Wheelie's 2012 Challange Build Thread -- COMPLETED

I've got some lumber, an idea and might have the time. We'll see where it goes from there.

Steve

Sounds to me like you've got everything you could ever need. Best of luck!

Yep. What else do you need? :grin: Good luck!

Thanks Roger and E!

So I should post this. I hope we don't get points off for bad photography.
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What we have there is Ipe and Birdseye Maple. There is plenty of ipe to make a body and way more than enough maple for the neck. That wouldn't be all that much fun and you certainly would not want to it hang around your neck for any length of time. So that leaves us with way to much ipe for a neck and not near enough maple for the body.

I marked out the maple.
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Cut it to length.
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Ran it through the jointer.
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And we'll set this aside for a while.
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Ipe.

It's heavy, really heavy. It will sink in water. It does have a reasonably low damping rate and is tough as nails. Makes a great fret board. So I roughed one out.

Here's some table saw, bandsaw, thickness sander action.
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.357" :twisted:, that's a little thick, better than a little thin. It's only about .040" over as the stock for the neck is only 11/16" thick, so I'll need 1/16" more fret board to get to a 1" neck.

Started the neck. Since there isn't enough maple to make a body, I went neck through to stretch the resources.
Marked it out, bandsawed pattern routed, all the usual stuff.

All the usual stuff he says :shock: except you have access to some really nice tools for all this "usual stuff". I want a thickness sander in a real bad way.

I've never heard of Ipe before but it looks cool and your maple looks really nice as well. Looks like you will have a great guitar in a couple of months.

Drilled tuner haloes and then on to the thickness sander. The two other pieces are to build up the neck in the body area.
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Thickness sanders get you close to where you want to go but we need a bit of help to really fine tune a joint. I use this piece of steel that the brother-in-law ground flat for me to get that last little bit. I put a fresh piece of self stick 100 grit sand paper on top and did the scrub until the pencil marks are gone thing.
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That's all for today.

I knew this would happen during teh challenge... I've got major shop envy :oops: :grin:

Looks like we've got quite a few neck-through builds this year. I'll be taking some careful notes because that, too, is on my list of guitars to build.

I knew this would happen during teh challenge... I've got major shop envy :oops: :grin:

Looks like we've got quite a few neck-through builds this year. I'll be taking some careful notes because that, too, is on my list of guitars to build.

I'll make sure and not post pics of the whole shop, that might be too much for some guys.

This is my first neck through so we'll see how it goes.

I did get a call and had to go back to the shop for some paying work. While I was waiting I attacked the birdseye with a few tools.

This is not good. This is a big steaming pile of not good. I've only got 1/32" of extra material to get these where I want them. Time for a plan B. Plan B has always been to force things back to plan A.

Time for beer.

Sorry for the belated welcome, but good luck! :grin:


Dave

nice work.......and nice shop...

Thanks Dave. Thanks Dilbone.

Muzikp, I missed your post yesterday. I do carpentry and woodwork for a living and sometimes forget that everyone doesn't have 9 routers and 7 sanders and a lathe and 2 band saws and 2 table saws... and there are still tools I need to get.

That is a pretty intense piece of Birdseye Maple, I hope I can save it. I lit up the supplier for selling me such poorly dried lumber, we'll see where that goes.

Had a few minutes to devote to this today, so I made a steam box to see If I can tame the beast. I still have to make some clamping cauls for when the wood comes out of the box, they have to have a bit of curve to them to compensate for spring back.

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Nothing fancy is needed, just a roughly built box that's not too much bigger than required. The dowels hold the pieces up so the steam can get all the way around the wood. You build these boxes fairly tight because they have to trap steam, but too tight and they go boom. Put a bit of pitch on it and a small drain hole so the water can drain off. Missing from this pic is the steamer and the thermometer. We'll get to that tomorrow or Sunday.

Steve

I took part of the day off today and got back to the Tele thing.

Did some fretboard stuff.

I cut the taper close to dimension freehand on the tablesaw.
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Then I did the headstock thing.

