On to the next one, Butternut/Spalted Maple Tele

So the contest is done and I have sort of recovered. What a great experience!!! I felt very fortunate to be a part of it. Congrats to EVERYONE who participated, finish or not, it was awesome!

I was a little worried toward the end. I was pushing to get it done, 5am starts, working all day at the day job, then back in the shop until I couldn't stay awake, that I would be burned and not want to get back in the shop. But I am glad to say I couldn't wait and I am already working on 2 more builds. One is another walnut Tele just like the build guitar, except we will be using Seymor Duncan Hotstack Tele pups. I will use the 2nd neck I started for the contest build and a one piece walnut body, from the same board as the contest guitar, but not nearly as figured. I will document that in an upcoming build thread.

For this one the specs are as follows:
Lightweight butternut body with a belly cut
1/4" one piece spalted maple top.
Tru Oil finish
Either black or white binding (to be determined) around the top
Kinman Broadcaster pickups (same as the contest guitar)
Babicz full contact bridge.
Chrome hardware.
Neck is to be determined, I want to use a really sweet 2 piece, 1/4 sawn blister maple (blister maple is pretty rare, it is the bottom 8' or so of really old sugar maples. The weight compresses the wood, it is very dense and sounds incredible) blank I have with a figured maple board, but the customer is thinking of a darker neck. I am meeting with him tomorrow and will bring some different neck & fb blanks for him. He mentioned a bubinga neck, I have some really nice 1/4 sawn bubinga stock, so I guess we'll see.

This guitar is one I have been wanting to build ever since I scored some really nice butternut (white walnut). One board in particular was super light and resonant, so I glued it up into a 3 piece body blank. I think it will be less than 4lbs with the top when done.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/body2.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/Body1.jpg

Then I found a really nice 5/4 spalted maple board in the stack.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/Top3.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/Top1.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-06074656.jpg

Figured I needed to build another superclamp for gluing tops down. Thanks again to preeb for the idea.

I had some 3/4 birch plywood that I doubled up and glued together for a shelf. I don't use the shelf anymore, so it is made into a superclamp. I covered the insides with packing tape so the glue won't stick.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10073923.jpg

Screwed the top and bottom together and traced a tele outline.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10080242.jpg

I measured about 1" from the line, 3/4" close to the edges for holes. Commenced drilling.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10081436.jpg

Recessed the bottom holes for the bolt heads.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10082338.jpg

Separated the top and put the bolts in.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10083845.jpg

Put the cut out body in.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10090124.jpg

I had to figure out what top I was going to use, so I traced a bunch of bodies on the board to see what I thought looked best.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-09194022.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-09194014.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-09193954.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-09193939.jpg

I chose one and resawed the board. I have a Laguna bandsaw with a 1" blade that will do 14" resaw capacity, but I have to say, it is not for the faint of heart. I sawed the 5/4 in half, planed it down to about 3/8", cut the rough shape and sanded it flat. Put the glue on and into the superclamp to dry.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-10090132.jpg

Here is the blister maple neck blank and birdseye/flame fretboard I would like to use.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/neck1.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/fb1.jpg

I also have a 1/4 sawn paduk neck blank I might bring to the meeting.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-04204718.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-04204706.jpg

No pics of the bubinga one yet.

In! I don't normally like spalted anything (too many punky firewood memories), but that looks pretty cool.

Always wanted to work with butternut, but it has been tough to find.

In! I don't normally like spalted anything (too many punky firewood memories), but that looks pretty cool.

Always wanted to work with butternut, but it has been tough to find.

Thanks! I have the same feeling about spalted maple, but I came across a local sawyer that specializes in it. The board this top came from yielded 6, 5/4 boards. For a carved top I can get one each, for a drop top I can get 2 tops per piece. I picked the pile to come up with no punkiness. He also does a lot with butternut. I bought out his 8/4 stock, nothing wide enough for 1 piece bodies. But he has a bunch of really, really big trees on his lot to saw out and I have put dibs in for all the 8/4, 14"+ wide boards he can cut. This board was much lighter than the rest, but all of it is pretty sweet, to me anyway. I am anxious to see how it sounds, it is certainly a joy to work with.

