freekhed

Great work and looks like an awesome, meaningful project!

A few coats of Danish.... http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i137/dmt...se/IMG_0400.jpg http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i137/dmt...se/IMG_0406.jpg

Cool. Nice clean work there. I like how the 2 pieces of ash are a bit 'different' .....

Agreed! Very engaging build. I vote tiger eye, but can you post a better (clear coat) pic of the blue just for kicks?

I really want a tele template too! I'd be willing to split the cost of the Ron Kirn template with you if you decide to go that route (I'm serious, PM me). Too bad it doesn't come with a neck template...I actually have a tele neck template, but the headstock profile is SO NOT accurate. This guy gives you a neck template: http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/teletemplates.htm I'm sick of making my own templates. ~

Oh WOW! that's a beautiful neck! Rosewood? What are the side dots there? Thks for sharing, as I was planning on doing something totally similar.

I've searched the forum and found little bits and pieces on trussrods, but thought it might be nice to see what ya'll prefer using and why? All I've ever used are the 2-way truss rods, found at Stew Mac or LMII. The last batch of rods I bought from LMII were my favorite so far....seemed like better quality steel, good and tight threads for turning, etc. I've been debating using a 'traditional' 1-way rod for my next build, just to try it out. However, I'm not sure exactly how/if the rod needs to be 'bent' when you install it or not, plus add the filler strip and trimming and it just seems an overwhelming science and hassle. I saw these recently: http://www.alliedlutherie.com/truss_rods.htm The Mark Blanchard improved ones seem very cool: Stainless Steel. Anybody ever used one? I know some people here make their own and kudos to them! If you were going to make a 1-piece maple neck, a la fender, and install the rod from the back, what rod would you use?? How would you do it?

That looks awesome man! Love the design and that paduak looks so cool......are you having troubles with the padauk BLEEDING into the maple when you sand it at all?

The last guitar I built has one giant chamber...no wood under the bridge or pickups. It feeds back WAY too much...so much so I don't even want to play the damn thing. So this might work out wonderful!!

Hmmm...no stain it is then. Tru-oil does have a bit of 'amber' in it anyway. Hopefully I'll have some updated pics the end of this weekend.

I did email Jim and inquire about using a 27" inch scale....didn't want to step on any toes, so to speak. I guess you can't patent/copyright scale lengths...as apparently there are several 27 scale baritone guitars out there, or so I have learned. I live in the Bay Area, Ca. now. I'd love to move to the Portland area after school Hopefully I'll own a Swan one day....when I get a real job! So how should I STAIN this sucker??? Maybe I shouldn't stain it, and just put Tru-oil all over it! I wish I had a spray booth....

I like how far you set that neck in. THat's gonna look hot! You're gonna contour the top, I take it? Filtertrons?? Powertrons?? Doesn't Malcolm only use a bridge pickup? Please post some pics of the contour evolution, I love those kinda pics!!

Interesting. Why so many chambers? Looks like swiss cheese.

... you never answered the question as to what is the balck accent line made out of.

Got her strung up for a test fit today: ALL the strings fit on the fretboard! Plays really well with a borrowed nut and really rough frets. I'm diggin the cedar neck although it's huge right now at about 1" thick at the 12th. I think I'll trim her down a bit. Also, the Z90's I was planning to use will not work: string spacing at the pickups over the magnets is off. I'll most likely contact Mr. Biltoft for some custom pickups or use his blade style pickups. Here's some pics and please excuse the PINK towel.