They say time heals all wounds. It seems the Maple has gotten over it's separation anxiety and is ready to play nice. No force needed just some thickness sanding.
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Then I traced some lines and did some cutting.

And at the end of the day, we have this strange pile o' stuff.

looking good wheelie. i think the grain in birds eye causes it to get squirrely. glad it settled down, but i hope you use that steam box for something in this build.:lol:

@muzikp, ipe is from south america, commonly used for decking and flooring because it is so dense it'll take tons of abuse.

Ooohhh, I like the "Birdseye lamination" idea.

This is gonna be a nice one, and yeah, I'd appreciate it if there were fewer "shop" pics
because I get distracted easily, which leads to gas, which if I'm not careful could lead
to divorce and none of us want that......right?

Nice progress, Wheelie. Looks like you made some good strides today. The ipe neck and maple wings contrast is pretty sweet.

i hope you use that steam box for something in this build.:lol:

Since I don't plan too far ahead, the logistics of this build are about to get complicated. I'll skip bending anything if I can, wait... maybe I could... nah, better not.

Ooohhh, I like the "Birdseye lamination" idea.

This is gonna be a nice one, and yeah, I'd appreciate it if there were fewer "shop" pics
because I get distracted easily, which leads to gas, which if I'm not careful could lead
to divorce and none of us want that......right?

That's right E, since there's not enough maple to make a whole body, and I lost my board stretcher, I had to go for the layered look. Hey, if it works for thinning hair.....
Oh, and no "D" talk, I wouldn't last a week without my sweetie.

Roger,

Just wait till you see the Ipe with a gloss finish, really brightens it up and brings out some red tones.

Oooooo, that is gonna be slick!!!

Great looking wood, very tasty design, very tidy execution. Good to watch.

Machining figured wood can be a bit frustrating at times.

Running your birdseye, flamed or quilted maple through the jointer generally nets you some tearout.
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You can purchase a totaly cool Shelix cutterhead if you have the means. When that's not an option, try squirting a little water on the edge.
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It softens the wood just enough to prevent tearout. This method will leave the surface a bit fuzzy but a light sanding with some 220 grit and your good to go.

Great tip. Thanks!

I love seeing birdseye on a guitar....

So, a little more on this "squirting water" thing.....do you spray enough to saturate the whole
edge or just mist it on? This is a great tip and thanks for sharing, btw.

So, a little more on this "squirting water" thing.....do you spray enough to saturate the whole
edge or just mist it on? This is a great tip and thanks for sharing, btw.

I spray on quite a bit and then wipe the excess off with a rag.

Today I kept with the blowing off real work theme and got a few things done.

I needed to pattern rout some pieces so they matched, but am not ready for assembly yet. I didn't think double stick tape was going to be strong enough here so first I drilled some holes for alignment pins. Oh look, another bad picture!
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Then we take a page from the wood turners book. Glue paper to the wood and the other piece of wood to the paper. Holds things nice and tight and when your done, split the joint with a chisel and the paper tears apart.
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New pattern bit. Much better than those little 1/2" with a 1/4" shank ones.
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Next I did some layout and did some kind of contour thing at the back of the neck.
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Then I sanded the body panels and finally got to glue a few pieces together. Yes, that is a down draft sanding table made from old interior doors some MDF and a furnace fan. Best tool I ever made for the shop. The dust you see on the table is everything from sanding all six panels from 80 grit through 220 grit.

And last thing for today. I made these little dog leg things to create the walls of the electronics cavity.

Great progress... love that bird's eye.

Thanks MK,

I can't wait to see that wood with the clear gloss finish.

Steve

So I got to thinking, maybe I should put a round over on those body pieces before I get too many more blocks glued on. Eight of the sides were pretty straight forward since those pieces layed flat to the table. The other four required spacers and double stick tape.
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Then it was time to glue on the control cavity blocks and some additional spacers.

Here's what it looks like with a whole lot of double stick tape.
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I think from this point on this project is going to get difficult.

One last picture for today.

Does anyone care to offer an opinion on changing the fretboard to maple?

