alexlaguna29's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

Well, let's do this. Here is my plan:

Tele shape african mahogany body thin-line style with tiger maple top.
Neck is flamed maple with indian rosewood fingerboard.

Here is the trick, though - I will be using acoustic type bridge (rosewood) with piezo in it, which will be complimentary to p-90 at neck position.

There will be several things in this build that I have never done before.
- Neck building
- Body binding
- Thinline-ish construction.

But, hey, it is a challenge, right?

Good luck to everyone!!!

Sounds awesome, look forward to seeing it unfold!

There will be several things in this build that I have never done before.
- Neck building
!

Neck building isn't hard at all. I'm finishing up my 3rd neck now.

Neck building isn't hard at all. I'm finishing up my 3rd neck now.

True Dat! I've built 3 as well, but of course 2 of those were for the same guitar :lol: (and not because I built a double-neck...)

yeah, yeah, blah, blah! :lol:

I need to find out that it's not hard myself! But thanks for encouraging, though :lol:

Sounds like a cool plan!

Welcome, and good luck! :grin:

Dave

Thanks, Dave!

Well, I definitively won't be starting this weekend - my buddies and I will try to catch the last piece of snow in the Appalachian (or Great Smokies) - it's ski time!!!!

Anyone wants to join?

So--you're NOT going for the speed round, I take it??

Don't break somethin on the slopes you'll need to build with, and anyway, if the weather's anything like it is here at home today, ain't gonna be much snow, I don't think. But a trip to the Smokies is never wasted.

Sounds like you've planned a great guitar. Looking forward to seeing it take shape.

OpenG Capo4 pointed out to me that you, he and I are 3 Atlanta area challengers. I'll be relying on you and OGC4 to drag me along.:oops:

Best of luck!

Man! I should be starting by now! But spent entire weekend skiing in the Smokies instead!

Tell you what - skiing @ 70 degrees weather is something else! :lol:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UylGwQjn_5E/T2c8YcXQJZI/AAAAAAAAAlY/J6lw-ETQfIk/s912/2012-03-17%252010.35.41.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wm5XSqni1II/T2c8YAhP7WI/AAAAAAAAAlU/M5XOxJQZvp8/s912/2012-03-17%252010.21.40.jpg

sounds like a good build. very interested in seeing this one come together.

the amazing thing that "this one" is still in one piece!

I will start shortly, don't worry!

What are you skiing on? Powdered sugar? Cake frosting? Laundry detergent? :lol:

Mixture of "All of the above"!

I will start shortly, don't worry!


Chop, Chop.

Don't the rules this year say something about there must be some sort of progess posted each week? Or did I misunderstand that.

"actual work must begin on your project no later than 4/1/2012"

So, I think, I am good

Oh, then you've got lots of time. You can even get out skiing a couple more times. :wink:

Man! I should be starting by now! But spent entire weekend skiing in the Smokies instead!

Tell you what - skiing @ 70 degrees weather is something else! :lol:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-UylGwQjn_5E/T2c8YcXQJZI/AAAAAAAAAlY/J6lw-ETQfIk/s912/2012-03-17%252010.35.41.jpg


Looks like Cataloochee. I was wondering if there was still any "snow" up there. Had to be a tough year for the NC ski resorts with it being so warm.

Yep, that's Cataloochee 3 days ago

C'mon, Alex, you're letting me get ahead of ya, and OpenGCapo4's way ahead of both of us!:razz:

However, from my 84 degree office over the garage in what feels like about 84% humidity, a tumble in that snow looks damn inviting!:cool:

Well, I know I am late but better late than never, right?

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QIruqyG0n84/T23-xnZapVI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/fJ0_-5Kcf-I/s720/2012-03-24%252012.56.15.jpg

What we have here is african mahogany body blank, flame maple for neck and indian rosewood for fretboard. I still have not piked up a wood for the top - it's gonna be some kind of figured maple....I think...we'll see.

