Fano RB6 style build

benvall

I wasn't familiar with the Fano brand until I saw one of GSP Basses works of art, but I loved the RB6T

I work for a university and found out that one of the workshops have a CNC machine. I made contact with them and asked if the CNC could make a guitar body. 

Given my skill level, I wasn't sure I could make a thinline, so I went for a solid body. I made a 3D model in AutoCAD, as below

https://i.imgur.com/zYbRVSU.jpg

I went to a local hardwood timber merchant and ordered two pieces of PAR Sapele. Glued them together to give a large (heavy) blank 
https://i.imgur.com/YLQqQYF.jpg ;

took it to the workshop and let them do their thing;

https://i.imgur.com/tFiN7X5.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/QHpJFDG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BbK4YWA.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/lyH7iiA.jpg

little bit of tear out at the neck pocket

https://i.imgur.com/2om4Ln0.jpg

benvall

So the CNC cut the body in two halves (if that makes sense), but for some reason the binding channel ended up being 6mm deep but 1.5mm on one side and 3mm on the other.
I decided to go for a double binding and routed a 6mm recess around the top. 

A quick review of the binding on the body.

https://i.imgur.com/m7FhKGL.jpg ;


I also rounded over the back, I only have a 12mm roundover, I backed this off a bit to give a 'line' on the back.

https://i.imgur.com/zS0aeqx.jpg

this is where I made a mistake. I rounded up and around the back of the neck pocket, meaning the screws into the neck will be close to the edge. 

benvall

I then pre-bent the binding, due to the 'tight' horns...... I used a hairdryer.

https://i.imgur.com/tobL3YU.jpg

benvall

Gluing the binding with uhu was messy 

https://i.imgur.com/0MGdIXf.jpg

Quick mock up

https://imgur.com/a/MCT0OKt

benvall

Oiled the body and sprayed the back black

https://imgur.com/a/iTRM759

Bolted together 

https://i.imgur.com/gbAcRG1.jpg

benvall

Now scratch plate????

without
https://i.imgur.com/OjsiUFV.jpg
Option A
https://i.imgur.com/02TZ531.jpg
Option B
https://i.imgur.com/lxR6A2c.jpg

the guitar is really heavy, just under 11lbs. If I go with option B scratch plate I could route out some material to lighten it up a bit. 

Winny_Pooh

Option A looks great. Re the weight that does sound heavy....

If you really really want to fix it then you could route a few mm off the back (or put it through a planer!) Then route alot out from both sides and the bottom like a duo jet and the cap the back with a 5mm piece. 

WezV

I would go for a much bigger control cavity round back and some under scratchplate routes....   you might be able to get a lb off with both.

benvall

Thanks guys,
A larger rear route is something I didn’t really think of. 

Neilybob

This is really cool! 

As a lover of beautiful wood I wouldn't go with a scratchplate but that's just my opinion. 

axisus

Very nice. I think I like it with scratchplate 2 personally, pref in some kind of white pearl

TTony

Weight aside, that looks like a nice piece of work.  Congrats on the build.