I say keep the fretboard as is. I really like the contrast.

Either way will look awesome. I for one would like to see the Maple.

Maple.

Oh, and cool build!

Whichever way you go, it's one wicked cool design for sure

Wow, I'm really intrigued by this one. Incredibly unique for sure, and I'm loving the layers. Subcribed!

I would not go with maple for the fretboard. There are a lot of moving lines in this design--which make the guitar both original and awesome by the way. I think the throughline of the dark wood going down the length of the guitar creates a sense visual stability for the design. Bifurcating this line will start to risk making the guitar look too disjointed. I think the contrast of the strong solid dark center against the more delicate, lightly layered body is fantastic.

Thanks everyone, I really appriciate your input and encouragement. I think I'll be keeping the Ipe fretboard, and not just because Matt used such a cool word, he does make a good point though.

So today I started some of the fine tuning of parts. The top surface of the neck extension had to be milled down to set the geometry for the Tele bridge and the end needed trimming to follow the line of the forearm bevel.

This is a REALLY cool build Wheelie!

Barncaster

Then I had to thin down the other two pieces of the neck extension to reasonably close to body thickness. I really should consider a photography class in the future, but you get the idea. A couple of thousanths to give the scraper something to do.
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This is a REALLY cool build Wheelie!

Barncaster

Thamks Barn.

Very impressed with Wheelie's ideas and progress. I've seen and played a number of his builds.

And to think, I've asked Wheelie to come to the house later this week to set me up with some replacement interior doors. Seriously.

Kinda like asking Micheal Jordan over to pump up the basketball. Sheeesh.....

AC
Chicago

Sorry I'm late, but, yes, stick with the ipe! Maple just won't look right.

I was gonna joke about naming this one 'Magnum' (for the thickness of the fretboard), but given the sophistication of the design, I think 'Magnus' is more in order.

I'm having a major Nigel moment with this one.... "No! Don't even look at it!"

It's too beautiful.

Hey AC
Just think how perfectly pressurized that basketball would be. See you Saturday.


Sorry I'm late, but, yes, stick with the ipe! Maple just won't look right.


I apologize for making the decision before you could respond. I realize now how rude that was since I specifically asked for your input.:lol:


Well today between all the running around I got a few things done.

Glued the back layer together and scraped it flush. Note the corners are slightly rounded on this knife blade. Just takes a few swipes on with some 100 grit to knock them back and now they can't gouge the wood.

Then I routed a channel and drilled some holes for the wiring in the middle layer.
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Almost drilled through the face on the one hole. That spot from 1 7/8" to 2 3/16" is where the bit pushed the surface up about 1/32". Fortunately the cavity wall starts at 1 3/4" Slow down Wheelie!!
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Then I glued the center layer together using the bottom layer for alignment. The layers will remain seperate for a while yet.

Then some fine tuning here and there. Trimmed some things back, rounded some corners and trimmed the fretboard to size.
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I finally placed an order with our friends at Stew Mac. I was vacillating on the use of a truss rod, after all this Ipe is some strong a.. wood. I do lean toward the less trussrod, the more wood is better camp. My standard MO with a Fender style neck is the single curved rod and machine a bit of relief into the fretboard. This being the first time using Ipe for a neck, I thought it would be prudent to use a two way rod.

Kind of hard to photograph with my limited skills in that area, but when you machine Ipe you get this strange yellow powder. It coats all your cutting tools and has given my fingernails a faint orange cast. The yellow seems to be in the pores of the wood and washes out with solvent. Needless to say I use a good dust mask with p100 filters when I'm working with it.

This build is awesome, sometimes it's so awesome I can't even understand what you are doing until I study, read, study and read. Thanks for the great thread, I like it.

This is simply awesome!

This is definitely a cool concept. I'm diggin' it

From Wheelie:

"Hey AC
Just think how perfectly pressurized that basketball would be. See you Saturday."

Yeah, but knowing you, I'd probably get the basketball back perfectly covered in Spalted Tamarind, with a logo inlaid in Quilted Sapele....

