... I'm not good with numbers... and letters... and things people say"

15 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

Seriously? Yellow Rose of Texas is 2/2, Tennessee Waltz 3/4.

Wouldn't it be better if we both edit our posts starting from where you first said the name of the piece...

yes lets go back... also apparently yellow rose is 4/4.  well, on the bright side that confirms that this was NOT yellow rose!

6 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

I could have sworn it was the Tennessee Waltz. Well, it's your native music, not mine...

now that you mention it... I think you are right.  (I'm senile).  I learned it from a "master class with albert lee" book about 20 years ago.  It was an off the cuff recording of him that doesn't appear on any of his albums.  in my defense... both  are waltz!

13 minutes ago, Bizman62 said:

The opening tune? Yellow Rose of Texas? Well I'll be damned! I even got the state wrong...

yup.  big albert lee fan here.  this is about the only thing I've ever heard him do that I can actually play!

sometimes I wish I had kids... so I could make them build kewl guitars!  haha.  looking good.  looks well planed after all.  nice job.

verry nice.  if I did my guitar oustide with no protection like that... it'd have 2lb of dust bunnies by the time I took it in!  looks lint free and coming along nicely!

Just now, Muzz said:

You are welcome Mike, the forum is such a wealth of expertise and support, great to meet you, you will get so much lasting pleasure from your new guitar

tru dat.  on all levels.  many here responsible for all I know.

I've been playing this guitar non stop!  getting my investment back!

4 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

Holy Mackerel, Kid! First I'd like to thank you for that beautiful intro, it totally made me stop and listen. I already had my mouse pointer ready to jump forward after a few seconds but you really did justice to the looks and sound properties of the guitar. Was that your own arrangement of the classic? If so, I'd like to get an album full of those! Very refreshing to hear something else than metal in a guitar demo.

thank you biz.  that is 'yellow rose of texas' by albert lee.  doesn't sound very hard -like his typical stuff... but all over the place he does doublestop slides where he changes the distance between the two notes he's sliding.  still learning that song 20 years now!  thanks -you are very kind. 

4 hours ago, Norris said:

 

I'm thinking of calling it "Patience"

when i first started partscaster building I would always rush at the end and screw something up. actually had to learn myself to not do that. harder than it looks right(being patient)!

2 minutes ago, ScottR said:

I meant to mention...that I love the F-hole.

That sounds so dirty...

Which in a guitar is actually a good thing.

It's good to hear from @Muzz. He once had the distinction of authoring the longest running thread, POINTY STICK, I do think @Norris has probably usurped that honor by now though.

SR

well thank you sir!  It was a great improvement over my last attempt for sure!

Norris - literally rofl

Just now, Muzz said:

Fantastic features on the guitar, it also looks and sounds gorgeous

(I'm out of likes... but I tried!)

thank you sir.  Means a lot to me - the support I get from members here... and the tips/tricks... so can't say thank you enough.  Don't know if I've interacted with you before but if not - nice to meecha!

sorry, I never did post pics of my bench (I'm senile) but I just assumed EVERYONE saw them in my over documented build threads!  haha! 

look forward to seeing your bench jaycee.