A quick side note. I usually try to source my lumber to do one piece bodies if I can. So this 3 piece is a bit different. This wood was so light and resonant that I had to give a try. It was the only board like that and it wasn't wide enough for less than 3 pieces.

i've been meaning to drop you a line about the paduak. you posted on my challenge thread right before it got locked...

have you used it before? in case you don't know it doesn't stay that color. it oxidizes and turns a purple-red rust color. i don't mind it but cjfearn posted on my build thread that he didn't like the look of it. the dust stains too. vacuum a lot when radiusing. i use it because its not on the CITES list of endangered wood species, like so many other fretboard woods grown outside the US.

i'm not too keen on spalted maple either but i have faith in you. the binding will certainly help make it right.

i've been meaning to drop you a line about the paduak. you posted on my challenge thread right before it got locked...

have you used it before? in case you don't know it doesn't stay that color. it oxidizes and turns a purple-red rust color. i don't mind it but cjfearn posted on my build thread that he didn't like the look of it. the dust stains too. vacuum a lot when radiusing. i use it because its not on the CITES list of endangered wood species, like so many other fretboard woods grown outside the US.

i'm not too keen on spalted maple either but i have faith in you. the binding will certainly help make it right.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!!

As for Paduk, I have not used it yet, but I knew it changes colors. What is the feel like on a fb? I bought this piece because it was perfectly 1/4 sawn and I think it looks amazing. The dust was a bit irritating when I re-sawed it, dust mask (wenge protocol) is a must. I am not sure I will use it on this build. In another long story that I won't get into now, I have an almost endless supply of 25-50 year old paduk (as well as zebra wood, purple heart and a few other species of exotic wood) for free. So I am going to be using it, it is just a matter of when.

i think it feels alright, i like it. in the grand scheme the pore/grain structure is similar to rosewood, more than wenge for example. for what its worth, "they" say it sounds like maple. the janka rating is about the same, around 1500 IIRC. it's pretty soft for african wood (i think iroko is lower but thats the only one i can think of off the top of my head.) i think it would be a suitable replacement for hard maple in necks. if i had a ton of it that's probably what i would use it for.

i like the smell of the dust. i think i read somewhere that women have used it for perfume.

i think it feels alright, i like it. in the grand scheme the pore/grain structure is similar to rosewood, more than wenge for example. for what its worth, "they" say it sounds like maple. the janka rating is about the same, around 1500 IIRC. it's pretty soft for african wood (i think iroko is lower but thats the only one i can think of off the top of my head.) i think it would be a suitable replacement for hard maple in necks. if i had a ton of it that's probably what i would use it for.

i like the smell of the dust. i think i read somewhere that women have used it for perfume.

Cool. I am anxious to use it. Some of the boards I have are really wide, so I may have to make use of some of it as tops, maybe. So many woods, so little time!! I guess the other issue is that guitar players are so traditional. I personally LOVE the use of alternative woods (ie Walnut, Honey Locust, Butternut, Etc) but to some guys if it is not maple, alder and rosewood, it just isn't right. I guess that's also the advantage of being a small builder, I can do what I want:razz: I didn't realize this until I delivered the challenge guitar, but Rik Barron had asked several companies he is an endorser for to build walnut neck instruments, and nobody would do it for him.

I actually really in love with wenge fb's right now. I am amazed at how silky smooth it is to the touch, but it looks kind of rough.

Bubinga is an awesome neck wood - a little heavy, but it's stiffness and hardness makes it one of the most useful fretboard/structural accent woods I know. The price of Bubinga is really good too. IMO, Bubinga has a little more attack than Maple when used as a fretboard.