Cut the body on a bandsaw.... I guess, the easiest part is complete :lol:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-tfzafm62UAE/T29rra6MFiI/AAAAAAAAAmY/Y8OLePRR6YQ/s800/Body%2520cut%25201.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8OU3R1JDINE/T29rrgvfmYI/AAAAAAAAAmg/-q9qDzFQaVo/s800/Body%2520cut%25202.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_cSxG9pOBM4/T29rrS93hkI/AAAAAAAAAmc/3t2zdgkVxyo/s800/Body%2520cut%25203.JPG

The only "easy" part is putting the strings on....lol. It all has to start somewhere though,
so good for you.

Question to all of you, forummates: is it just me, or your band saws burn wood this badly too?

Question to all of you, forummates: is it just me, or your band saws burn wood this badly too?

It's you. Switch to a 3/16" 3TPI blade for scrolling.

Steve

Just got some parts - rosewood bridge with bone saddle and piezo transducer with preamp. Still have no idea how I am going to blend piezo and magnetic pickups together.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7av-odlQeQo/T3JHukdoVlI/AAAAAAAAAnk/SUONcl-ndq0/s1024/2012-03-27%252019.02.44.jpg

It's you. Switch to a 3/16" 3TPI blade for scrolling.

Steve

Maybe it's Atlanta. Mine burns too. Timberwolf. Ain't the blade. May be the operator, though.

Read somebody here on the forum combining piezo and magnetic, don't recall just where, though.

Worked on creating my own neck contour jig - thanks, Bill! Pics to come!

Trying to decide what headstock shape I am going to use. Previously, I used this one an all of my t-style builds:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6mtDOVw8tc0/T3JbwxAUF3I/AAAAAAAAA-c/_2mmo9xaVM8/s720/2011-03-02%252007.49.23.jpg

But then I built my Double Cut and used this shape:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-H2Zy6nsThGA/TohmEDYXIgI/AAAAAAAAASs/t5MY74pqV2E/s912/2011-10-02%252009.16.33.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AZH_BtcINIg/TtxFmoCYpII/AAAAAAAAAcg/kzSANG7DvD0/s912/IMG_2841.JPG

But now I am thinking, that 3x3 would look better on Double Cut and 6 in line wold look better on t-style.

Which one do you guys like better? Or should I redesign the headstock completely?

My vote's for the 6 in line. But then again, I'm a traditionalist, and this is a Tele build endeavor, after all. Either one would look great.

I agree. 3x3 for a DC, 6 in line for the T.

got new toys:

Sanding Table with dust collection

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-IjrPC3ONORo/T35QScRYAZI/AAAAAAAAA-w/0L9wyRJIzOA/s1024/20120405_215701.jpg

And, inspired by Colt, grizzly router table! CANT WAIT TO GIVE IT A TRY!!!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-e7Uoac9UhGw/T35QLrp0R0I/AAAAAAAAA-o/0STK1hC3nxg/s1024/20120405_215717.jpg

Nice. I built a sanding table once, and it worked well, but then it seemed like everything I built afterward was too big for it--bed frame, book case, etc., so I just keep on hooking up my shop vac to the random orbit sander. That router table looks great, and from watching Colt's videos, it's perfect for guitar building.

spent several hours trying to learn how to rout straight truss rod slot. Still more to learn!

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-nCrPwJYULQg/T4TNFGl1FDI/AAAAAAAAA_E/tRjpO8VFvTI/s912/20120410_201317.jpg

Why don't you just set up a fence?
http://i969.photobucket.com/albums/ae173/RogerC108/TrussRodjig.jpg

Did you get it worked out? Come by my place one evening or on the weekend sometime and I'll show you my truss rod slotting jig.

R. Stratenstien has built one similar to mine as well. I think we're all using the same "blue" truss rods as well. The neck on my challenge guitar is the second I've built with a blue rod and I really like them.

How are you liking the Grizzly router table?

