emoney's 2012 Challenge Build Thread -- COMPLETED

I have no idea why I'm doing this, other than the fact that I had planned to
start a Tele build anyway, so maybe the Challenge will keep me "on task", as
my elementary-teacher wife is so quick to point out that I'm "off".:lol:

No better time than now. Good luck.

Thanks, I'm going to need all I can get....plus a little of yours.

I should go on record now saying that I have no illusion of winning or even being
in the top 2/3s of this thing, as I have just enough experience at this stuff to
disqualify me from the beginner category. Now, had this come about a few
months ago, well that's a whole notha' story:razz:

Good luck, money! Glad you you here and participating!

I be watching, and cheering you on E

Good luck emoney!

Thanks all, and glad to be here. Let's hope I make it all the way to end with a playable
guitar!

Ok, here's my pic;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/TDPRiChallenge.jpg
Ambrosia for the top, African Mahogany for the neck, Cocobolo for the fretboard and
I have no idea what I'm using for the body blank yet......gulp.

Looking forward to watching another clever build! :wink:

Right on, good luck to you sir! Looking forward to seeing the progress.

Good luck e! Nice to see you on tdpri. (i'm ocw over on the mlp forums)

Hey, (ocw) good to see you here as well. Thanks everyone for the well wishes. I'll try
to keep this thread updated as often as possible and if nothing else, we'll have some fun
along the way.

hi emoney - good to see you here also, I am also following your ES build

hi emoney - good to see you here also, I am also following your ES build

Thank you. I'm trying to get that one in the "ready for finish" stage so I can
concentrate on this one. I am, however, going today to see if I can find some
"mahogany-like" interesting body wood, with "light" being the most important
adjective. This Ambrosia doesn't seem to me to be that light as it is, so there
very well may some "ES" attributes thrown in this sucker....:twisted:

I'm too old for "heavy"...or I should've actually said, "too out of shape".:lol:

nice choices of woods there...gonna be purty I'm sure...

I'm assuming it would be best to take another picture with my entry sheet once I pick up
my body wood? If nothing else, I guess it can't hurt.

Thanks, dilbone.

Well then, we might as well get at it, right? Before we do anything, and since I added
a body wood, let's share that pic, just in case, okey dokey?;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs9.jpg
What's extra in this pic, as opposed to the one above is I've added a piece of African Mahogany
that's actually got a little ribbon to it. It's too bad it won't be show very much.

Before we get too deep into this thing, and don't worry, I'm a long way away from "deep"
at this stage, but some of you may need just a touch of background on your "thread host"
so that some of the decisions you see take place make a little more sense. Let's establish
this, first and foremost: I'm NOT the guy you want to model your future building efforts on.
I'm pretty much a "newbie" still, as I've just hit 1 year in this hobby, and I can say I wish
I'd started much sooner because I'm having a blast. Another thing is that I'm a little on
the "cheap" side. Well, maybe that's not a fair word, because mainly I just don't like to
order things because I'm OCD (obsesive compulsive disorder)...functional, of course, and
a touch (my wife would said "lot" but that's a potato/potatoe thing) ADD (attention deficit disorder)
so I have the patience of a gnat. I like to be able to run out and pick up whatever I need
at the moment, so there will be decisions based on that. Ok, enough of the "foo-foo"
conversation, let's make some sawdust.

In staring at that pile of wood, and rolling around ideas in my head all day at work, I think
I've finally come up with a game plan for this build. I'm not good enough at this to have
secrets, so there's no need to be elusive with the information. I plan to build a traditional
shaped Tele, but with designs elements from a Gibson Les Paul Custom. The body will
be in 3 pieces, with Mahogany in the middle, a carved Ambrosia top and a flat & thin
Ambrosia back for resonance. There'll be chambering, so if you're a purist, you might want
to keep your eyes closed until the body is glued up. I'm going set neck, Mahogany, and
I'll make my own truss rod.

So, that brings you "up-to-speed" on both me and my "hopes" for this particular build.
I'm gonna need all the luck I can get. More to follow......

Alrighty then....on with the show.
1st things 1st in any build, is to have a plan and a template if you want your curves to
be the right type of curvey and your straight lines to be somewhat straight. I printed off
a Tele drawing in 4 sheets of regular printer paper, taped them together and laid them
out on a piece of Luan (very thin plywood for those scoring at home) like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs8.jpg
That right there is your Standard Issue Spray Adhesive The Plan to the Template shot.
Once that's done, it's simply head over to the bandsaw, and ....ummm...bandsaw away;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs7.jpg
I like to get as close to the line as possible by an untalented hack, and then proceed to
the belt sander to finish it up. When I get luck on my side, I end up with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs6.jpg
The next thing, for me anyway, was to cut up my body woods into their "pre-glue-up" versions,
and I like to trace the newly minted template on top them, just to make sure I like where
the body will eventually end up....a little like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs4.jpg
Here's the top, as I've decided to lay it out;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs3.jpg
And the mahogany in the same stage;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs2.jpg
The back, you can see here in it's "pre-resawn" shape, underneath the neck blank;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs1.jpg
My bandsaw isn't big enough to resaw this piece, so that will be done by handsaw and
with a lot of consternation and good-old-fashioned cursing as well. I'll make sure that
I DON'T provide audio of that, so that this thread can remain at the very least, PG-13.

Speaking of the neck blank (we were speaking of that, weren't we?), my OCD-edness
(that's a medical term so don't let it get to you), caused me to pause here, and wax
poetic (I don't even know what that means). I had a dilemma, basically, that needed
solved immediately (that's the "obsessive" part); I need a headstock design that isn't
somebody else's.

Let's open another reply window, and talk more about that, shall we?

This is almost like time travelling, isn't it? I mean, don't you feel like you were right there
with me when I did all this? I could've sworn I saw you, but then again....

Sorry, I digress. The headstock.....that's the problem at the moment. I'm a little too lazy
to sit down with pencil and blank paper and start drawing out alternatives. I did something
similar to that about 2-3 months ago when I came up with my 3+3 headstock and I didn't
enjoy it, if I'm honest. It looks like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs12.jpg
I even made myself a template of it, so I got that out, and laid it on a piece of scrap poplar
that I have no idea why I even had (I've done zero woodworking prior to this recent guitar
building fetish I've picked up), but nevertheless, it was there, so I laid the template on it;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs11.jpg
To make this very long and boring story a little shorter, what I decided to do was use
half of this design, and just put a little triangle on the top half, much like Fender's.
I ended up with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thurs10.jpg
I hope you can see that ok, and if not, it's in the picture above as I cut this out so I'd
have a template for it as well. If you have thoughts on this "design" please share them.
I'm sure somehow I've come pretty close to someone else's, but it's really hard to "make
something new under the sun", since the old expression....oh, nevermind.

Anyway, that's about all I've got done so far. Tomorrow, I'll get back on the cursing and
handsawing the back plate, then I'll move into joining all three layers and hopefully will
have them in the glue up stage by the time Friday night ends (I don't have much of a
social life, as you can tell). I'd like to cut out the 3 layers of the body by Saturday or
Sunday afternoon at the latest.

So that's it for now. I appreciate any and all comments and thank you in advance for
visiting my little slice of Tele Build Challenge Heaven. Please do come back......pretty please?

Sorry so late in the day, welcome and good luck! :grin:


Dave

Wow another great head stock design. There are a lot of really cool designs in the challenge this year. Looks great so far.

Thanks Dave! And Muzikp, I actually like this one better than it's "father" the 3+3.
It's frustrating to me to do a headstock because my mind is so locked into the "proven ones".
I suppose that's why I'm no design engineer or the like, lol.

Decided to join the party anyway huh? Have fun E!

E, I too am struggling with the headstock. But I really do like what you came up with here.

Duder. Don't be so original - it makes hacks like me feel bad.

Nice wood. Looking forward to seeing this one progress.

Decided to join the party anyway huh? Have fun E!

I went back and forth 20 times and once I started reading all the other threads,
knew I'd be mad at myself if I didn't, so here I am.....all exposed and everything:oops:

E, I too am struggling with the headstock. But I really do like what you came up with here.
I really did get lucky with this one. It's just one of those "trial and error" things,
I guess. If it hadn't been for the other one, I would've probably saved this step
until as late in the build as I could:mrgreen:


Duder. Don't be so original - it makes hacks like me feel bad.
Don't worry, Play, there'll be plenty "hack-ishness" to come out of this thread
I can assure you:shock:

Nice wood. Looking forward to seeing this one progress.
Thanks, czook. I hope I can do the wood and the Tele justice.

You'll be allright, E.

Looks good to me! I'm really digging that top, and your headstock is pretty sweet. I'm kind of stuck for a design myself. I've tried sketching one out, but it always end up looking like... well, just something not pretty :lol:

You've done awesome!

Love the headstock design! And the woods. The Ambrosia is beautiful, of course. But I've gotta say, I'm kind of envious of that mahogany. To most folk it's pretty plain, I guess, but around here it's $8 or $9 a board ft. Not gonna buy any of it anytime soon. But i love working it, especially building a neck with it. Carves beautifully, real strong, and lightweight.
Good luck on your build. Looks like it'll be a beaut!

You'll be allright, E.
I'll be following you (and copying ideas on the down low...wait, did I just type
that out loud?)

Looks good to me! I'm really digging that top, and your headstock is pretty sweet. I'm kind of stuck for a design myself. I've tried sketching one out, but it always end up looking like... well, just something not pretty :lol:

You've done awesome!

I found out that everytime I drew something, it was awful, so I just started
cutting scraps until I ended up where I ended up. Even a "blind squirrel"
sometimes gets a nut:lol:

Love the headstock design! And the woods. The Ambrosia is beautiful, of course. But I've gotta say, I'm kind of envious of that mahogany. To most folk it's pretty plain, I guess, but around here it's $8 or $9 a board ft. Not gonna buy any of it anytime soon. But i love working it, especially building a neck with it. Carves beautifully, real strong, and lightweight.
Good luck on your build. Looks like it'll be a beaut!

Mahogany ranks right up at the top of woods to actually work with. Like you
said, carves like butter, but it gets a smidge on the pricey side. However,
I just picked up two 8/4 pieces, that are 7 1/2" wide and about 20" tall for
$10.00. My "guy" was finally in his shop today, and that's usually the only
place I buy wood from. He's one of those "old-school" cabinet makers and
even though you can't walk very safely in his shop, which btw is big enough
to house between 8-10 cars, it's stacked to the rafters with old wood he's
accumulated over 30-40 years. I'm trying to become one of his "closer" friends:twisted:

Now, if I could just find that wood that works like Mahogany, but looks like
Flamed/Figured Maple, I'd be all in!

Yeah, I think I'd do whatever I could to cultivate that friendship!

Yeah, I think I'd do whatever I could to cultivate that friendship!

I've got it to where at least he's "looks" happy to see me. He also sold me
an 8" long-bed Jointer today for $45.00. I've found that the more of his older
tools I buy, the better deal I get on the wood, and I need the tools anyway, lol.

that's a twofer then, lol. A lot of the old tools(if well maintained) are scads better than a lot of the newer stuff most are putting out today.

@gitlvr....you sir, are exactly correct.

Ok, this is crazy talk. I've just spent 2 hours trying to resaw via handsaw my "back piece"
and at this rate, I might be finished by next year's Super Bowl. So, in the event I'm as
frustrated tomorrow mid morning with it, I may have to go to Plan "B", which involves
a little bit thicker body. So, here's the blanks;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/friday4.jpg
Got some planing to do to this lucky pair, as they're just a tad over 2" and I ain't building
no "fat boy"
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/friday3.jpg
They will be put on a diet come tomorrow.

Really? You've got a friend how sells you wood and his old tools are great prices? You, sir, are a lucky, lucky man :grin:

@RogerC...technically, he doesn't actually know we're "friends" yet. However, with the
stock of wood and old tools he has, I consider him to be my BFF:lol:

Yeah, resawing with a handsaw can be....discouraging.:roll:
Assuming plan B is to thickness that thick wood to more appropriate dimensions for a body, i think it's router sled time. If you have one. If not, they're easy to make, and inexpensive. I made mine from 2" plastic plumbing pipe and a sheet of 3/4" ply. That would be what I'd do.

@gitlvr...great tip and I do have one, but my OCDedness usually kicks in and that makes
me go on a shopping spree (explantation soon)

**thread disclaimer: CAUTION **
The initiater of this thread has been known to take excessive pictures and provide far too
many updates. Understand this is no reflection on TDPRI, and is just another character
flaw from thread author. You will also notice there is occassional "trash talk" type verbage,
however, under no circumstances does the author feel superior to any other hobbyist, he
just likes to use phrases like, "What about that!" and words like, "Buyaaah!" (which we've
yet to ascertain definition of same. Read this thread at your own risk.

