RMS

I am trying to figure that one out too, and I am thinking that the wood and scale length has a lot to do with it. But the strange part is that I used to own a 1995 LP Classic and though it had that basic tone of an LP type guitar 24 3/4" scale it seemed no mater what pickup I put in it to tone was just lacking that substance. Now my 1980 LP Deluxe I think sounds good and it was a lot hevier than that Classic was but I am not sure if that matters I played an SG and it blew away anything I have ever played, though I forget what amp I was playing through, this going back 15 years. So was it just a good combination of guitar, wood, pickups and the amp.....I think so.

Are the plans you have in .dxf or .dwg format if so I would like to see if its the same plan I have, wana swap? The set I have are drawn by a person named M. de Haan.....I found them on the web some where. This also states 1.378" thk.

Ok, thats part of what amp builders call lead dress, its very important that everything stays neat clean and tucked out of the way. Remember I said to check that jack!! LOL Actually you would think hooking up this stuff like jacks and pots would be easy but somtimes its not, and little things can get over looked. Glad its fixed, Rob

Yes, it was to be just that a coffee table. I have no room in my house for that use. It kinds looks like Burl but the grain dont look too deformed or spotted so I am not sure if it is or not BUT it does have that irregular shape to it. That is a nice stock pile of wood you have there, should be good for what 20 guitars?? what size and thickness are they?

Thanks for buying the book and I am glad you like it. I have used redwood on acoustic guitar fronts and it is nice. I would imagine it would work on a body but if it is quarter sawn send it to me and I'll make acoustics out of it, it is hard to get over here! Redwood may be strong enough for a neck, it depends on the piece. Remember that not all douglas fir is going to be good enough. I chose a tight-grained quartered piece that was obviously quite stiff. I will send it if you take me on as an appretice This redwood slab looks like its just cut across the tree (tree bark along the edges) like it was going to be used as a coffee table or somthing, I can't tell because its 20 years old dark and needs to be planed, but it is 6' long 24" wide, I was going to use it in the guitar build off .... I won't go there though! But check this redwood guitar out: http://simnettguitars.co.uk/bb/viewtopic.p...038268d81c#2788 Well here it is, the begining of a PG!

Then you may wan't to try this, take another jack and solder two leads w/ aligator clips on it one for ground one for tip, plug the guitar cord from the amp into this test jack, now connect the ground to a good grounding surface in that control cavity somewhere, next use the other clip to poke arround you may pick up a signal where it should not be and that will be the bad wire. If you get no signals no where then you will need to did in another area. I will be waiting!

What do you mean by useless? you should have these green and white connected together, and tape it off. On the jack The long is the tip and that is hot, the other is ground, you should make sure you have the right solder legs though vairify that too. Usually its easy to tell be just looking other times I will put a meter on just to make sure, if you get some low resistance value then you know you got it.

Hey Melvyn Hiscock! I just got your book in yesterday, awsome! Good easy reading, a read and go build book. I am glad we are talking here about soft woods, if I can take to another type - Redwood I have a 2" slab of it and I was thinking about a solid body like a LP/PRS type anygood? Do you think it would be strong enough for the neck also?

Any number of things could be wrong, so you need to go through it all. You can check to see if the pups have a ressistance value like 5k-10k no reading is a short. But most likely they are good. First I would get the wire diagrams for them, and when you join each coil together to make 1 humbucking - make sure on the color code. Then if that is ok do a ressistance check, then make sure the connections you have made are indeed correct. and make sure the jack is wired ok too!