I'm planning on making one of those superclamps as well - one for bodies as well as one for necks.

I'll be watching.

Looks like you've got a good one started. Be careful with the spalted maple though. I have a friend who runs a saw mill, and he was cutting figured maple and spalted maple on the side for a little extra cash. The spalted maple landed him in the hospital (almost killed him). It can be really toxic for some people, so take care. It's cool looking though.

Hey i like spalted maple. I think it could look really good. Interesting about the allergy to the fungus though.

Looks like you've got a good one started. Be careful with the spalted maple though. I have a friend who runs a saw mill, and he was cutting figured maple and spalted maple on the side for a little extra cash. The spalted maple landed him in the hospital (almost killed him). It can be really toxic for some people, so take care. It's cool looking though.

Cool, thanks for the tip. I am not always as cautious with the dust mask as I should be.

Quick update, the body and top, with no routing is 4lbs 6.8oz. Pics tommorow.

Looks great so far. Nice work.

BTW - your challenge entry was one of my favourites. Its a gorgeous guitar.

Looks great so far. Nice work.

BTW - your challenge entry was one of my favourites. Its a gorgeous guitar.

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it! It is hard to screw up a piece of wood that nice. It was a rare find, I was fortunate it fell to me.

Bubinga is an awesome neck wood - a little heavy, but it's stiffness and hardness makes it one of the most useful fretboard/structural accent woods I know. The price of Bubinga is really good too. IMO, Bubinga has a little more attack than Maple when used as a fretboard.

I'm planning on making one of those superclamps as well - one for bodies as well as one for necks.

I'll be watching.

Hey Mojo,

Great build you got going BTW. I am glad you have continued, we all would have been missing out if you didn't.

I love Bubinga to, I use it on every neck as a filler strip under the fretboard. I have not built a whole neck with it yet, but I will be eventually. I have used it as a fretboard, but I was not in love with the pressure needed to seat a fret. Maybe it was just the piece I was using, it was quartersawn, so maybe that was it.

I have been very happy with the superclamps. They take all the worry, guess work and fear of a gapped joint out of the glue up process. At first I was worried about maybe starving the joint of glue, but an article in the May 2010 fine woodworking basically proved scientifically that you can't provide enough pressure to actually stave a glue joint. So I tighten away and have had very good results. Thanks again to preeb!!

I pulled the body out of the super clamp.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13062310.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13062317.jpg

Inspected, no gaps.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13062952.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13062956.jpg

Hit the side with some ROSS action.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13063022.jpg

The flush trimmed on the router table.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13064656.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13064705.jpg


http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/2011-05-13064717.jpg

Met with the soon to be owner of this guitar, settled on Wenge FB only side markers, Blister Maple neck, black body binding (there is a twist though) and chrome hardware. Dunlop 6105 frets, 12" radius, bone nut, staggered locking tuners, Babicz bridge, Kinman 50's set with 4 way switching. I think it will end up a sweet guitar, I hope.

I am in the midst of accomplishing the springtime honey-do list. As soon as it is complete this build will be back in full swing. Also been working on my website and what not.

The sun finally came out here this week so I am also going to be going full-bore on the yard and house work this weekend as well.

I think I need to setup a workbench outside. Though the skeeters might drag me away if I do that.

The sun finally came out here this week so I am also going to be going full-bore on the yard and house work this weekend as well.

I think I need to setup a workbench outside. Though the skeeters might drag me away if I do that.

My wife decided we are going to be doing the hobby farm thing this year. So instead of building guitars I have been building chicken coops, raised garden beds and a pig pen. Almost done, hopefully this will be the last weekend.

The mosquitoes and black flies have been on a rampage. If there is such a thing as OFF! poisoning, I think I have it:lol:

Nice build.