Alrighty then, now that we have the legalities out of the way, let's get down to bizness,
shall we?
This morning found a pleasant breeze coming in off the Gulf and the wife still groggy from
sleep (meaning...no chores yet!) so I figured I should sneak down into the shop. First thing
on the agenda is to slim down some of these big old chunks;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat28.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat16.jpg
Sadly enough, with this horrible economy, a person can get a deal on used tools in the area
pawn shop. Picked this planer up for $100.00 and the blades were practically brand new.
Anyway, got the mahogany down to just over 1.5";
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat27.jpg
Remember from above, those puppies started life over 2". Wanna know where the 1/2" went?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat25.jpg
The Ambrosia lost almost as much weight, and oddly enough, ended up with the same fate
but a little different color;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat15.jpg
Then it was time to joint the edges so I could glue them up. I went the old fashioned
way, as my new-to-me, old jointer doesn't have a fence yet. So, I took out the handplane
and finished them off with my "flat surface sander";
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat13.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat14.jpg
Add some glue the old school way (wait..is there a "new school" way to do this?);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat23.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat22.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat21.jpg
Ended up with some pretty tight joints;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat24.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat4.jpg
Like everybody else, I put a strip of plastic underneath my glue joint,
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat20.jpg
but after I've clamped
it, I like to wipe off the excess like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat18.jpg
And then I fold my plastic over, in half, so there's less clean up when it's all dry, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat19.jpg
THe it's just your standard, clamp them down and let them dry for a few hours;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat12.jpg
Now we wait........

But, since we're practically living in the future and through the magic of the internet,
3 hours goes bye almost instantly, so now, it's 3 hours later;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat8.jpg
TIme to whip out the handplane, and clean that glue joint up....booyah!
Let's recheck our seams, shall we?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat7.jpg
OH yeah! Emoney is a jointing machine!!!!
ahem.....sorry, I get carried away sometimes. Anyway, let's make this wood look like
something, shall we?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat3.jpg
I'm telling you, the kid's a natural!
Get ready for it......
wait.....


not yet.......


BAM!!!!


http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat2.jpg
Still a little on the "chunky" side;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat1.jpg
So tomorrow we'll put this little baby on a diet, if the good Lord's willing and the creek
don't rise, of course (well, technically you can translate that as "as long as the wife
either a)says it's ok, or b) doesn't know I'm in the shop).

And lastly, we....well, truthfully, it was me since I did all the work and you just watched,
got the neck blank routed 1st and scarfed with a wider plank for the headstock;

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat31.jpg
It's easier to cut the trussrod channel on the blank when the sides are square. Then it's
just pop a 1/4" bit into the router table and cut away.
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat30.jpg

That's it for today, kiddos. Hopefully before the weekend is over, we'll have a body almost
ready for gluing and a neck roughed out. Keep your fingers crossed!

And since I have the patience of a gnat, among a myriad of other issues, I couldn't "put
it away" until I had this neck roughed out.

I was concerned that I couldn't pull it off, actually....an angled 6 inline headstock that is.
Enough concern that I actually have a Maple blank "just in case", and while the jury is
still technically out, I'm starting to think it may work;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Sat42.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Sat41.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Sat40.jpg
Since I'm planning to do a set-neck, I thought the angle would help. If not, then I'll start
over with a traditional neck.

Looks like It'll work. It'll work great. Cool idea, I've never seen an angled 6 inline neck.

Thanks, Muzikp. My "plan" if you will, for this guitar is mainly due to my really overthinking
things. When I 1st decided to enter, as I was pondering a design, my mind began to wonder
what would've happened if Leo Fender had bought Gibson in say, 1962? I'm sure he would've
had them switch over to his designs, but I also imagined that if he had kept McCarty on
the payroll, he would've been lobbying for some of the Gibby elements to remain, thus
the headstock. That's why this guitar is getting carved on the inside and the outside
of both the body and the top. Basically, it's a "Telecaster 335"......at least that what
I hope it ends up being.

Loving the design emoney.

Cant wait to see this finished.

Cheers

That's gonna be a really cool design, E. It's conceptual stuff like this that is very interesting to watch.

Thanks guys!

You know, my Grandmother, God rest her soul, used to always say;
"Idle hands lead to evil minds and idle words are fool's talk". For the most part, I have no
idea what that meant. It was one of the many rather obscure sayings of hers, but since
she was the lady that gave me "If a cow (pooped) butter, we wouldn't have to churn it"
then I tended to give her quite a bit of slack and just nod my head lovingly. However,
I think I understand a little bit of what she was saying. For instance, I was bored today
and had really not planned on doing much build work. Next thing you know, I start "doodling";
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun13.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun11.jpg
Both of those pictures represent some pretty standard stuff for chambering a body and
carving a top. However, I just couldn't leave well enough alone;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun15.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun12.jpg
Next thing you know, I've pulled out the router and done this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun10.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun8.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun9.jpg
However, it was taking forever until I remembered I had forgotten to do this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun7.jpg
So that allowed to get to this point a lot quicker;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun5.jpg
Next thing you know, I've laid down the router and pick up the RO sander;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun4.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sun2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Sun1.jpg
Still lots of work to do on both pieces, but I'm making progress. The body is slowly but
surely shedding weight. Hopefully I'll get the top carved tomorrow night and then I can
move onto the "E" holes (no that's not a typo). The back won't get carved until the body
has been glued up.

Have a great Sunday all!

I respect your effort to carve the bottom of the top as well! I have enough worries with my flat top project already..

thanks, tvlaavo. I should've gone with a little easier material to work with for the top
since I'm feeling so "industrious". This Ambrosia hates anything to do with altering it's
shape.

I like that ambrosia, and who can speak against mahogany? Looks good!

I would've loved to have gotten the chance to sit and chat with your grandmother, e. :lol:

I like that ambrosia, and who can speak against mahogany? Looks good!

Thank you sir.

I would've loved to have gotten the chance to sit and chat with your grandmother, e. :lol:

You know, growing up in the country, there was a lot of folks that were worth
the time to listen to, if that makes any sense. Of course, I was partial to
my Grandmother......

I'm no "tap tone expert"....let me restate that: I know very little about "tap tone", but
if I'm hearing what I think I'm hearing, this top sure does have some bell-like ringing to it.
I'm not sure how that really equates to sound enhancement on an electric guitar, but
I guess we'll see in hopefully, less than 2 months.

Looks great, I can't wait to see this one develop...

Carving that top almost looks like manual labor :shock:. That is awesome though, this can only turn out well. Did you free hand the contours with your router? How did you keep it from going too deep or not deep enough on each contour?

Man I have been complaining to my wife about how much work this is, forget all that carving.

Looks great, I can't wait to see this one develop...

Thank you sir, although I tend to bite off more than I can chew, or as Grandma
would've said, "My eyes are bigger than my stomach". (you figure it out, I
gave up trying)

Carving that top almost looks like manual labor :shock:. That is awesome though, this can only turn out well. Did you free hand the contours with your router? How did you keep it from going too deep or not deep enough on each contour?

Drew the contour lines free hand doing the old, "finger against the side of
the body" trick and routed free hand. I'm not sure I'll build another one of
these so there was no use taking the time or material to build templates.
You just hafta go a little slower and make sure your math is correct.
Check, double check, re-check, and then confirm.

Man I have been complaining to my wife about how much work this is, forget all that carving.

Never complain to the Missus about building guitars, ONLY about how much work
the chores are she ask you to do, lol. You're doing great on your build, btw.:grin:

Well then, I say let's move forward, shall we? Since I quickly tired of sanding contour lines,
and due to the fact I earlier said I'd be making my own truss rod, I figure we might as well
get to doing it.

We start with a standard, 36" piece of 3/16" Steel Rod roundstock from your local HD/Lowe's/Whatever.
Before we begin, it's best to bevel one end a little to help the die start. I use my belt sander
for this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo68.jpg
Once that's done, I chuck it into my flat vise and put a few drops of oil on the end;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo67.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo66.jpg
Easy smeasy. Next I whip out the old 10/32 Die and chuck it into the die thingamajiggy;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo65.jpg
Sorry about all the technical terms, but some things can only be explained on a scientific level.
Slowly turn the thingamajiggy, making sure to "back it off" every 1/2 turn: something
like a "wax on, wax off" type, xen movement, and eventually, threads start to peek out
over the top;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo64.jpg
And, after just a few minutes, you should end up with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo63.jpg
And, although there's no picture of it, I like to take the edges off a brass cap nut to where
it turns out looking a little smoother. Screw that on to make sure your threads are good;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo62.jpg
And, since you already cut your truss rod slot using a 1/4" router bit, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo61.jpg
Double check to make sure the slot allows the bar to move, but not rattle around;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/photo60.jpg
And then proceed to cut the rod in half, netting you 18" of truss rod to be fine tuned and
adjusted later. (Sorry, no pictures of the hacksaw, but the update was boring enough)
When it's all said and done, in about 5 minutes of time, you've saved probably a grand total
of $3.00! Hey, it adds up you know! More importantly, it's a very relaxing step in the
build process as far as I'm concerned.

That's it for now kids. I've got to say I'm really enjoying all these build threads that are
going on. While it is a little difficult to "keep up" with everybody, there is a lot of great
info to be gleaned just in this Build Challenge, so kudos to all! Until next time, I'll leave
you with one more of Grandma's Famous Sayings;
"When you're green, you're growing. When you're ripe, you're rotting"

Good looking rod, E!... :shock:I swear i've never said that to another guy before:grin:

OK, more of Grandma's wisdom and less of the technobabble please.
I mean; thingamajiggy? You smug lil' sunnuva whatsit...

THNPmhBl-8I

Emoney; "rocket science? meh, it's not exactly luthery is it?"

@Olav....that's hilarious!

...but don't make me break out the doohickey!

Good looking rod, E!... :shock:I swear i've never said that to another guy before:grin:

Nor have I had a guy say that to me.......at least that I can remember.
I do, however, feel honored to be your "1st":razz:

@Olav....that's hilarious!

...but don't make me break out the doohickey!

Seriously, this isn't the first time a guy has threatened to whip out his doohickey
to shut me up. The first time it has worked though...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/saintOlav/smilies%20for%20every%20occasion/zip-zip-animated-animation-smiley-emoticon-000408-large.gif

I shoulda known I wouldn't get much accomplished on a Monday night. Sheesh.
(for all you scoring at home, that's another technical term meaning "I'm frustrated").
And, like Grandma SHOULD have said, "Sometimes women talk too much". (wait...did I
really just type that out loud? No honey....I didn't mean YOU....duh). You see, the
wife likes to drone on endlessly, AHEM, I MEAN, talk lovingly about her day (never asks
about mine though???) So it was practically 8:30p before I got into the shop and away,
I mean, "excused myself", from her. But, I did do something, so let's get on with it.

Now, you didn't expect me to leave the inside of the top in that shape did you? I mean,
come on, I know I'm lazy, but "sheesh" (there it is again);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon4.jpg
To the untrained eye, it probably doesn't look a lot different, but I'm sure all you true
artists and craftsmen/women can see the biggest of the ridges and bumps are gone;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon5.jpg
And now, I'm tired of messing with that side, so as far as I'm concerned, that part is
getting checked off the list and moved into the "complete" column.

So, one side down, and technically, 3 to go. I'm sure a few updates ago, some of you
were wondering why I left the chambering routes so thin. Hmmmm, let's see, was it
because a) he had planned to come back and finish it at a later date, or b) does he
have something else up his sleeve?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon3.jpg
Well, both answers are correct. As you can see, I've started carving the back or outside
of the body, so in the interest of not sanding through the back, I've left some routing
to do still on the inside. As for the outside, bear with me because it was REALLY difficult
to capture in the very dark garage of mine with very, very poor lighting, but maybe you
can see where I'm going with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon1.jpg
The very outside edge will be left the same height as the absolute center section, because
I'm aiming for a "bowl-type" carve on the back. Once I get this all sanded, then I'll be
able to flip it over and finish gutting it like a dead fish.

See...that's all there is. Pretty disappointing to you, I'm sure, and believe me, I'm disappointed
in myself. Well, technically it was my wife's fault, but let's not go naming names and pointing
fingers, ok? (at least, that's in the best interest of my HEALTH).
Like Grandma WOULD have said, had she been involved in this build challenge
along with, "Women, while things of beauty and awe, need to keep their
conversations to theirselves while my grandson gets on with his build".
You know how those Grandmas can be.

Oooooh.... Ahhhh - very clever. Getting interestinger and interestinger. Cheering you on!

That's a cool carve. different for sure. And your wife doesn't ever read through this forum does she?! :shock: :lol:

Yes , this is getting very interesting , and pretty cool
:)

Oooooh.... Ahhhh - very clever. Getting interestinger and interestinger. Cheering you on!
Thank you sir, I need cheering on!

That's a cool carve. different for sure. And your wife doesn't ever read through this forum does she?! :shock: :lol:
It sure don't look like much now, but it will eventually.....knock on wood

Yes , this is getting very interesting , and pretty cool
:)
I'm constantly questioning my sanity as to why I get myself into this stuff,, but
thanks very much.:roll:

Great thread emoney, that carves looking great.
Your Grandma reminds me of my old Gran, :lol:one of her favourites was - "If wishes were fishes we'd never go hungry" :confused:

Thanks for the help and advice on my neck. I have made a lot of progress because of you and many others here.

The contoured back and front of the top is really interesting to watch progress. How are you keeping the router steady when you clean out the elevations? It looks like you are freehanding it on one side without support? Or are you using the next step and routing at a slight angle?