AC
Chicago

This is a superb build and a great read. Inspirational.

Keep up the the good work.:smile:

Thanks guy's, your support is greatly appriciated. My wife can only feign intrest in guitars for so long.


sometimes... I can't even understand what you are doing

James, I thought I was the only one. I think I finally have it all sorted now.


"Yeah, but knowing you, I'd probably get the basketball back perfectly covered in Spalted Tamarind, with a logo inlaid in Quilted Sapele....

AC"

Someone's been going through my wood stash again.

Props to one of my favorite suppliers. Placed an order monday at 10:30 a.m. and it was on my doorstep when I got home tonight.

So what did I get done today?

Dots. Decided on some maple side dots. I started with some 1/8" square sticks of maple a drill and a drill index.
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Put the stick in the drill and sand the end to a point.
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Run the stick in the drill index holes until you get a dowel of the required size.
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Start with more sticks than you need because they will break.
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I'm sure every one knows how to install side dots. Here's my plywood jig to hold the board steady and square to the drill bit. Keeps the holes in good alignment along the length of the board.
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Here's an action shot of the dots going in, sans action.
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That's all for today. Tomorrow is truss rod and fretboard glue up day! It's about time. Which brings up another question.

Has anyone (or Anyone) played a trapezoidal neck?

I suppose it depends on the shape of the trapezoid...
I have an Ibanez with a super thin D shape that could be considered kind of trapezoidal...

I generally prefer a chunky C shape because I like some shoulder. But I bet you could shape a trap to kind of a cross between a V and a D... which could be comfy if it's got enough shoulder on it.

Have I already said what a brilliant concept this build is?

Cheers!
Chris

Great idea with the drill index :grin:. It's tricks like that that make this challenge so valuable.

Great idea with the drill index :grin:. It's tricks like that that make this challenge so valuable.

You are so correct there Roger. I wasn't going to post too much stuff like that but realized how helpful those types of tips have been to me.

Chris,

I remember reading Rick Toone's take on the trap neck. His experience was it only worked on thick necks with a narrow nut. This will be 1 11/16" wide and 1" thick so I think it fits the bill. I think the shape would work so well visually with this guitar but am concerned about it becoming a wall hanger.

Steve

Did the truss rod this morning. It's a spoke nut hot rod from Stew Mac.
I use a routing frame that holds the router straight and has stops with center lines marked so I can't really screw this up.
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After routing the main channel you have to do a bit more to fit the nut in.
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Here's the next cut. I forgot to take pics of the rest of the routing.

Then I did the access hole in the fret board. Pics explain it pretty well. The Ipe is fairly chippy so I soaked the area with thin CA before starting.

Shims to hold the rod tight in the channel (I didn't purchase the special 7/32" router bit). Glue and clamps on the super flat piece o' steel.

I take some extra care with my fret board radiusing to ensure a really true surface. It's only 1 or 2 more steps and makes a big difference in my opinion.
First I adjust the truss rod and level the board on my flat steel with 100 grit sandpaper attached.
Then I do the radius.
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Next I recut the slots as I cut them fairly shallow to begin with.
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Now I re-level the board following the radius. I the second pic you can see the low spot on the bass side indicated by the marks the depth guide on the saw left behind.
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After that I double check the fret slot depth and then complete sanding with the radius block thru 220 grit. Maybe one day I'll build one of those fancy router jigs but I doubt I'll trust it and continue with the double checks on the leveling beam.

Is lens one better?
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Or lens 2?
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:lol: I used to work in an ophthalmologist office, so I find that especially humorous :lol:

And I like 2 better...

You are so correct there Roger. I wasn't going to post too much stuff like that but realized how helpful those types of tips have been to me.

Chris,

I remember reading Rick Toone's take on the trap neck. His experience was it only worked on thick necks with a narrow nut. This will be 1 11/16" wide and 1" thick so I think it fits the bill. I think the shape would work so well visually with this guitar but am concerned about it becoming a wall hanger.