Use the fense on the router table. Use tape to mark the start and stop points. Practice on cheaper wood. :-)

Thanks to all of you, guys! I've been using this Ryobi straight edge guide, but can't keep my router from dancing:

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/6a/6aa22f69-cb30-4a96-9d5c-183470b0a74b_300.jpg

I'll try to use a fence on my router table tonight - hopefully, this will work.

Sharp bits, small bites, go slow.

Did you get that edge guide at Home Depot? I got a new Bosch router and am looking for an edge guide for it. I don't think anybody carries the Bosch edge guide but they seem to be an interchangable design nowadays.

Yeah, I got mine at HD - I think, it does say "universal"

Did some fingerboard thicknessing this weekend - didn't realize how much dust rosewood creates! Pix to come!

Now, I started thinking on the f-hole design. BTW, question for everybody: you know how acoustic guitars create a major feedback when plugged in if soundhole is not covered? So, will I have similar issue with hollow body guitar with uncovered f-hole?

didn't realize how much dust rosewood creates!

Not that breathing any dust is a good thing but this type of dust is typically one of the worst kinds. I hope you wear a mask or at least do your sanding outside in the wind.

Also maple dust is not very nice. Its carcinogen...

Last night I realized that my template was damaged. No worries, my master template is still good! Time to make new templates:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WGgZhALi_0Q/T4zHNkRjm9I/AAAAAAAABAA/CTCUNg9HMnE/s912/20120416_200623.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dz1RrAm3sRw/T4zHIT4JTXI/AAAAAAAAA_4/sie9PWfyNao/s640/20120416_202919.jpg

Routed out the body - man, I am loving this router table!!!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-tdJN8xrASxA/T4zHDC-bUmI/AAAAAAAAA_w/e7lK3JZRJ1s/s912/20120416_211536.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v0VobUSno7I/T4zG92tkGiI/AAAAAAAAA_o/Xs03WSb9Wg0/s912/20120416_211544.jpg

built myself a neck template

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wdANolh1mLM/T44H70fRBII/AAAAAAAABAQ/Tm-U5tKzQUA/s640/20120417_200950.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-HaaJLHtUPYI/T44H_g4rqUI/AAAAAAAABAY/I9mrP74pkCU/s800/20120417_200940.jpg

Looks like it's working pretty darned good too!

Need your help, guys!

I just measured my neck template and, oh, crap! It's 1 9/16".

1/16" off of of generally accepted 1 5/8"

Do you think i will be ok, or should i make another template?

Functionally it will be fine, but if it bothers you, just make another.

As long as the sides are straight and you're center line is correct you're good.

I think I'll leave it like this. Thanks, guys!

Worked on the neck. Not perfect, but I think it's ok for my first neck ever.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-C9q_nD3r0mg/T498AlBaP_I/AAAAAAAABA8/lC3MuZHXOD0/s912/20120418_223653.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-gQxwiReXc0k/T4977oX4C2I/AAAAAAAABA0/Sh6hzAoxv0g/s912/20120418_223704.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1lYu4V-i08Q/T497xfid9YI/AAAAAAAABAk/kt-8v-Qp-Xc/s912/20120418_223753.jpg

Looking good. You glued the fretboard on yet?

I'm interested to see the acoustic bridge happen. I have a 12 string acoustic bridge in my parts pile. Been thinking of doing a similar concept as a 12 string jangle-caster.

Hey - I like your router table too. Where did that come from?

Looking good. You glued the fretboard on yet?

I'm interested to see the acoustic bridge happen. I have a 12 string acoustic bridge in my parts pile. Been thinking of doing a similar concept as a 12 string jangle-caster.

Thanks man! I didn't glue the fretboard yet. it's still need some more thicknessing and sanding. I also need to go and pick up some wood for the body top cap.

Hey - I like your router table too. Where did that come from?

it came from Grizzly. I got to say - this table is a monster! Second best investment I've done (after ROSSS :lol:)

Oh, look, it's still on sale! Here is the link: http://www.grizzly.com/products/Router-Table-with-Stand/T10432?utm_source=google&utm_medium=productlisting&utm_campaign=google%2Bproducts

Really nice job on the neck, Alex!