The planning and degree of difficulty are amazing.

He!He! You can take the boy out from MLP but you can't take the MLP out from the boy.:mrgreen:
Looks great, I'm sure the angled headstock will work just fine, I'm sure there is a company doing just that, sorry can't remember who, I'll be keeping my beady eye on this thread, and so many others :roll:

Great thread emoney, that carves looking great.
Your Grandma reminds me of my old Gran, :lol:one of her favourites was - "If wishes were fishes we'd never go hungry" :confused:
I'm kinda lookin' forward to becoming a "Grandpa" one of these days. Oh boy,
I feel sooooo sorry for their parents. Payback time!!!

Thanks for the help and advice on my neck. I have made a lot of progress because of you and many others here.

The contoured back and front of the top is really interesting to watch progress. How are you keeping the router steady when you clean out the elevations? It looks like you are freehanding it on one side without support? Or are you using the next step and routing at a slight angle?

The planning and degree of difficulty are amazing.

Thanks, czook. It's all freehand. I'm using a tiny little router, and I support
my "cutting arm" with my other arm so that the base isn't taking all the weight.
I'm letting the body shape itself, basically, because even though I drew
contour lines, I've decided at each step I don't really like them, so I'm just
trying to "go with the flow". Cross your fingers.

He!He! You can take the boy out from MLP but you can't take the MLP out from the boy.:mrgreen:
Looks great, I'm sure the angled headstock will work just fine, I'm sure there is a company doing just that, sorry can't remember who, I'll be keeping my beady eye on this thread, and so many others :roll:

Haha! You know what they say, "Go with what you know", lol. Although, with
all this work I've gotten myself into, I'm starting to think I would've been
much smarter to just go the traditional Tele route. Heck, I might even be
almost ready for finish by now, lol.

There are so many awesome threads in this challenge, that it really is difficult
to keep up. I've found new, interesting threads everytime I've logged on and
that's been quite frequently (world's most boring job). Thanks for looking
and you're welcome back anytime:grin:

OK, I need to preface this update with this bit of information. What you're about to see
actually took me 3 hours to accomplish. No...really! My wife had to go out of town for
the day, and she still isn't home, so after a quick stop off at Harbor Freight (had to get
a new belt sander because they were on sale....I mean I just HAD too) it was "change
clothes and straight to the shop". Didn't even have dinner until just now (which, was
rather crappy since the love of my life normally feeds me daily. Where is that woman?)

Anyway, on to what little bit of update there is......

Tonight, it was more carving on the top;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Tues1.jpg
As you can see, I'm going down in gradient steps, slowly but surely. WIthout having ever
carved a Tele, I have nothing to go by, so I want to keep check to make sure I don't
have a sand through. It wouldn't bother me one bit to end up with 1/4" of material all
the way around and across the top, but that's a tad bit spooky when you're freehand
carving.

Now that I've come up with a definite plan for the body, I was able to put it back into the
"weight loss" stage;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Tues2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Tues3.jpg
I still think I may apply a "round" type bit to the inside to smooth it out nice and pretty
like as the plan as of this moment is to cut "E-holes"
They'll look a lot like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/933%20Scratch/Tuesday6.jpg
That's my first ES build that I've actually shelved for this Challenge, so now you know that
I'm more committed to finishing the Tele than I am some old, out-dated Gibby model...(brownie points please).

The way I see it, since this "guitar building" is still brand new to me, I started about this
time last year but had a 4 month "sabbatical" due to some itsy, bitsy little medical issues
but I digress, anyway....the way I see it, it's better to go ahead and try your hand at
as much of it as possible, i.e. carving the inside and out, setting necks, etc. Because,
at this juncture, I've still got the "Rookie Mistake" excuse card I can play. Right?

Have a great night and thanks oodles for stopping by my little slice of "Guitar Building Nirvana".
I know you have a lot of threads to choose from, and I appreciate you flying "Emoney".

E, will this guitar be receiving your patented "E-holes"?

nevermind, i just saw your post about them. next time I'll read before I post.

Wow....how rude of me. I just about left off without parting words of wisdom from the
Grandma file. While this particular one isn't as "cutesy" as say the one about "Cows pooping
butter", it turned out to be very prophetic relationship advice. The topic at hand was
should I, at that time, get back with the "ex". Grandma's response, and this was the
only thing she said;
"Emoney (well, technically she said, 'Eric'), if you opened that refrigerator to get yourself
a glass of milk (we were in the kitchen at the time), and took the lid off the bottle,
smelled it, and found out it was curdled, would you put it back in expecting it to get
better for the next glass?".

I knew at that moment the "right thing" to do and it has turned out perfectly.

And lastly, we....well, truthfully, it was me since I did all the work and you just watched,


Hey, don't be so condescending. I didn't just watch, I also ate popcorn! :mrgreen:

E, will this guitar be receiving your patented "E-holes"?

nevermind, i just saw your post about them. next time I'll read before I post.

Buwahaha! I do the same thing almost daily. I got a good laugh from this
so thanks. How's things?:lol:

going pretty good, I'm getting caught up with everyone else on my build, I even made my own special "F hole" for my build. Check it out when you get a chance. I'll be rooting for you buddy, us MLP'ers have to stick together.

Hey - That's my "Rookie Mistake" excuse card. Give it back!

"Emoney (well, technically she said, 'Eric'), if you opened that refrigerator to get yourself
a glass of milk (we were in the kitchen at the time), and took the lid off the bottle,
smelled it, and found out it was curdled, would you put it back in expecting it to get
better for the next glass?".


Wise woman :grin:

going pretty good, I'm getting caught up with everyone else on my build, I even made my own special "F hole" for my build. Check it out when you get a chance. I'll be rooting for you buddy, us MLP'ers have to stick together.

I just did, lol and I got a real laugh out of it because I see myself in your thread.
Are you sure I'm not your dad?

Hey - That's my "Rookie Mistake" excuse card. Give it back!

Rule 4c-subsection 19 states; "Holder of aforementioned Rookie Mistake card
is fully under his/her rights to maintain ownership until such time as is deemed
prudent to apply it's use under Article 19 of the "New BUilder Code" and has no
obligation to return said card until that time."
(hey, it's not me man.....it's the Rules)

Wise woman :grin:

If only Wisdom were genetic.....:oops:

Well, well, well.....what a disappointment I've turned out to be. Another 2 1/2 hours "work"
and hardly anything to show for it. Only 2.5 hours tonight because it's "Choir Practice Night"
so, what's a guy to do? I think, had I had the extra 1.5 hours like last night, this top
would've been carved. But, I didn't so as it sits;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed9.jpg
I'm down to the last step on the carve, but it was getting late and even my little trim
router is loud, so I tho't it best to stop here. Plus, this last layer requires the use of
temporary shelves around the perimeter to give the router base something to sit flush
on.

However, since I wasn't getting that much accomplished, I did try and pay attention to
other parts of the build. For example, I got the body sanded up to the line pretty much;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed6.jpg
It only needs a rounder over on the back, and a smidgeon of hand sanding and it will be
ready for glue up. I've found it better to get the body finished, within reason of course,
before you glue the top, since it's getting carved and all. (See, I can think ahead).

I also spent a little bit of time on the neck getting the headstock shaped some more
and trimming off most of the waste so I could get a good look at it to make sure I'm
going to like my headstock design as it goes with the neck and it's taper.
(remember, there's an OCD issue so symmetrical and flowing are key words);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed4.jpg
The jury, of course, is still way out, but I think I'm going to like the idea of a 6 in line
tilted back headstock. Holding it tonight I got the feeling, for some reason, that the
tuners are going to seem much more accesible, not that they're not on a flat headstock,
but.....you know.....oh nevermind because even I don't know what I'm talking about.

Like Grandma used to say, "Dogs lie with dogs".
(try and figure that one out as it pertains to whatever I was rambling on about).

That's it for tonight. I'm making a committment to myself that tomorrow night I WILL get
that top carve finished. I need to move on, sheesh.

I think after watching you go through this I will attempt a carved top soon, you are probably making it look easier than it really is. Looks great keep up the good work.

It actually is pretty easy, otherwise I wouldn't be attempting it. It's just time consuming
without the benefit of templates, and the fact I'm working at night and trying to keep the
noise down. I've carved an LP with templates, this same way, in about 1/3 of the time
because I can use my full-sized router and take off a little bit more at a time. The only
thing with even a modicum of difficulty is making sure you are taking off the same amount
on both sides (assuming you'll carve the inside too) and you don't leave any area dangerously
thin.

I forgot to include my "semi-mockup" pictures;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/wed1.jpg
Not supposed to go long without these obligatory shots, although I was too lazy to go
upstairs and get the pickups/bridge/etc.

Eric, I'm having a blast watching this thing move along. Right now it's got that ugly duckly thing going on-- it's rough and ragged, but any day now it's going to hit that point where we'll be like D@MN!:shock:

:grin:

@Roger, haha, thanks and let's both keep our fingers crossed that this one actually makes
it through the "metamorphosis stage", lol.

Not much of an update, but I did some work at least. Once I got the outside inch or so
down to the last step level, I did some sanding;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thursday3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/thursday2.jpg
The reason I do this is because when I route those last two "steps", I want to have already
done the bulk of the sanding on the rest of top. I've done all the steps before, like most
folks do, but found that you run a pretty big risk of getting the outer edge uneven, and
even sanding too thin in between the outer and then next one, just because of all the
pressure you're applying to the sander. So, I figured, "why not leave that part to the
last", and that's what I'm doing.

There's about an hour of sanding with 60 grit paper in these two pics above and that's
some aggressive grit. This stuff is hard as a rock which explains why it rang so much
(well, I don't know that much about "tap tone" but it sounded ringy to me). I started
getting tired so I shut it all down for the night and will get back at tomorrow. One thing
I've learned, and I'm not the best student, is that "tired = mistakes and/or injury". When
in doubt, walk away. I'm sure Grandma would agree.

One thing
I've learned, and I'm not the best student, is that "tired = mistakes and/or injury". When
in doubt, walk away. I'm sure Grandma would agree.

I couldn't agree more.

It's getting there for sure, and with your design and wood combo, it's gonna be ridiculous!

I'm still pondering cows pooping butter. You might not have to churn it, but would you still want to put it on your grits?:shock:

That wood is wonderful looking, and you've got me hooked to see how it comes together. I love the headstock, one of the better designs I've seen.

I couldn't agree more.

It's getting there for sure, and with your design and wood combo, it's gonna be ridiculous!

At the slow rate I'm going, at this stage I'm looking around to see if there's a
"Last One Done" category, lol. Thanks for your support, btw.

I'm still pondering cows pooping butter. You might not have to churn it, but would you still want to put it on your grits?:shock:

That wood is wonderful looking, and you've got me hooked to see how it comes together. I love the headstock, one of the better designs I've seen.

You know, I remember one time she said that I responded with, "Yeah, but
who'd wanna eat butter sh#t?" The very next "famous Grandma quote" I
got was; "Go cut me a switch, boy". That one I was NOT a fan of.......:shock:

Well you got another 6 weeks for sanding and then a week to put it together with a finish, you'll be fine:mrgreen:

"Go cut me a switch, boy".

The most feared grandma quote of all :lol::lol:

Love seeing the progress on this one...it's going to be one of those where they see what you started with and say, "you built this from that???"
Awesome job so far.

This thread is great. My favorite grandma quote is: "You have to look your best for the Lord." To which I responded "THAT isn't in the bible, grandma!"

Anyways, that's Grandma 3:16 in our house.

The most feared grandma quote of all :lol::lol:

I almost preferred that one to, "Help me stir the Aunt Bill's candy.". I thought my arm was going to fall off helping with that. :lol: Anytime she mentioned making candy, I was long gone. Until I figured it might be done. :cool:

Well you got another 6 weeks for sanding and then a week to put it together with a finish, you'll be fine:mrgreen:

WAIT!!?!!?!! We have to have a FINISH on these builds?????:?::!:
I'm gonna need an extension on time. I think I'll have my agent call the Mods.:mrgreen:

Love seeing the progress on this one...it's going to be one of those where they see what you started with and say, "you built this from that???"
Awesome job so far.

Just keep crossing your fingers that we get to the "nice" moment:shock:

This thread is great. My favorite grandma quote is: "You have to look your best for the Lord." To which I responded "THAT isn't in the bible, grandma!"

Anyways, that's Grandma 3:16 in our house.

Oh, we got our share of "Grandma Bible" quotes I can tell you that. For instance,
watching too many cartoons on Saturday morning was sinful. Never did find
that verse, nor is in the commandments. Must be buried somewhere in Leviticus.:lol:

I almost preferred that one to, "Help me stir the Aunt Bill's candy.". I thought my arm was going to fall off helping with that. :lol: Anytime she mentioned making candy, I was long gone. Until I figured it might be done. :cool:

Anybody else's Grandma make this; Fried white bread covered in Karo Syrup?
Talk about walking heart attack. No wonder I've had cholesterol issues.:wink:


The most feared grandma quote of all :lol::lol:
I was ok unless she handed the switch to Grandpa.....then it was doomsday
as far as I was concerned.
If you recognize this one, then you probably tried the whole, "Bring back a
broken limb" trick....which always resulted in bad news for me:sad:

WAIT!!?!!?!! We have to have a FINISH on these builds?????:?::!:
I'm gonna need an extension on time. I think I'll have my agent call the Mods.:mrgreen:

I hope your agents better than mine..............mines just told me I've got to watch the kids

I just did, lol and I got a real laugh out of it because I see myself in your thread.
Are you sure I'm not your dad?