Steve
Well, there ya go. It does look really interesting. You could always make a few profiles out of scrap for an intensive session of air guitar and see how it feels. Maybe some asymmetric-type blend with more meat on the bass end... I dunno... I do a lot of thumb wrapping... I doubt this will become a wall hanger.

That's brilliant how you did the truss rod adjustment. I like how it blends into the neck rather than intruding on it.

Also, lens 2. Definitely.

Cheers!

A better photo of the plate and one of it's new friends.
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A better photo of the plate and one of it's new friends.
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Now that is hot, nice work man on the whole thing, it looks killer.

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/291159-skelecaster-shorthorn.html#post3573255

Hi Wheelie .......re the trapezoidal neck, above is the link to the Skelecaster Shorthorn I built several bins of sawdust ago. This unit was inspired by the magical designs of Rick Toone and works well, feels comfortable and I think is a viable method of shaping a neck and I'll probably do another one day. The Skelecaster abides in Cairns Far North Queensland with a good muso friend of mine who loves it. It takes a few plays to get used to the different feel but I think it gives more ability to reach over the width of the fretboard.. Try it you'll like it!

DC

Cool build, love the knobs!

That's brilliant how you did the truss rod adjustment. I like how it blends into the neck rather than intruding on it.


Thanks Chris,
This is the first time I've used this style rod. I never did like the way most builders just cut out a notch for the access.


Now that is hot, nice work man on the whole thing, it looks killer.

Thank you Niall.

Thanks for the link Dave. Cool guitar you built there.

Cool build, love the knobs!

Thanks Zatar.

Started carving, man is this stuff hard. Even my super fancy hand stitched rasp had troubles.
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I finished carving and glued up the top layer but discovered that if you don't charge the camera it won't take pictures.

Very nice work here. Gonna be a real looker

So... Ironwood isn't just a clever nickname, eh?
You know you're gonna have to play 'Ironman" for your soundclip.

(I'm really hoping I remember correctly about Ipe right about now...)

Cheers!

In order to calm your fear of this becoming a "wall hanger", I will graciously allow you to
ship it to me and I will guarantee it gets played, "..in front of a live audience", weekly.

No, no,no....no need to thank me. It's all part of my "Giving Back 2012" campaign.

I never did like the way most builders just cut out a notch for the access.

Thanks Zatar.

:oops: Hey have you been playing one of mine? I agree though, after seeing that I no longer like the way I've done it. I wish I would have seen this before doing a headstock access on my 1 piece build. This would have been a really cool feature. Great job, cool guitar

That's really looking gorgeously stylish. Love the body design and the choice of contrasting woods. Kudos to you for a very confident but contained design and meticulous execution.

Very nice work here. Gonna be a real looker

Thanks Dilbone.

So... Ironwood isn't just a clever nickname, eh?
You know you're gonna have to play 'Ironman" for your soundclip.

(I'm really hoping I remember correctly about Ipe right about now...)

Cheers!

Yep, Ironwood for sure. Interesting Ironwood factoid(o.k. perhaps only mildy interesting) , there is no botanical "Ironwood". It's a name given by the people of a region to the desnest wood that grows there. Ironwoods generally have a density greater than 1 (the density of water) and will sink when placed in water. A friend and I tested it out the other day. The water is murky (the slurry from sharpening with a water stone) but that is a chunk of wood down there.
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In order to calm your fear of this becoming a "wall hanger", I will graciously allow you to
ship it to me and I will guarantee it gets played, "..in front of a live audience", weekly.

No, no,no....no need to thank me. It's all part of my "Giving Back 2012" campaign.

And that's what makes this forum such a great place. The selflessness of the membership is astounding.:lol:

:oops: Hey have you been playing one of mine? I agree though, after seeing that I no longer like the way I've done it. I wish I would have seen this before doing a headstock access on my 1 piece build. This would have been a really cool feature. Great job, cool guitar

Oops :oops: I'm glad I could help rid the world of one more notch.

That's really looking gorgeously stylish. Love the body design and the choice of contrasting woods. Kudos to you for a very confident but contained design and meticulous execution.

