indieinked

Well, you could always make a matching wooden tailpiece. I opted for string thru ferrules though.

I might even be able to make a tailpiece out of metal...

Thanks for the suggestion, I think I may try it

But then it wouldn't match the bridge so well, now would it?...unless you make the bridge out of metal as well. Furthermore, do you have the resources to get metal chrome or nickel plated, should make a metal tailpiece. Take these factors into consideration.

I guess so, and taking more thought to it I decided on using ferrules instead.

One question about the bridge you made though... Where did you get the posts for it? Or at least what would they be called so I can look around to get them?

I have to say that wood for the fretboard is pretty spiffy I like it

Well, you could always make a matching wooden tailpiece. I opted for string thru ferrules though.

I might even be able to make a tailpiece out of metal...

Thanks for the suggestion, I think I may try it

Here's a picture of the one I was referring to:

Basically, I took a block of rosewood, cut it to size(and rounded the sides for the tune o matic look), drilled holes for the posts, and routed a slot for a bone saddle that I had made. To get the saddle to fit tight, I rubbed it with wax, filled the slot it fit into with some epoxy, then pressed the saddle into the slot. Then I cleaned off everything that was pressed out of the slot and left it to dry. Once it was dry, the wax allowed me to pull the bone saddle out of the epoxy(although it takes some effort, I needed to use a set of pliers). All you have to do then is file the saddle for the propper intonation, slot it, and put it back into the bridge.

peace,

russ

Ohhh thanks that's really helpful

I might just try that

I'm assuming the strings would have to come through the body though?

You could make a tom style bridge with a bone saddle. That's what I did on a mini guitar I'm building, because I couldn't find a small enough metal bridge.

peace,

russ

Thanks

But how would I do that? I'm kinda new to all this...

For my first build I'm going to need a 5 string bridge.....but all I can seem to find are bass bridges which are wayyyy too big to use on an electric mandolin.

Perhaps there is a way to convert a 6 string into a 5 string? I dunno

I've already got the measurements that I needed.... I think

A new work-in-progress should be coming up soon

The measurements would be the same on both acoustic and electric mandolines, and it's just (although not as much as with guitars) personal preference as well.

If you can wait for a bit I could do some measurements on my mandoline if you want.

That would be great if you could Thanks

Try a new instrument cable. I bet yours is simply damaged and has a short somewhere in it.

Actually I have, several of them.

After a bit of researching I found that others who had the same amp have had this problem...so that has to be it.

I had posted a thread on this before... and not sure where to put it. But this time I have a more specific question.

Wouldnt the nut measurements on a mandolin be the same if I were to build an electric mandolin? If so, does anyone know where I could get these measurements? Fretting the instrument is my top concern right now...

I play basically anything from old rock to punk rock... looking at a marshall 50watt that seems to be good due to it's ratings on musiciansfriend.com

spazzyone- the only problem I have with mine is a popping noise while playing which lowers the volume every so often. I have a feeling it's the speakers...since everything else on it works fine and the sound is clear as ever with headphones plugged in.

Also, I have a line 6 POD so effects built into another amp wouldnt really be needed.

So you want a new amp? Can't go wrong with marshall IMO.

I'm also not sure whether to go with a tube or solid state amp...but Marshall was one of the ones I was looking at...

Just wondering what some of you guys would recommend as far as an amp... My guitar's a Fender Standard Telecaster and the Line 6 amp I have now just isnt cutting it (really bad popping noises and volume problems...not sure whats wrong with it...)

(The amp I have now is a Spider II 75watt)

What guitar is it? Maybe we can help you find out what wood it's made of. And I agree that making a new body would be a fun project. You could use alder or basswood, that would make it a lot lighter.

It's a "Baja" beginner guitar that I've had for two years now...

Changing the body is definitely an option and could be a great way to introduce yourself to guitar making.

Are you sure the body isnt already wood?

My mum thought for ages that my guitar was plastic, just because there was no wood on show under the thick black poly lacquer.

I just looked it up, and it is indeed wood. But it doesnt say what kind of wood. Just 'hardwood'.

Possibly the wood it's made of is just heavier than others? Because I have picked up other guitars that were much lighter than mine.

Thats why I'm not so sure about getting a kit. I want to get something better, not worse than what I have now. I mean, I'm used to the frets on my guitar now... there doesnt seem to be a problem with them. The most I'd have to do to modify mine is replace the pickups. Unless I wanted a wood body...which I'm not so sure is possible...

It has a bolt on neck... so changing the body may be another option? As I said, it's too heavy

I understand. I'm new to this game as well and if you don't already have the tools, building gets expensive very quickly - at least in terms of up front costs. That's part of my ramp up right now as well.

As far as body blanks, there are many vendors out there. I was very happy with my purchase from Mammoth Guitars. The blank looks great, the price was excellent and I was very impressed with their level of service - very attentive and responsive. They are also an Allparts dealer and participate on this forum.

That does seem a lot easier than joining peices yourself

The only problem I have with my guitar now is the weight. It gets very tiring to hold while playing for a while, I think the body's solid....plastic If I could somehow pick up a tele or something with a thinner body I'd be good to go...

Perform a search on saga and you should come up with several threads related to these kits. (In case you haven't noticed it, the search link is at the upper right of the page). Here's one where a poster indicated that the hardware was less than ideal:

Saga Thread

I'd most likely end up replacing most of the hardware anyway...

If I had the money I would be attempting to build my own custom guitar... but I have no idea how much that roughly costs for the wood and everything.

I'm thinking about getting one of those SAGA kits to build my second guitar... since I have no experience in building whatsoever. The guitar I have is still the first one I've had, a cheap phony strat... and I havent gotten a new guitar even though my playing is more intermediate now than beginner...

So, should I just try to modify my current guitar (it IS quite heavy though, probably because of the body) or buy one of those kits?...