2010 TDPRI $210 Challenge: We're there Dudes!

[bigdaddy55021]

So maybe I didn't get such a good deal after all. But for anyone else out there you might want to look in to these for parts. For the contest you still have to design your guitar, build a body and do the finish so I don't think it's going to give you an unfair advantage over anyone else.

IMHO, pillaging an SX STL for parts would be kinda criminal. They are darn fine guitars. I don't understand how the heck they do it because I'm gonna spend more on parts for my build than I spent to get my STL50 to my door...

[CJFearn]

Originally Posted by Moggl

Nice one, Cab! Looks almost like you've been doing that kind of stuff on a regular basis since '78. Now you've got me wondering what the fretboard will look like. Dragons?

Cheers,

Moggl

Dragons? Did somebody say dragons? What a great idea! I love dragons! Thanks Moggl!

[Moggl]

Howzabout a more stylised dragon (think swoop across the fretboard), to reflect simplicity and dynamics all in one go? :-)

[CJFearn]

This is the workbench I put together a couple of years back for doing inlays and other small scale type work. It's modeled on a classical jeweler's bench. The one really handy thing I came up with is a v-block with a foot operated clamp for holding the pearl while you're sawing. This makes life a lot easier and reduces pearl breakage to nearly zero. On the far right you can also see my most important tool, coffee and lots of it!

[ChrisRM]

Originally Posted by CJFearn

Dragons? Did somebody say dragons? What a great idea! I love dragons! Thanks Moggl!

Hmm, “If you can't take the heat, don't tickle the dragon.”

[CJFearn]

Thank you all very much! It's one of the things I like best to do and your encouragement is greatly appreciated!

[CJFearn]

Managed to get a little further here. Using various rasps, files, sandpaper and large quantities of elbow grease I finished shaping the neck and got it sanded down pretty smooth.

[CJFearn]

There were a few small cracks in the wood which I carefully filled with superglue (I buy it by the quart ;-)

[CJFearn]

I had to take a break Telecastering and do some inlay work for my friends over at Antique Acoustics. This is a celluloid pickguard styled after a Martin OM-45. Celluloid is a little tricky to cut with the router as it's quite inflammable (see Quentin Tarantino's "Inglorious Basterds") so I have an air hose aimed at the cutter head to keep things cool, as you can see below. I also put a little white LED down there so I can see what's going on.

[CJFearn]

I got some 2 mm carbon fiber down at the model shop and set to work making switch and a neck plates. I saw an angled switch somewhere the other day and thought that looked kind of cool (and maybe even more practical ;-) so I did that too. And I came up with a nifty dragon logo which I engraved into the neck plate. Starting to look even more like a bought one!

Checking the accounts on this: approximately 85 cm2 of carbon fiber at €0.06/cm2 equals €5.10 converted to USDs at $1.35804 to 1 equals $6.93. Also €2.00 for four stainless steel neck bolts from the boating supply shop. Makes another $2.72. Still within budget!

[vtcyclist]

Wow!! The inlay and carbon parts are....just wow! I love homemade parts that look better than store bought.

[alias23k]

Dude that is amazing work! Envious of the skills you have and the shop.

[CJFearn]

Originally Posted by vtcyclist

Wow!! The inlay and carbon parts are....just wow! I love homemade parts that look better than store bought.

Thanks for the kind words! I just wish my son were doing this with me like yours is with you. We have built Teles together in the past, but doing it for this Challenge would have been the best. He's thirty and has to worry about his own family these days. He does stop by often to see how I'm coming along with this though.

[CJFearn]

Originally Posted by alias23k

Dude that is amazing work! Envious of the skills you have and the shop.

Thanks! I love the tailpiece you're making, and I wouldn't say "No!" to a Shopsmith either.

[Moggl]

'Hic sunt dragones' - 'nuff said. Thumbs up! :-)

[oigun]

Das is richtig GEIL Herr Fearn...If I ever need complicated inlays I hunt you down...

[68thinline]

When this challenge is over I'm gonna have to build me one of them CNC router thingies.

Seriously nice work - that pickguard inlay is gorgeous and your home made parts are awesome (love the dragon).

[CJFearn]

Moggl - Thanks!

oigun - I would consider it an honor to do some inlays for you!

68thinline - The CNC router is probably the coolest tool ever invented by man! I got mine about two and a half years ago and I've never had so much fun in my life (a lot headaches too, but the fun more than makes up for it!). If you need any help let me know.

[KennyH]

This is one amazing looking build.

Great stuff, but that pic' guard, man, nooooo!

Love the carbon neck plate, outstanding detail!

[jeremyb]

I'm speechless, this is awesome!!