Thank you Newtherapist, and the other members who like the design of this build. The mechanics of building come quite easily to me but I have to work hard on aesthetics.

Here are a couple of picks of the finished carve. Iv'e got to fine tune the heel transitions, I stopped them a bit short.
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Today I drilled out the hole for the output jack.
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Then I used one of these way cool self centering pilot bits.
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To get this attached.
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Then I routed the control cavity.
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Hey, you're not supposed to be able to see through there.
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Here is some of that meticulous execution newtherapist was telling you guys about.
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Slight miscalculation there. I should have 3/16" wall thichness alll the way around the cavity. I used T. Downs blueprint to make the part and never checked my routing template to the drawing. The template cavity is 1/8" wider and 1/16" further from center than Mr. Downs plans. The template will pay dearly for its insolance.

Yes, I know this word mEtiKulUs.

A good friend of mine teaches guitar building and just last week a student asked him if he makes mistakes. His reply was that he could not recall a guitar that didn't need some sort of repair during the building process. So all you first timers out there remember to keep your cool and just fix it. Chances are unless you point it out to someone or post pictures on a world wide forum, no one will ever know the difference.

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Now that wasn't so bad was it?

Nice save!

Very cool build.

That's just such a cool design, Wheelie. I know you said earlier that you have to work on aesthetics, but it seems that the work you put in is worth it. It's looking great!

I love a design/build that keeps me pleasantly confused for a time :smile:. Your going to like the trap neck BTW (got to play my first one last summer). Good work and wood selection :wink:


Dave

Nice save!

Thanks Ryden. Here's the rest of the repair. I leveled the pieces, trued up the transitions, applied some thin CA glue to help stave off any further mishap and then routed.

Nice save and just an awesome build

Very cool build.

J, Your signature line cracks me up every time.

That's just such a cool design, Wheelie. I know you said earlier that you have to work on aesthetics, but it seems that the work you put in is worth it. It's looking great!

Thanks Roger.

I love a design/build that keeps me pleasantly confused for a time :smile:. Your going to like the trap neck BTW (got to play my first one last summer). Good work and wood selection :wink:


Dave

Hi Dave,
I think your right about the neck shape, it felt wierd at first but I'm getting used to picking it up. A friend stopped by the shop today with a co-worker of his who is a player. I handed the co-worker the guitar and asked what he thought of the neck. He played around a bit then his eyes lit up. "This is so cool" he says, "there is so much access for such a fat neck. I haven't been able to play this riff for eight years." He holds up his fretting hand and his middel finger is a half inch short from a table saw incident. "I've got to get me on of these."


Here's a pic that shows the shape pretty well. After I finished fine tuning the heel transitions I sanded the sides and left the dust on to make them show up better.

I got around to routing and driling for the bridge. I stopped at 1/2" deep on the pickup rout I'll have to complete that up after the finish goes on.

What a cool design and build , like Dave I was pleasantly confused but I get it now and I like it.

What a cool design and build , like Dave I was pleasantly confused but I get it now and I like it.

Thanks Herb,

I'm coming up to the hard part of the build. I will be using Cat Urethane for the finish and it's been giving me fits. I'll be tryin a new gun soon as the manufacturer thinks that may be the root of my dispair. You wouldn't want to send your Fuji my way, would you?

Steve

A good friend of mine teaches guitar building and just last week a student asked him if he makes mistakes. His reply was that he could not recall a guitar that didn't need some sort of repair during the building process. So all you first timers out there remember to keep your cool and just fix it. Chances are unless you point it out to someone or post pictures on a world wide forum, no one will ever know the difference.

Now you tell me! :grin:

I love the modern look of your build. Nice fix on the control cavity.

I love the modern look of your build. Nice fix on the control cavity.

Hi Nosmo, Thank you very much.
Hopefully that's the only major mishap on this one.

Since everyone is putting thier builds on a scale I thought I'd weigh in on the subject. 7 lbs. 4 ozs. That Ipe is heavy.