This is a very good site for ALL kinds of pick up configurations wire diagrams. http://www.guitarelectronics.com/product/WDUHS5L1101

Some of the wires are for spliting the coils called 5 wire setups and that sounds like what you have. So basically what I am thinking is that you need to connect the green and white together and tape that off that compleates the loop from two single coils to a humbucker. Do that on each pickup! Added: "How do I connect a four-conductor pickup? For normal series-humbucking wiring, solder the black and white wires to each other and insulate that connection with tape. The red wire is the hot output and the green and bare wires go to ground, usually by soldering them to the back of a pot. If the pickup sounds "out-of-phase" when played with other pickups, use the green as hot and connect the red and bare to ground. For further instructions select the PICKUP button at the top of the page. Select the model you are interested in. Then select the WIRING DIAGRAMS button." the only thing you need to do is check with the maker of the pickups for correct color codes. Hope this helps some!

So things are not going as you like them, well the way I see it is the problem is not with me, I am fine I just joined a contest thats all I did. Personally I would swap with you how is that? I will drop if westhemann lets me be a judge, and you can take my place building!

I am hear to help anyone anyway I can thats what forums are all about. Its a "FUN" build off not a "WAR" holly cow guys lighten up will ya.....geeeeshhhhh! I have a real good feeling about Westhemann that he is going to do a fantastic job!

Legal Liability issues, in tube amps there are very high voltages , approx. 500V so one slip with a test probe could end your life. Its really all about safty, and I am supplying the kit so I have to make that statement. The worse thing that I can do in this competion is hack of my had on a band saw and then bleed to death before I can get help, though my 20+ years working with power tools says that its highly unlikely so maby just a lousy playing gitar is all. And in the mean time I am going to have FUN!

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I was researching making guitars and thinking about either buying a PRS or SG or putting one together from warmoth. Doing a search on the subject brought me here to this forum. Then when I saw the post about the guitar build off for “FUN” kind of thing going on I got all warm an fuzzy in side. fair enough...he's in.we never said no newbs.i think you will find august shows up very quickly..truth is i don't know most of the entrants very well...there might be more first timers in there for all i know.i don't know why rms wants to join a competityion his first day on the forum,but whatever. but do keep in mind when i get around to writing the rules there will be a small clause against "what should i do here?" type of questions. i thik most of the fun of this comp. is going to be the unveiling at the end in which all of these guitar we have never seen before are there all at once for us to gawk at. Great and I move forward positively from this point on! Thanks to the people supporting me on this!

Thanks, and I agree! How is it going to get bogged down, their is a time frame with an end date?? No I don't have anything to prove, I am looking for a challenge and I like the fact of the contest itself. Besides inovation is where a new person can be helpfull, and that is a judging point, along with best built and best design. So the way I see it, I am highly qualified for this contest!

Nothing above states anyone new to guitar building can not enter this build off. Remember the person that sparked this contest used the word "FUN"

What Rules? They have not been established yet.

How about this, I will adhare the above rule and wont ask for any help here. I will just buy a book. I can do a working tutorial thats not a problem for me.

I don't mind coming in last place, and it aint like I am green working with power tools or craftsmanship!! I aint saying this is going to be easy, but I am a fast learner, and I like challenges, anyways from what I have heard you guys need all the help you can get participation wise! I AM IN ALL READY!

Hi Folks, I am new to guitar building and also not to mention the basic "RULES" or do's and dont's of this build off coming soon. What I would like to find out is 1) will I have to cut my own fret slots? I am still in on this either way I was just wondering. 2) what specialty tools will I need, I am not talking router or belt sanders these basic power tools I already have. I did some tallys on the guitar build off poll also: 14 people entered, and voted below for these shapes/guitars: 8 votes for the LP 7 votes for the Tel. 6 votes for the PRS 6 votes for the Expl. 5 votes for the strat 2 votes for the SG 1 vote for the Arctop 1 vote for the V Happy Holiday Everyone!

Thank's, I will need it!! It will be my first build, and I am going to be asking lots of questions. Nice Job, really nice! I always like the hollow body electric guitars.

Yeah you are right, even after 20 years it does seem kind of soft. I wonder how that will affect the tone?

I was wondering about glueing because redwood is a oily type of wood I think? like a cedar.... also I really did't want to start another topic so can anyone recomend a good easy to read book that will take from start to finish on building an electric guitar?