adirondak5's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

OK , I'm not going to stand by and watch you folks have all the fun , like Dave said it's on ! Have no clue what I'm going to do yet but I will by the weekend . Hmmmmm , :?::confused::wink::smile::shock::twisted:

Sweet!!! Glad to see you in the mix.

Mark

Danged good to have you in this year! Welcome to the circus Herb :lol:

Dave

Sweet!!! Glad to see you in the mix.

Mark

Thanks Mark , couldn't pass up the fun this year .


Danged good to have you in this year! Welcome to the circus Herb :lol:

Dave

Thanks Dave , looking forward to it :grin:

Get'em Herb! good luck!

Herb,

I hope this build challenge does not slow down the completion of your latest semi-hollow. I've been waiting for you to finish that up.

Seriously, good luck, I love your builds.

Get'em Herb! good luck!

Hey melomanarock ! Thanks , just gotta figure out what to build now :confused:

Herb,

I hope this build challenge does not slow down the completion of your latest semi-hollow. I've been waiting for you to finish that up.

Seriously, good luck, I love your builds.

Thanks CapnCrunch , I didn't forget :lol:

good luck Herb.:grin:

good luck Herb.:grin:

Hey thanks tm53 , good to see you are in ;)

Hey, awesome, Herb, good to see ya. It'll be a blast!

Good Luck!!

Hey, awesome, Herb, good to see ya. It'll be a blast!

Good Luck!!

It already is :D
Thanks kwerk

glad to see you made it!!

Good luck, Herb. I'm looking forward to watching all you experienced guys...:smile:

Good luck Herb

Chris , Roger , dazzy , thanks , good building to you all. :)

OK , I'm not going to stand by and watch you folks have all the fun , like Dave said it's on ! Have no clue what I'm going to do yet but I will by the weekend . Hmmmmm , :?::confused::wink::smile::shock::twisted:

Hooray!

Hey Herb!

Hooray!

Now that's a welcome , thanks Glenn :)

Hey Herb!

Hey Rob , we are in , or in for it , either way its gonna be fun. :D

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with :grin:

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you come up with :grin:

I think I have it figured out , after work I'll get my pics up.

I think I have it figured out , after work I'll get my pics up.

Looking forward to seeing what you have in mind.

OK , here's my proof of start photo

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0004.jpg?t=1331763351

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0003.jpg?t=1331763833

Black Walnut , just long enough to get one 2 piece blank out of , 1 3/8" thick , 2 pieces of Lowes maple , really didn't show up good in the pics but nice heavy flame in both , one will give me a neck , the other will give me a cap. Pao ferro finger board blank , so it will be a 2 piece neck with a truss rod , it will be a Snakehead headstock , it will be a chambered body , faux binding , the finish is going to be a bit different for me but you are going to have to stick around to find out about that. It will be 2 pickups , neck and bridge , I'll wind those myself , hopefully like mojotron I'll try to get some glue up work done tomorrow or Friday and maybe Saturday some dust will be flying.
So , release the hounds ! The game is afoot!

Can't wait to see this one! Is the snakehead on hold for the challenge??

Can't wait to see this one! Is the snakehead on hold for the challenge??

Hey thanks mojo , pretty much that one will be on hold , until spraying time for this challenge build , which will work out good anyway , better weather.

Herb! that wood is stunning! Looks like you are off to a heck of a start! Cant wait to see what your gonna do. Good luck man! ...damn I gotta start going to Lowes. :D

Man, I never find stuff that good at my Lowes. This is going to be a beauty!

OK , here's my proof of start photo

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0003.jpg?t=1331763833


Oh................my.................god! :shock:


Man, I never find stuff that good at my Lowes. This is going to be a beauty!
Of course you don't, they only think maple is used in New England :roll:

Herb! that wood is stunning! Looks like you are off to a heck of a start! Cant wait to see what your gonna do. Good luck man! ...damn I gotta start going to Lowes. :D


Thanks Steve , yea , I check Lowes/Home Depot just about every weekend , got some really nice maple every once in a while.


Man, I never find stuff that good at my Lowes. This is going to be a beauty!


Thanks Roger , hopefully it will all meld together good.

Oh................my.................god! :shock:



Of course you don't, they only think maple is used in New England :roll:

I will never figure out why they don't stock it down by you Dave , up here it does not sell like hot cakes , infact a lot of people won't buy the figured stuff , they want clear.

I will never figure out why they don't stock it down by you Dave , up here it does not sell like hot cakes , infact a lot of people won't buy the figured stuff , they want clear.
Yeh, I figured long ago that big buck economics is the reason they don't here. The shops that want it, get the clear stuff here as well, and likely get it by the truck load cheaper than Lowe's/HD would sell it. That just leaves the screwballs like us, and there aren't enough of us. That load I conned HD into ordering took them over a year to sell. I bought all I could afford but couldn't talk enough people into buying as well. The economy of bulk (sigh), now if I could find some douglas fir :lol:

Good luck Herb. Can't wait to see what you do this year.

Yeh, I figured long ago that big buck economics is the reason they don't here. The shops that want it, get the clear stuff here as well, and likely get it by the truck load cheaper than Lowe's/HD would sell it. That just leaves the screwballs like us, and there aren't enough of us. That load I conned HD into ordering took them over a year to sell. I bought all I could afford but couldn't talk enough people into buying as well. The economy of bulk (sigh), now if I could find some douglas fir :lol:

I can get kd doug. fir 4x4's at Lowes , I probably will pick one up and make a few laminate blanks in the future.

Good luck Herb. Can't wait to see what you do this year.

Thanks Paul :)

Man , lots of work going on , guess I better get busy too , first thing I did was check my Ridgid Tools Calender , plenty of time to the deadline , uh , I think :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1881.jpg?t=1331857923

Next thing I marked the walnut and cut it in half

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1877.jpg?t=1331857822

Took each half to the jointer

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1878.jpg?t=1331857840

Glued up

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1879.jpg?t=1331857860

Clamped

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1890.jpg?t=1331858087

Same with the piece of maple for the cap , I am not book matching this , its 3/4" thick so I'll match the pieces as best I can and probably take it down to 3/8" on the planer and thickness sander

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1880.jpg?t=1331857901

Jointer

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1885.jpg?t=1331857997

Glued and clamped

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1889.jpg?t=1331858058

Tomorrow I'll get the body and cap on the thickness sander and or planer and get them nice and level and plum

Cool! :cool:

[QUOTE=adirondak5;4010466]Man , lots of work going on , guess I better get busy too , first thing I did was check my Ridgid Tools Calender , plenty of time to the deadline , uh , I think :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1881.jpg?t=1331857923

man i gotta get me one of those calendars.:razz:

Cool! :cool:

Thanks Dave , cool is good :smile:


[QUOTE=adirondak5;4010466]Man , lots of work going on , guess I better get busy too , first thing I did was check my Ridgid Tools Calender , plenty of time to the deadline , uh , I think :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1881.jpg?t=1331857923

man i gotta get me one of those calendars.:razz:

Yes a good calender in the shop is very useful Zane , funny my wife doesn't think so :confused::razz:

Got the walnut and the maple out of the clamps and to the thickness sander

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1894.jpg?t=1331937663

Took the walnut down to 1 1/4"

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1896.jpg?t=1331937583

I bought this piece of walnut off ebay a year or so ago , was gonna use it for skunk stripes and such , I only paid like $15.00 for it , but there was something about it that made me think I might be able to make a body out of it , here's a pic of the back with a naptha rubdown , nice IMO

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1898.jpg?t=1331937610

Same for the maple cap , took it down to 3/8"

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1895.jpg?t=1331937563

A little rubdown for the cap as well

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1899.jpg?t=1331937702

Tomorrow I'll be cutting and routing the walnut and getting the cap glued on :grin:

Walnut is probably my favorite wood. period. You got a heck of a deal there, Herb, and I can think of no one better to do something with it!

Walnut is probably my favorite wood. period. You got a heck of a deal there, Herb, and I can think of no one better to do something with it!

Thanks Roger , first time I've used it for a body , I like the look of it .

Looks real nice. I have some big slabs of it also but I've been hesitant to use it because it's heavy. What's yours like weight wise...your wood that is...errr that board, is it heavy?

Looks real nice. I have some big slabs of it also but I've been hesitant to use it because it's heavy. What's yours like weight wise...your wood that is...errr that board, is it heavy?

Thanks Muzikp , it's heavy , even at 1 1/4" thick , but once I get it chambered out it should be pretty good , I didn't weigh it yet but I am hoping for a 4 to 4 1/2 lbs body when done . When I decided to save this piece of walnut for a body I planed on only a chambered body/thinline just because of the weight.

here's a pic of the back with a naptha rubdown , nice IMO

Well..................YEAH! :lol:

You have this and the calendar, got it made :cool:


Dave

Amazing wood. This is going to go together beautifully.

BTW, I haven't been able to see this calendar people are talking about. I keep getting distracted.

Wait....where was a "calender"? I must've gotten distracted by the pretty girl?

Great wood choices. This one's gonna be a stunner!

Well..................YEAH! :lol:

You have this and the calendar, got it made :cool:

Dave

Thanks Dave :smile:

Amazing wood. This is going to go together beautifully.

BTW, I haven't been able to see this calendar people are talking about. I keep getting distracted.

Thanks kwerk , the calender ? If you look up at at that picture on the wall above my snakehead neck , ahhh , what was the question again ???? :razz:

Wait....where was a "calender"? I must've gotten distracted by the pretty girl?

Great wood choices. This one's gonna be a stunner!