WRT Padauk, it's got a pretty good musical heritage. Used for the blocks (keys? sounders? the bits you hit) in concert xylophones, IIRC. Also used as a neck/body wood by Organic Guitars. Not as a fretboard though, but that may well be down to Organics design philosophy...

... G

Nice build.

WRT Padauk, it's got a pretty good musical heritage. Used for the blocks (keys? sounders? the bits you hit) in concert xylophones, IIRC. Also used as a neck/body wood by Organic Guitars. Not as a fretboard though, but that may well be down to Organics design philosophy...

... G

Thanks1

I like paduak as well. It rings very well when tapped and seems very stable. I have to break into my stash and see exactly what I have, but I think I will be using it extensively.

found it! very cool! I like the jig too!

found it! very cool! I like the jig too!

Thanks! I have not been in the shop much at all in the last few months. Hopefully as winter arrives I will get things done.

I love the clamp to, stole that idea directly from preeb, works like a charm.

Believe it or not, this build is still alive. My buddy was down for a long time after a surgery, so no parts were coming, so no work was done. Well that has changed and we are moving forward as the finish dries on my build challenge guitar. Here are the changes. He decided to go with TV Jones pups. A PowerTron bridge and Magnatron neck, the super sweet Schaller 3d-6 bridge, Apoxie Sculpt black binding, wenge board and walnut neck ( both left over from last years challenge).

I already did the binding channel. For that I used my pin router with a 1/4" pin and a 1/2" bit. This cut a nice sized channel for the apoxie sculpt.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG288.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG290.jpg

Next step was to wipe a good coat of epoxy on the top of the guitar to stabilize the spalted maple top.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG639.jpg

Then I got out this stuff for the binding. Rolled out a nice little roap.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG640.jpg

and started filling the gap all the way around.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG641.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG642.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG643.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG644.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG645.jpg

Got out the 3/8" roundover bit and did a test spot.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG646.jpg

Looked like this when done. I did 2 passes.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG647.jpg

Got out the rasp, 40g on the sander and scraper. Commenced to removing wood.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG648.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG649.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG650.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG651.jpg

Butternut is pretty soft, it works and sands very well. I will probably end up using lacquer for the body. I don't think Tru Oil will be enough protection for this soft wood.

I put the mop dots on the FB, looks good. Nothing special, just med CA glue in the hole and flood the top with thin CA glue.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG660.jpg

I used a piece of the roasted maple for the fillet to cover the truss rod. I surface it on my granite block in preparation for glue up.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG669.jpg

To mount my FB's, I slather epoxy all over everything, line up my center lines and shoot a 1/2" headless pin in the nut slot and at the end of the FB. When everything is secure, it goes into the super clamp.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG676.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG677.jpg

For the binding, I sanded the top pretty flush and ran the sides around the router table with the flush trim bit. That did an OK job, but the scraper is key.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG662.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG664.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG665.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG666.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG667.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG668.jpg

Then I decided to take full advantage of the epoxy bindings ease of working and put a 1/4" round over on the front. I mean usually with binding you have a hard square edge, but now it is nice and comfy.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG670.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG671.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG672.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG673.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG674.jpg

There were a couple of spots that need filled in on the binding. So I mixed up a little ball to do that. I also smeared the rest of the epoxy from the fretboard on the top to fill the deepest depressions.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG675.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG678.jpg

Great build. I am about to start a similar build with a spalted beech top on a mahogany hollowed body and you've shown me a lot already.

Great build. I am about to start a similar build with a spalted beech top on a mahogany hollowed body and you've shown me a lot already.

My pleasure! I don't think I have seen spalted beech. Send pics.

I like the Apoxie trick for the top binding. That's a pretty nifty way to do what seems to be a difficult job. How much does that stuff cost and where can you obtain it?

Thanks! The Apoxie Sculpt is about 15.00 for the size I got. I believe Michaels or Hobby Lobby stocks it. I got mine off Amazon. I bought black and the white versions. It is a more flexible solution. This is the first time I have used it, but I think I will utilize it further.

