Jump to content

JayT

Established Member
  • Posts

    249
  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    5

Everything posted by JayT

  1. I've always preferred painted guitars over stained, maybe because I grew up watching at all those 80's metal bands and all the crazy paint jobs. But the longer I spend looking at the materials used by most builders here I think my tastes might be changing. This is some incredible looking stuff!
  2. I’ve started the pick guards, just need to drill screw and controls holes...not sure how I’m going to do the switch slot...maybe dremel after sitting with these together I’m sure they need an arm contour...coming soon! also I super glued my ring finger and middle finger together solid in a freak (careless) cap accident. That was not fun,
  3. is there a link to this? sounds interesting
  4. Not sure if is the correct forum, but how simple would the electronics be without volume or tone controls? Not even sure its practical at all... I ask because (1) I've no experience in electronics and am about to do it first time and (2) I like simplicity. This occurred to me because my friend's band has a new album coming out and watching the new song video today I noticed the lead guitarist's guitar has zero knobs. Here's a screen-shot from video: not the greatest pic and the video moves so fast hard to really tell what's going on, so I found this pic online: I did research on this and found an interview that answers why: It does a switch, but only one pick-up...I guess it's an ON/OFF switch? Does it make any sense to want to build a guitar like this? Either way, interesting I thought
  5. Thanks for saying so! This is exactly what I was shooting for -- and in my mind I think I succeeded at least somewhat. I played this game with myself where I thought about a design which I could photoshop into 60's/70's iconic rock band pictures and have it look era appropriate but unfamiliar ... dumb I know, but this sort of time-wasting is what I consider as fun. Me too. In holding it as-is I don't think it'll dig into my armpit -- but I play (if you can call it that) sitting in the casual position rather than the classical so that helps. More likely that upper back corner is going to be an elbow-banging hazard. I'm considering adding an arm contour (like a Strat) but that might make the corner sharper...
  6. I decided to screw in (almost) everything before painting and glad I did, it seems like the end of this project is fast approaching...surprisingly both necks are dead-on straight which I was worried about...probably thanks to the laser my mother-in-law got me 10 years ago for hanging pictures level - first time I ever used it was for this project I did have to clean off all the leaked battery corrosion but fired up no problem after that. Now I want to play these guitars! Once I put the pick guard template on it pretty much looks like my mockups...that's pretty satisfying I confess
  7. Impressive! You’ve inspired me to get some chisels for shaping carving
  8. That's smart...or I'm dumb for not thinking of such an obvious solution. Thanks! I guess I should do this once most hardware is installed, at least the tuning pegs
  9. There are some pretty amazing designs made from only circles ... maybe check crop circle images for inspiration. Some of them are very pleasing, although maybe too complex. They could be altered/simplified easily -- for strength reasons at the holes would probably need to be spaced further apart than these examples: Good luck, I'm interested on seeing what you settle on!
  10. I'm more concerned that the paint & clear coat will just cover the smaller holes and I'd have to re-drill them anyway. Or maybe stick tool picks in there? That seems labour intensive with all the holes and all the coats. I saw on some old threads there are ways of protecting the finish from chipping while drilling holes. tape over hole location, drill through tape very slowly hand turn bit backwards to get through finish (using drill press ) both of the above Now I'm also concerned about the scratch plate holes not lining up if drilled before painting. And trying to find the perfect/balanced spot for strap button. The tail button should be easy, just in center...but how would one test balance without a top horn or pre-existing button there? I was just going to eye-ball it to where it looked right. Is that a bad non-plan?
  11. Drilled holes for neck,...questions, with the recessed screws I came within 3 millimeters of the back of the finger board. Is that too deep? Maybe I need shorter screws? So glad I didn’t contour the back heel! I’m pretty much ready to sand and finish the body...should I drill the small holes for pick-guard, pickup face plate, etc before I paint or after? And strap button holes?
  12. ^ This...I can relate, but not to the results of your work. So good!
  13. Success! Thanks again for all the tips and advice. I know these are baby steps to you guys, but to me they’re all firsts!
  14. good point, how did I not think of that? I wanted the ElectroSocket style but settled on these $2.00 plates for the first builds. Incidentally, the only other person to get these and post a picture was this guy. There's no reason to have the input sticking out like this, right? I experimented with and could easily get it pretty much flush...what is this guy doing? Is his hole not deep enough? I watched a video of 2 guys drilling all the connecting holes from the plugin hole...a straight shot from the jack, to the control cavity to both pick-ups. That was pretty cool but it took 2 guys to get it perfect and an impact drill. Ah, another great point that didn't occur to me! See, it's these little details that might just keep me off the ledge Oh, I never added the string-ground hole to the bridge. I think I need this but not 100% sure. I'm not even sure what grounding is to be honest...something to do with not killing yourself in general terms, but I think in regards to guitars it is more of an interference/buzz reducer...right?