Thanks emoney , yep , not many folks notice , but there is a calender there , I don't know exactly where but they tell me its there :lol:

Things are lookin good Herb...specially the calendar. Have I noticed a trend toward Snakeheads this year?

Things are lookin good Herb...specially the calendar. Have I noticed a trend toward Snakeheads this year?

Thanks Paul ,yes , you are not the only one that noticed the Snakehead trend this year , Like Dave said a while back concerning the Snakehead , GMP - Golden Means Proportion , when something just looks and feels right , I think the snakehead is that. I am glad there are many others out there that appreciate it also :smile:

There's a joke in there about rigid tools with that calendar, but this is a family forum! ;)

There's a joke in there about rigid tools with that calendar, but this is a family forum! ;)

What ? Man , you are way off base there.
Do you know how many folks right here on this forum use Ridgid brand tools ? I myself have a table saw , oscillating spindle /belt sander , laminate trimmer , full size router , planer , jointer , all made by Ridgid Tool Co.
No joke. http://www.ridgid.com/

Gotta a bit more done , took my acrylic template just to see what the back will look like , don't have much room for adjustment but it looks good.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1904.jpg?t=1332001367

Then I mounted the routing template and traced the outline for the body , took the template off and went to the band saw , that template is set up for a p-90 in the neck position but this body will have a regular tele neck pup , I'll just use a different template when I get to that part.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1905.jpg?t=1332001388

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1906.jpg?t=1332001415

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1907.jpg?t=1332001433

Did the same with the maple cap , just didn't cut to the line , I left it about 1/4" over , I route that extra off after glue up .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1908.jpg?t=1332001458

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1909.jpg?t=1332001504

Then I got out my chamber template , screwed it to the same two mounting hole locations as the body template and marked the chambers

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1910.jpg?t=1332001530

Then to the drill press and a 1" forstner bit , I set the depth stop so I'll have 3/8" left at the bottom , 1 hole done 150 more to go :razz:


http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1911.jpg?t=1332001561

Lots and lots of wood shavings

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1912.jpg?t=1332001587

I wanted to see what it weighs before hogging out the spot below the bridge , I would like to end up with a 4 to 4 1/2 lbs body

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1914.jpg?t=1332001614

3 lbs 14 oz , I'll hog out below the bridge , I want it a bit lighter

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1916.jpg?t=1332001688

That's better , with the cap laying on top its at 5 lbs 5.7 oz , once I route out the cavities , the sides , trim the cap and route out the pup pockets and neck pocket it should be right about where I want it . :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1918.jpg?t=1332001726

Awesome Herb!

What are you going to use for glue? I'm have a bunch of Titebond hide glue in the brown bottles. Gil said something about hide being superior to regular Titebond. Others say different. What do you think?

Barncaster

Awesome Herb!

What are you going to use for glue? I'm have a bunch of Titebond hide glue in the brown bottles. Gil said something about hide being superior to regular Titebond. Others say different. What do you think?

Barncaster

Thanks Rob , I am going to stick with good old Titebond Original , I really don't have much experience with hide glues , I know Preeb likes them , and I believe Brian (henderson is go) is using a fish glue in his build which I have heard is similar to hide
glue , I have also heard that the hot hide glue that you need to melt in a glue pot is thought to be better than store bought bottled hide glue , also heard that bottled hide glue has a shelf life ? But like I said I really don't know. Not sure but I thought I read somebodies thread recently about hot hide glue versus bottled ??
I have not had any problems using Titebond Original , it works for me. :wink:

Got the chambers routed , brought the weight down right where I want it .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1919.jpg?t=1332008781

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1923.jpg?t=1332008821

4 lbs 10.2 oz with the cap sitting on the body :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1924.jpg?t=1332008842

Herb, that's a gorgeous piece of maple you're using for that cap.

This is going to be a seriously beautiful guitar. Color me jealous. :smile:

Herb, that's a gorgeous piece of maple you're using for that cap.

This is going to be a seriously beautiful guitar. Color me jealous. :smile:

Thanks sfc , it is nice , it should look pretty cool as long as I get the finish right.

Very awesome Herb. I think you are going to love the tone of the walnut. It has almost a scooped tone to my ear. One of my favorites. This is going to be a sweet axe!

Time to get out the R.O.S.S. and get this body ready to route , I use the belt first and get most of the sides , then I switch to a spindle and get by the horn/neck

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1925.jpg?t=1332017737

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1926.jpg?t=1332017734

This is the routing template back on , all that needs to come off is less than 1/16"

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1927.jpg?t=1332017774

Got the 1/2" x 2" spiral upcut flush trim bit in the router table , and my face shield

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1928.jpg?t=1332017729

Lots of fuzzies come off

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1929.jpg?t=1332017797

Nice , I love the spiral bit

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1931.jpg?t=1332017832

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1932.jpg?t=1332017851

Next I am ready to glue the top on , I drill 2 holes through the cap , same positions as my mounting screw holes on the templates , I wipe all glue surfaces down with naptha and let them dry , the I spread glue (Titebond Original) with a small cheap paint roller on the underside of the cap and the top of the walnut , install two screws and use some boards and a 3/4" template as cauls and clamp up

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1935.jpg?t=1332017711

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1936.jpg?t=1332017708

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1937.jpg?t=1332017705

Tomorrow , when the glue is set good , I'll run the body on the router table to trim the cap flush .
And finally , time for a nice St. Patricks day supper . :mrgreen:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1938.jpg?t=1332020732

Very awesome Herb. I think you are going to love the tone of the walnut. It has almost a scooped tone to my ear. One of my favorites. This is going to be a sweet axe!

Hey axedaddy , thanks , well I like the way it works , seems to work almost like African mahogany , sands good , routes good , and best of all , looks good .

Looks pretty good, but I always preferred bangers and mash if I had to go Irish.

Nice , I love the spiral bit.

Yeah, they're great - aren't they.

Nice work.

BIG spiral cutter envy!

Looks pretty good, but I always preferred bangers and mash if I had to go Irish.

I'll pretty much take corned beef over anything :lol:

Yeah, they're great - aren't they.

Nice work.

Thanks John , yea they are great , I'll never be without one again.

BIG spiral cutter envy!

They cost a bit more but IMO are well worth it , one pass routing , less sanding when done , just a great bit.

Looks pretty good, but I always preferred bangers and mash if I had to go Irish.

Pretty sure bangers and mash is more English...even if corned beef is more Irish-American than Irish. Mine's on the stove now. :grin:

Well now you've done it. You are making me want to use my walnut that I've been avoiding. This guitar is looking fantastic.

Well now you've done it. You are making me want to use my walnut that I've been avoiding. This guitar is looking fantastic.

Ha , I've done my job then :lol:
Thanks Muzikp .

Outstanding, Herb. You make it look so danged easy

This build is looking great! Beautiful woods. I love walnut. Wanted to pick some up the last time I went looking for wood, but it was twice the price of the ash I ended up with.
Oh, and I love all the Workmates people are dragging out. One of the coolest inventions ever, IMHO.

What ? Man , you are way off base there.
Do you know how many folks right here on this forum use Ridgid brand tools ? I myself have a table saw , oscillating spindle /belt sander , laminate trimmer , full size router , planer , jointer , all made by Ridgid Tool Co.
No joke. http://www.ridgid.com/

:lol::lol::lol: I want to keep my G rating so I'll let someone else explain the joke in there :mrgreen:.

This build is looking great! Beautiful woods. I love walnut. Wanted to pick some up the last time I went looking for wood, but it was twice the price of the ash I ended up with.
Oh, and I love all the Workmates people are dragging out. One of the coolest inventions ever, IMHO.

Thanks gitlvr , yea , the walnut I bought off ebay just on a lark , was just going to use it for fillet strips , it was cheap and when it was delivered and I saw it I figured I'd save it for a body.
I agree 100% on the workmates , best thing Black & Decker ever put out , I have 2 of them and use them all the time.

:lol::lol::lol: I want to keep my G rating so I'll let someone else explain the joke in there :mrgreen:.

Oh I get it and like you don't want to go there :lol: , but I will say that was not my intent and I'm sure it's not Ridgid Co. intent.

Took the clamps off the body , good glue joint , nice and tight , very little squeeze out , I'll get the cap routed flush in a bit.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1940.jpg?t=1332071226

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1939.jpg?t=1332071203

wow, everything looks awesome! I've been wanting to use walnut for quite some time now. A buddy of mine just told me yesterday that he has what he believes to be a walnut tree ready to come down at his place. I hope it ends up being walnut...I'll pack up my homebrew chainsaw mill and slab it out for sure.

wow, everything looks awesome! I've been wanting to use walnut for quite some time now. A buddy of mine just told me yesterday that he has what he believes to be a walnut tree ready to come down at his place. I hope it ends up being walnut...I'll pack up my homebrew chainsaw mill and slab it out for sure.

Thanks Chris , well , if you can get the walnut go for it , you'll like it . I really like the way it works , machine ability is good . I know I am going to need to grain fill but that I don't mind , it's got a nice warm look to it.

I love "watching" these builds, but I "hate" (not really) you builder guys cause it reminds me that I don't have the patience or skills to be a builder. I know I can learn the skills but my patience is down to the point where I'm not sure I have enough to deal with the day to day till I die. Playing guitar replinishes my patience so I'll keep doing that and jealously watch you builder guys and dream of the one I'd build. This one is going to be beautiful. Thanks adironak5 for doing the heavy lifting.