Nice work on the neck Alex. That's a fine looking tiger grain too. Keep up the good work. :grin:

Late response, but for your next build, please feel free to contact me and use my neck routing jig, or come see it to build your own or whatever.

I don't think you'll have the same feedback with your thinline semi-hollow configuration as an acoustic does with an open sound hole. Top of a thinline is considerably less flexible than an acoustic top, even with the stiffeners underneath.

Build is looking good so far, Alex.

Thanks to you all, guys, for nice words!

Late response, but for your next build, please feel free to contact me and use my neck routing jig, or come see it to build your own or whatever.

I don't think you'll have the same feedback with your thinline semi-hollow configuration as an acoustic does with an open sound hole. Top of a thinline is considerably less flexible than an acoustic top, even with the stiffeners underneath.

Build is looking good so far, Alex.

Appreciate this! I probably will take your help next time! :razz:

Glued in the fretboard

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Jxt1Hn2pB4g/T5IqDK2RnQI/AAAAAAAABBI/FK3UZFogHfo/s912/20120420_232949.jpg

Fretboard glued in:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B9X95-oFG0E/T5NkLwmC3SI/AAAAAAAABCQ/fLP86-2174g/s800/20120421_201855.jpg

Cut fretboard close to neck on the band saw:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-GISR4Us1q2s/T5NkRP1qF2I/AAAAAAAABCY/ZTceO1u0U6U/s800/20120421_202751.jpg

And then routed fretboard edge using neck as a template

Voila!!!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ViihQZwDP1I/T5NkDs-vWLI/AAAAAAAABCA/cw5xZ9IB-Fo/s640/20120421_205746.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XLZiNDPgZFg/T5Nj_cC4pSI/AAAAAAAABB4/m22y8GVJWTY/s640/20120421_205818.jpg

I am pretty happy how it came out.

Here is a little teaser mock up!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lTSGGMaT4TQ/T5NjonWiMDI/AAAAAAAABBQ/vR6TdpJ0dmg/s640/20120421_214025.jpg

Yep I'd be happy with how that came out also - looks cool with that bridge.

It's got a big smile--knows how good it's gonna look! . .

Thanks a lot, guys!

took the neck to the ROSS for the final thickness. The fretboard now is dead straight

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZxwVUeednGs/T5dP6B6XacI/AAAAAAAABDI/fns7OWQLoBY/s576/20120424_210418.jpg

I also cut out the maple cap - look at the grain on this monster!!!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dcQtjHmX1-Y/T5dPkzZliVI/AAAAAAAABCw/--xvyhdXZGc/s576/20120424_210540.jpg

Great work, especailly for your first time neck. That top is a phenom! Gonna be killer. :)

Very cool design, and you're doing a hell of a job putting it all together.

Thanks!

Chambered the mahogany body and glued in the maple top. My camera didnt work, so no pix. I will post som pix tomorrow with cap glued in

Hey Alex, the neck looks great and I love the maple top. Looks like you are doing great work.

Love the build. The bridge is really cool and your workmanship is outstanding. This is a 5 star build no matter who the butt head is that is giving anything less than 5 to all of this years builds.

Thanks, guys!

I need your opinion. I always loved the way Gibson Chet Atkins SST looked liked and I always wanted to have one:

http://homepage.mac.com/billmonk/ce-specs/GibsonChetAtkinsSST.jpg

So I figured - what the heck! No soundhole and no magnetic pickup. Just a chambered mahogany body with amber finished maple top and piezo transducer under the saddle. Besides, I can always add magnetic pickup later if I want to, right?

Tell me what you think!

I'd say go for it, the top looks good - no reason to make any holes into it right now!

Yep. Do it!

Alex, I like it! With that awesome cap wood you've got, it would be a perfect showplace for it.

Would you use the star fret markers? Stew Mac or one (maybe more) of the other luthier houses stock them, and I'd love to use them, but am scared of the inlay catastrophe potential:shock: But, if you have expeerience and/or confidence with inlay, it would look really cool, IMHO.

