MCH

I didnt even know that guitar existed.

thats something new to me.

Me neither.... now I'm pretty P.O.'d........ still building it.....

I think we're getting into the stage of guitar building where uniqueness is going to be harder to achieve; especially in the so called 'traditional' look. A lot of guitars have been built. Chances are what you may think is original, has probably been done.

Don't know if this thread is valid or not.

But I can tell you a little about Summit's location. I refer to it as a slice of heaven. Vancouver Island is a gorgeous place. I live down the road from the Summit school.

Is the cost worth it? The scenery sure is.

I just put in a P-90 and Vintage 50's single coil from GuitarFetish in my Strelevarius. They are very quiet in my playing area. I did shielding with aluminum tape. In addition to shielding the cavities I also wrapped aluminum tape around the pickups (don't know if that helped). I am very surprised how quiet the pickups are. They are as quiet as my humbuckers.

In my current 3 builds I've used GuitarFetish pickups and have been very pleased.

my experience. YEMV

Well here is the almost finished product. Missing a knob and needs a setup. I'm pleased with the final look of the flamed maple, the colour is almost relic like. The walnut bridge easily removes, compression fit. I'm quite surprised how quiet the single coils are; they seem to be as quiet as my humbuckered guitars. I did the shielding treatment.

I suspect this is a style that is not for everyone. But I'm quite pleased with the overall look and feel (very comfortable holding in a sitting position).

It'll be awhile before I do a next build. Summer is to be enjoyed outside. Fishing, golfing and back country dirt biking etc.

cheers

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/4586/strelefront2yz5.jpg

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2589/strelebacknl2.jpg

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2044/strelesideng3.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/8931/headstockbackpf3.jpg

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1426/st...tocklogotn7.jpg

I personally like oak. Have built many pieces of furniture with oak. I love that wonderful open grain. I decided to build a guitar using red oak. I only used the oak as a cap.

Here is the link to my build. Don't dismiss oak that readily. I don't always travel the well beaten path.

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.ph...c=28607&hl=

Cool, I was thinking of making a walnut/maple P90 cover on my project. I haven't gotten the pickup yet to make measurements with regards to the wood thickness and whatnot. I am trying to decide whether to route out a hole in a block of wood, then cut/sand the outside edges of the cover, or to use thin wood strips to glue together a small box. What method are you using for your pickup cover?

I used the route out the cavity in a solid block to fit the pickup, then cut outside for finished size and sand. I think this is the simplest solution and the strongest.

Samba: I have an affinity for Strat style necks (one of the reasons is I can buy them for a ridiculous price of $30 CAD; nice maple with rosewood fretboard). I think the design with tuners on one side is my preference. The strings are pulled directly with no off angles. I think Leo came up with a very nice design.

But that is just my preference.

Just a quick update on the progress. I'm using a P-90 in the neck and single coil Vintage 50's in the bridge. I think I'm going to try some 'Butterscotchish' type of stain to enhance the flamed maple. I'm making a walnut cover for the P-90 and a walnut type of ashtray cover for the tele bridge. The cover will be clip on, able to remove when playing.

With any custom build I think the advantage is creativity and the ability to put together various aspects of production guitars that you like. If your goal is just to have a guitar to play and want to save money, then there are a lot of cheaper production guitars that will fit the bill nicely.

I enjoy the creativity aspect and the actual challenge of the build. Of course the pride after you string it up and strike the first note and muse to yourself, "I built this".

i think you should do something about that headstock.

thats a cool looking guitar but i see the headstock and start to think its just a cheapo guitar.

mayb you could just carve it down, but stick to the retro look.

Curious, what does an expensive headstock look like?

If it were mine, I would be tempted to split it centrally and remove a wedge shaped piece from the centre to make the neck side less wide so it tapers, before rejointing and glueing.

From my stand point, I don't think that is good advice. None my guitars have a glued center line where the neck joins the body. The only center line would be the cap.

Hey don't worry about the shape. I'm very pleased with it after I narrowed the waist.

The above posted guitar for me is too small and pointy, but it does look cool.