The top looks like it suffered a lot of tearout. How did you plan on fixing that?

The top looks like it suffered a lot of tearout. How did you plan on fixing that?

That is not really tear out. It is soft wood spots that are part of the spalting. That is why I am stabilizing the top with epoxy. It will also fill those depressions and make everything smooth. You will still see them, but that is part of the spalted character.

So now that my challenge guitar is done (can't believe I was done before the deadline) I will focus my attention on getting this one done finally.

This morning I got up and scraped and sanded the 2nd coat of epoxy for the top.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG830.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG831.jpg

The I scraped the binding repairs flush and ran them through the roundover to even everything up.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG832.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG834.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG833.jpg

The I used some thick super glue to fill some more punky divots. Hit it with accelerator so that I could sand it quick.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG835.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG836.jpg

The CA hardened fast, so I marked everything and hogged it all out with the forstner bit.

Set depth.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG838.jpg

Commenced hogging.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG839.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG840.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG841.jpg

The I sanded the CA filler flush.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG842.jpg

Put my template on with some double stick tape.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG843.jpg

routed everything to 5/8"

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG844.jpg

Then I got out my favorite bit, a 3/4" dishcutter with a 1/2" collar in it. I used this to rout the final depth of 3/4" as well as cut a recess in the pickup cavity to allow for the wires. The TV Jones are a tight fit.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG845.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG846.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG847.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG848.jpg

Then I did the same for the control cavity.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG852.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG853.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG854.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG855.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG856.jpg

Test fit the neck in the pocket. Everything line up just right and the fit is good enough to pick the guitar up with no screws.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG849.jpg

Look Ma, no screws!

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG851.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG850.jpg

A couple more trouble spots that need CA. I will let those dry and get after it tomorrow.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG857.jpg

This is nice, great job so far man!

This is nice, great job so far man!

Thanks! I hope it turns out well.

I got out my crazy long 1/4" bit and drilled from the neck pocket into the neck pickup cavity into the bridge pickup cavity.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG858.jpg

Then from the bridge pickup cavity.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG859.jpg

Bridge ground wire.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG866.jpg

Next I put the neck in place, measured and marked the location for the bridge.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG860.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG861.jpg

Marked, drilled and countersunk.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG862.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG863.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG864.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG865.jpg

Because the Butternut is so light and pretty open pored, the blck dust from the binding gets into it. So I taped it off and sand all the way through 220g.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG868.jpg

This is 220g wiped down with mineral spirits.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG880.jpg

For the cavity cover I took a piece of spalted from the top and made it into a cover.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG869.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG870.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG871.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG872.jpg

Cut it out on the bandsaw.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG873.jpg

Flush trimmed with router and sanded.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG874.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG875.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG874.jpg

Now I had to route the recess to depth.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG876.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG877.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG878.jpg

Fits Good

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG879.jpg

The last thing I did this morning was to grain fill the back. I took out the Timbermate.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG881.jpg

Mixed up with some water per the directions, painted it on with a brush in both directions and then scraped off the excess with a plastic scraper.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG882.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG883.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG884.jpg

I will let it dry, sand and probably reapply tomorrow.

Hey Axedaddy, you're a busy man! This ones gonna be a beauty when its finished.

Hey Axedaddy, you're a busy man! This ones gonna be a beauty when its finished.

