My 'difficult' second guitar proved too difficult. I haven't given up but after quite a few setbacks I left it for a number of months whilst I sulked. It's bloody complicated and I'd been attempting challenging things with success in some areas but cock-ups in others. Anyway, on a whim I decided a few weeks ago to make a 'standard' telecaster, something simple as guitar no 3, before returning to no. 2 with (hopefully) renewed vigour.
It didn't take long to divert from standard. Inspired by some guitars I saw on t'interweb I decided to use a wooden crate as a top. Further weirdness ensued when I decided to use available wood, basically a Mahogany fireplace that someone threw into the street - for both body and neck, then an ebony fretboard. Yup, quite far from trad tele territory now!
The crate top in question holds a special place in my heart. It was a Mateus Rose box from my uncle's old off-license. He was my dad's best friend but sadly he died from cancer 20 years ago. It's a nice reminder of my uncle and his shop - a fantastic aladdin's cave of curiosity to my young self.
Well, things are well under way so I thought I'd share some pics. Nothing has gone wrong (yet!) - still plenty of time! So without further ado ....
Just getting started - the template that I made last year, a couple of my dads clamps and three bits of mahogany fireplace for the body.
Body wood glued together, only just big enough!
Taken down to approx thickness a day later
Comments
Truss rod channel cut, outline marked on using template made previously
shape sorted with router/template
Neck thickness done
making a template for the machineheads
Good luck with the build.
drilling holes
Top glued onto the body and rough shape cut out with band saw.
Headstock thickness sorted
template made out of MDF for cutouts
Love these build threads.
Fretboard glued on to neck
Sides trimmed
I decided to make my own clay-type fret markers. I drilled holes in a spare bit of aluminium, mixed some skin coloured clay with pure white, pushed it into the holes and flattened off. Stuck it in the oven for about 25mins to harden the clay then pushed them out. Look OK (once sanded off).
Very cool stuff man..... Thumb up...
http://www.rabswoodguitars.co.uk/
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Removal of wood from neck pocket and pickup holes using a forstner bit
Body mostly sorted
Body and neck together. Nice fit!