Different strokes for different folks.

This posting has certainly got some reaction.

Hey MCH,

If you like the body shape, that's the point. Aesthetic things are hard to nail down, but I agree that the body looks great with the narrower waist. However--and I have utmost respect for everyone who has commented--don't let the negative comments discourage you. If the guitar plays great, sounds great, and looks great to you, then it's a great guitar.

Even if folks don't like it, it looks like you've done a great job making it. Better than I could...

Thx Geo.

I'm too old to worry about negative criticizm. My aim in posting here is to stretch the envelope. I've built a lot of furniture and things and have learnt that everyone has different tastes. I used to dabble in the fine arts. I remember one time a nice lady commented that she liked a certain painting but wondered if I could do another one using different colours to match her decor. Hmmmm. Let me think about that one.

I certainly don't get offended if someone doesn't like what I put forth. I do like constructive input.

The world is based on variety.

Hey thanks for the positive comment. I don't use screws. I use a cab bolt system. It gives a much stronger bond with no fear of splitting when really torqued down. With the bolts, three is very adequate.

How exactly does the cab bolt system work? Do you have a supply/vendor list? I liked the look of it when I saw it on one of your previous guitars.

The cab bolt system is very well thought out. I started using it when I made large pieces of furniture like wall cabints that needed to be broken down for transport. It basically consists of a large headed 1/4" bolt (also come in meteric sizes) and a nut that is in a barrel shape. The barrel nut is inserted in a drilled hole that is perpendicular to the hole that is drilled for the bolt. The hardest part is aligning this entry hole for the nut so that is centered to the bolt hole. This barrel nut hole is drilled in the side at the base of the neck. I use three bolts because of the truss rod placement (I buy premade necks, so have no control on truss rod placement).

If you have the pieces on hand you'll get a better understanding on how to use them and how the holes are drilled etc. I buy them at my local lumber/hardware store. In my area Windsor Plywood.

You can torque these bolts down without fear of cracking harder woods, like maple. Plus you can remove the neck as many times as you want without damage. like threaded screws can be become sloppy and stripped.

I really like this system.

I think it looks cool.

nice to see something a little different.

I like the size of the control cover.

if anything it will be a great stage guitar

I would have went with 4 neck screws.

Hey thanks for the positive comment. I don't use screws. I use a cab bolt system. It gives a much stronger bond with no fear of splitting when really torqued down. With the bolts, three is very adequate.

It looks like a plucked turkey!!

Just kiddin. But I have to agree, the body does look a little big. And I'm not sure if it's just the picture or what, but it looks like the neck isn't exactly parallel to the center line on the body... looks kinda weird to me.

Looks like it was built well though. What are you going to do for a finish?

Cam

LOL! It certainly does have that plucked turkey look. Maybe I'll finish it with feathers.

The neck is parallel to the center line.

Natural finish using Tung oil.

I'm not one for the design either, but you've done one hell of a job making it! I don't think the headstock really goes with the body design either. The guitar doesn't look gigantic, but the waist sure does. What do you plan on doing with the armrest area? Leaving it as is?

Thanks Jon for the constructive input.

I've taken the waist in by about 1 1/2" and I agree it has improved the look. The diet has worked on the waist area.

I'm sorry, but that looks nothing like a telecaster to me, more like a Bc Rich mated with a ES335

I hope it doesn't look like a Telecaster. That's my goal. I want a Telecaster-ish type sound (even that has changed by Fender in various ways) with a different look. That's why I'm using Tele-ish hardware and single coil pickups.

This build is not a true Stratocaster, nor Telecaster, nor a Stratavarius. It's a concept build. LOL

What will it sound when it's done? Time will tell.

Will it appeal to the masses? Probably not.

I don't think the body is overly large. Compared to my semi-hollow it is a bit smaller. The widest point at the bottom is 15" and narrowest point (between the side cutouts) is 9 1/4". The longest point of the length is 18 1/2"". I think it's because there is no hardware on there, pickups and bridge it may appear like that. The weight to this point is a touch over 5 lbs. So I'm guessing the final weight will be no more than 7#. When I sit and hold it, it sits in a very comfortable playing position.

