devo_stevo's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

[devo_stevo]

Thanks so much for the kind words guys. I really apreciate it.

[devo_stevo]

Time is quickly running out. Only 2 more weeks. I can't believe it's gone that fast. I have been slowly whittling away at the to do list on this.

I got the control cavity routed and holes drilled from the pickup and bridge to the cavity. I'm now working on the nut.

Still to do is a cover for the cavity, then sand the crap out of it and finish. Then it's on to wiring and assembly. Feels like it's such a long way from done. I'm hoping I have enough time.

I'll post pics later tonight when I get a free moment at home.

[nosmo]

What are you doing for finish? It's getting a little late for nitro. Guitar looks fantastic. Everything from the curves in the neck heel to the wood you used. I love this guitar!

[devo_stevo]

It's going to get an oil finish. I'll use Formby's Tung Oil on it. It dries fast and I can get multiple coats on in a day, so I still have time, but it's going to be tight.

Thanks for the kind words nosmo. You're way too kind.

[BR06623]

I sure do like what you have done. It looks great and I really like the neck/body transition. Nicely done!

[emoney]

I'm feeling your pain as it seems like it went from "Oh...I've got plenty of time" to
"What the Hel%.....Who moved the calender up???"

[devo_stevo]

Thanks BR06623. It's pretty comfy and you can get all the up the neck withough having to grip a big old neck joint. I like it so far.

emoney, I had the same thought just the other day. Seems a little unfair if you ask me.

[devo_stevo]

I finally have a moment to update this thread. I've been slowly getting closer to finishing this. I've still got a few things to get done, but it's coming along pretty well. I routed a cavity in the back for the elctronics.



This one is getting a single volume control that will be hidden in that recessed are at the back of the guitar. It's also getting a strat jack plate in the back of the guitar. I've seen this on a few guitars and basses before and thought it was a cool idea so why not. This way, you look at the front of the guitar and all you see is the guitart and no controls on it. Should be a nice clean look.

From there I mounted the bridge and tuners and strung it up to see if everything lined up and is going to work.



Everything is lined up just how it should be. I also made a nut from the purpleheart. Don't have a picture of that yet, but I will sometime.

Next thing was to route the cavity for the strat style jack in the back. It's not the cleanest looking route as I had very limited time yesterday to make a cavity, but it works and it will all be covered up by the plate.

Then I put the first coat of oil on the back of it all. It really is going to eventually look really nice. I've got to figure out a way to hurry this along though or I'm not going to have time to get all of it done.




I still have a cavity cover to make and finish, so it's getting close.

[nosmo]

Originally Posted by devo_stevo

...This way, you look at the front of the guitar and all you see is the guitart and no controls on it. Should be a nice clean look.

You do that on purpose? I was thinking that may have been a typo, or it may have been a Freudian slip. Either way it's appropriate! It IS guitar art

[devo_stevo]

D'oh. Sometimes my brain works faster than my fingers. Thanks for pointing that out though. :)

[devo_stevo]

I'm still trying. I got a cover made for the rear cavity last night and put two coats of oil on it. I made it out of ash and I think it looks pretty good on there. I also sanded the finish on the guitar level and applied another coat of oil on it. I'm think that it will take another coat or two then sand and buff. Then get it wired and cross my fingers that it doesn't completely suck. ;)

Oh, and I gotta level and polish the frets too. It's gonna be close, but there is a chance that this is gonna happen.

[Allthesound]

It's gonna happen! You can make it. Its really looking great and i bet its going to sound even better.

[junk mutt]

You can do it stevo! Looks great already!

[nosmo]

There is no way this guitar is going to suck. It is beautiful, you put quite a bit of effort into making it perfect. There is always something a builder would have done differently, and they are the only ones that know all the little flaws. Flaws, by the way which usually don't affect playability or tone.

If, on the other hand, you decide to scrap it - send it to me and I'll dispose of it for you! I'll even pay for the shipping.

[devo_stevo]

Thanks all for the encouragement. I'm going to keep plugging away at it. I have realized how much more effort it is to make a neck through instrument having seen many of you chew through these things so fast while I spread some more glue on the wood. It's close though.

It's not perfect nosmo, that's for sure, but it's not bad either. I've learned a lot from it just like the other two. Stay tuned...

[Muzikp]

Originally Posted by devo_stevo

Then get it wired and cross my fingers that it doesn't completely suck. ;)

The only thing that completely sucks about it, I'll probably never get a chance to play it. That neck body transition is awesome and it's so well thought out with the way the wood looks at the transition. I could stare at it for a long time, it's really nice.

[Barncaster]

After James' , Steve's, Mikkantyu's and now this build, it may be a neck through next year. I always' loved Jerry Garcia's last instrument. Finish strong. We would all love to hear it.

Rob

[devo_stevo]

You're too kind Musikp. I got it all done and it doesn't suck!

Final pictures and a video are forthcoming. I've got them done but it's mothers day and I don't have time to post them just yet.

Happy mothers day all.

[devo_stevo]

Thanks Rob. I think it sounds pretty good. Would sound better if I knew how to play it and I had a proper guitar amp. It still works through my bass amp and it sounds really good through my Tascam bass trainer and hedphones. I'm pretty happy with it.

[devo_stevo]

It's done. I got it all done, wired up and it makes noise. Here are the pics to prove it, warts and all.