Got the cap routed down flush with the body , used the same 1/2" x 2" spiral flush trim bit , same result , nice :mrgreen: . I clamped a piece of 3/4" mdf to the router table , 2 reasons , I don't like running the maple cap on the metal router table and the height adjustment , it's easier to raise the body than to almost back the router motor out of the holding sleeve .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1941.jpg?t=1332077123

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1942.jpg?t=1332077165

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1944.jpg?t=1332077185

A little light sanding with some 320 around the sides and a naptha wipe down to get rid of the dust and another photo op :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1946.jpg?t=1332077227

Herb- I love it. I just bought a piece of Walnut and can't wait to try it out. I weighed my body yesterday and came in at 3lb12oz. I'm real happy with that. I try out my new spiral upcut today on my birthday new Grizzly router table.

A buddy of mine just told me yesterday that he has what he believes to be a walnut tree ready to come down at his place. I hope it ends up being walnut...I'll pack up my homebrew chainsaw mill and slab it out for sure.

Do it! Walnut is awesome to work with, especially when its air dried. I have a stock of both air and kiln dried walnut and the air dried has much bolder colors in it than does the kiln dried. The air dried also seems denser, more closed grained, and has more of a ring to it than the kiln stuff.

Wow, Herb, you're moving right along. I like your wood choices.
From that last pic I can see the maple cap and walnut body are
going to look great together.

I love "watching" these builds, but I "hate" (not really) you builder guys cause it reminds me that I don't have the patience or skills to be a builder. I know I can learn the skills but my patience is down to the point where I'm not sure I have enough to deal with the day to day till I die. Playing guitar replinishes my patience so I'll keep doing that and jealously watch you builder guys and dream of the one I'd build. This one is going to be beautiful. Thanks adironak5 for doing the heavy lifting.

Thanks for the kind words cleanman , :smile:.
You should try your hand at it , it's both exciting and relaxing at the same time , and you know you can get all the advice you need right here :wink:

Herb- I love it. I just bought a piece of Walnut and can't wait to try it out. I weighed my body yesterday and came in at 3lb12oz. I'm real happy with that. I try out my new spiral upcut today on my birthday new Grizzly router table.

Thanks Paul , your going to like that walnut , and you are going to love that spiral bit . 3 lbs 12 oz , good weight . :smile:

Just beautiful Herb.

Barncaster

Really lovin' the walnut Herb :smile:. Walnut is here, like maple is there, plentiful. It's all too easy to forget how beautiful it is :wink:

Looking good Herb :smile:

Wow, Herb, you're moving right along. I like your wood choices.
From that last pic I can see the maple cap and walnut body are
going to look great together.

Thanks Glenn , just luck of the draw on the wood , it was just stock I've had around for a while , I figured if I was gonna do the challenge I would use what I had , glad I did .:grin:

Just beautiful Herb.
Barncaster

Thanks Rob , hope I can keep it that way :razz:

Really lovin' the walnut Herb :smile:. Walnut is here, like maple is there, plentiful. It's all too easy to forget how beautiful it is :wink:
Looking good Herb :smile:

Thanks Dave , yea , its pretty easy to get up here although most is not as reasonably priced as I would like and yea , it is beautiful , I think to us folks that can get it easily its just not exotic sounding , like mahogany or sepele , and we of course take it for granted , until we rediscover it :smile:

Looking fantastic Herb! Always a treat to watch your work.

Great job on the neck and dots.

Looking fantastic Herb! Always a treat to watch your work.

Thanks Mark , so far so good :grin:

Great job on the neck and dots.

Thanks emoney , but I didn't get to my neck or dots yet . :lol:

Well , it's so nice out today and I want to get out of the shop for a little bit so I thought I would take a scrap of the maple that I made the cap with and try out my finish , I'd like to start finish next weekend so I have time with the lacquer , so I better get my ducks lined up.

A few bottles of ColorTone Liquid Stains , scrap maple a few rags and jars

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1952.jpg?t=1332087133

And after a few minutes we have this , kinda my version of a Caribbean burst. Ed Hawley did a great thread on this a while back , thanks again Ed.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1955.jpg?t=1332088656

I am using water and Lemon yellow in one jar and water and blue in the other , I need to blend it a bit more , I think this is a little better

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1953.jpg?t=1332087160

Took it outside and gave it a few coats of rattle can lacquer

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1961.jpg?t=1332087205

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1965.jpg?t=1332087223

I think it'll look pretty cool with faux binding and the walnut . A little different for me but what da heck :lol:

its pretty easy to get up here although most is not as reasonably priced as I would like
That's what I was meaning,the cost. The mill where I bought my cedar has 8/4 walnut, 2$ a board ft (3$ brd ft for 12/4 :shock:). The cedar I bought was a 10ft, 8/4 board. I paid 11$ :lol: (I know, I gripe over maple and have this :oops:)

Herb, that burst looks superb:shock:
I can almost hear the palm trees blowing in the summer breeze.:lol::cool:

Herb, that burst looks superb:shock:
I can almost hear the palm trees blowing in the summer breeze.:lol::cool:
+1 - this is going to be great to watch!

Herb, that burst looks superb:shock:
I can almost hear the palm trees blowing in the summer breeze.:lol::cool:

Why Yes!!

Junk Mutt is right, a Tropical Burst, brilliant! :grin:

Barncaster

Nice build, that flamed maple sure glows with your finish.

Cheers! Murray

I'm liking that burst too. Very nice.

That's what I was meaning,the cost. The mill where I bought my cedar has 8/4 walnut, 2$ a board ft (3$ brd ft for 12/4 :shock:). The cedar I bought was a 10ft, 8/4 board. I paid 11$ :lol: (I know, I gripe over maple and have this :oops:)

Wow Dave , $2. a bdf for walnut is a bargain and 8/4 no less , me thinks you'll be doing some walnutting in the future :lol:

Herb, that burst looks superb:shock:
I can almost hear the palm trees blowing in the summer breeze.:lol::cool:

Thanks junk mutt , yea , that describes it perfect , makes me wanna go lay down in a hammock :grin:


+1 - this is going to be great to watch!

Thanks mojo , it's a lot of fun doing this stuff too , but you already know that :grin:

Why Yes!!

Junk Mutt is right, a Tropical Burst, brilliant! :grin:
Barncaster

Thanks Rob , I didn't know what I was gonna build when I started my thread and I started thinking of Ed's thread on this type of burst and figured I'd give it a shot. :grin:

Nice build, that flamed maple sure glows with your finish.
Cheers! Murray

Thanks Murray , yea , I still pinch myself when I see maple like that at Lowes , I also grab it and run ! :lol:

I'm liking that burst too. Very nice.

Thanks rcole_sooner , now if I can just get it on the guitar like on my test piece I'll be a happy camper. :grin:

A little more progress today , got the pup cavities routed , lines everything up and marked the body for the bridge , lined up my neck template on the body to make sure everything is square and proper , hogged out a bit of the neck pocket but didn't route that yet , I am going to do a rear control route on this also but didn't get that yet , I also think I might use a tone bar on this , I am going to try and get the neck and all the routing done during the week , we'll see.

Bridge marked , pup cavities marked , neck pocket marked

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1968.jpg?t=1332101859

Hogging out some wood

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1970.jpg?t=1332101878

Getting ready to route

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1971.jpg?t=1332101897

Pup cavities routed , 5/8" depth on the neck , 7/8" depth on the bridge

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1972.jpg?t=1332101947

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1946.jpg?t=1332077227

Planning on leaving that flamed maple edge as faux binding? :grin:

Haha! I'm reading so many build threads I can't keep up.

I really, really like the contrast between the Walnut and the Maple. This is going to be
a really sexy guitar.

I want to learn that burst technique! I have no spraying equipment, so all my finishes will be rubbed on (or rattle cans...)

Planning on leaving that flamed maple edge as faux binding? :grin:

Oh yeah! +1 on that idea :cool:

Planning on leaving that flamed maple edge as faux binding? :grin:

Yep sfc , that's the plan , should be a good look between the burst and the walnut :smile:

Haha! I'm reading so many build threads I can't keep up.

I really, really like the contrast between the Walnut and the Maple. This is going to be
a really sexy guitar.

Thanks emoney , boy , I hear you with keeping up with all the threads , I've been getting bleary eyed . :lol:


I want to learn that burst technique! I have no spraying equipment, so all my finishes will be rubbed on (or rattle cans...)

Hi tk , here's a link to the thread Ed Hawley did on that burst , it's what got me started thinking about it , really very easy to do.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/271950-caribbean-burst-how.html



Oh yeah! +1 on that idea :cool:

Yep , faux binding , should look good .:smile:

Love the burst !

That's gonna look fantastic! I've been wanting to see a tropical burst done since Ed's thread.

Love the burst !

Thanks Paul , hope I can duplicate it on the cap halfway decent.

That's gonna look fantastic! I've been wanting to see a tropical burst done since Ed's thread.

Thanks kwerk , I've been wanting to see one too since that thread , well ,now I will :lol:

Another great build!

Herb, you continue to impress me...I think we were both starting to build guitars around the same time a couple/few years ago...every time I pop in on one of your threads it becomes more evident that you've become a master builder. That flamed top is going to be off the hook.

Another great build!

Thanks Maricopa , and remember , stay twangy :lol:


Herb, you continue to impress me...I think we were both starting to build guitars around the same time a couple/few years ago...every time I pop in on one of your threads it becomes more evident that you've become a master builder. That flamed top is going to be off the hook.

Thanks Chris , that's really cool of you to say , and a bit humbling , compared to some of the fellas here I feel like a beginner , it's really unbelievable the talent and skill that is around here , and the willingness to share knowledge :smile:

A little more progress tonight , I double checked all my marks and measurements by ruler and with my master template again and set to work on the string through holes.