Congrats on your promotion to 5-star, BTW. :grin: Since I found out how that thing works, I've been voting everybody's build thread 5 stars. Every last one of them is more than worth it.

Looks like you are on the right track to me. I like Chet's too. If you are not satisfied, I think you could go ahead and add other pickups in the future.

Looking nice.

naah, I will use abalone dots. I've never done inlays in my life and I don't think this is a good project to practice.

So, anyway, this is the picture of the cap being glued in:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kO-Y0MU8rSk/T5tR7WLejMI/AAAAAAAABDs/QPbVtW_whtE/s800/20120427_210754.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cfst2Bc6cI4/T5tR0ohV_lI/AAAAAAAABDk/Mf7EHsLpY2Y/s576/20120427_211025.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-44gnegmcJ0o/T5tRvpHCo1I/AAAAAAAABDc/E-yTfpIe5Z8/s800/20120427_214520.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M6k3CPzReSI/T5tRq1wmmMI/AAAAAAAABDU/zLyCdx_dWU4/s576/20120427_214632.jpg

More progress last night. First, did a roundover on the body:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-roMogz-8jPg/T59I5vI9zeI/AAAAAAAABEA/35Sbs2Y4sJQ/s912/20120430_221613.jpg

then took a rasp and did the profile at both ends of the neck

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e0CV7AhUPDw/T59JKL7mQAI/AAAAAAAABEY/X5FsRbWa4tM/s912/20120430_215722.jpg

Then off we go on the back contour:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCmCQJGe-G4/T59JEnldidI/AAAAAAAABEQ/67WsptXvrX8/s912/20120430_221446.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6mzIyudtnz4/T59I-GypX4I/AAAAAAAABEI/qq-IyaxdzmU/s720/20120430_221456.jpg

Nice job

Started looking like a neck now :lol:

Nice job

thanks, man!

You are just on fire now. Have you decided what type finish you're doing and I just
missed it, or is that a secret?

It will be tru oil all around. I really want my neck and the top to be amber, so I will mess around with tru oil and alcohol dissolved aniline dye on a scrap tonight.

finished the neck contour and transition - I think, it's pretty god for my first neck

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fGz5zxBkeyk/T6CF00spQyI/AAAAAAAABE8/6o-oJYmI1wU/s800/20120501_204753.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ak8XTXQ94Lk/T6CFjC6vXII/AAAAAAAABE0/Y_Jx48wcmWc/s640/20120501_204815.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-uknEpeFd_Ng/T6CFWNMz6vI/AAAAAAAABEs/pKxx9NIgt24/s640/20120501_204823.jpg

looks great for any neck let alone a first neck...that top is gonna be killer too

Hey Alex,

I love the Chet Atkins concept. Very cool!

Barncaster

Neck is great, alex and maple cap is gorgeous.

Looks like you did a fantastic job on the neck, Alex!

Thanks, guys!

I've had good luck getting an "amber" finish by staining with "Golden Oak" danish oil and then doing Tru Oil over that. Not sure what other stains are compatible with Tru Oil.

Neck carve looks great btw. I have a friend who built a piezo solidbody. Bolted a start neck on to an aluminum frame actually. It sounded awesome when I played it but he had it ran through a Pro Tools type modeling program so I'm not sure what it'd have sounded like straight into an amp.

I've had good luck getting an "amber" finish by staining with "Golden Oak" danish oil and then doing Tru Oil over that. Not sure what other stains are compatible with Tru Oil.

Thanks for the advice - I will try that on a scrap piece to see how it comes out.

Alex,

In all truth, I'm thinking this would look really good in a Caribbean burst.... but that's just me... and maybe Herb.

Barncaster

Oh, yeah....that caribbean burst...mmmmmm! I'd love to do this, but I am not set up for this yet and the deadline is almost near...I don't think there is enough time for this

Not much of a progress - cut the fret slots:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KLaPgiCKBNk/T6PMEpm7b8I/AAAAAAAABFs/GdWGuM6yoko/s720/20120503_222423.jpg

Looking good. Keep up the good work.