I don't think so, but it was the 70's. Anythings possible.

I don't think so, but it was the 70's. Anythings possible.

Well, I'm gonna claim you on my taxes just in case.:razz:

While everyone elsle's updates seem to make huge strides in their builds,
one of us is just whittling away, seemingly accomplishing nothing. Now, if
it's left up to me, I'd prefer we didn't name any names so to save the good-hearted
fellow the embarassment of his peers. All ok with this rationale? What's that?
You need more discussion on the matter? Ok then;

The truth is, and I can vouch for this person, he's spent hours laboring away
on his build. He seems to have gotten himself in "hot water", so-to-speak, as
those of us that love him can attest to the fact that this is the norm. Oh,
he could've easily done something normal, but NOOOOO, not Mr. "I wanna carve
the front AND the back". It would be one thing if he'd had years of experience
at this and could knock something like this out in a day, maybe two, but that's
just not the case. For example;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fri5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fri3.jpg
Oh sure, he's knocked down the main ridges and finally got the outside edge
down to where he wants, but sheesh. We could've all made 4 guitars and
2 tube amps in the time it took him to get to this point;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fri6.jpg
But, at least he's gone from this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/sat1.jpg
To this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fri1.jpg
But it really has taken him all week (I forget, am I defending this guy or prosecuting him?:oops:)

Well, that's the facts as I see them. It's really up to all of you to decide if
we cut this guy some slack and give him a few more days (read "weeks") to
see if he can catch up, or we dump him now. I'll go ahead and cast the
first vote for "cut him slack", HOWEVER, with the condition he's on probation
for the next 10 days.:twisted:

And as Grandma would've definitely said, "Boy...quit touching yourself, you'll go blind!":shock:

Easy bro, step back from the ledge. This is a challenge and ambition is to be applauded. So consider the slack cut. I would a
So suggest a French curve scraper. It makes quick work of carve tops.

Pernonally, I think it's looking pretty good. Who wants to make a standard squire tele?

I don't know, E. He sounds kind of shady and unreliable to me :lol:

BUT he is creating a masterpiece, so slack it is.

Yeah I wouldn't call that guy my dad.

Looking good , nice carve , we'll cut this fella a little slack , just this one time :lol:

I know one thing, this particular piece of Ambrosia might as we be made of Roger's concrete.
I've never used the stuff, so I couldn't tell you if it's indicative of the species, but with
the aggressive grit sandpaper, it "chips" like it was a rock. Oh, I will beat this thing, so
it might as well say "uncle" now because it's just prolonging it's misery. Thanks for votes
of confidence all. We shall trudge onward.

Lots of time left, you'll get there. It's looking better all the time.

PS. Not everyone else is racing along... :shock:

This is why it is call a challenge right?

Well, well, well....maybe the kid is making a comeback of sorts. Let's see what Emoney
did today (actually, it doesn't look like as much as it is so use your imagination cap).

We needed to get the body ready for glue up, so it was sand, sand, sand and then some
more sanding, and FINALLY we were able to get this out;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat14.jpg
Oh yeah, it's rounder-over bit time for the body;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat13.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat12.jpg
You can actually see the back-carve in that picture and I don't know where my final
top carve pic when, but squint your eyes and turn up the power on the cap. Then it
was time for what we've all been waiting for;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat15.jpg
Oh yeah, that's an E-hole Template. Now, while most wise builders would use that
template to route the E-hole itself, not old Emoney. He just HAD to do it freehand;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat11.jpg
I decided I only wanted one sound hole so the reason I went freehand was so that I could
make it a little bigger than the template to allow as much sound out as possible. If you're
in the market for a new Dremel, btw, I highly recommend these Trio's. THe base is really
stable and it's obviously capable of routing the hardest of woods as I've just proven that.;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat10.jpg
Once we popped through the top, it was time for the moment of truth. Did he do his
math correctly? Let's start putting some of that 1/4" binding on and find out;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat8.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat7.jpg
Oh YEAH!!! No wonder they call him E-"money"...BAM!!! Oh, and here's the standard
thread hockey puck photo;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat9.jpg
So then it was time to glue the binding;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat5.jpg
Mixed the glue up very thin as I'm trying the "push it in the crack" method. We'll see tomorrow.

So, once that was all done, it was time to turn our attention to the neck. I got the
neck shaped and tackled the fretboard. If you remember that "rail" that was in the
materials photo waaayyyyy back in the beginning, that was a Cocobolo 'hand rail' I
picked up. Time to put it on the table saw;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat4.jpg
Lots of waste in that rail, but I got 2 of them, 5' long for $10.00 that's going to net me
8 fretboards. Not a bad deal. Anyway, it was into the planer, draw out the dimenions,
bandsaw and sand to the line;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat2.jpg
I also got the tenon started on the neck as I measured out my neck pocket and I have
a plan of attack now. I would've glue up the body, but this binding needs to dry so I
can pretty it up before so. I also cleaned up what you'll be able to see in the body,
just in case somebody gets nosey. I'm thinking of leaving a note in there that says,
"Hey, what are you looking at?". That'll get 'em. One last parting shot of the whole
family, what do you say?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sat1.jpg
So that's that. Now I need to spend the next 4-5 hours getting catch up on all the other
build threads that I'm sure are way ahead of me. Little do they know, however, that I'm
shooting for t hat "Last Done" award as I heard the prize is fabulous this year, heh. heh. heh. So, you can tell them for me, in the words of Grandma;
"They've got their hand laying on the lid of a big ole' can of whip "butt" (sic)".
<well, technically Grandma may NOT have said that, but it's still a cool saying nonetheless and she would've if she got in a fight>

OK - I changed my mind. You need to find that e-dude and tell him he's no longer welcome here!


That is just too cool - and you doubted you could do it. Bad e. Bad, bad, bad e.

So, when the wife goes to bed early, I get to go back to work..buwahahaha.

Welcome...(imagine an echo like the Lou Gehrig speech)..welcome...welcom...wel...to the
Grand...grand..gran..gra...Worldwide unveiling of...of...of....(insert drum roll here->) The E-Hole!!!!! (huge applause);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/ehole3.jpg
Peeled the tape off the binding of this sucker to have a peek;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/ehole2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/ehole1.jpg
The truth is, I had to go back and add another layer as the Acetone glue ate through
this particular binding. It's the "uber thin" stuff from StewMac. I do, however, believe
that process will work much better on the body binding and I'm gonna go that route.
One last picture, and it's one of those "only a mother could love" kinda shot. A side view
of the final top carve;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/ehole4.jpg
I know you guys can't really see much there, but it actually drops a hair over 3/8" from
the center to the edge. In person, it's actually kinda cool (you'll hafta trust me on that).

OK - I changed my mind. You need to find that e-dude and tell him he's no longer welcome here!


That is just too cool - and you doubted you could do it. Bad e. Bad, bad, bad e.

Thanks, nosmo. Now if the neck will set according to the plan in my head,
then I'll be ok. Still behind, but not as bad as before.

Wow, I almost screwed up pretty good. I went back down to the shop with my mind set
on gluing the top to the body and when I got there, something was nagging at me, but
for the life of me I couldn't figure it out. So, I started getting clamps ready and the glue
out and then, bam it hit me. I totally forgot to route for controls. So, after waxing and
waning, I decided to make this instead;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/control5.jpg
and then cut these;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/control4.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/control2.jpg
(note the high level, technical engineering and blue print drawing on the 'template'?)
So when I sat my router in on the template on the guitar, I realized that I was extremely
tired and this was NOT a job to 'quick';
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/control3.jpg
So, I'll wait until tomorrow. I went ahead and routed for a wiring channel, even though
I'm pretty sure I going to put the switch in line with the controls, of which, there will
only be two; 1 vol & 1 tone. It's the simple things in life.

Love the E hole, Eric. Hey wait a minute! E hole... Eric... I'm starting to think you planned that :mrgreen:

Very nice work. Besides, the e-hole is always better than the a-hole :-)

Love the E hole, Eric. Hey wait a minute! E hole... Eric... I'm starting to think you planned that :mrgreen:

Hey, I hadn't thought about that:twisted:. Ok, that's a lie. It's a very narcissistic thing.
My contribution to the media's newly found, "Let's only care about ourselves" campaign.

Very nice work. Besides, the e-hole is always better than the a-hole :-)

Great job, axedaddy. Very quick on the 'a-hole vs. e-hole' joke. You know,
I set you guys up with a perfect straight line.........:lol:

Well, it took me a few days longer than I thought it would, but I'm finally here;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun1.jpg
This body has now been put to sleep for a day......whew. I actually snuck this in between
church, fulfilling a promise to take Mrs. Emoney to the area festival and watching my
Wildcats BEAT Baylor (what now!?!?!). Tonight, it's Youth Group from 6:30-8:30 so
pretty much wraps up this day. I may get a minute or two to finish setting the truss
rod on the neck hopefully because I'd like to get that thing in a couple of clamps for
the filler strip, but we'll see. The next few nights will all be devoted to finishing the neck,
cutting the pocket & tenon and getting that glued. I really need to have this thing in
the finishing stages by the end of the month as she's getting lacquer. Cross your fingers.

It's funny, but they all look the same in the clamps. How many clamp-octopus pictures do you think are in the entire challenge?

Whoa.....too much time on my hands, too many random thoughts in my head.

SWEET!

SWEET!

Thanks
I also got the trussrod installed and filler strip in.
Had to use the workmate since the clamps are all taken

This was my first attempt at updating totally on my iPhone. That worked out pretty
darned well, didn't it?

Ok, now is when my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder starts to show it's face. I promise,
this is the very last update for tonight. Before I went out, I drew out this on a piece of
what I think, is African Wenge (correct me if I'm wrong, because I truly don't know);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun5.jpg
Figured I'd make a veneer for the headstock since it's such a small piece;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun4.jpg
And then, when I got back, I realized it was kinda thick so I ran it through the bandsaw,
which it didn't like very much, btw;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun3.jpg
I thought it was crazy how the grain "changed" in the middle of this stuff. I think I'm going
to use the one on the right though. Still lots of work to do to it, but it's kinda different
so why not use it, right?

Ok, now is when my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder starts to show it's face. I promise,
this is the very last update for tonight. Before I went out, I drew out this on a piece of
what I think, is African Wenge (correct me if I'm wrong, because I truly don't know);
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun5.jpg
Figured I'd make a veneer for the headstock since it's such a small piece;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun4.jpg
And then, when I got back, I realized it was kinda thick so I ran it through the bandsaw,
which it didn't like very much, btw;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2sun3.jpg
I thought it was crazy how the grain "changed" in the middle of this stuff. I think I'm going
to use the one on the right though. Still lots of work to do to it, but it's kinda different
so why not use it, right?

I like the one on the right too.

Me too. If it were different colors it would look like the aurora borealis.

Good point, Roger. Hadn't thought of that until you brought it up. Whatever this stuff
is, it's hard as a rod I tell you. It's going to be interesting to see what happens this
evening when I go to sand it, as it's too thick for a veneer at the moment. Wish me luck.

Didn't sleep that well, got up "before breakfast" and took those clamps off (it worried me
the clamps were putting too much pressure on my little girl.....get it?). And then, I
went back to work, before going to work.....wait...what?
Sanded the filler strip;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon7.jpg
Making sure to put the headstock angle on it too;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon6.jpg
Took the body out of the clamps and decided to do a little "mock-up" if you will;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon2.jpg
Had another fretboard that I abandoned for the Challenge and laid it on there too;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon4.jpg
I've got another set of those fret position markers, but I'm not 100% sure that I like them
on this guitar. I've never tried cutting them, but hey, there's a 1st for everything so I
think I'll do some doodling today and see if I can come up with something that's a bit
different, but that I can take out of the set I have already.

Have a great Monday everybody. Me, I'm hoping it's a slow day at work so I can get
caught up with everyone else's threads. There's a lot going on around here.

It all looks very nice from here - have you decided on what type of finish you are going to apply to the body?

It all looks very nice from here - have you decided on what type of finish you are going to apply to the body?

I was just sitting here debating with myself as you typed that, Paul.
I think I'm going to go with an Amber top and I may do a tobacco/vintage
burst edge, but I really am waffling. I've got some scrap so I'll probably start
experimenting this week. I want the Ambrosia to stick out, but I think it
needs a little color. The back/neck will just be filler then clear.

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2mon1.jpg

Now we're talkin' :shock: :grin:

As for position markers, I can't say that I'm a fan of the big block markers. You've done such a beautiful job carving and have some really nice wood, so I would tend to go more subtle with the markers so that you don't detract from everything else. Just MHO of course.

