The world of Wez :)

WezV

thought I would have a quick play in photoshop to overlay some darker colours... it kinds brings back the alternative vintage vibe I was originally after

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/fanthincolour_zps1awh0fd4.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/fanthincolour2_zpse7ppcd16.jpg

ThePrettyDamned

Perhaps an odd choice, but I reckon it could really work well in a teal sort of colour. 

Out of the above, the yellow looks great  

WezV

teal could work, I like teal

DartmoorHedgehog

That's looking amazing - really impressive work!  Colour-wise I reckon it would suit dark green or orange, Gretsch-style.  But teal/blue would be good.  Or even black, but it would be shame to hide the black binding stripe.

Andyjr1515

Yup - teal has my vote.....

WezV

a few more  - this time with vintage tailpiece which I am still considering using

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/fanthinblack_zpsjiqiolug.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/fanthinteal_zpsibcw4kx6.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/fanthindark teal_zpseg5bt02r.jpg

Roland

Of the last two, I'd either go much lighter than two, or much darker than three

ThePrettyDamned

Either of the teal ones look classy I think.  I really like both, no preference, but the colour really does suit. 

Andyjr1515

I like the darker one at the bottom...

WezV

If I do go that way I will likely go dark back and lighter top

Andyjr1515

WezV said:

If I do go that way I will likely go dark back and lighter top

That would work...

WezV

started on the metal top

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpstcmvbdyn.jpg

WezV

got the neck roughed out and routed the neck pocket at the weekend, so I had an hour tonight  and did some more

first job was to route pickup cavities. this pic is after I did a few more steps, i did the wiring slot right at the end

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsgywj7cke.jpg

once the cavities were routed i attached the metal top and used a bottom bearing bit to trim the aluminium back.  i had to drill through the bridge pickup location first to get a starting point.  

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps3qqbxwme.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsiu5kwngw.jpg

I am going to go back with this metal top and use it to correct the template - just as a back up plan if this one gets too  messed up during the process.  by the end hopefully i will have an accurate body and plate template to be able to repeat the build with less mucking about.  i don;t plan on making loads of these in the zemaitis style  - but I may need a few attempts to get the top looking good since I have not done one before

Andyjr1515

Fascinating thread, @WezV

I may have missed it along the way, but what thickness of aluminium are you using?

Andy

WezV

I think its 1.5mm. Same as zemaitis but I didn't go down the aircraft grade route as I wanted to keep life easy for cutting and engraving since I am a total novice when it comes to metalwork

WezV

I will also attempt to make a zemaitis style bridge and tailpiece, but if it doesn't work I will be modding a mustang bridge instead

WezV

got all the routing done on the body

went for a large control cavity with the option of a control behind the bridge like some zemaitis guitars have

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsjn8rmdsf.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpsmmyyhzpw.jpg

I was going to chamber it some more, but the body currently weighs 3lb 8 oz so i decided against it

Andyjr1515

That's a good weight, @WezV. I think you're right to stop there.

ThePrettyDamned

As ever, looking amazing.

WezV

I got some aluminium bar to make the bridge and tailpiece.   Not done much metalwork before so I wasn't sure how it was goign to work out.   decided to start with the tailpiece since the zemaitis ones are fairly simple.  took two attempts but I am fairly happy with this one

my version so far

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpspttnul0x.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zps4ceutxqo.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/temporary_zpss30l29ul.jpg

 I will probably radius the top face before bevelling the edges