So my guess is from the 2 comments, it is not up your alley.

I like to stretch the envelope and come up with something different from the usual builds.

just me

This is my third build. I wanted something in way of a Telecaster. I wanted a double cutout with a body style a little different from the usual. So I came up with my version. The back is 1 1/8" clear pine with a center piece of maple (3/4" x 2 1/2") routed in for a better coupling of the neck. I have a middle layer of 5/16" walnut for a contrasting perimeter profile. The top is 5/8" flamed maple. The body is chambered. The center strip is a Padauk inset.

I going to use gold hardware. A Wilkinson Tele bridge with three compensated brass barrel saddles (string thru). I may add a ashtray cover on the bridge made of walnut; just for the look. The neck p/u will be a P-90 soapbar and the bridge a Tele vintage 50s. A 3 way switch and 2 volume controls and 1 tone.

I going to leave the look natural with a Tung oil finish.

Here's some pics so far. Will post others when done.

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2944/st...ontclosepq1.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/9673/st...backfullyy0.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5719/st...ackcloseac8.jpg

I build furniture as a hobby. I have built for friends and family. I get a general idea of what they want functionally. I then design what I think will work. I don't compromise too much on my designs. If they don't like it I don't build. But then they get a great deal as I only charge them for the cost of materials; sometimes I'll ask for a nice bottle of wine or a sack of beer.

Now that I've added guitars to my hobby, I only build what I want. If someone likes it and wants it, cool. I can't be bothered with custom order builds. Life is too short.

Looking at the pics, unless I'm seeing wrong, there seems to be at least a 1/4" difference; which is quite a lot. I don't think I'd leave it like that in a Strat.

Up to this point the strings have been breaking over the saddles and going straight to the ferrules. The string section past the saddle on the G has been producing some unwanted sympathetic overtones on notes played around the 10th fret, and the guitar has been overall just a little brighter than I expected.

Mike

On my string thru builds I don't use brass ferrules. I make my own out of purpleheart (very hard and durable). So I would think this method is very similar to your rosewood stopbar.

curious take

I know the screws are 4mm, but how much 'give' is there in maple? How much smaller can I get away with drilling for a tight fit without risking the neck splitting?

I've gone away from the usual screw type connection in my builds. I'm using a cab bolt connection system. I build furniture as a hobby and have used this type of connection in some of my projects and it is very effective. The cab bolt has a large head and uses a barrel nut that is embedded (in the guitar I embedded the barrel nut in the base of the neck).

With this system you get a very strong tight fit, without fear of splitting the maple if over torquing like you could with regular threaded screws.

Here are couple of links to the guitars I built using this type of connection.

just my way of doing it.

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=27631

http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=28607

Nice! Any preference for what tuning you'll be using? I've been trying C6, but it's hard to escape the Hawaiian sound with that particular tuning and I'm primarily a rock and alt-country type guy.

What material did you use for the metal "bar" in the bridge and nut?

Just a common 3 1/4" nail. I'm redoing the bridge and nut on my personal build ( I found the large radius of the 1/2" copper pipe caused buzz on the high E string) and am going to try 8 gauge solid copper wire (with the same purpleheart base). Even though copper is quite soft I thought I'd give it a whirl, since I have the guitar at my disposal it's quite easy for me to change it out.

Currently I'm using a open G tuning, this is my first foray into a lapsteel. I'm sure in time I'll explore other tunings. A lot of fun. C6 sounds interesting; as a kid I use to love the Haiwiaan sounds on the radio.

I suppose GregP has some affinity to lapsteels. Well here are a couple of close up pics. May be a little blurry. A clear shot of half of my mug. LOL. Note the screws in the bridge still aren't installed; finalizing its position.

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/9251/la...elelinutyv3.jpg

There doesn't seem to be much interest in a lapsteel build. But hey, I enjoyed this build. After stringing it up and giving a few strums, I think it sounds a little more 'airy' than my solid lapsteel build.

But with no further adieu here is the unveiling of the finished project.