Now we're talkin' :shock: :grin:

As for position markers, I can't say that I'm a fan of the big block markers. You've done such a beautiful job carving and have some really nice wood, so I would tend to go more subtle with the markers so that you don't detract from everything else. Just MHO of course.


I think you're dead on, Roger. The blocks are definitely wayyyy too much.
So, do I try to cut "dots" out of these blanks, or, I found this on Evilbay;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/inlay.jpg
That's a Gold MOP which will be much less "standoutish" on the Cocobolo FB.
Not sure if I went with these, however, what to do at the 12th fret?

I like the idea of gold MOP. With that marker, you could maybe change the orientation for the 12th. In other words, if you run them perpendicular to the strings, you could put one diagonal or parallel to the strings on the 12th.

I'm gonna order them and see what they're like when they get here. I may just leave the
12th marker like all the rest of them, who knows? I've also thought about using this
Wenge, or whatever it is, and make my own "dots" to inlay? If I do that, I could go with
black trim on the body. I just don't know.....

Finally, a day without an update, even though I spent a little over an hour on it. I got the
body final sanded and thinned the headstock overlay down some (still not 100% there)
but nothing that really shows well in pics so I'm giving you guys the "day off". Time to
cut the neck plane angle now, then it's cut the mortise & tenon and fit the neck.
Oh, I marked off the fret positions too. Again, nothing worth watching I guess.

My E-holes are coming out better than I anticipated. I've never put binding on an acoustic
hole before, and while there's still some final sanding and a smidgeon of touch-up, they're
better than they could've been, because this stuff I used is super thin.
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon2-1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon4-1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/mon5-1.jpg
Went down this morning before work and did a little "sandpaper scraping", since they
fit pretty good. There's one spot where the binding slipped down a little bit that I
may try to sand down the top to match, as long as I can do it without messing the binding
itself up.

I think tonight's tasks are going to be; build a miter box-jig to cut the fretboard slots,
since I forgot and tapered the board before I cut them. Normally, I like to leave the sides
square so I can use a carpenter's square to insure a straight cut, but my head must've
been in the clouds on this one, so it's jig-building time (even though I don't like "jig-building time")

Anybody got any tips to resawing a piece that already has the headstock shape on it?
In looking at this Wenge, it's at the perfect width to get 2 headstock veneers and if I
can't figure a way to slice it in half, then I'll basically just have to sand off 1/2 of it.
This stuff is sure tough and I bet would make an awesome fretboard and guarantee a
neck that wouldn't need a trussrod, lol. Hey Roger, you can use this stuff next time and
it'll be just like building a concrete guitar.

You did a great job on the E hole, Eric. The binding turned out really nice.

That looks great! Love the e hole idea.

me too. looking terrific!

I thought I was only gone away for a couple of days, Has it been six weeks already?:shock:

Looking great man, nice job on the 'E' holes (now that sounds a bit rude:razz:)

Did ya see my abortion of an effort:rolleyes:, I will save it... or tear it off, not decided.

Well thank you all very much. I appreciate the kind words. And, nialldabass, there's
nothing "aborted" about your build. We call little "boo-boos", Creative Liberty. The
difference between a hobby guitar builder and a luither is that the hobbyist makes mistakes,
the luthier takes "creative liberty" and charges an extra $2k for it.....buwahahaha.

Anyway, tonight saw some major milestones at the Emoney Ranch, but I'm not 100%,
so-to-speak, so I was a little hurried and harried. Not as "neat" as I usually try to be,
at least, but all in places that won't show pretty soon. But first, I figured I'd show my
"jig" for cutting fret slots in a tapered fretboard (since I was dumb enough to cut the
taper first....see, Nialdabass.....turning a mistake into 'creativity'). Yeah, that's it, I did
that on purpose so I could share my rather easy way of marking and cutting the frets.

Basically, it's just a simple, $3.00 mitre box, a 1x3 thin piece of poplar from HD and then
my fret saw which I remove the depth stop from;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues16.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues15.jpg
The poplar piece, picked up from the "trim" aisle, has machined straight edges, so once I
find and draw the centerline on it, I double-sided tape the board on that line and now I'm
square and ready to cut. Since these little plastic mitre boxes are wider than the 1x4,
I "built" a "custom width adjuster";
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues14.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues13.jpg
Oh that may look like a regular small clothespin that's been separated and then a half a
piece of standard business card stop wedged in behind it, but trust me on this, these are
another Emoney Custom Engineered Luthier Tool and soon-to-be available at all major
retailers and online for $19.95. Order yours today!
Anyway, after all that, just saw the slots;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues12.jpg
The board still needs to be radiused so the slots are shallow, but now I have a "go-by"
cut after I put the radius on. All I will need to do is touch up the depth and I'm done.

Next on the list, and this is the sloppy part, was time for the mortise and tenon. First,
we need to set up the Neck Angle Plane Jig;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues11.jpg
Checked to make sure all four sides were level to begin with, then I used my trusty iPhone
Digital Level App to find my 4.5degrees;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues10.jpg
The clamps are at what will be the end of the fretboard to stop the route, because I like
to reset for the last bit and then cut the 1.2 pickup plane;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues9.jpg
When it all works correctly, it looks like that, if you can see it in the pic. I determined
the 4.5 by measuring the height of the top, sutracted the top of to-be-bound edge and
put those numbers in the online calculator, found here;
http://www.tundraman.com/Guitars/NeckAngle/index.php
That's a cool site by another guy that just decided to build his own guitar one day, much
like the rest of us and he's made that calculator free for the asking.

Anywhooo, after the neck plane and the pickup plane was cut, it was time to route the
mortise. Now, I mentioned I didn't make templates for this build, so I tried to use another
mortise template from a LP build. The result was a somewhat sloppy pocket, although I
did go back and clean it up just didn't take a picture of that for some reason?
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues8.jpg
I must've accidently deleted my tenon pic too, but you'll see it at least in the next photo.
What you aren't seeing is the simple way it's measured and that's just find the measurements
of the mortise and apply it to the tenon, using your center line to start all marks. If you
do it right, you should be able to post the now famous, "Neck holding body without glue" photo, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues7.jpg
The tenon is still proud in that pic and needs reduced. Measure how high the neck sits
above the fretboard and then remove that material from the bottom of the tenon. If
you got your neck plane angle correct, the measurements should be consistent from one
end to the other;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues3.jpg
And then, if you're really cool, you should be able to get the "guitar is leaning against something"
photo, which is quite elusive, btw;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues2.jpg
If you look hard enough, you'll see the rubber bands holding the fretboard on, lol.

Ok...I found part of the tenon fitting pics at least. I bought one of these from Harbor Freight
for $2.00;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues4.jpg
That's one of those stick-on lasers lights for a power tool like a skill saw, etc. I use it
to verify my neck is going to sit in the pocket perfectly straight. Now is the time to
find that out, NOT later;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2tues5.jpg
If you look hard enough, you'll see the little pinkish, red laser line going straight up the
centerline of the body, across the centerline of the neck, and ending at the centerline
of the headstock. NOW this neck would be ready for glue, but I have some prettying
up to do, so I'll shelve that for tomorrow. Wish I'd had more energy tonight because I
could've got this stage marked off with a "completed" check, but, it is what it is, right?

You are building a really cool guitar, and it's unique. Very nice job.

Thanks, Muzikp, and I can say the same about you as well. I always have a lot of fun
building these things. Something about it........

Making great progress. E. Love the binding in the E-hole. Did I understand correctly that the acetone literally ate through your binding? How does using CA glue differ from acetone? In retrospect, would CA have been a better choice for thin bindings? (I may have reason to be asking. . . .:mrgreen:)

The CA worked fine, but you could definitely feel it getting hot. This particular binding
is that "uber thin" stuff from StewMac and even though I didn't put much Acetone on it,
it sure burnt through it like no tomorrow. I'm going to try that process again on the
body bind, because I think it's a great idea. Of course, the CA may have worked because
it had the old, eat up binding underneath it? And absolute, from this point forward, I
will only use the CA on this thin stuff. I've got another build with "E-holes" to get back
to when this one is done, or at least in the "waiting for paint to dry" stage, and that's
how I"m going to go it.

Lookin' good e...rubber band fret wire?

Lookin' good e...rubber band fret wire?
Let's not be revealing too many of my "secrets", ok?:wink:

Let's not be revealing too many of my "secrets", ok?:wink:

:lol::lol::lol: Yeah wouldn't want that to get out would we.

:lol::lol::lol: Yeah wouldn't want that to get out would we.

It's going to make bending notes a pure joy:razz:

I'm getting really excited to see this one finished, Eric

I'm getting really excited to see this one finished, Eric

Me three, Roger:razz:. At the very least I want to get it to the "finishing" stage
sooner rather than later. I think I'm feeling so "harried" because I know how much
time I usually invest in the "final sanding/prepping for color" phase. I suppose
that's why so many of my 'cuts & carves' are done free-hand because I know
I'll reshape it all at the end. But still, May 14th (right?) will be here before I
know it, and, since I'm using lacquer, I'll need every minute of that......plus maybe a couple of yours:shock:

I'll take one of your fret slotting jigs, shipping a taxes may be a problem..........
Do you sell plans? Great idea, and like all the best, very simple. Now if you can just sort out a very simple radius jig..........:mrgreen:

I'll take one of your fret slotting jigs, shipping a taxes may be a problem..........
Do you sell plans? Great idea, and like all the best, very simple. Now if you can just sort out a very simple radius jig..........:mrgreen:

Ok, for you, a special deal: I'll take care of the import taxes/duties/etc., BUT
the shipping, I'm afraid is going to be around $3500.00, I'm estimating.

You see, I like to deliver my custom built products in hand, so you'll be paying
for my assistant (I mean, really, one can't expect me to travel without at least
a partial entourage, right?),also known as 'Mrs. Emoney' to fly to Ireland and
spend 2 weeks. Ahem.....I would, of course, be providing on-site training
free of charge.:grin:

The simple radius jig is a completely different scenario, in that we would need
for you to pay for a "Clinic" of sorts, preferably on the French Riviera. Just
let me know when.

Yeah, I'm going to use your fret slotting jig ideer. Don't worry, I'll certainly send you a royalty check. In fact I put it in the mail last week, yeah, that's the ticket.

Thanks, R. Strat...I'll be standing by the mailbox!

Ok then, since one of us was a little on the "tired" side, ahem, that meant that one of us
didn't get a whole lot accomplished tonight. So, you're saying to yourself about now,
"Hmmm, then I wonder why he's even logging an 'update'?". Well, since you asked, it's
because that same 'one of us' got UBER LUCKY today!!!! I had ordered a set of tuners
for this build just the other day that were advertised on Evilbay as "amber knobs". Now,
I'm pretty sure that amber is in the red family, but based on the pics, they looked more
orange-ish, so since they weren't very expensive, I took a chance and....welllll...BAM;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed8.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed7.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed1.jpg
Now I know you guys can't see that as well as I can, thanks in part to the iPhone camera,
but if that's not an almost perfect match to my fretboard, I don't know what would be.
I'm telling you, even a blind squirrel gets a nut occassionally. Had they actually been
red, I have no idea what I would've done with them (I suppose another build woulda been
in the works). But I'm very thankful they weren't.

I did get a few minor things done tonight, like putting a little radius on the fretboard;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed4.jpg
I also started the shaping process on my neck;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed5.jpg
It' currently in the "Softball Bat" stage and needs to get trimmed way down. I also figured,
since I was so happy with my tuners, that you guys deserved one of those thread standard
early mock-up shot;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed2.jpg
That's right a P90 in the neck and a Humbucker in the bridge with a single volume and a
single tone control, plus a 3 way switch. TOM roller bridge, in the event I ever get my
hands on a gold-tone Bigsby, plus it's intonatable so I don't hafta install it so crooked.

The reason why you see a black p'up ring and a cream P90 cover is I'm torn between
the two colors. I've got a black cover for the P90 and a cream p'up ring, so I've got to
decide which route I'm going. Of course, many moons will rise and set before I get to
that stage anyway. In case you're wondering, (I'm sure almost all of you are), I finish
my neck, all but the color/clear, BEFORE I set it. I will have it fretted, markers inlayed
and final shaped, plus a beginning color coat on the body before it gets set. I do this
for two reasons; a) it's a lot easier to do neck building work when it's off the body and,
b) I always worry about squeeze-out getting into the grain, and on a neck set, that
has the potential to really muck up your finish, especially on the top "what everybody
looks at" part.

I'll try not to be such a disappointment over the next couple of days and hopefully get
the body binding installed. At least that's my goal. Thanks for stopping by.

Nice pup choice. A p90 and a HB are one of my favs. If I wasn't all juiced up about trying TV Jones pups, I would be using the same.

Moving right along I see. Yeah, right, you just happened to find the perfect color tuners on the bay:roll: I bet it's more like you had them for 2 years and it took you that long to find the right color fretboard!

Either way, they do look good together. I'm afraid it may be awhile before you get the obligatory mock up shot from me. (trying to shed some weight first, you know how those girls are)

Love those tuners! Love the whole thing!

Cool , I like those tuners buttons , they do match your fb well.

WHOA MOMMA! This is just a brilliant build, E!