Double check bridge mount holes and string through location

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1973.jpg?t=1332201398

Mount bridge , this is just an old vintage type bridge I use as a template when I start my string through holes

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1975.jpg?t=1332201354

Then using a 1/8" roto zip bit ( I use them for string through holes I think they deflect less than a regular drill bit IMO) I drill each of the string through holes about 7/8" deep

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1976.jpg?t=1332201332

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1978.jpg?t=1332201310

Then I set up my pin on the drill press and line it up with the bit in the chuck

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1979.jpg?t=1332201290

I turn the body over and slip the first string through hole over the pin and drill from the back until the bit hits the pin , then pick the body up and slip the second hole on the pin and so on through all 6 string through holes

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1981.jpg?t=1332201268

Pretty good

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1982.jpg?t=1332201250

Not going to have to worry about ferrules for this

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1984.jpg?t=1332201224

Thats the first tone bar I made about a year ago , figured it would look good in the walnut body , I line it up with a few drill bits through the holes in the tone bar into the string through holes

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1986.jpg?t=1332201203

Then using double sided duck tape I slip the template over the tone bar and onto the body , I used a roto zip bit to push the tone bar out , just stuck it through the string through hole from the front of the body , when I pulled the bit back out I found out how sharp roto zip bits are , man that was stupid of me

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1987.jpg?t=1332201181

A band aid later I am ready to route , I got the Stewmac 3/8" template bit that should work good for this , I didn't hog anything out so I'll take a few small passes to get it routed

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1988.jpg?t=1332201154

Love double sided duck tape , it holds great and it comes off good too , and usually it comes off on the template

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1989.jpg?t=1332201132

Nice fit , looks good to my eye

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1991.jpg?t=1332201108

Very nice. :wink:

Very tidy. Nice work.

Sweet Herb :grin:, I'll be catching up tonite :wink:

Very nice. :wink:

Thanks kwerk :smile:

Very tidy. Nice work.


Thanks newtherapist , now if only my shop was as tidy , gonna need to take a day off to clean :lol:

Sweet Herb :grin:, I'll be catching up tonite :wink:

Thanks Dave , it's a balancing act trying to build , keep the thread updated , and read all the other challenge threads , I like it ! :lol:

Thanks Dave , it's a balancing act trying to build , keep the thread updated , and read all the other challenge threads , I like it ! :lol:

I somehow knew you would :wink:

oh my. very nice.

I like the double-sided duck tape too. I've had the same experience with it being very easy to work with.

Nice work on the tone bar, too!

I somehow knew you would :wink:

Ha , ya got me pegged Dave :lol:


oh my. very nice.

Thanks much JDO


I like the double-sided duck tape too. I've had the same experience with it being very easy to work with.

Yep , I won't use any other brand


Nice work on the tone bar, too!

Thanks , they are pretty easy to make and I think they look cool , I don't aleays use one but this one will be a good contrast with the walnut.

A little more progress , routed the neck pocket and drilled the neck holes in the body

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1993.jpg?t=1332288415

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1994.jpg?t=1332289857


A touch over 5/8" deep

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1995.jpg?t=1332288471

Cleaned up the edges with a razor blade

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1996.jpg?t=1332288492

Used the master template and a neck plate to center punch the neck holes and drilled them

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1997.jpg?t=1332288515

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1998.jpg?t=1332288552

I did use my neck template to make sure everything was lined up , before and after routing , just didnt get a pic , maybe one more night and the body will be ready for final sanding gotta do the backside roundover , route the rear control opening/and recess for cover , and drill the jack hole and wiring channel for the neck pup.

Hey Herb,

So I know you have wound a bridge pickup for her but have you done the neck yet? Love the Maple/ Walnut!

Barncaster

Hey Herb,

So I know you have wound a bridge pickup for her but have you done the neck yet? Love the Maple/ Walnut!

Barncaster

Hey Rob , thanks , boy am I glad I didn't chop up this walnut for filler strips and fret markers and such , it is really pretty IMO.
The pickups , I actually haven't even thought of them yet , I've been trying to keep up with the threads and the build and so on, I'll probably get to winding when I get the finish started , there will be a few days that I can't do anything else , I am thinking alinco 5's bridge and neck , 42 awg bridge and 43 awg neck , no cover on the neck , 80/20 potting , a little hot but not to hot . :smile:

Hey Herb,

You can spice it up a few ways. I hear that Alnico 5s in the E, A, D and Alnico 2s in the G, B, E makes for a very nice pup. By the by, I sprang for the Whiteside spiral trimmer. They seem popular here for good reason.

Barncaster

Hey Herb,

You can spice it up a few ways. I hear that Alnico 5s in the E, A, D and Alnico 2s in the G, B, E makes for a very nice pup. By the by, I sprang for the Whiteside spiral trimmer. They seem popular here for good reason.

Barncaster

I might just try that with the magnets Rob .
That Whiteside bit is a great bit , I love mine.

Ya - I'm not a big Walnut fan, but that Walnut looks fantastic!

Ya - I'm not a big Walnut fan, but that Walnut looks fantastic!


I use walnuts instead of pine nuts in my pesto...much better tone...:lol:

I use walnuts instead of pine nuts in my pesto...much better tone...:lol:

Sacrilege!

looks really nice, Herb. Great looking walnut; I too like it better as a guitar then as filler strips.

Ya - I'm not a big Walnut fan, but that Walnut looks fantastic!

Thanks mojo , same with me , I always thought , eh walnut , not very interesting. Guess I changed my mind :lol:

I use walnuts instead of pine nuts in my pesto...much better tone...:lol:

Hmm , might have to try that :idea:

Sacrilege!

:lol::lol:


looks really nice, Herb. Great looking walnut; I too like it better as a guitar then as filler strips.

Thanks Brian , yes , but on the other hand it would have made enough filler strips to last me a long , long time :lol:

Wow, Herb, you're doing a fantastic job. The maple
and walnut look beautiful individually and together.
I like the tone bar, too, as you know.

Not my place to say, but don't do a Caribbean burst!

Guitars were not meant to be blue and green.

There, I've said it. :oops: Honestly, I bet I'll love it
when I see it.

Wow, Herb, you're doing a fantastic job. The maple
and walnut look beautiful individually and together.
I like the tone bar, too, as you know.

Not my place to say, but don't do a Caribbean burst!

Guitars were not meant to be blue and green.

There, I've said it. :oops: Honestly, I bet I'll love it
when I see it.

Thanks Glenn , got a good laugh :lol: , I was thinking those same thoughts when I was deciding to do this burst or not , it's not what I usually do , but after I did the test piece , I kinda sold myself on it , after all , everybody's got a little parrot head in them , don't they ???

after all , everybody's got a little parrot head in them , don't they ???

Why don't we get drunk and.........................have a cheesburger in paradise? :lol:

Thanks Dave , cool is good :smile:


[QUOTE=telemaster1953;4011014]

Yes a good calender in the shop is very useful Zane , funny my wife doesn't think so :confused::razz:


You mean, that's not your wife?

[QUOTE=adirondak5;4012972]Thanks Dave , cool is good :smile:





You mean, that's not your wife?

Hi Dasher.

Nope , that's not the wife , the wife is much prettier than that young lass , the wife also reads my threads :lol:

^:lol::lol:

Beautiful...my favorite burst colors!

Well , it's so nice out today and I want to get out of the shop for a little bit so I thought I would take a scrap of the maple that I made the cap with and try out my finish , I'd like to start finish next weekend so I have time with the lacquer , so I better get my ducks lined up.

A few bottles of ColorTone Liquid Stains , scrap maple a few rags and jars

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1952.jpg?t=1332087133

And after a few minutes we have this , kinda my version of a Caribbean burst. Ed Hawley did a great thread on this a while back , thanks again Ed.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1955.jpg?t=1332088656

I am using water and Lemon yellow in one jar and water and blue in the other , I need to blend it a bit more , I think this is a little better

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1953.jpg?t=1332087160

Took it outside and gave it a few coats of rattle can lacquer

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1961.jpg?t=1332087205

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1965.jpg?t=1332087223

I think it'll look pretty cool with faux binding and the walnut . A little different for me but what da heck :lol:

Why don't we get drunk and.........................have a cheesburger in paradise? :lol:

Yea ,
I like mine with lettuce and tomato ,
heinz 57 and french fried potatoes !
:D

Beautiful...my favorite burst colors!



Thanks fret_man_2 , :)

Only thing is that for us Finns the colours resemble a bit too much the Swedish flag :razz:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Swedish_flag_with_blue_sky_behind_ausschnitt.jpg/616px-Swedish_flag_with_blue_sky_behind_ausschnitt.jpg

Especially during the Ice Hockey World Championships...

Love the burst tutorial! I'm thinking I might use this technique to do a black cherry burst on my entry...

Was already thinking of it... but seeing it done makes me want to do it more!

Wow. I've had trouble keeping up with threads so missed a bit of this progress.

Build is looking amazing. Can't wait to see it finished.

Cheers

Only thing is that for us Finns the colours resemble a bit too much the Swedish flag :razz

Especially during the Ice Hockey World Championships...

I hear you tk , but it would be pretty tough to do a blue and white burst :razz:

Love the burst tutorial! I'm thinking I might use this technique to do a black cherry burst on my entry...
Was already thinking of it... but seeing it done makes me want to do it more!

Go for it Jim , I was quite pleasantly surprised how easy it was to do on my test piece , good luck with yours. :smile:


Wow. I've had trouble keeping up with threads so missed a bit of this progress.

Build is looking amazing. Can't wait to see it finished.

Cheers

Thanks Guitar novice , I hear ya , it's pretty much impossible to keep up , work , post , read , for another months and a few weeks , yikes ! :lol:

Body is pretty much done except for final sanding , got the roundover done , went with a 5/16 round over on the back , drill the jack hole , and got the rear control routed and the recess for the cover.

