guitarbuilder's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

[guitarbuilder]

Originally Posted by flatfive

That sounds pretty slick to me.

We shall see. I was thinking of making a tambour sheet of sticks thinking they would lay down better...I don't know just yet. Still have plenty of time for things. I'm starting to think about the neck...I may have to buy another box o' sticks.

[RogerC]

Popsicle stick neck?! Dude, this thing is an engineering marvel! Next thing you know, you'll be tackling that pesky perpetual motion machine

[guitarbuilder]

I just sanded one side of the top and glued another layer of sticks on. This is now layer #3. I also glued up a wall stack of 21 for filling is some of the gaps on the sides.

Box #4 of 300/per box is now empty. Time to resupply for the neck. I hope they have some in stock as I only have one box left unopened.

I calculate a neck to be 40 sticks wide. They are about 6"long, so 5 lengths puts me at about 200 needed for the neck blank and another 160 or so for the fretboard. So I'd need another 60 for the neck and then another batch for the layers of the top. One box should do it.

I could use the popsicle stick sized ones but that would be as a last resort.

[guitarbuilder]

Just got back from a road trip to town to purchase sticks. I got another box and this store had some colored ones so I'll add a little color to the guitar as it goes together.

Layer#4 is now drying and another stack of 20 or so for the neck.

[crazydave911]

This is too cool

[emoney]

You know, if you'd use colored ones for the top, instant "finish". Something to thing about
for the next one.

Would you hurry up, please? I'm busting at the seams waiting to see yours and Roger's
builds. I've got you both for next year as I'm going to make concrete tongue depressors.

Seriously though, this is uber cool.

[guitarbuilder]

Here is #4. It looks like 3 except it is an action shot. Notice the glue is still quite yellow. Too bad it darkens as it dries...as yellow glue is pretty close to Fender yellow.

The top could probably go for just 4 layers. It seems like I'm getting the hang of it gluing these things. I think the color sticks will become the pickguard. A color on the top will take away from the body fish scale effect.

Thanks for your continued support. I'm out of glue... I hope to remember to buy a bottle today enroute to band practice.

[guitarbuilder]

Originally Posted by emoney

You know, if you'd use colored ones for the top, instant "finish". Something to thing about
for the next one.

Would you hurry up, please? I'm busting at the seams waiting to see yours and Roger's
builds. I've got you both for next year as I'm going to make concrete tongue depressors.

Seriously though, this is uber cool.

Actually Emoney, the color is probably washable marker since they are for kids to use. It will still need finish. Could do a burnt orange burst...LOL... except the glue would melt.

I'm not sure whether to add color to the finish or not but I think a dark filler for the cracks and ends would be a nice touch.

[RogerC]

I just get so tickled whenever I look in on this thread . I think the colored pickguard is going to be a great touch.

[guitarbuilder]

Thanks Roger. Next year we can do a team project. You cast a body and I'll stick a neck on....Actually I was thinking you could add some foam to the concrete as part of the aggregate and then burn it or dissolve it out.... a swiss cheese concrete body

[RogerC]

That would definitely lighten the load

[Muzikp]

Originally Posted by guitarbuilder

You cast a body and I'll stick a neck on....

Yep the Stickcaster or Cast-stick-a-caster or Cast-n-stickaster. I like saying stickaster but I'm easily entertained like that. Still really enjoying this thread.

[Jack Wells]

Maybe this has already been asked but how many pieces are going into this guitar? Just a rough estimate.

[guitarbuilder]

Jack,I've used up about 1200 jumbo craft sticks and one pint of glue so far. Maybe 25 out of those sticks were cracked or really warped. I'd say about 75 percent of those are in the actual body so far.

I calculated roughly 360 are needed for the neck blank assuming things go well the first time.

[Picton]

25 out of 1200... pretty good QC from the popsicle stick factory.

Can't wait for the neck.

[guitarbuilder]

Originally Posted by Picton

25 out of 1200... pretty good QC from the popsicle stick factory.

Can't wait for the neck.

I started neck sections this morning. Actually it's funny, they are sized in English measurements but are not the size shown at least in the width. Some come through narrower than others. I'm guessing that they are veneer cut and then punched out of sheets.

[guitarbuilder]

Audience participation:
Imagine this:

set stick down on paper towel
run glue over stick
press next stick in glue
run glue over stick
press next stick in glue
repeat set and glue steps 19 more times
Clamp with 3 clamps and set aside
wash hands with soap and hot water
eat some chocolate
That is one tenth of one neck blank

only 9 more to go in your mind

I have 8 done and am almost out of peanut m & m's-my reward

Fingers are getting dry and sore

[A.B.Negative]

[guitarbuilder]

OK...I'm done gluing for the day. Now to let these dry thoroughly. Now that I"m looking at this.. I may need to make 2 more stacks depending on the joinery I decide to use. Then to consider the peghead...another stack or two....

[guitarbuilder]

Family photo of resources assembled to date. Almost 1500 craft sticks consumed so far.