Nice pup choice. A p90 and a HB are one of my favs. If I wasn't all juiced up about trying TV Jones pups, I would be using the same.

Yeah, it's my "If Neil Young played a Tele" look, lol. But seriously, NY or not,
this is my favorite setup too.

Moving right along I see. Yeah, right, you just happened to find the perfect color tuners on the bay:roll: I bet it's more like you had them for 2 years and it took you that long to find the right color fretboard!

Either way, they do look good together. I'm afraid it may be awhile before you get the obligatory mock up shot from me. (trying to shed some weight first, you know how those girls are)

Hahaha! Good one, except for the fact that I can't "save" anything, lol.
I'd much rather start too many projects at once than to be patient for
just the right thing:razz:

Love those tuners! Love the whole thing!

Thank you kind sir!

Cool , I like those tuners buttons , they do match your fb well.

I was hoping they would and they did, so it just proves that sometimes you're
better being lucky than good. I think I'll buy a Lottery ticket now:grin:

WHOA MOMMA! This is just a brilliant build, E!

Thanks Roger for the kind words all throughout by build, btw:mrgreen:

Very cool!
I dig the pup combo, the e-hole, the tuners... the whole concept!
Good luck with that lotto ticket!

Such a hot design it needs constant fanning eh?

http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2wed2.jpg

It was "smokin" just before that pic. I'm surprised noone noticed that I laid her on stripes
for the "slimming effect". You know, you must always show your lady in the best light.

Which brings me to this next statement: I am hereby instructed to inform any viewers of
this thread that all pictures are taken either inside my shop or inside my music room, and
at no time does my wife either a)pick out any furniture for said areas, or b)gets involved
in the arrangement and/or cleaning of same.

Ok, honey, the disclaimer has now been posted.....please let go of my ear.

:lol: Dude, you're sense of humor is so much like mine, it's scary. And I'm guessing that your wife doesn't appreciate it either :lol:

:lol: Dude, you're sense of humor is so much like mine, it's scary. And I'm guessing that your wife doesn't appreciate it either :lol:

Well, now that you mention it, and we'll keep this just between you and me,
she pretty much has zero sense of humor.......unless she's the one telling the
joke, of course, at which time hilarity ensues.

Ok then, since I was such the disappointment last night, and felt a tad more invigorated tonight,
I thought I'd jump right in with both feet and knock this binding channel out, as promised.
See, I can honor my word when the need arises. Enough of that, on to the update;

First, the dilemma that exists for cutting a binding channel is "how"? If you have an overhead
pin router, or even a jig to suspend your router overhead, no problem. You can even buy
or build your own "floating binding jig", which makes a ton of sense. Or, you could be "me"
and not enjoy either the jig-building or the buying process. Now, since I already had one
of those $27.00 Harbor Freight trim routers that came with the little bearing guide, I
figured surely I had everything I needed, right? Nope...there's still the problem of keeping
the router flush because one of us (namely me) just HAD to carve his top so that there
wouldn't be a flat, even surface to support the router. So, borrowing from the "donut"
idea that most install on their floating binding router jig thingamabobs, I went to one of
our favorite places, Wal Mart (note the well placed sarcasm) and found these;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/BindingDonut.jpg
That there, for you non-luthier-types, is your basic furniture slider, made of plastic. And,
since I was lucky enough to happen upon ANOTHER HF trim router at the pawn shop for
$10.00, I chose to make this a permanent install, by doing all of this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/bindjig5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/bindjig4.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/bindjig3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/bindjig2.jpg
(super glued on, of course)
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/bindjig1.jpg
Which got me to this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs9.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs8.jpg
THe slider, which we'll now call a "binding donut" allows the router to move up and down
as I pull it around the body. Now, let's see if it works;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs7.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs3.jpg
Except for the fact that you can't really get any router up in the tight radiuses, so it
was time for some hand-tool work;
First, mark the channel I needed to cut (and for all you scoring at home, you should always
measure this, as opposed to my 'draw it and cut it' philosophy)
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs6.jpg
Using a combination of utility blade and chisel, you FINALLY get this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs4.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs2.jpg
Leaves some rough edges that I'll need to sand down before I glue the binding, but overall
I'm calling my "Emoney Binding ROuter Jig 2012" a huge success. And, since I did all that
hand-tool work, I shelved the sanding until tomorrow, but I did get the binding in it's
"pre-shaping stage". It's not glued, but after 24 hours it should be a little easier to work
with, since I'm using this HUGE binding from StewMac that I think is made from some of
Roger's left-over concrete;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/2Thurs1.jpg
Ok kiddos, have a fantastic evening and until next, keep the shiny side up! (wait....that's a motorcycle thing)
ok, nevermind.

E, your handwork on that binding channel is amazing. I just don't have the patience.

I love your mod on the router base, love my little HF laminate trimmer, but it didn't come with the roller guide. I'm jealous.

Good work. I'd freak at the mere idea of cutting any part of a binding channel with a utility knife and a chisel.

Nice work on the binding channel .

E, your handwork on that binding channel is amazing. I just don't have the patience.

I love your mod on the router base, love my little HF laminate trimmer, but it didn't come with the roller guide. I'm jealous.

That was the main reason it caught my eye. As soon as I saw it at HF, I
thought, "hey, why wouldn't that work on the binding?". That is a little
disappointing that yours didn't come with it. Keep an eye on your area
pawn shops, though, because if they get on in, it will sell for cheap and you
might just get the guide. Then, you'll have a back up, or, like me, one to
permanently alter.

Good work. I'd freak at the mere idea of cutting any part of a binding channel with a utility knife and a chisel.

Aww, thanks a lot gitlvr. You know, it's not that tough though. I cut several
vertical reliefs with the knife and only worked out one section at a time.
It didn't take as long as I had suspected. Of course, still lots of work to
do there, but at least it's a channel.

Nice work on the binding channel .

Thank you kind sir:grin:

Nice work on the donut, and what a great looking git you got whatever plastic you choose, I'm liking the cream right now but who knows once the colour/laquer goes on

I'm waffling, but I am leaning towards the cream because it will match the binding much
better. If I darkburst the edge, however???? Great, I just waffled again, right in front
of everybody.

(btw, your thread is now Page 2, nialldabass!)

mmmm waffles and donuts :smile:

mmmm waffles and donuts :smile:

And you forgot the mention of "cream"......as you can see, this was well before
breakfast was served. Oh, and I'm debating between an Iced Tea Burst and/or
a "coffee" darkburst:shock:

The work that gets done with hand tools in these challenges just amazes me.

I'm waffling, but I am leaning towards the cream because it will match the binding much
better. If I darkburst the edge, however???? Great, I just waffled again, right in front
of everybody.

(btw, your thread is now Page 2, nialldabass!)

Many thanks just seen it

Is that a homemade ashtray I spy, now I might be able to improve those plans for you, I place mine inside a large coffee jar lid, keeps it much sturdier, I'm not allowed a real one in the house either lol

Extra points for creativity. McGyver would be jealous. :)

The work that gets done with hand tools in these challenges just amazes me.

Sometimes hand tools get a bad "rep", and I'm one of those people pushing that
rep, lol. In all honesty, a good, quality hand tool kept up to manufacturer's
specs in condition and sharpness, is actually a joy to work with. There's something
about carving on wood that a tool that's very relaxing in a way. It reminds of
being a kid and my Grandfather teaching me how to "whittle". I was really stoked
to get my first Barlow knife so I could whittle on my own. Here it is 4 decades
later and I'm still whittling, lol.

Now I will say this, this Ambrosia is no joy to whittle on! And it doesnt get
any better when I put the power tools to it either. I believe I'm building
a concrete guitar too and just didn't know it to start with.

great work on the binding channel.

great work on the binding channel.

Thank you very much for the kind word. And to all of you that weigh in with
positive comments, as you know, it really does mean a lot.

Extra points for creativity. McGyver would be jealous. :)

Haha! You know, with me, the "creativity" comes from a platform of stubborness,
in that I just can't make myself do things the right way:mrgreen: It's also what
gets me in most of the hot water I tend to wade in.:razz:

Fun thread and cool build! BTW, you keep forgetting to
take pics after you've done the final clean up of a step! :eek:
I wanted to see how the binding channel looked after final
clean up.

Anyway, everything's looking great.

Fun thread and cool build! BTW, you keep forgetting to
take pics after you've done the final clean up of a step! :eek:
I wanted to see how the binding channel looked after final
clean up.

Anyway, everything's looking great.

Haha! Now you see what the problem is...I never finish anything:razz:

Actually, I always worry that I'm overloading my thread as it is, since I have
such a boring job, I've got tons of time on my hands. I try to "hit the high spots"
so-to-speak. Anyway, here's some, "finished to me" pics, because I've confirmed
the binding fits well and will show nicely from the top;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/hornbind3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/hornbind2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/hornbind1.jpg

In reality, the whole thing (cutting out the horn by hand part) didn't take that
much time or effort. I've always been in the "I can't believe they use hand
tools" (like Barnaby), but now that I've started to warm to them, albeit slowly,
I found much like this whole building process, that once you get your feet
wet, you realize the water really is "fine".

And now since I'm in "thread attention mode", I'd kinda like all the opinions that I can get here.
You see, it's "Inlay Time" for the old fretboard. I found these oval inlays on Evilbay the
other day. Technically, they're the last 3 inlays from a "Snowflake" set, they're gold
mother of pearl and they're small. All of those things added up, I thought, to what I
wanted....you know, something different. Now that I'm at this point, and they're in hand,
I'm not 100% sure, but I don't have many other options. Of the remaining choices would
be 1)Block MOP inlays (shown earlier in the thread and met with a "meh" from at least
RogerC and myself) or 2) Try and cut some 'other' shape from the blocks. I've never
cut MOP, but I know people do it, so surely there's a way. I could go get a "punch" I
suppose and turn the blocks into 10 dots. Or, I can keep these that I ordered and just
take my time and get the inlayed. What say you oh wise forumites?
Here's the pics;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/inlay3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/inlay2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/inlay1.jpg
They're thin on top of being small in stature, so the route will need to be shallow. Mainly,
I may be waffling because I'm chicken and I don't want to be "chicken". So, if the majority
opinion is, "they will look good", then I'll just jump in with both feet and figure out a way
to get them inlayed. I will add that they do look nice, since they're gold
and they're "subtle". On the orange of the Cocobolo, with the cream binding
and gold hardware, the color IS a good match. Thanks in advance, by the way.

Nice way to make do with the tools available but why are you doing binding channels before you finish smoothing the sides? The depth of the channels and the subsequent thickness of the binding is based off the sides so I don't see any way your binding is going to be consistent in thickness once everything is sanded.

Around these parts, we just close our eyes and hope for the best!

I'd say to go with the little footballs. I think that they fit in well with the design.

I think the color is perfect with the markers. I'm with you, though, I'm not sure about the shape. Have you tried setting them differently (diagonal or cut in half along the short axis and placed all the way at the top, etc)?

I can tell you're in the South-- now you're talking about chicken and waffles... mmmm soul food :smile:

I'd say to go with the little footballs. I think that they fit in well with the design.

That's what I thought of, "footballs" and I'm leaning this direction.

I think the color is perfect with the markers. I'm with you, though, I'm not sure about the shape. Have you tried setting them differently (diagonal or cut in half along the short axis and placed all the way at the top, etc)?

I can tell you're in the South-- now you're talking about chicken and waffles... mmmm soul food :smile:

You know, Roger, I thought about that but they're so "delicate" I'm convinced
I'd either break them, or I'd never get a consistent shape if I tried to cut them.
As for turning them....haven't found a way yet that I like better anyway.
If I try parallel to the edge, they almost "disappear" too much. Good suggestions though.

So, fellow Tele building buddies (hey, us chubby ones could be "Tele Tubbies" - get it?),
this evening has my C-A-T-S, CATS!, CATS!,CATS! playing in the Final 4 @ 6p so I figured
I had better get something done early. When we last left off, I was "waffling" on my new-to-me,
snowflake inlays, but since I didn't have a better option, I've chose to use them. So,
here we go.....

First, let's lay them out, mark the board and trace around them;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/inlay1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb12.jpg
Then, it's use a technical tool that most of probably have never seen. It's for us highly
experienced builders, but don't worry, you'll get there someday;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb11.jpg
That's called a "Fretboard Inlay Material Remover" and it falls under the "hand tool category",
and if you'd like to order one, I can also make that happen for only $294.95 complete with
instructions, just let me know.
Anyway, since these inlays are rather small, and even though I've drawn three alignment
lines, I still need some wiggle room when they're glued, so after I've scored the line;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb10.jpg
The I hog out with my little Dremel Router;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb3.jpg
Using the Dremel spiral bit;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb4.jpg
And then I finish with the utility knife.....OOPS! I mean my "special luthier tool". heheheh,
silly me.
So, when I'm done, they sit in their respective holes like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb8.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb7.jpg
And then it's time to mix up some of that Epoxy & Sawdust you've seen 100 times before;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb5.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/fb1.jpg
And, an hour or so later, put them to the belt sander finishing with the radius block and
you should get this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat8.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat7.jpg
And I hoping that some of that epoxy gunk ring around each one will be less noticeable
once the board darkens with oil, and wear.