Roundover

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1999.jpg?t=1332458225

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2000.jpg?t=1332458242

Jack hole

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2002.jpg?t=1332458293

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2003.jpg?t=1332458315

Control cover and Recess , the cover will be made from either black pick guard material or black garrolite

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2005.jpg?t=1332458332

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2006.jpg?t=1332458351

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2007.jpg?t=1332458372

Checked the weight now that the routing is all done , it's just gonna get heavier from this point on but it ended up better than I expected , I was thinking 4 1/2 lbs , its 4 lbs 1.6 oz. , so it should come in right around 7lbs or a touch more , not to bad .

Quick edit , also drilled the wiring channels

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2010.jpg?t=1332461332

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2013.jpg?t=1332461330

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG1965.jpg?t=1332087223

It may not be seafoam, but I like it!

Lookin' good Herb!

Wow Herb! Simply stunning so far. That walnut is to die for. The maple blends so well with it. That wood found its way into the right hands for sure. That's a pretty wild color scheme man! Keep up the awesome work .

It may not be seafoam, but I like it!

Thanks Brian , ha , no , no seafoam , one of these days I'm gonna surprise you. :lol:

Lookin' good Herb!

Thanks Rob , brick by brick , she's getting there. :smile:


Wow Herb! Simply stunning so far. That walnut is to die for. The maple blends so well with it. That wood found its way into the right hands for sure. That's a pretty wild color scheme man! Keep up the awesome work .

Thanks Steve , yea , I am real happy with the walnut , and the maple , they do go quite well together . Yea the burst is gonna be pretty wild , I am looking forward to it , something different for me :smile:

Looking great! And now that I've seen yours, it's official: I'm going for "last one built".
That is a category, isn't it?

Only thing is that for us Finns the colours resemble a bit too much the Swedish flag :razz:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Swedish_flag_with_blue_sky_behind_ausschnitt.jpg/616px-Swedish_flag_with_blue_sky_behind_ausschnitt.jpg

Especially during the Ice Hockey World Championships...

And exactly what is wrong with that? :mrgreen:

And exactly what is wrong with that? :mrgreen:

I was wondering the same thing!

Scandinavian feuds aside, Great looking guitar. I think that burst will go great on it.

Looking great! And now that I've seen yours, it's official: I'm going for "last one built".
That is a category, isn't it?

Thanks emoney ,
sometimes being last is a good thing , last man standing is usually a good thing :lol:

And exactly what is wrong with that? :mrgreen:

Flagged again! :lol:

I was wondering the same thing!

Scandinavian feuds aside, Great looking guitar. I think that burst will go great on it.

Think I should tell them I'm half Norwegian , opps , just did :razz:
Thanks much GunsOfBrixton

And exactly what is wrong with that? :mrgreen:

It's just that I'm envious - The Finnish flag colours just don't work in a guitar as well :razz:

http://images.madeinchina.com/67980ABE405BB980E040007F010012F8/644/6451644_8/G-lp-custom-blue-change-white-electric-guitar-EG_6451644_8.m.jpg

I forgot to drill the switch and pot holes so I figured I'd get that first thing today , then clean the shop , then get started on the neck.
I marked the locations for the holes on the cap , nothing fancy, switch to the rear , volume /tone pots , inline , LP type 3 way switch . 2 - 3/8" holes for pots , 1 - 1/2" hole for the switch

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2015.jpg?t=1332594587

Drilled with forstner bits

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2016.jpg?t=1332594608

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2019.jpg?t=1332594729

Checking the fit of one of the pots through the hole I either need longer shafts or need to thin down the cap a touch from the rear , I'll route a little off the back side of the cap , I can use a pattern bit and let the bearing ride the control cavity route

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2020.jpg?t=1332594746

This should be enough

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2023.jpg?t=1332594793

Perfect

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2022.jpg?t=1332594770

That's looking really good. You're making great progress.

Very nice!

That's looking really good. You're making great progress.

Thanks Murray , trying to keep busy but constant clean ups of the shop and trying to read some of the other threads and comment has me running , but I am enjoying myself :smile:


Very nice!

Thanks guitarbuilder ! :smile:

OK , on to the neck , it seems in my mess of a shop that I gave a quick cleaning to this morning I kind of banged up my snakehead neck template , it probably would have been ok if I made a 3/4" template but I never did , it was 1/4" mdf and it don't take much to dent them up , so I ended up making another , yea only 1/4" again , but I'll try to get a 3/4" one made up before the end of the build .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2029.jpg?t=1332613606

Here's that other piece of Lowes maple from my proof pic , I'll get the neck from this , I want the best side to the back but I also want a nice flame headstock

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2032.jpg?t=1332614392

This will be the front

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2033.jpg?t=1332614561

This will be the back

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2034.jpg?t=1332614656

Before I cut the neck out I want to route for the double action truss rod I am going to use , I need a 1/4" wide x 3/8" deep channel , I find it easier to route the channel before I cut out the neck , I lay out center line and mark start and stop marks for the channel

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2035.jpg?t=1332614702

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2037.jpg?t=1332613594

Then I clamp the blank and a straight edge to my workmate and set the staright edge so my 1/4" spiral bit is centered over the center line

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2038.jpg?t=1332614916

After a few passes it's routed to 3/8" depth

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2039.jpg?t=1332613589

This truss rod has a 3/8" wide adjustment so I need a 3/8" wide area at the lower end of my channel to get the rod in , I use a Stewmac 3/8 " pattern bit and route just enough to slip the adjustment nut in , I don't drill the access hole from the heel just yet , I want to route the neck outline first , I'll drill that hole and install the truss rod later

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2040.jpg?t=1332615254

Now I cut the neck out on the band saw

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2042.jpg?t=1332615338

Got one more neck left in this piece of maple :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2041.jpg?t=1332613580


Next I go to the ROSS and get it sanded to the line

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2043.jpg?t=1332615443

Some double sided duck brand tape and to the router and the 1/2" spiral flush trim bit

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2044.jpg?t=1332615506

Man I love that spiral bit

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2048.jpg?t=1332615630

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2049.jpg?t=1332615688

Starting to look like a snake :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2050.jpg?t=1332615757

Then I check fit and alignment with the body , fits pretty good , not to loose , not to tight

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2051.jpg?t=1332615876

Alignment is good

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2056.jpg?t=1332615984

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2054.jpg?t=1332615942

Next on the to do list is drilling the truss rod adjustment nut hole in the heel , and installing the truss rod , first gotta run to the store and pick up a tube of silicon so the rod doesn't rattle.

I can already tell this is going to be a spectacular guitar. Everything is so neat and well executed. Great work.

Hi Herb, when you install the truss rod could you post a pic or 2 showing where you apply silicone? I have read a lot of posts where silicone is mentionned but I haven't seen exactly where it needs to be applied.

Herb,

I was wondering what is your finished thickness for the back of the guitar (in the hollow section), and what is your finished thickness for the top.

I'm working on my first semi hollow. I was going to have two f-holes but I think I drilled a little too deep while hogging out with the forstner bit. I have about 5/16 inch thickness on the back, which doesn't leave me enough to route out the drill marks. So, I won't have f-holes in this one:sad: My top is just shy of 1/4 after sanding. I was going to do faux binding like you have here, but my top may be too thin. So, I'd be interested in your dimensions if you're willing to share.

Thx.

I can already tell this is going to be a spectacular guitar. Everything is so neat and well executed. Great work.

Thanks DeepSouth , well it's as neat as I could get it , there have been some mis-ques , no big ones thankfully , but one thing I've learned is just to try and blend them in to the build when they happen :smile:

Hi Herb, when you install the truss rod could you post a pic or 2 showing where you apply silicone? I have read a lot of posts where silicone is mentionned but I haven't seen exactly where it needs to be applied.

Sure thing Glen , I'll show in my next picture post after dinner .


Herb,

I was wondering what is your finished thickness for the back of the guitar (in the hollow section), and what is your finished thickness for the top.

I'm working on my first semi hollow. I was going to have two f-holes but I think I drilled a little too deep while hogging out with the forstner bit. I have about 5/16 inch thickness on the back, which doesn't leave me enough to route out the drill marks. So, I won't have f-holes in this one:sad: My top is just shy of 1/4 after sanding. I was going to do faux binding like you have here, but my top may be too thin. So, I'd be interested in your dimensions if you're willing to share.

Thx.

Hi Capn , I try not to be less than 1/4" top and back on a thinline , I don't think a hair either way will hurt , if you are close to 1/4" on the top you could still do faux binding , the back if you are at 5/16" you could route off another 16th , would that take out your drill marks ? When I drill or hog out on a chambered body or thinline body I usually set my depth stop on the drill press 1/4" above my final depth and then route the rest , that way I don't have the drill marks at final depth. Hope this helps .

Very nice, clean work. You're my new "goal".

Got my silicon , drilled the adjustment nut hole in the heel , put in 3 dabs of silicon and installed the truss rod

Here ya go Glen , this is what I usually do , just a few dabs of silicon , keeps the rod from rattling

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2059.jpg?t=1332630530

Truss rod installed

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2057.jpg?t=1332630446

I put a few cauls and clamps on just to make sure the truss rod is seated down all the way in the channel while the silicon sets up

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2060.jpg?t=1332626924

I had a bit of a screw up while drilling the adjustment hole from the heel , instead of using a forstner bit I used a brad point bit and I egged the outside edge of the hole on the bottom , put a little plastic wood in , nothing structural , the adj. nut is in straight and fine , I just put the plastic wood in so it looks halfway decent , it'll look better when finish is on , and when the neck is on the body you can't see the lower part of the adj. nut

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2068.jpg?t=1332630581

Next got the fret board blank out , Pau Ferro , its a touch over 3/8" thick and rough cut so I need to get it squared up and smooth and down to a touch over 1/4" , took it to the thickness sander and took it down to just over 1/4"

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2065.jpg?t=1332630557

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2069.jpg?t=1332630600

Sweet , nice looking wood :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2072.jpg?t=1332630655

I think I'll draw a centerline on the fret board blank and glue it up to the neck and cut the fret slots after , the headstock will fit through the stewmac box and I won't have to worry about registration pins .