Looks great! Everything.
This is gonna be wonderful.

Looks great! Everything.
This is gonna be wonderful.

Thanks!

Looking good. Keep up the good work.

Thanks! Dude, after this is over, you, R. Strat and I should get together for some nice brewski and guitar building discussion!

that's a beautiful fretboard, Alex. Keep up the good work.

Didn't do much during weekend - fretboard radius (16"), cut fret slots, installed frets, installed abalone inlay dots.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Egid0UFCbw4/T6e1mMJY50I/AAAAAAAABGI/jfwSl-XTx8s/s912/20120507_074302.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ydsc4dw-wa0/T6e1polVM1I/AAAAAAAABGQ/WEVUa1R36dc/s720/20120507_074225.jpg

Routed neck pocket and rear control cavity.

Made a front control plate out of the scrap rosewood and rear control plate out of scrap maple:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Y81Oy7Nlcx4/T6nc83W3wlI/AAAAAAAABHE/CJvVyQyh9Ro/s800/20120508_204621.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GRDxpg2psS8/T6ndC-AoRFI/AAAAAAAABHM/DN6aVTHbjQ0/s800/20120508_204533.jpg

Drilled string holes and pilot hole for transducer:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1rc0ydIEUiA/T6ncz4H9D0I/AAAAAAAABG0/cjRR3WSW5C4/s800/20120508_214905.jpg

Routed top roundover and drilled jack hole:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TsfYaIuvVWQ/T6ncvLw0vsI/AAAAAAAABGs/YKr2qj1M26E/s800/20120508_223811.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-I0bzRH3hfQE/T6ncpWHDPzI/AAAAAAAABGk/aRIc-PCLUeY/s800/20120508_223822.jpg

Here is another teaser mockup:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mN9eNlYDG7I/T6nc4vh2lfI/AAAAAAAABG8/IIW7ErvKFA4/s640/20120508_205043.jpg

It's really starting to take shape, Alex. I like the bridge you picked out. It looks great on the body.

Looks great! That's a super-nice job for your first neck.
I also like the way you're making it exciting by taking it
right up to the deadline! :lol:

I also like the way you're making it exciting by taking it right up to the deadline! :lol:

Yeah, tell me about it! :lol:

It's really starting to take shape, Alex. I like the bridge you picked out. It looks great on the body.

Thanks a bunch!

Looks great, Alex. You're ahead of me--goi a great looking neck carved, and you're ready to shoot some dope on that thing. I think you'll make it, old boy! Not so sure about myself. Am on hold now with my "friends " at AT&t, trying to get my internet working. Was hoping to post a few pix tonight, but spent over 20 minutes trying to get Photobucket running on this crappy line. GRRR.

Wow I like that bridge. Keep going you got...well never mind, just keep going, its looking great.

Wow I like that bridge. Keep going you got...well never mind, just keep going, its looking great.

What James said! :razz:

Well, I messed up! Big time! Remember that rosewood top control plate? It's destroyed. Now I am thinking, what to use as a cover for transducer equalizer. Maybe veneer?

Sucks!

Bummer! I'm sure you've got something lying around. If not, head to a local cabinet shop and sort through their cutoffs.

Well, I messed up! Big time! Remember that rosewood top control plate? It's destroyed. Now I am thinking, what to use as a cover for transducer equalizer. Maybe veneer?

Sucks!

Hey Alex,

Popsicle sticks are cheap! :wink:

Barncaster

Come on out to Athens I have all sorts of offcuts if you need something to make into a control plate.

I think, I have an idea - I will work on some scrap and present the pics.

Alex, say it ain't so!:sad:

The tension is killing me. !

To echo OGC4--
I have some thin mahogany and some thin cherry about right for cover plates, I'm just down the road from Lawrenceville, and I'll be home all day tomorrow, doing--guess what? Let me know if you want to come get it.

