Melomanarock's 2011 TDPRI Build challenge thread

[melomanarock]

I shaped the neck today... here's my take on it..

first of all I mask the fretboard..



To shape the back I use the method where you divide the back on a number of sectors depending on the shape you're going for.. it's based on this drawing..



But acording to the original method you divide a line on let's say the 12th fret position, another at the 1st and join the lines.. which gives u equally divided sectors all along the neck.. that means that the curve changes as you move along the neck..
Since fender shaped the necks with a shaper router bit the curve always stays the same and the neck's taper is given by the overlaping of the curves as they get to the headstock..( I know maybe I'm overthinking this but I just wanted to give it a go) so I divided the back in 5 places, looking for a soft V shape, and mantained the same division's sizes all along the neck..



then join the first line with the fretboard side with a rasp..



both sides..



then mark a centerline on the generated plane



and join that line with the second line on the back..to get a rough shape.. you can see the tapered center..



then took a file and started smoothing everything..





I used the drum sander on the dremel to rough shape the transitions..





and also to give it my personal "I guess this makes it legal" touch..



and then hand sanded everything up to 220 grit..









Turned out nice and fat..

1st fret..



6th



and 12th



neck's done!! I'll try to wrap up the body's shape tomorrow

[melomanarock]

Hardware is here!!!

I just couldn't hepl myseft and did some couch porn..



I got:
-Arched top style tailpiece
-TOM bridge with roller saddles
-Gretsch style humbuckers..

I like how it looks with the black PU rings.. I'll try the aluminum ones anyway..

[Sharp5]

Nice work. Can't wait to see the body carve.

[adirondak5]

Looking good melomanarock ! I like the bevel on your headstock , that is a nice touch , after seeing yours I would like to try that on one of mine.

[melomanarock]

Originally Posted by Sharp5

Nice work. Can't wait to see the body carve.

Thanks!! I'll try to get to it today..

[melomanarock]

Originally Posted by adirondak5

Looking good melomanarock ! I like the bevel on your headstock , that is a nice touch , after seeing yours I would like to try that on one of mine.

Go right ahead! it isn't trademarked.... yet.. ;)

[melomanarock]

And I got to the carving part...

Here's some of the tools I use..



I was really scared at this point since I've never used a grinder on a guitar before.. I've always thought that it was a disaster waiting to happend.. and it is if you're not careful.. but once you get the hang of it's actually really easy to control..

Rough shaped the lower carve..



and the back one with the help of a rasp and the dremel...





smoothing the "belly"..





This 5 pic thing took me a couple of hours.. and I was starting to get tired .. I needed to clear my head from the top so I did the control cavity route

First I marked the controls position..



And drilled some pilot holes..



Made a les paulish template.. (firts one was too big.. )



And took out some wood with the forstner bit..



Attached the template and routed..



Since I'm not planning on using this template again I just reshaped it to get the back plate template.. and routed it..



head clear enough, I finished my coffee and moved back to the top contour..



Smooth things sanding..





I ran out of sun so I'll give it (and me) a rest till tomorrow when I can look at it with fresh eyes.. it took me 5 hours to get to this point and it still needs some touchups here and there.. anyway.. I like it a lot..

[rcole_sooner]

Well, I didn't see that comin'. Very nice!

[adirondak5]

Nice !

[whodatpat]

Those lines look cool. Are you going to contrast the finish along those lines? I could see national colors flowing through like a waiving flag.

[melomanarock]

Thanks guys!

I'm planning on doing a light tobacco sunburst to accentuate the curves.. but all done with dyes.. I don't know how it's going to turn out..

[dilbone]

very cool departure from the norm, love those lines

[melomanarock]

I know I said neck was done but it wasn't... I forgot the dam* side dot markers..
so I marked the positions and bring out my side dot marker template.. LOL



drilled..



put a couple of drops of CA and push a 2mm aluminum rod in..



cut and repeat...



and file flush..



Now it's done for real!

[melomanarock]

Little progress today..

did the jack cup hole..



and eyeballed the wiring channel..







also sanded the whole body up to 220 grit..



I'll do the grain filling tomorrow!

[Nick JD]

Looks great!

[melomanarock]

Originally Posted by Nick JD

Looks great!

Thanks Nick!

[Sharp5]

Wow, those curves turned out awesome!

[melomanarock]

Had a bit of a set back today.. so that means no sleeping.. ( I work the night shift and I "usually" sleep during the day.. )

Decided to try on the bridge and turned out it was still a bit too tall.. (even with a shallower neck pocket and a thicker neck.. ) so I needed to do a recess for it so I marked the bridge position and routed a 2mm slot.. it will be more than enough..



then took a 14mm drill bit and drilled the countersink hole for the bushing's lip..



and then drilled the full bushing's depth with a 12mm bit..



finally I smooth everytingh with my trusty dremel..



so I moved on to grain filling!!
here's the mixture..
some drywall compound in a plastic cup..



mix some water and a bit of titebond




add the mix to the compound and stir...



then add some black dye and stir..



on to the body.. pour a little of the mix



rub with a rag making circles.. let it flash for a moment and remove the excedent with a paper towel.. going small areas at a time..



all done..



I'll let it dry for a couple of hours then I'll do the top..

[anyone]

Very cool fiddle!
Your thread is prime ground for idea theft ;)

[Gizlow]

That top carve is just inspired. Looks very Frank Gehry-ish.