Very nice, clean work. You're my new "goal".

Thanks much emoney , like I said before , there are always boo boo's , but the longer you do this it seems there is a way to fix or blend anything , well almost anything :lol:

Can't wait to see that walnut with a finish!!

And seriously I can't believe you picked that maple up from Lowes....man.

Thanks for the silicone shot Herb. Do you apply any silicone on the top of the truss rod before gluing on the fretboard?

Thanks for the silicone shot Herb. Do you apply any silicone on the top of the truss rod before gluing on the fretboard?

None on top , just a few dabs on the bottom of the channel

Can't wait to see that walnut with a finish!!

And seriously I can't believe you picked that maple up from Lowes....man.

Yea , got lucky with the maple , in fact , gotta go make my weekly check in the morning . I might get some filler in that walnut tomorrow , we'll see :)

Last bit of work for today , get the finger board glued up

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2075.jpg?t=1332639945

All glue surfaces got a good wipe down with naptha , the truss rod channel got a piece of tape over it so no glue gets in , I'll pull the tape right before I put the two together

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2076.jpg?t=1332639953

Clamp city

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2077.jpg?t=1332639965

That'll sit overnight and tomorrow I'll route the fret board flush with the body , get the fret slots cut and get it fretted

Also a little bit of sanding with the random orbital and some 220 grit , back and front , and a wipe down with naptha photo op , this is pretty much ready for sealer and filler

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2078.jpg?t=1332639989

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2081.jpg?t=1332640034

it's looking great Herb.

Looking really nice. The walnut is beautiful. I am gonna be looking forward to seeing the finished product!

It's really fun to watch people who are good at what they do. :cool:

it's looking great Herb.

Thanks Zane :grin:


Looking really nice. The walnut is beautiful. I am gonna be looking forward to seeing the finished product!

Thanks BR , yea , I am glad I found the motivation to use it , don't know why I just left it sitting for so long.

It's really fun to watch people who are good at what they do. :cool:

Thanks Roger , well , I am pretty good at messing up my shop :lol:

Out of the clamps

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2085.jpg?t=1332678063

Nice tight glue joint

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2084.jpg?t=1332678008

When the rest of the house is up and about I'll get to work on it. :razz:

That maple (I think) is looking great too.

That maple (I think) is looking great too.

Thanks BR , yep , that's Lowes maple :smile:

Trimmed the finger board on the band saw , then center punched the tuner holes , was just going to drill them off the center punch marks but then I remembered I have a jig for that from Stewmac , so I got the jig out , lined it up with the center punch marks , which were dead on and drilled away

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2086.jpg?t=1332688400

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2087.jpg?t=1332688364

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2088.jpg?t=1332688450

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2089.jpg?t=1332688498

Duh ! Use the jig Luke ! (sorry jpturbo , had to use that line)

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2090.jpg?t=1332688520

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2091.jpg?t=1332688538

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2094.jpg?t=1332688620

Here's the tuners I am going to use , Wilkinson vintage 3 on a side

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2093.jpg?t=1332688575

I could not imagine a nicer figured neck than the one you have there Herb. What a great looking piece! That thing is gonna pop huge!

This is going to be a fabulous guitar Herb, the walnut and maple go so well together. Stunning.

I could not imagine a nicer figured neck than the one you have there Herb. What a great looking piece! That thing is gonna pop huge!

Thanks Steve , yea , it is a beautiful piece of wood , I've been saving it for a while .


This is going to be a fabulous guitar Herb, the walnut and maple go so well together. Stunning.

Thanks junk mutt , yes , no bodies eyes were opened more than mine when it comes to walnut , down the road I am going to use it for some 2 piece necks , I can get it easily here but never did much with it , that'll change :wink:

Time to cut some fret slots , I am going to cut them before I route the fret board flush , I've never used pau ferro before so I don't want to risk chipping an edge of the fret board with the fret saw

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2095.jpg?t=1332697322

Slots all cut , seems my worry about chipping was for naught , cut great , no chipping at all. :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2096.jpg?t=1332697340

Now to the router table , I'll use an almost new 3 cutter 1/2" flush trim bit

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2097.jpg?t=1332697358

Nice , I'll clean up the heel end with a sanding block , didn't want my trim bit bearing to go into the truss rod nut adj. hole

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2098.jpg?t=1332697413

Nice pile of fuzzies from the fret board

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2099.jpg?t=1332697436

Here's the heel all cleaned up with the sanding block

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2101.jpg?t=1332697518

Next on the list , thin down the headstock , do the transition , radius the board , fret .

This is a great guitar, Herb. The juxtaposition of the simplicity snake head guitar with these great woods it awesome. Keep up the great work

Great going Herb. It's practically flawless so far. Very clean workmanship.

This is a great guitar, Herb. The juxtaposition of the simplicity snake head guitar with these great woods it awesome. Keep up the great work

Thanks Roger , juxtaposition , I'll have to go look that up , :lol: , but really , that's all I wanted to do , build a simple guitar with some beautiful wood and see where it goes .:smile:


Great going Herb. It's practically flawless so far. Very clean workmanship.

Thanks much newtherapist , the build is going good , much to my surprise ! Hopefully I can keep the boo boos to a minimum :smile:

Time to thin down the headstock , marked it and took it to the band saw

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2102.jpg?t=1332705463

I'll clean up the rest on the ROSS and with a sanding block

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2103.jpg?t=1332705460

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2104.jpg?t=1332705458

I mark out for the headstock transition and start off slow with the 2 " spindle

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2105.jpg?t=1332706774

Then I go to the 1 1/2" spindle

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2106.jpg?t=1332705452

Then some block sanding and a little touch up with the 1" spindle and some hand sanding , clean off the dust and we have a transition

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2107.jpg?t=1332705450

That's so pretty it just isn't right :lol:

Fantastic Herb,


Dave

Excellent work and some remarkable pieces of wood.
Like my mother said, "it would be shameful to cook an average meal using the best ingredients"

That's so pretty it just isn't right :lol:

Fantastic Herb,
Dave

Thanks Dave , that flame snake is gonna be cool :grin::cool:


Excellent work and some remarkable pieces of wood.
Like my mother said, "it would be shameful to cook an average meal using the best ingredients"

Thanks tk , got lucky with the wood , remember , even a stopped clock is right twice a day :lol:

Gotta get the fret markers drilled and put in , here's how I do them , I print out the fret board from Ed Hawleys pdf , in 2 pieces on sticky back paper , cut out the fret board printed on the sticky back paper , stick it on my fret board , center punch the dots , remove the sticky back paper and drill the center punches , then install the dots , saves me time and comes out better for me than if I marked all the centers by hand.

It's hard to see in these pics but those are actual size prints of a fret board with dots , frets and edges.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2114.jpg?t=1332713194

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2115.jpg?t=1332713230

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2117.jpg?t=1332713249

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2118.jpg?t=1332713285

I used a cream colored plastic rod 1/4" for the markers , it shows almost white in the pics but it is cream colored

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2119.jpg?t=1332713312

In a little while I'll radius the board , just wanna let the glue set for a bit

Got the radius done , 9.5" . I double side tape the neck to a baseboard and clamp the base board to my work mate , started with 120 grit , went to 320 , I'll give it a polish tomorrow with some 400 , 600 and 800 , should shine pretty good

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2120.jpg?t=1332720595

Time to switch to 320 , my pencil marks down the center are almost gone

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2121.jpg?t=1332720646

I constantly check to try and keep the radius as even as possible

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2122.jpg?t=1332720751

Pretty much done , cleaned up with naptha

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2123.jpg?t=1332720816

Radius is pretty even

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2128.jpg?t=1332720880

Me like :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2129.jpg?t=1332720958

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2132.jpg?t=1332721014

Don't know if it'll show in the pic or not but this pau ferro has almost a flame figuring in it , not flame like in maple , very pretty wood.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2133.jpg?t=1332721112

All in all had a good weekend , didn't get quite as far as I wanted to but still got a lot done , I should be able to get the neck fretted and shaped during the week , and hopefully get the finish started next weekend on the body and neck . :smile:

As always Herb, this one is sure going to be pretty to look at

Very pretty, Dave. :smile:

EDIT: Herb, dammit, I meant Herb. :lol:

Too many build threads round here. :roll:

Beautiful work Herb, can't wait to see the finished product.

Bob

Herb, code name Dave, it's looking fantastic. Very unique and beautifully done.

I suggest we call everyone Dave for simplicity. We have enough to think about as it is.

Very nice, Herb/Dave. Can you just do my neck so I'll stop all this whining? If you do,
I'll call you MR. Herb/Dave, sir.

Killer Herb - on the edge of the couch mate waiting for the next update!

I suggest we call everyone Dave for simplicity. We have enough to think about as it is.

Sounds like a plan, Dave. :razz:

As always Herb, this one is sure going to be pretty to look at

Thanks Chris , so far so good :smile:


Very pretty, Dave. :smile:

EDIT: Herb, dammit, I meant Herb. :lol:

Too many build threads round here. :roll:

Thanks kwerk , yea ,:lol: , I find myself going back and checking names , too much to keep track of at times .