After spending some time this morning getting somewhat caught up on my Thread Reading,
I noticed that there's a "tradition" of sorts of posting shop pics, and since I don't think
I've done so, I figured I better get it over with. Please overlook the tiny little amount of
mess that you might see if you study the picture really hard;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat9.jpg
You can see how dark it is back there, which explains some of my crappy photography.
Well, that and a lack of skill in the subject. Anyway, since I had my fretboard inlays in,
I figure I might as well trudge onward. It's fretting time;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat6.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat5.jpg
I had some of this veneer sitting on the shelf, and since my scarf is at the headstock,
I thought I'd pretty the back up with it;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat4.jpg
I also got my headstock plate thinned down finally, so I figured I'd slather on the glue
and put them both on at the same time with the same clamps;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sat1.jpg
That thick ole' binding is still fighting the shape so I believe I leave it in the tape for one
more night and then after church tomorrow, I'll attack the binding. Then it'll be time to
start adding the first of many color coats. Got something a little different planned there,
so stay tuned boys and girls. And if I haven't had or taken the opportunity to do so in
your own thread, let me take this time to say it's an absolute joy to be part of this since
there's so many talented folks along for this ride. Every thread I've read, and I've read
them all, has what's shaping up to be, an awesome guitar in it and the author's all are
gracious enough to share their information and allow us to come along for the ride, so
hats off to each and every one of you and from me to you.....KUDOS!!!!!

What mess? I can see an awful lot of the floor. Are you sure you've actually been working in there?

What mess? I can see an awful lot of the floor. Are you sure you've actually been working in there?

Sadly enough, this was cleaned up for the photo:shock:
If you look in the center of the pic, you can see the big pile of sawdust:mrgreen:

I've absolutely GOT to buy a dust collector.:oops:

Sadly enough, this was cleaned up for the photo:shock:
If you look in the center of the pic, you can see the big pile of sawdust:mrgreen:

I've absolutely GOT to buy a dust collector.:oops:

with big a fan of harbor freight as you are, I am absolutely shocked you don't own one of their 2hp dust collectors.

I have one, and while I seriously doubt it's actually 2hp, it beat's the hell out of a shop vac.

with big a fan of harbor freight as you are, I am absolutely shocked you don't own one of their 2hp dust collectors.

I have one, and while I seriously doubt it's actually 2hp, it beat's the hell out of a shop vac.

Funny you should say that, because I do believe that's next on my agenda.
Sadly enough, I think I'm going to do my taxes tomorrow, so that may have
an affect on WHEN I pick it up:twisted:

Oh, and for the record, your drill bits are just a little too organized for me:mrgreen:

Funny you should say that, because I do believe that's next on my agenda.
Sadly enough, I think I'm going to do my taxes tomorrow, so that may have
an affect on WHEN I pick it up:twisted:

Oh, and for the record, your drill bits are just a little too organized for me:mrgreen:

thanks for noticing. at this point they are my only tools that are in the right place!

I'm digging that headstock veneer! What kind of wood is that?

Picton, the veneer I made for the front is what I'm calling Wenge, but I'm not 100% sure.
The one for the back I think is called "snakewood". It's a real veneer that I got from
Woodcraft last Fall. Came in a package of about 6 sheets for less than $10.00. Each
sheet is a lot bigger than a headstock. For Fender-ish heastocks, I'd say you could get
2 from each sheet.

I may have failed to mention something and it's pretty important, especially, when it
comes to the way that I build guitars. It's a personality flaw, actually and I'm afraid that
it's permanent. What's even worse, there's a pretty good statistical chance that it's
contagious in the wrong circumstances, and I'm sorry I didn't share this sooner. But,
the truth is..............I HATE BINDING!!!!!
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sun1.jpg
I can join body materials, do glue up and cut out the body shape all in one lazy afternoon.
Heck, after the scarf joint glue is dry, I can shape a neck to final stage in under an hour.
But when it comes to body binding, jiminey crickets!!!! This took me all afternoon. So,
outside of me sharing how my veneered headstock turned out, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sun4.jpg
(here's that "snakewood??" paper veneer on the back)
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sun3.jpg
Outside of that and finally finishing the neck carve;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Sun2.jpg
That's it for me today. I'm exhausted fighting this stuff. And this is AFTER it was in the
pre-shape glue for the better part of 3 days, AND, I "cooked it" in boiling water for 15
minutes and STILL it fought me all the way. By the way, if you choose to go the cooking
route, make sure you know that the stuff dries very, very quickly once you wipe the water
off. Pretty much, you can get one portion of the bending done and then it's back to it's
original, onery self.

So, for the next couple of hours I'm doing nuthin', but sitting on my butt and watching
mind-numbing TV....then it's off to Ute Group. Have a great Sunday all, and I'll try to
be more forth-coming going forward.

The headstock looks really good. I like the different woods.

I've never done binding, so my observations might just be stupid, but it looks like you have quite a bit of binding to take off to get it level with top. Do you think the binding might have been easier to form if it was smaller?

@nosmo...absolutely would've been more pliable had it been smaller, but the issue is the
horn. I didn't want any Maple edge showing, and since I carved the top, that left the
inside of the horn "taller", so 1/4" binding wouldn't fit. Hence, I'm stuck
with all this excess that I'll have to cut off. I'm actually hoping to cut it off neat enough
to be able to use it for fretboard binding down the road, but at the very least, it's good
to save the scrap for mixing with Acetone for "glue"

OK - I see it now. Thanks for the answer.

I used to hate binding too emoney but it's all about the tools. It's something you just can't skimp on, which is what got me forever. I finally got a good bit and some bearings and used the overhead jig method. It's worked out a lot better since. Of course, I still suck at that cutaway on an LP but I'll figure it out one day.

Keep up the good work man, this is a nice build. :cool:

Thanks a bunch, Greg that means a lot. You know, even through the "sucky parts", this is still a pretty darned fun
habit I'm forming. Not sure what it is, but it's relaxing to me and allows my mind to decompress,
I suppose.

My biggest mistake on this binding was not trimming it down as much as I could
before I installed it because this "LP size" stuff is not very flexible. Then again,
I should've said, "One of my biggest mistakes thus far":wink:

emoney, you've gotten way further than I would ever have dreamed. Then again, I never pictured myself doing anything like that. I applaud the work you've done and will do.

You know you're making me want to take a road trip down from Ocala this Summer...

Come on down, MadJack...anytime. Maybe by summer they'll be ready to play, lol.

Didn't get hardly anything done tonight. BUT, I had an awesome excuse. Let me put it this way;

C-A-T-S, CATS, CATS, CATS!!!!!!!!! OH YEAH, BABY.....#8!!!!! WOO-HOO!!!!!

Ahem...sorry. Did I mention earlier that I hated binding? Well, nothing's changed.
Now, don't try this at home kids, but since I had forgotten to thin the binding down pre-installation,
I whipped out the jigsaw, laid it on it's side, and cut it half the way down, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Mon3.jpg
Then I put my palm sander to it to finish getting it flush to the body, like this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Mon2.jpg
Heck with scraping, I always say. But seriously, this is NOT the preferred method of
reducing your binding height. Tomorrow night I'll get back on it and finish the sides, since
one of us was so dumb he ALSO forgot to mask them, so now he was twice as much
work left cleaning the sides up. Will I never learn??

Looks to me like you've made a good "recovery" on the binding. (Do I recall you saying that you hate binding, by the way??), anyhow, done like a real trouper. I think if you're careful with sanding the sides for smoothness and cleaning up, then final top sanding, you'll have it knocked. Keep plugging away at it, that's the secret, so they say!

Lookin' good, E! Are you going to relieve the top edge of the binding so that it flows with the curves you have, or will you leave it somewhat squarish?

That binding looks great. I know you complained about the top being hard to work - but it sure is paying off now. Awesome!

Looking good e , see , you didn't get into a bind with that binding :D

Looks to me like you've made a good "recovery" on the binding. (Do I recall you saying that you hate binding, by the way??), anyhow, done like a real trouper. I think if you're careful with sanding the sides for smoothness and cleaning up, then final top sanding, you'll have it knocked. Keep plugging away at it, that's the secret, so they say!

Yes, I STILL hate binding, lol. Still bunches of sanding to do, but I'll keep at
it. I'm glad you have confidence in me.......me, not so much:shock:

Lookin' good, E! Are you going to relieve the top edge of the binding so that it flows with the curves you have, or will you leave it somewhat squarish?

Yes sir, it'll get the "roll over" on the top edge to dampen it, so-to-speak.
If everything works (crossing his fingers as he speaks), it'll be a seamless
transition with the Nitro

That binding looks great. I know you complained about the top being hard to work - but it sure is paying off now. Awesome!

The way I see it, complaining is my therapy on these tasks that take too much
effort. Plus, the wife tends to offer me more cheese during these steps?

Looking good e , see , you didn't get into a bind with that binding :D

Oh, very nice. However, if I weren't "bound" to do it, I wouldn't.:wink:

emoney, a really cool build, IMO

that ambrosia top looks great, I don't think we can get that wood in our local lumberyards, how are you finishing it?

awesome recovery on the binding, I also hate doing the binding, like it has been said, you need the proper equipment

emoney, a really cool build, IMO

that ambrosia top looks great, I don't think we can get that wood in our local lumberyards, how are you finishing it?

awesome recovery on the binding, I also hate doing the binding, like it has been said, you need the proper equipment

Cutting the binding channel I had no issue with, I just hate how un-flexible this
StewMac tall/wide stuff is. And, I keep using the "goop" (acetone mixed with
binding scrap) glue and it just gets everywhere. Oh well, I guess if it weren't
for that, I'd be b*tch^ng about something else:grin:

I'm debating a little still on the final finish, but as of this moment, it's between
a Tri-Color Burst or a Dark Cherry Burst

yeah i used the stew mac tall wide binding too. funny thing they claim it's the right size for binding on a les paul, but i've never seen a les paul with 1/2" wide binding on it.

It's all about the inner horn. They could make this shorter, down to like .070" (or whatever)
but then you'd be showing maple there. It's just so stiff. I can't understand why in this
age of technology someone can't come up with a more pliable solution. I know the product
exists, but I guess there's not enough people complaining. Compared to wood I suppose
it's a cake-walk.

tklaavo is using putty in the binding channel, then he squares it up after it dries. That looks like a really easy way to do binding. I want to try binding some day (real binding), but I think the putty method would have worked well for what you did.

Someone did putty binding last year in the challenge that looked like marble. May have been tklaavo, I'm not sure (and I'm too lazy to try to find it :grin:)

I'm sure you tried this, but a blowdryer and/or a bath in warm water can help ABS bindings get more pliable. Mine responded well to that kind of treatment, but then mine were also about half as thick. I've also done a lot of wooden bindings before, and I think they're more user-friendly.

A block plane makes shorter work of trimming them than your sideways jigsaw... I follow with a scraper. Regardless, it came out looking nice.

tklaavo's putty binding was giving me ideas, too... glad I'm not the only one.

yeah i used the stew mac tall wide binding too. funny thing they claim it's the right size for binding on a les paul, but i've never seen a les paul with 1/2" wide binding on it.

I think the binding is that wide so that you can cover up the mahogany and maple in the cutaway area. The first LP's would show maple underneath there if I remember correctly.

like this:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=les+paul+cutaway+binding&um=1&hl=en&sa=G&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS391US391&biw=1305&bih=548&tbm=isch&tbnid=s5xx_-aL3536dM:&imgrefurl=http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/luthiers-corner/81548-binding-cutaway.html&docid=VIml5EJQop0QoM&imgurl=http://home.asparagine.net/ant/bloguploads/91_cutawaydetail.jpg&w=538&h=429&ei=_mZ7T_aHO-a80AHFvMGuBg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=217&sig=104472779119111787140&page=1&tbnh=168&tbnw=223&start=0&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&tx=95&ty=59
compared to:
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=les+paul+cutaway+binding+1959&hl=en&sa=X&rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS391US391&biw=1305&bih=548&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnsbo&tbnid=k--2mdR264wbjM:&imgrefurl=http://www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php%3Ft%3D110372&docid=0nLGtiRahOG1fM&imgurl=http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y127/swlabr/cutaway.jpg&w=1023&h=796&ei=Q2d7T7PeBYLt0gG3qI21Bg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=659&sig=104472779119111787140&page=1&tbnh=161&tbnw=207&start=0&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=93&ty=36

I saw that bezdez sells binding as well. Have any of you guys used theirs?

looks good emoney. i've never tried to bind with anything over 5/16" and even that stuff i had to heat up to bend around a horn.

I saw that bezdez sells binding as well. Have any of you guys used theirs?

i'm using some on my guitar right now. it's alright, the edges were a bit ragged but for the price i can't complain... it's binding. i had to scrap it down with a razor.


Someone did putty binding last year in the challenge that looked like marble. May have been tklaavo, I'm not sure (and I'm too lazy to try to find it :grin:)

it was motor_city_tele. i think he used apoxie.

Starting to look real good money !

Starting to look real good money !

Thank you sir. And, everyone else, of course.