Rick

So this is what I did:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vzp1LHqQ4WE/T6yHYAPo4rI/AAAAAAAABHw/u4EeY8f7-JQ/s800/20120510_211220.jpg

And this is how I fixed it:

First I cut out a bigger hole:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRsRYnmRf3Y/T6yHUGgGSFI/AAAAAAAABHo/7J2Uvkkx8lE/s800/20120510_225301.jpg

Then I took some nice piece of honduran rosewood and after a lot of cutting and drilling I had a nice cover - voila!

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hxmEZQZxWcA/T6yHP86TNvI/AAAAAAAABHg/j81RYb1rbGU/s800/20120510_225317.jpg

I also started applying TO to the neck - flames really started to pop out:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PDHTBHimVa0/T6yHLQBKLAI/AAAAAAAABHY/rmrLMs2hPLw/s640/20120510_232426.jpg

Alex, say it ain't so!:sad:

The tension is killing me. !

To echo OGC4--
I have some thin mahogany and some thin cherry about right for cover plates, I'm just down the road from Lawrenceville, and I'll be home all day tomorrow, doing--guess what? Let me know if you want to come get it.

Rick

Thanks, man, I just read your note! I found some scrap in my shop for this issue, as I mentioned above.

Looks like you're making good progress. That cover for the (preamp?) is really nice.

Hey Alex,

Popsicle sticks are cheap! :wink:

Barncaster

Hey.. I can send you a few!

Hey.. I can send you a few!

:lol:

Thanks, man, I just read your note! I found some scrap in my shop for this issue, as I mentioned above.

Thanks!

Mandatory food shot - they served fajitas at work today - nice!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Z4LaOg6Lpog/T61wlSy13PI/AAAAAAAABIE/gNyViVAira8/s912/20120511_155629.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LNuaU4Pqi1g/T61weH1ZZzI/AAAAAAAABH8/X_WmFzzZ750/s720/20120511_160041.jpg

Looks like you're making good progress. That cover for the (preamp?) is really nice.

Thanks!

applied couple of coats of TO to the body:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lOWRceXX9S8/T63Vzpb3VlI/AAAAAAAABIY/XFNtER-l5eM/s640/20120511_231106.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SV2FnHh9Jrk/T63VuxXebdI/AAAAAAAABIQ/VkyCQ_9Ou5I/s640/20120511_231117.jpg

Cover worked great. You shoudda never admitted you screwed the first one up and nobody'd be the wiser! Neck and body are looking great, too. That body cap is really going to pop when you get a coat or 2 more of TO on it.

Thanks! it's kind of dark in my garage for good photos; it actually looks much prettier in person than on the picture!

I'll have to come over and see it in person, so the dark garage doesn't matter. When's your office serving those fajitas for lunch next??:mrgreen::twisted:

Finally put this thing together:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NjUkU5I9mB0/T7B43K9Zh5I/AAAAAAAABIw/Fw9euqvQetc/s912/20120513_231232.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-IJTUj4UVCK0/T7B4-Ab8YCI/AAAAAAAABI4/KCX9o1ajoMU/s912/20120513_231216.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-S2g0SZ7F0hs/T7B5FMYAgxI/AAAAAAAABJA/6dhSzvJwJDI/s912/20120513_231202.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AYymXiBtdh0/T7B5LYwENPI/AAAAAAAABJI/HfLVJdfw94c/s720/20120513_231152.jpg

So, pencils down, it's official:

Picture:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-AYymXiBtdh0/T7B5LYwENPI/AAAAAAAABJI/HfLVJdfw94c/s720/20120513_231152.jpg

Video (just remember, I am fat, ugly, speak with bad accent and can't play the guitar):

Mrt7Q5LKGIk

Nicely done, Alex! Turned out beautifully

Awesome guitar, Alex! I love tiny guitars that sound acoustic, I'll have to build one someday.

Congratulations, man. That sounds and looks excellent. Well done!

Well, after days of playing, I decided that the neck was too thin to my taste. Also made couple of mods to the guitar - pics to follow