CrazyManAndy

Ditto what's been said. It'll get out before long, I'm sure.

CMA

Just be careful and go slow. Here's how I did it:

CMA

Yeah...stick it to the man...I'm with you wes...plus, I'm lazy

:D

I do like the hair/beard thing, but I am a little lazy, especially when it comes to shaving. Plus I look like I'm 14 if I shave. Baby face.

CMA

I have long hair, it's just a little over shoulder length; I almost always keep it in a ponytail. This is my first time letting it grow long (I'm only 19). I probably won't let it get too much longer. I'm growing a big beard to go along with it.

CMA

I'm kinda concerned as well. My dad has a compressor he's used off and on for quite a few years. From what I know, he only occasionally let it drain. Will the thing explode or something if it rusts enough?

CMA

I'd say it's about two hours away from Charlotte. I need to check that place out.

I've been to the Hardwood Store of NC, they have a lot of stuff (got some flamed maple for a neck from them). I don't know if they have quartersawn, though.

CMA

It's funny how our likes change with our mood. Looking at them again, I like the Tele and the Kaye Sol much more than I did when I voted. The Goldy is also growing on me, due to that absolutely sick finish. I think I was in kind of a down mood last time, lol.

CMA

8/4 = 2" thick

The thickness of a piece of wood is often measured in quarters of an inch, which means: 4/4 = 1", 8/4 = 2", 2/4 = .5", etc.

My dad has a nice DeWalt jigsaw that I use, and it works really well. I personally don't know what to look for in jigsaw (besides the oscillating blade cut), so maybe some others can help out. Try searching, I think there has been at least a thread or two on quality jigsaws.

CMA

I'm curious... How many folks here just can't get a grip on Lindsey Buckingham's Turner Renaissance Model One guitars? For the record, I did not have that guitar in mind at all when I designed mine. The resemblance was pointed out to me well after I had built a few.

I like it, for the most part.

CMA

This was the first month in a long time where I didn't really like any guitar. They were all great of course, as always, but none really tickled my fancy like they usually do.

I agree, Daniel. There are about five guitars that I like for some reason or another, but none really tickled my personal fancy. I think they're still great though.

SwedishLuthier - This is a pretty sweet guitar, something I'd like to play. Has a semi-hollow look to it. And it has the Gretsch-style pickups and Bigsby. All plus factors for me. Great job!

low end fuzz - I think this guitar looks great, and I don't know why! Something bugging me on the body. It might be the maple/padauk wings. I might have liked it better if the wings were all maple (or padauk maybe?). There is some aesthetic conflict going on, but I can't put my finger on it. I actually think the pick-guard looks pretty cool, though.

Hydrogeoman - Awesome job, Greg! Once again you produce a great guitar and a stunning maple neck. I think the headstock looks great. The only thing I'm not feeling is the body, in particular the choice of body wood. I get a furniture vibe from it, for some reason...??? In any case, great job and great guitar.

Kenny - That maple top looks sick! I think the clean look and satin finish work really well. Rock on!

AndyT - That finish is absolutely incredible! Love it!

In the end, though it was a very tough call, I went with SwedishLuthier.

CMA

I use the 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. Works like a charm.

CMA

Them were the days...Rock'n'roll...which way to the stage!!!

"You gotta put a little bit of f***in fairy dust over the bastard!"

LOL!

CMA

I don't think there is any real functional difference, so I imagine either method is fine as long as you keep enough edge on the fretboard to prevent the outer strings from slipping off.

Edit: Looks like you got some better answers.

CMA

Wow, excellent GOTM! Just some quick thoughts.

PSW, I really like this guitar! I'm a sucker for these kinds of projects. The electronic wizardry goes way above my head, but that's what I like about it. Great job!

I'm very impressed with Matt's build. Great choice of woods and the workmanship and design is top notch. Unfortunately, it's just not my style. I certainly see why it is in the lead though.

killemall, great guitar! The woods you used in this build look great and it has a very clean, well done look overall. I'm also a "closet fan" of the explorer shape.

Daniel, the acoustic is beautiful! I would absolutely love to own that guitar. For that reason, I gave my vote to you!

The rest of the builds are great ('cept maybe one or two that I did not like), but I chose only to mention the ones that had the most impact on me. All around great job this month, kudos to all who entered!

CMA

Yeah, I just cut it with a box cutter, sanding side down.

CMA

It's fun to look at.

BTW, someone mentioned...Trussart Guitars. I'm rather fond of some of his designs.

CMA

You can make them yourself with regular pots. Simply scrape a little off the end of the track inside the pot. There is a tutorial on the main page. And you don't have worry about the "click".

CMA

Yes. Generally speaking, when finishing a maple neck with a maple fretboard, you treat the whole neck as one unit.

CMA

You guys need to stop laying your bare wood guitars on the lawn...at least throw down a sheet or a blanket or something...

Lol, I keep thinking the same thing.

Looks GREAT, killemall!

CMA

The door in my bathroom is some kind of wood, I don't know what exactly, but the inside face of the door looks like an elephant's head. I should take a pic.

CMA

Very cool, thanks Rick! One thing though...my spokeshave does not have a flat sole. In fact, it appears to be curved as though it was made that way.

Pics: One Two

Is that normal? Should I file the whole thing flat?

CMA

I use the ~$25 spokeshave from Woodcraft. It's made by Stanley, I think. Wasn't great, out of the package, as I expected, but I took a half hour to tune it up and it's great now.

I did splurge for some nice high-quality handmade rasps, and they're just a completely different tool than the cheap ones.

I bought one of those Stanley spokeshaves as well. I have no idea how to set it up. Know a website or tut that'll clue me in (and maybe a few tips)?

By the way, nice acquisition Mr. Pierce. Feed the TAD!

CMA

I'm not one for that style of guitar, but that thing is going to be rockin' when you get a finish on there! Love the wood. Nice job!

CMA

black side dots

Thank you, sir!

CMA

Yes sir! I was out of town for a bit, I meant to mention that...

I used the Robo-sander to shape the transition between the fretboard and the face of the headstock. There isn't much fretboard left past the nut. In retrospect, I should have gotten the smaller radius Robo-sander for the job. Because of the large radius, I had to go farther into the fretboard than I wanted just to complete the transition. We live and learn. I forgot to photograph the process, but if you really want to see how I did it, go to GuitarFrenzy's Stratocaster tutorial. I used the same process.

After I used the Robo-sander, I smoothed the neck (everything but the fretboard) with 180 grit. Here it is:

The Neck 39 1

The next step is to put in the side dots. I'll have to order the black plastic rod online as I cannot seem to find it locally. I've decided against any sort of fretboard inlay. I like the look of a clean fretboard, and side dots are sufficient place markers.

Once that is finished, I'll probably radius the fretboard.

Does anyone know where I can get the black plastic rod for the side dots (either locally or online)?

CMA