Beautiful work Herb, can't wait to see the finished product.

Bob

Thanks Bob , finish work should commence by the comming weekend , I hope . :lol:



Herb, code name Dave, it's looking fantastic. Very unique and beautifully done.

Thanks Mark , learned a lot of this stuff from you :wink:

I suggest we call everyone Dave for simplicity. We have enough to think about as it is.

Hi , my name is Herb , but you can call me Dave :lol:


Very nice, Herb/Dave. Can you just do my neck so I'll stop all this whining? If you do,
I'll call you MR. Herb/Dave, sir.

Thanks emoney , now if I made your neck I would have to talk somebody into making my neck :razz:

Killer Herb - on the edge of the couch mate waiting for the next update!

Thanks Paul , maybe tonight , we'll see if I have anything left after work :lol:

Well I got a little done this evening , I ran some 800 grit and then 1000 grit on the fret board , it's real nice now , also relieved the fb edges a touch , then I got to bending some wire and fret installation

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2134.jpg?t=1332804998

Home made fret bender (plans from T.Downs)

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2135.jpg?t=1332804783

Every 3 or 4 frets I knip the ends and use my short radius block as a caul and clamp the frets down and wick a little super glue in , I hammer in my frets and these went in good , this is just one of my redundant back ups :lol:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2136.jpg?t=1332805049

Getting there

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2138.jpg?t=1332805111

Done

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2139.jpg?t=1332805181

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2141.jpg?t=1332805232

I'll let it sit a bit and then go over the fret ends with my beveling tool .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2143.jpg?t=1332805282

Hey Herb!

That neck is going to make one upscale Snakehead! Thats the prettiest flamed neck Ive ever seen. Did you use nickel silver or stainless frets?

Barncaster

Hey Herb!

That neck is going to make one upscale Snakehead! Thats the prettiest flamed neck Ive ever seen. Did you use nickel silver or stainless frets?

Barncaster

Thanks Rob , she's a looker :D .
The frets are nickel silver

THat is damn fine looking Herb. I've never been able to find anything even approaching that flame at HD, despite picking thru piles of maple. That would be every time I go there for any reason! I think the 3-on-a-side configuration really lends itself aesthetically to pop that figured wood, much more so than the standard tele or strat style headstocks.

Wow, Herb, you're doing a fantastic job. The maple
and walnut look beautiful individually and together.
I like the tone bar, too, as you know.

Not my place to say, but don't do a Caribbean burst!

Guitars were not meant to be blue and green.

There, I've said it. :oops: Honestly, I bet I'll love it
when I see it.

Well since someone said it, when I first saw the proposed color I thought the yellow looked like baby ***** yellow. No offense!

Hey Herb,

You know what I say to the nay sayers? FEH! Listen to your inner parrot! That Tropical Burst is one of the most original and beautiful finishes I've seen here. Drive em nuts and burst the headstock too! Thematically, the walnut represents the earth with all of the tropics growing forth from it. I love it.

Barncaster

Hey Herb,

Drive em nuts and burst the headstock too!

Barncaster

LOL!

THat is damn fine looking Herb. I've never been able to find anything even approaching that flame at HD, despite picking thru piles of maple. That would be every time I go there for any reason! I think the 3-on-a-side configuration really lends itself aesthetically to pop that figured wood, much more so than the standard tele or strat style headstocks.

Thanks Craig , I agree with you about 3 on a side and figured wood , I was not sure about the headstock shape with this heavy flame but seeing it in person it is sweet .
Keep looking for the good stuff , (maple) its not there a lot of the time but when it is grab it

Herb-It's looking great. I was away for a few days getting caught up on some other stuff. She is going to be a beaut.

Well since someone said it, when I first saw the proposed color I thought the yellow looked like baby ***** yellow. No offense!

No offense taken , but speaking from experience , raised 3 kids and now having 5 grandchildren all under 3 , I gotta say the yellow I used is no where near what you speak of:razz:


Hey Herb,

You know what I say to the nay sayers? FEH! Listen to your inner parrot! That Tropical Burst is one of the most original and beautiful finishes I've seen here. Drive em nuts and burst the headstock too! Thematically, the walnut represents the earth with all of the tropics growing forth from it. I love it.

Barncaster

No worries Rob , to each their own . Now about the headstock , I have been thinking of doing that for a few days now , not sure but maybe .:lol:

Herb -- you're making it look so easy. I can't remember
the last time I saw you flub something up.

Your pace is good, too -- I take it you're feeling pretty well? Hope so.

That pau ferro looks nice. I really like it for fretboards. It looks
good and feels good, but doesn't have such wild figuring or color
that it is hard to combine with other woods.

Couple of last things:

don't even think Caribbean Burst for the headstock :lol:
wish your pics did your work justice -- do you need a camera upgrade?

Herb-It's looking great. I was away for a few days getting caught up on some other stuff. She is going to be a beaut.

Hey thanks Paul :)

Herb -- you're making it look so easy. I can't remember
the last time I saw you flub something up.

Your pace is good, too -- I take it you're feeling pretty well? Hope so.

That pau ferro looks nice. I really like it for fretboards. It looks
good and feels good, but doesn't have such wild figuring or color
that it is hard to combine with other woods.

Couple of last things:

don't even think Caribbean Burst for the headstock :lol:
wish your pics did your work justice -- do you need a camera upgrade?


Thanks Glenn , I have been pretty lucky the last few builds with boo boos , mostly small easy to blend in stuff , I hope that trend continues .
I am feeling much better but still don't have my old energy level , but its coming back .
Yes , the pau ferro is pretty , in a laid back kind of way , I like it.

I have been using my EVO Droid to take the pics , its just easier in the shop , I do have a nice NIKON DSLR and tripod , it takes much better pics and now that I am almost done with the saw dust stage of the build I'll start using the NIKON more.
The headstock , well , let's just say I'm up in the air on that :D , but I will say with this piece of maple either will look great IMO.

Really nice work Herb!

Wow, everytime I check this thread that neck just keeps getting better. I cannot believe
you guys are finding this stuff at HD. I've never seen a piece of Maple down here at the
big box stores, let alone something flamed like this. There must be a conspiracy between
the big guys and Woodcraft.

I think the Caribbean Burst is awesome and unique too. It's a given that Jimmy Buffet
would dig it I bet. Keep up the good work and I'll keep whining over mine since you
refuse to do it for me....lol

Really nice work Herb!

Thanks Glen :smile:


Wow, everytime I check this thread that neck just keeps getting better. I cannot believe
you guys are finding this stuff at HD. I've never seen a piece of Maple down here at the
big box stores, let alone something flamed like this. There must be a conspiracy between
the big guys and Woodcraft.


I think the Caribbean Burst is awesome and unique too. It's a given that Jimmy Buffet
would dig it I bet. Keep up the good work and I'll keep whining over mine since you
refuse to do it for me....lol

Thanks emoney , yea , it seems the box stores don't want to deal with maple down that a way .
Hmmm , what would Jimmy Buffet do ? Well , at 5 o'clock I gotta good guess :lol:

More progress on the neck , got the fret ends beveled and the side markers in.
Oh yea , Glenn , I got the good camera out :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2144.jpg?t=1332891061


My home made beveling tool

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0002.jpg?t=1332890835

One side done

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0003-1.jpg?t=1332890859

Both sides done , once I got the fret ends beveled I run 320 in a block along the edge of the fret board to get the tangs down flush

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0008.jpg?t=1332890969

Next I mark the edge of the fret board with a straight line and center punch my hole locations for the side dots , I drill the center punched locations with a hand drill

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0011.jpg?t=1332890992

Glue in the white plastic rod with super glue , nip off the excess and wait a few minutes for the glue to dry

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0013.jpg?t=1332891011

Sand down with 320 grit on a flat block

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0015.jpg?t=1332891036

Beauty shot :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0007.jpg?t=1332890947

Ready to start shaping

Lookin good Herb!

Lookin good Herb!

Thanks Rob , no updates today , need a night off :razz:

Got the neck pretty much rough shaped tonight , used a sureform rasp , spoke shave and a regular 4 way rasp , some 80 grit and 120 grit , I'll look at it again tomorrow and see if it needs any tweaking before final sanding

I get the heel and headstock end notched about how I want first

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2146.jpg?t=1333063449

Then its just a matter of removing excess wood in between , rasp , spokeshave , whatever works for ya

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2147.jpg?t=1333063514

Worked on the headstock and heel transitions with the 4 way rasp and the some 80 grit and 120 grit wrapped around my finger

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2148.jpg?t=1333063571

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2149.jpg?t=1333062153

Shoe shined it with some 120 grit and wiped down for a photo op , I'll fine tune it tomorrow and final sand

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2150.jpg?t=1333063639


http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2151.jpg?t=1333062146

looks really nice, Herb.

Is that a LN spoke shave? That's definitely on my list of LN tools to get... first I've got to sell some stuff though :grin:

looks really nice, Herb.

Is that a LN spoke shave? That's definitely on my list of LN tools to get... first I've got to sell some stuff though :grin:

Thanks Brian , good eyes , yes , that is an LN spoke shave , and I love it :)

The flamey goodness of that neck is almost too much to handle, Herb :grin:

The flamey goodness of that neck is almost too much to handle, Herb :grin:

Thanks Roger , I am pretty happy with it :)

I'm definitely considering turning my neck into firewood after seeing yours. Very, very nice.

I'm definitely considering turning my neck into firewood after seeing yours. Very, very nice.

Ha , thanks emoney .
Firewood , no , don't do that , just send it to me :D

Yeah, that is one flamey chunk o' maple, and one really nice lookin' neck.