  15. This weekend I finished up the cavities, and connecting them. Plus I made the template(s) for the pick guard (a few reject attempts but finally got something pretty good will know when I cut the actual plastic)...not to mention built a router table for my new router since it doesn't fit the old table I got free with used router that blew up. But now I've discover a (another) flaw in my design and could use some member's expertise. The jack cavity placement...I'm not sure what to do here. originally I envisioned position 'A' ... but not sure if that distance is too far (for the wiring and/or actually drilling a straight, centered hole to the controls) I want to use 'A' but came up with 3 other options... Please excuse the crudity of this model as I didn't have time to build it to scale or paint it. -- Doc Brown, 1959 option 'D' not pictured in my mockups, but would be something like a Jaguar input on the the face. I think I can pull off 'A' but with everything on this build "I don't know what I don't know" ... maybe I can't think of a huge pitfall with this approach? I don't think theres enough room for the electronics in 'C' ... Thoughts, opinions? As always ---> Thanks in advance!
  16. I don't think so this time, since that for sure happened last time when I forgot/overlooked tightening sufficiently (pretty sure I only hand twisted that time). I've been taking extra care to remember to use the provide wrench and torque down pretty hard. EDIT: possible the bearing wasn't 100% secured...that didn't occur to me. I'll check for sure since I added another to the bit just before. The router I have (wen rt6033) uses an insert to fit my 1/4 inch bits ... ... maybe that's problematic, but again I don't think so. Here's the (3/4 rad) I was using... I suspect operator error. No, the template wasn't cut into. No I didn't do a full-depth cut ... I read someplace that you could go as deep as the width of the collet. So I was going 1/4 inch each pass, In fact, this gouge happened AFTER the cavity was finished, removed the template after 2nd of 4 passes. Once done I thought the cavity needed to be "cleaned-up/smoother" and did one last pass ... possible I hit the plunge release, or released too much ... or was pressing too hard against the wall on the "clean-up" pass (or likely all three) I also do use a forster bit to hog out bulk...though not the the extent you show! What I did was hog-out with a 3/4inch bit then chisel out the remaining "points". When I tried to hog out overlapping anther hole the bit would slip into the hole. I remedied that somewhat by pressing in really slow AND changing out to smaller bits, but still went to the chisel to flated out the wall...which I discovered isn't ideal as I tended to graze the face of the body by accident and/or lay the chisel on top which has obvious potential consequences. Lessons learned: slow down! remove more bulk reduce routing depth/increase passes make sure bearing lock is secure thanks to all for the help, pointers & tips!!!
  17. Routing cavities, first one went no problem...2nd one again router issues! How does a flush bit with 2 bearings dig into the wall? but I made a little plug (not putty despite that being my first instinct) worked fine but wish I thought of grain matching at least a little. turned out ok...going to one painted and under pick guard so no BFD I suppose. Rounded hard edges and carved belly cut tonight carving is easily my favorite part of this process
  18. A bit of progress...every cut is nerve wracking at this point :) and who knew drilling 6 straight, perpendicular holes is near impossible? Even with a drill press. I saw some videos after the fact on how to do it...pretty labor intensive. Anyway, I’m inching towards the finish line
  19. No, I guess it was a (another) measurement mistake...but ended up helping alining the neck (seemingly anyway) & I’ve already trimmed it also did 2nd body neck pocket, this one went way smoother and got that snug fit that holds the weight of the body...starting to take shape! I even found time to make a cavity template, but am not sure how deep to make each one. Researching tomorrow
  20. I got new router so decided to finally do the neck pocket. I’ve been putting this off for a while... all was going ok... Did 4 passes with router, getting closer to desired depth each time...being careful...then 1/2 way through final pass something happened...the bit dropped loose or I hit the plunge thumb lock...not sure disaster...I knew it. Figured might as well level it all to that new depth. Once I calmed down and left the room with all the sharp stuff I collected myself and tried this fix (no idea if right move but it is what it is) i made a shim...like 6mm, glued & clamped....looks ok, nice tight fit. there are more clamps but I didn’t get too many pictures due to barely subdued rage :) at least I a 2nd build on deck either way I guess. Live and learn
  21. You glossed over the "neck heel cut away" part...any chance you can elaborate? I've never done this before. Did you just route down to desired thickness then round off the lip? That's my plan but like I said...I have little idea what I'm doing. oh, and great work!
  22. I'm thinking of my next project and saw this guitar, I'd like to do something similar. I can't make out the logo and don't recognize the body or head shape...anyone? original pic: https://thesesubtlesounds.com/mary-prankster-makes-her-raucous-return-at-the-ottobar/
×
×
  • Create New...