Thank you sir. I actually started this one after last years challenge ended. But my buddy I am building it for went MIA for a while. he is back in action now and I am trying to knock this thing out. It helps when you wake up at 3am and can't get back to sleep. Beats watching the tube.:lol:

This morning I found the body nicely dried and ready for sanding.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG885.jpg

I sanded the grain filler off with 220g and then320g. This is the first time I have used Timbermate for grain filler. i have to say, I really like it. It left a glass smooth filled finish after one application.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG886.jpg

Then I decided I better put a jack hole in before I go any farther.

marked the spot

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG887.jpg

Got out the 7/8" forstner bit

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG888.jpg

and drilled away.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG889.jpg

I wanted to get the back and sides sealed good before I take the tape off and start sanding the binding. So I got Tru Oil sealer filler. and wiped on a nice coat. I will do that a couple of times before the tape comes off. It really highlights the grain.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG890.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG891.jpg

....and then!!!......http://http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj514/pskidder/sc58_700.jpg

[QUOTE=pskidder;4166969]....and then!!!......http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj514/pskidder/sc58_700.jpg

....and then!!!......

Yes, and then your chambered walnut back, single cut with a one piece quilted carve top will begin.

Pulled the tape off and gave everything a good sanding.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG913.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG914.jpg

Sanded everything to 320 grit.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG915.jpg

Put a coat of Tru Oil sealer on the top. I will do this once or twice more and then Deft Sanding Sealer.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG924.jpg

This morning I sanded everything to 220g and put another coat of TO sealer on, let it dry and sanded again to 220g. Looked like this.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG950.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG951.jpg

Then I got out the Deft sanding sealer.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG952.jpg
and gave it a nice coat.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG953.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG954.jpg

I will inspect, repair if needed, sand and repeat this evening.

Looks familiar. :grin:

I think you're gonna love it!

That's looking great, axe.

Finally started on the neck. I trimmed the fret board with the bandsaw and then used the spiral flush trim bit to finish it up.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG916.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG917.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG925.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG926.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG927.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG928.jpg

Off to the ROSS to shape the end since it is 22 fret.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG929.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG930.jpg

I used a square to get the neck square and taped a block under it to keep it that way.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG932.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG931.jpg

Set the bandsaw to 5/8"

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG933.jpg

Cut the waste.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG934.jpg

To the ROSS for the transition.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG936.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG938.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG939.jpg

Got out the 16" radius sanding beam and clamped it in the vice.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG941.jpg

Commenced sanding through the grits.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG942.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG943.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG944.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG945.jpg

After I sanded to 320 grit, I taped up the frets and re-cut the slots for adequate depth.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG949.jpg

Took it to the buffer and used tripoli compound then white diamond. Came out like this.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG946.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG947.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG948.jpg

Looks familiar. :grin:

I think you're gonna love it!

Yeah I was thinking that too:lol: Thanks!

That's looking great, axe.

THANKS!!!

I got the side markers measured and marked.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG962.jpg

The I made this little jig to drill the holes. I just took a piece of plexi glass and super glued it on a piece of ply wood. I marked and drilled 2 holes in case I a fretboard is thinner.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG964.jpg

The I just went over the marks and drilled for side dots. Then I put in the plastic rod, cut them off and flooded with thin CA glue.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG965.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG966.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG967.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG968.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG969.jpg

For the frets I am doing something a little different. First off I am using the gold colored fret wire from LMII, first time with it, seems cool. The other different thing is I am using epoxy in the frets slots. I am using the "All Wood Epoxy" from LMII. It has a pretty good open time, a couple of hours I believe. Son there is enough time to use it and clean it up. My procedure was pretty simple, cut the frets to length, smear a portion of the board with epoxy, making sure the slots were full, and pressing in the frets. Clean up was pretty easy, just wiped everything good with a rag and then again with some acetone.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG970.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG972.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG973.jpg

The I clamped it with the radius beam. Don't need to, but I was done anyway, so why not.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG974.jpg

The body has had enough sanding sealer I reckon. So I scuffed it up with a bit of 320g, wiped it down good and got out the lacquer.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG986.jpg

Gave it the first coat.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG987.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG988.jpg

Great thread, I'm enjoying watching it come together!