Yeah, that is one flamey chunk o' maple, and one really nice lookin' neck.

Thanks rcole_sooner , she's a looker :smile:

Herb, That is one beautiful piece of Maple. How much of that did you get?

Herb, that camera revealed the beauty and craftsmanship
in that neck, and the clean up needed in your shop!

(Does it seem like I'm always picking on you? I guess it's because
you seem like such an easy-going guy. :lol:)

BTW, what is that set of black things next to your Ridgid laminate trimmer?

...
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2150.jpg?t=1333063639

Hey Adirondak, what are you doing up at this ungodly hour?I hope you're doing something guitar related!:mrgreen:

Herb, That is one beautiful piece of Maple. How much of that did you get?

Thanks Paul , I only have enough of that left for one more neck , that was by far the nicest piece I've ever got from Lowes .


Herb, that camera revealed the beauty and craftsmanship
in that neck, and the clean up needed in your shop!

Thanks Glenn , yea , the nikon takes pretty good pics , the tripod and cable release helps alto with shaky hands :lol:.
Yes the shop is a mess , I gotta clean today , it seems I just cleaned last week :confused:


(Does it seem like I'm always picking on you? I guess it's because
you seem like such an easy-going guy. :lol:)

No , you don't always pick on me ,ahh , wait a minute now , what was it about that burst :razz::lol: , no , really Glenn , I for one always appreciated you honesty and candor , so I don't feel picked on at all .



BTW, what is that set of black things next to your Ridgid laminate trimmer?


That is a set of Harbor Freight Transfer punches , sized from 3/32 to 1/2 in 1/64 increments , I use them for center punching , lining things up , very useful and I highly recommend them.

That is a set of Harbor Freight Transfer punches , sized from 3/32 to 1/2 in 1/64 increments , I use them for center punching , lining things up , very useful and I highly recommend them.

I use 'em all the time. They are cheap too!

I use 'em all the time. They are cheap too!

Yea , me too , one of the bargains from Harbor Freight that's actually pretty darn good.

Played around a little more with the neck this morning , a touch more spoke shaving , a little more sanding , got it pretty much how I want it , chunky , .950 at the nut , .995 at the 15th :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG21492.jpg?t=1333115828

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG21502.jpg?t=1333115872

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2152.jpg?t=1333115924

A little bit of final sanding left and drilling the neck screw holes and these will be ready for some finish work. :smile:

That neck is unbelievable, and love the carboard tube, I'll be stealing that idea, as for the tidy shop, I only do it to take photo's, If ya saw what mess I really work in.....mind you the floors been swept, I got sick of crunching over jagged bits of wood from one bench to the other, all 2 paces lol

That is a set of Harbor Freight Transfer punches , sized from 3/32 to 1/2 in 1/64 increments , I use them for center punching , lining things up , very useful and I highly recommend them.

Thanks, Herb. I had to google 'transfer punch' to figure out
what they do. Sounds very handy. My local HF is conveniently
located on the road to the hardwood store, so I'll pick them
on the next trip.

Having seen your pic of the body and neck together, I think
the figuring on the headstock and body go together great. Both need to
be finished the same way, no matter what kind of burst. :lol:
I know you'll do the right thing. :lol::lol:

I love it. My next three builds are going to be snakeheads.

More progress on the neck , got the fret ends beveled and the side markers in.
Oh yea , Glenn , I got the good camera out :razz:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2144.jpg?t=1332891061


My home made beveling tool

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0002.jpg?t=1332890835

One side done

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0003-1.jpg?t=1332890859

Both sides done , once I got the fret ends beveled I run 320 in a block along the edge of the fret board to get the tangs down flush

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0008.jpg?t=1332890969

Next I mark the edge of the fret board with a straight line and center punch my hole locations for the side dots , I drill the center punched locations with a hand drill

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0011.jpg?t=1332890992

Glue in the white plastic rod with super glue , nip off the excess and wait a few minutes for the glue to dry

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0013.jpg?t=1332891011

Sand down with 320 grit on a flat block

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0015.jpg?t=1332891036

Beauty shot :grin:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/DSC_0007.jpg?t=1332890947

Ready to start shaping

Herb,

It seems as if the snakehead style is reaching critical mass here!

Barncaster

The Lowes around me doesn't have any maple much less anything that looks like that.

That neck is unbelievable, and love the carboard tube, I'll be stealing that idea, as for the tidy shop, I only do it to take photo's, If ya saw what mess I really work in.....mind you the floors been swept, I got sick of crunching over jagged bits of wood from one bench to the other, all 2 paces lol

Thanks nialldabass , yea , that's a heavy cardboard tube , doesn't marr the headstock , works great. I never did get around to cleaning yet :oops: , I get on track and don't see anything else :lol:

Thanks, Herb. I had to google 'transfer punch' to figure out
what they do. Sounds very handy. My local HF is conveniently
located on the road to the hardwood store, so I'll pick them
on the next trip.

Having seen your pic of the body and neck together, I think
the figuring on the headstock and body go together great. Both need to
be finished the same way, no matter what kind of burst. :lol:
I know you'll do the right thing. :lol::lol:

Yes , grab a set Glenn , they do come in handy. I have been thinking about the neck finish since last night and am still undecided , but I think you might be right :idea:

I love it. My next three builds are going to be snakeheads.

Thanks fretman_2 , looks like we are going to have a den of snakeheads :lol:

Herb,

It seems as if the snakehead style is reaching critical mass here!

Barncaster

Ya , great isn't it ! :grin:

The Lowes around me doesn't have any maple much less anything that looks like that.

Yea , they are hit and miss , only two have it near me and only 1 Home Depot , but I got lucky with what I have gotten from them , right place , right time , now if it would only work that way for me with the lottery :lol:

Alligned the neck , drilled the neck screw holes , also reamed for the tuner bushings , the original snakehead didn't have bushings but this one will :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2154.jpg?t=1333126525

Center punched and drilled for neck screws

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2157.jpg?t=1333126480

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2158.jpg?t=1333126478

Drilled for the tuner bushings , I use a Stewmac bushing reamer

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2159.jpg?t=1333126565

Bushing holes reamed

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2161.jpg?t=1333126607

On to final sanding :smile:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2163.jpg?t=1333126653

Herb,

It seems as if the snakehead style is reaching critical mass here!

Barncaster

Ain't it cool! :cool:

I was hoping to get some sealer sprayed this afternoon , but no such luck , the grand kids are over and I don't want to spray outside with them here . So I got the control cavity cover made , I just cut out a piece of pickguard material and double side taped it to an old control cover and sanded it down

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2168.jpg?t=1333136652

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2167.jpg?t=1333136631

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2169.jpg?t=1333136686

So , everything is final sanded , I am not sure of my order of finish but I think I will do the wipe on burst first , get my faux binding squared away and then shoot some sealer , then when that dries I'll tape off the top and sides of the cap and get some filler in the walnut and then wait for that to dry and then go with more sealer

Very nice work, Herb. You are wayyyy ahead of me. Sounds like your "order of finish"
will work out nicely. And then that flame is REALLY gonna pop.

Very nice work, Herb. You are wayyyy ahead of me. Sounds like your "order of finish"
will work out nicely. And then that flame is REALLY gonna pop.

Thanks Eric , the big finishing slowdown is a coming , seems like I go good time wise until finish , then everything slows down . We'll see how it goes , I am going away the first week in May also so I'd like to have this ready to assemble by the 8th of May when I get back , that'll give me 6 days , unless I get it done before then , but that I doubt .

Started roughing out the nut , chisled and filed the nut slot , sanded down some black corian I had laying around , used my half pencil to mark the blank , I get more done after dinner.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2170.jpg?t=1333145470

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2171.jpg?t=1333145493

Well , I guess there's no more stalling off on this burst , it's a nice rainy day so I can't do anything else.
First I took and got the cap all wiped down nice and clean

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2172.jpg?t=1333205829

Then I taped up the sides of the cap , try to keep them stain free so I don't have as much sanding on the faux binding

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2173.jpg?t=1333205455

Next I mix up my ColorTone Liquid Stains to the same mix as I used in my test piece

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2174.jpg?t=1333205452

Then I start with yellow in the center

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2175.jpg?t=1333205857

Then blue around the perimeter

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2176.jpg?t=1333205446

Then a damp rag and start blending

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2177.jpg?t=1333205443

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2178.jpg?t=1333205925

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2181.jpg?t=1333206013

I gotta admit I was pretty nervous to do this but I think it came out pretty good , I am going to blend it just a touch more and get it a little more even , this should really come alive once it's cleared. :grin:

That looks wild! I love it!! Can't wait to see how it pops once you have the finish on it. Nice job as always!

That looks wild! I love it!! Can't wait to see how it pops once you have the finish on it. Nice job as always!

Hey thanks Steve , yea , certainly not my usual conservative finish , but I like it . It should really pop with some clear . :grin:

OK , got it blended a bit more , think I'll stop here .

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2182.jpg?t=1333209665

I'll give that a while to dry and then hit it lightly with some 0000 steel wool
.
In the down time I got to looking at that neck :twisted:

Tape around the headstock :?::?:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2184.jpg?t=1333209329

Don't look Glenn ! :lol:

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz246/adirondak50/2012%20build%20challenge/IMAG2185.jpg?t=1333209711

I really wasn't sure on the headstock , but I figured I could always sand it back , now that the evil deed is done , I am liking it :razz:

LoL didn't even consider you would do the same on the head stock. That looks killer my friend, absolutely killer! Great choice!!!

Very nice Herb!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! The Tropicaster lives!

Barncaster

That is really nice. I'm gonna have to try that burst one day.

Nice job and way to not let the naysayers sway you!