I saw a video on YouTube of one of the manufacturer's that "pours" their
binding in a channel, before the top is cut out. Of course they're using a
CnC, etc. etc., but still, that proves there's a better product out there so
why isn't someone offering it to us hobby builders, for example. From what
I understand, the DIY Guitar Building Industry is ablaze right now.

See, it's times like these when I wish I was smarter or at least not as lazy
and I could actually bring a similar product to market and become filthy rich.
But, then again, if I was rich I probably wouldn't be hanging out around here
building guitars, I'd just put a Luthier on staff, and then I'd miss out on something
much more valuable than money; comraderie & friendship! Thanks all for contributing.

Starting to look real good money !

I'll second that and as for your binding issues I'm the wrong guy to answer, but looks like it turned out great.

I'll second that and as for your binding issues I'm the wrong guy to answer, but looks like it turned out great.

Thanks, and I think it'll end up ok, just taking a lot of work, which we all
know by now, I am NOT a fan of. Your build is coming along great, btw.

Thank you sir. And, everyone else, of course.

I saw a video on YouTube of one of the manufacturer's that "pours" their
binding in a channel, before the top is cut out. Of course they're using a
CnC, etc. etc., but still, that proves there's a better product out there so
why isn't someone offering it to us hobby builders, for example. From what
I understand, the DIY Guitar Building Industry is ablaze right now.

See, it's times like these when I wish I was smarter or at least not as lazy
and I could actually bring a similar product to market and become filthy rich.
But, then again, if I was rich I probably wouldn't be hanging out around here
building guitars, I'd just put a Luthier on staff, and then I'd miss out on something
much more valuable than money; comraderie & friendship! Thanks all for contributing.


Yeppers, I like to think if my ship came in with a load o'cash, rather than abandon the things I like now, I'd abandon the things I'm not as fond of--"achooworkachoo"!--and spend MORE time here, and doing other stuff I like. I literally cannot even begin to visualize what my shop would look like, if money were no object.

I saw that bezdez sells binding as well. Have any of you guys used theirs?

All the time. It's good quality, consistent thickness. Often one edge is slightly rougher than the other, and I use that on the top where it will be scraped anyways. All the binding I've got from them is ABS, and I use CA to glue it. A cabinet scraper will take it down even with the top really fast. I just use a heat gun to soften it a touch for the sharp corners.

Cheers

Murray

WHEWWWW....FINALLY! It ain't perfect, but one of us is moving on past the binding!!!
After two nights of sanding, I'm stopping here, perfect or not;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Wed3.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Wed2.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Wed4.jpg
Sand...scrape....sand so more....scrape some more....curse the binding.....sand some more
....curse yourself for deciding to do binding.....scrape some more......curse the wife because
she refuses to help!!....sand some more.....
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Wed1.jpg

Well, you get the picture. I don't care how bad it is, it's getting moved to the "done"
column, so there!

Truth is, this is Holy Week and I haven't gotten but about an hour a night to devote to
it, so it's literally taken, well, 3 days. But, hey, whattya gonna do, right? If I get done
on time....well then I get done on time. If I don't? Well, then I try and bribe the moderators
to have a complete system shut-down for several days whilst I get caught up, and then
afterwards, claim I was finished the whole time, but couldn't upload to the site because it
was down the whole time. Wait......is that in the rules?

Ok, fine....I guess I'll go sand and scrape some more.

Gotta stop scraping sometime, man. I think this Challenge is going to be my second and last adventure with non-wooden bindings, sad to say. The plastics are MUCH easier to apply, but the finishing work drives me nuts.

Looking good E!




(As opposed to looking good eh? which I might have said if I were Canadian :lol:)

That wife comment - yep that cracked me up. I could just see my wife rolling her eyes as she walked away if I tried to get her to scrape binding. Good stuff E...the guitar and commentary are superb.

Wow great looking, I can't even imagine doing binding D: but you did great on it. My redeemer is a great song too!

Looks like you've done it before Emoney! Very nice.

emoney, that looks good! The more I see you get done, the better that thing is looking!

Keep up the great work!

If you're anything like me, Eric, you'll mark it as done just to make yourself feel better, but you'll come back to it to tweak it several times :wink:

Keep plugging away, man. It's gonna be sweeeeet!

Great Easter song btw. We do that one as well, and it's a ton of fun to play. One of my favorites because our worship leader used to be a professional musician, so he does some cool, funky guitar stuff :smile:

Gotta stop scraping sometime, man. I think this Challenge is going to be my second and last adventure with non-wooden bindings, sad to say. The plastics are MUCH easier to apply, but the finishing work drives me nuts.

Hear, hear. You said it. The more work I put into this stuff, the better I like
the faux binding.

Looking good E!
(As opposed to looking good eh? which I might have said if I were Canadian :lol:)

I see what you did there. (and thank you, btw)

That wife comment - yep that cracked me up. I could just see my wife rolling her eyes as she walked away if I tried to get her to scrape binding. Good stuff E...the guitar and commentary are superb.

That's exactly the reaction I get. She's on Spring Break this week, and when
I came home last night I told her how disappointed I was that she hadn't
finished at least this step. Highly disappointed......:mad:

Wow great looking, I can't even imagine doing binding D: but you did great on it. My redeemer is a great song too!

You know, as much as I complain about it, it's probably not as "hard" as it looks,
I just like to do things the long, drawn-out way. Never anything simple for the
old "Emoney"...nope:twisted:

Looks like you've done it before Emoney! Very nice.

I have now done binding twice, this being the 2nd of course. I'll have to do it
again, I'm sure, as I do like the way it makes a guitar look finished. But, I won't
like it. And thank you.

emoney, that looks good! The more I see you get done, the better that thing is looking!

Keep up the great work!

I'm hoping it has the "Ugly Duckling" (ala RogerC's initial description). Let's all
keep our fingers crossed.

If you're anything like me, Eric, you'll mark it as done just to make yourself feel better, but you'll come back to it to tweak it several times :wink:

Keep plugging away, man. It's gonna be sweeeeet!

Great Easter song btw. We do that one as well, and it's a ton of fun to play. One of my favorites because our worship leader used to be a professional musician, so he does some cool, funky guitar stuff :smile:

Thanks, sir. Actually, I've picked these as my Easter set;
"He Arose (as in...Up from the grave He arose...)"
"My Redeemer Lives"
"Nothing But The Blood"
"At the Foot of The Cross"
"Above All"
Our Worship Director is a super cool person and quite possibly the most
handsome man on earth. Oh, and he's wayyyy too humble. (anybody getting this?)

Thanks, sir. Actually, I've picked these as my Easter set;
"He Arose (as in...Up from the grave He arose...)"
"My Redeemer Lives"
"Nothing But The Blood"
"At the Foot of The Cross"
"Above All"
Great set. We do all those as well (except for He Arose, not familiar with that one).

As an aside, I got to attend a song-writing workshop with Charlie Hall last month. He's a worship leader here in OKC, and it was great.

Our Worship Director is a super cool person and quite possibly the most
handsome man on earth. Oh, and he's wayyyy too humble. (anybody getting this?)
I'm thinking he is probably a pretty good guitar builder too :mrgreen:

Ok, let's call this the "Teaster Update" update. (some could see that as being redundant...)

I started on the Emoney Secret Recipe water-based guitar dye last night. All I saying for
today is, it starts with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs5.jpg
(Wife gave me my very own pan to keep!)
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs3.jpg
Now, let me post a disclaimer here: I've left the color choice up to the Missus. I had
intended, when this all started, to go with a vintage burst, but then I was worried I'd
cover too much of the Ambrosia streaking. I've already got an Orange Crush, an
Iced Tea burst and a Red top build. Blue's my favorite color, but I didn't think that would
accent the orange in the Cocolo very well. I was stuck and turned to her, so this is her
idea, and you'll actully get to watch it unfold with me.
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs2.jpg
More this evening when I get home. Man, I hope this works.....

Hmmm, interesting... I'm watchin'

Hey, I figured it out! Your secret recipe water-based dye uses water as the base. Cool. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody :wink:

Nosmo! Other people can see this you know!!!! Great.....that's gonna really affect sales
I think. Now what am I going to do with all this water I just ordered from China???

Sorry :sad:

Man, I hope this works.....

truer words were never spoken. usually i don't say them out loud though.:lol:

Ok, let's call this the "Teaster Update" update. (some could see that as being redundant...)

I started on the Emoney Secret Recipe water-based guitar dye last night. All I saying for
today is, it starts with this;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs5.jpg
(Wife gave me my very own pan to keep!)
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs3.jpg
Now, let me post a disclaimer here: I've left the color choice up to the Missus. I had
intended, when this all started, to go with a vintage burst, but then I was worried I'd
cover too much of the Ambrosia streaking. I've already got an Orange Crush, an
Iced Tea burst and a Red top build. Blue's my favorite color, but I didn't think that would
accent the orange in the Cocolo very well. I was stuck and turned to her, so this is her
idea, and you'll actully get to watch it unfold with me.
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs2.jpg
More this evening when I get home. Man, I hope this works.....

"Man, I hope this works." That's what I said just before I jacked up my maple ambrosia neck! It didn't work. I want to see how you do with this. I may need to cover something up!

Your guitar is looking great! Very good job.

@BR06623, I'm on my way to your thread right now (not that I know more than anybody
else, lol)

Who's STUPID IDEA was it to try and hit "Jade" on an Ambrosia top????
My wife has so much heat right now!!

Who's STUPID IDEA was it to try and hit "Jade" on an Ambrosia top????
My wife has so much heat right now!!

Eric , if you can get that to work I'll bet it will look spectacular , just repeat after me , love the jade , love the jade :lol:

Hey man the secret with water stain is to work wet, be very generous with the stain, and don't give up cause if you make it work its gonna be killer. It will highlight any glue spots not cleaned up properly mind you, which is a pain, and I have to tell you now and its probably too late but blue is what we call a wondering colour, your gonna find it everywhere for weeks, it wonders all around the workshop oh! and gloves is a must.

Eric , if you can get that to work I'll bet it will look spectacular , just repeat after me , love the jade , love the jade :lol:

Herb, those are a lot friendlier words than I HAVE been using, so thanks.

Hey man the secret with water stain is to work wet, be very generous with the stain, and don't give up cause if you make it work its gonna be killer. It will highlight any glue spots not cleaned up properly mind you, which is a pain, and I have to tell you now and its probably too late but blue is what we call a wondering colour, your gonna find it everywhere for weeks, it wonders all around the workshop oh! and gloves is a must.

I'm keeping it soaked, and I learned on my 2 LP RitDye Bursts that this stuff
likes to stain everything....except for the Ambrosia, of course, lol. But, I
have learned something working with RIT; Clorox bathroom/kitchen cleaner
will take it right off. I do my staining in the kitchen so I can have easy
access to water, the stovetop and the microwave for reheating. Well, one
of us had a tupperware container leak all over the wife's countertop so I had
no choice but to figure a way out, lol.

Ok, first things first; the wife wanted green, and truth be told, I selected the "Jade"
because the Chinese call it, "Stone of Heaven". The problem with Jade is there's a ton
of different shades;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Jade1.jpg
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/JadeSamp.jpg
And, when you look closely at Ambrosia, you can see a little "jade color" in the beetle streaking.
So it's a great color choice. BUT....I didn't realize how tough it is to hit the mark and
leave it thin enough to allow the wood's streaking to shine through.
First coat....a tad too thin;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/4Sat2.jpg
Second coat...more color, but the WRONG color. This is Teal?;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/Jade2.jpg
Throw in some more colors: Brown, Orange, drop more of Blue, more Kelly Green;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/3Thurs1.jpg
Now I'm starting to sneak up on it. But still, not exactly there. Plus, the reason why you
don't see that many colored Ambrosia guitar tops is this stuff is your worst nightmare
when it comes to grain blotchiness. See BR's thread on his neck and you'll see that it's
not just me.
After about 6 hours of effort, probably 10 different coats of varying degrees of color,
I'm at least getting in the ball park;
http://i1039.photobucket.com/albums/a478/emoney65/TeleCHallenge/4Sat1.jpg
That's a horrible picture, but it was washing out when I got close. Very hard to capture
this with an iPhone. I'll try to use the good camera when I'm done and the sun is shining.
However it's slowly getting there. I've also done quite a bit of neck shaping and fingerboard
work. My board was too thick so I've had to take a touch over 1/16th off the back. Plus,
I'm trying to get it tapered to perfectly match the neck AFTER the binding is installed.
I'm a fan, when it comes to playing them, of nibs, so binding is essential.
What's also very difficult to ascertain in the pic is that now that I've got at least a coverage
color coat on, I'm trying my hand at bursting (I just never leave well enough alone, do I?)
I figured that I didn't have enough challenges with this color, so why not make it a little
tougher. Stone of Heaven.....remember that Eric.....stone of Heaven. Heaven knows I'm
going to need all the Divine help I can get to pull this off.

I'll tell ya what Eric , that is going to look pretty good with clear on it , it'll enrich the color also , give it depth , I think your hard work is going to pay off big time . Finish work is tough it can either make or break the build IMO . Love the jade , love the jade:lol:

.... Love the jade , love the jade:lol:

+1 Love the Jade!!