Kind Regards,
Josh

Then I pulled the neck out of the clamps.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG975.jpg

and trimmed the fret ends.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG976.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG977.jpg

Now it is neck carving time. I marked the transitions.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG978.jpg

then use a rasp to get it an idea of the shape

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG979.jpg

and went at it with the horse shoe rasp

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG980.jpg

I worked that for a while and switched to a scraper.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG981.jpg

did a wipe down to check everything

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG982.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG983.jpg

moved to sandpaper, 80 grit then 120 grit and ended up here.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG984.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG985.jpg

I will give it a day to rest and check it out. Then I will move through the grits and start finishing.

Great thread, I'm enjoying watching it come together!

Kind Regards,
Josh

Thanks Josh! It is fun for me too!

Not much went on here yesterday. Took a full day off from everything. 1st one in a couple of months. Even when I was not at the day job I have been in the shop 7 days a week. I did do some research on pickup winding, good stuff. Anywho I digress. This morning I shot another coat of lacquer, no pics, only 2 hands. I also sanded the neck to 220 grit and got out the Timbermate.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG990.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG991.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG993.jpg

Taped up the FB.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG992.jpg

Mixed up with some warm water.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG994.jpg

Applied liberally with a brush with and then across the grain. I will let it dry and sand tomorrow.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG995.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG996.jpg

Grain filler is dry.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG997.jpg

Sanded it to 320 grit. I really like Timbermate grain filler, smooth as glass when sanded.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG998.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG999.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1000.jpg

Then I wiped on the first coat of Tru Oil sealer.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1003.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1002.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1001.jpg

Then I sanded the cavity cover

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1006.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1005.jpg

and wiped a coat of sealer on.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1007.jpg

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1008.jpg

While I was waiting for the first coat of TO sealer I made these.

http://i1219.photobucket.com/albums/dd436/axedaddy1/GWORMS%20TELE/IMG1004.jpg

Canary wood, 1/4 sawn paduak and Zebra Wood. The zebra wood has a twist in it, don't think I can save it. These are ready for the flush trim router.

Had some blush in the lacquer for the body this morning. Too humid, too heavy a coat or both. Waiting for it to dry and see if it goes away. I ordered the Behlen Jet Spray blush eraser. So no spraying until that issue is resolved.

I use apoxie sculpt for my neck dots side dots and bindings. The stuff is tough as nails and easy to work with.

I use apoxie sculpt for my neck dots side dots and bindings. The stuff is tough as nails and easy to work with.

Yeah I actually got (read STOLE) the idea from you when you used it on last years build challenge. THANKS!!! I really like it. It is super easy to repair if needed and I like that I was able to put a round over on the front of a bound guitar. My only complaint is that it shows every imperfection in the binding channel because it fills the voids.

Not much happening. Blew out my knee Friday night. Just left the ortho Dr, they said slightly torn or strained meniscus. They gave me a cortisone shot and said to rest it for a few more days and see what happens. Looks like I am out of the shop for at least a week.

Take good care of the knee, we want to see this project through.

Boy - that neck is beautiful! Hope the knee gets better soon, let it heal.

Take good care of the knee, we want to see this project through.

Boy - that neck is beautiful! Hope the knee gets better soon, let it heal.

Thanks men! I think the knee will be fine. I just hope I don't go stir crazy along the way:-)

I could build a guitar like that - I just don't wanna...

Seriously, beautiful craftsmanship.

Love the rounded binding!

You guys are getting my building fingers seriously itchy again. We must be masochists. There is no other explanation.

Let the guitar sit and take care of the Knee. I've had 2 knee surgeries and it will never be right. Get some therapy and strengthen it.

Love the rounded binding!

You guys are getting my building fingers seriously itchy again. We must be masochists. There is no other explanation.

Thanks kwerk. Congrats on a well deserved win!

Let the guitar sit and take care of the Knee. I've had 2 knee surgeries and it will never be right. Get some therapy and strengthen it.

The guitar has sat. Still can't get in the shop.:sad:

Went back to work last week, apparently too early, set me back. Just letting it heal now in hopes I can get this finished.