Seeing as how the top layer of this guitar is only 5/8" thick where the neck pickup goes and with the other layers stepping back for upper fret access routing 3/4" deep for a standard Tele neck pickup seemed like flirting with disaster. I've got a pair of Gold Foils like Maricopa is using which will fit the bill since they're surface mounts at only 1/4" thick, but they are in real rough shape. Seems the guitar got wet and everything was rusted, the magnets are in pieces and the coils, while intact and reading 5.58k ohms (or 5.54 k, nice display on the meter), need to be wrapped. And I just didn't like the way they looked on the guitar.
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So I made a bobin out of heavy paper, and slipped the coil on it. Wrapped it with some tape and wired it up to the core. Went to the hardware store and scored some little button head screws wich will work for the pole pieces.

Then I went about making a new cover.

Then I hollowed it out, routed a pocket 1/4" deep and popped it in. I still need to order the magnets and figure out how I'm going to secure it.

Thank God there was a beginner category this year. The pickup cover is just over the top, and still the guitar is elegance in wood.

Ok first- How on God's green earth does that weigh 7 lbs?! LOL. I guess you're right, that ipe IS heavy

second thing- you, sir, are a detail master. Beautiful work on the pickup!

Wheelie, your build is just outrageous! You keep turning what could be obstacles into the proverbial opportunities.

This is a real Ferrari of telecasters. Although I usually don't like wooden pup covers, yours just adds to this being the sexiest build this year. Very impressive.

Very cool work on the pickup.

WOW , great job on the pup cover , it just looks right , very nice . As for sending the Fuji out sorry , but I'll be using it until about May 13th :lol:

Thank you very much gentlemen.


Although I usually don't like wooden pup covers,

I'm with you on that New, this seemed like my only option given the materials available.

The only problem with it is some ninny turned the grain in the wrong direction. Good thing is I've got the jigs for a new one.

Steve

There, now I feel better.

There, now I feel better.

Phew!!! I was worried, I feel better too...Kidding I thought the first one was spectacular but this one is even spectacular...er :mrgreen:. This build is still just blowing my mind. Keep up the great work.

There, now I feel better.

Yes, better. As always, small details make a big difference.

Some CA pore filling.
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Block sand with 220.
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Frets.

As always, small details make a big difference.

Like getting all the holes in the correct spot? The right one touching the maple wasn't making me happy either.

Just a fake update to make sure my thread doesn't fall off the end of the list.

Swamped at work, so not much guitaring going on.
I did get the magnets for the pickup ordered so that's a bit of something.

Once the roll top desk I'm building for a customer is ready for finish I can clean the shop and start spraying things.

Wow - that's some of the most innovative work I have seen! Great work!

This is the only guitar that DESERVES to hang on a wall just as quickly is it does being
in somebody's hand. Awesome work. Can't wait to see the video and hear this thing now.

Hurry up, would ya?

Wow - that's some of the most innovative work I have seen! Great work!

Thanks Mojo!

Hurry up, would ya?


Patience E, patience.

Now I'm "subscribed". Whew....it's hard work searching out a specific thread when you
don't have a good memory. Anyway, enough about me.....carry on.

Alright, it's time to get back to this project while I wait for a color selection from the customer for one of the myriad of other projects.

I masked off the parts to get them ready for finish. I found a wobble in the headstock from the spindle sander so it was flatten it out and re-pore fill time.

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When doing a small area I put a piece of tape on my finger and use that to smear around the CA glue. You can forgo the tape as long as you don't stop moving. This works good if your planning on commiting a crime afterwards and don't want to leave fingerprints.
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Wow! Coming along very nicely.

I thought now would be a good time to drill for the strap button in case I mess it up. Repairs after finish are not on my list o' fun stuff.

Used a 1/2" fostner to make a flat spot, and 7/64" and 1/8" bits to make a stepped pilot hole. I installed the strap lock base and ran the screw in and out a few times to establish the threads in the wood. I went back to the fostner bit to deepen the bore a bit more once I could see I had plenty of clearance for installation and removal of the strap. Just for a bit of added insurance, thin CA is dropped into the hole to solidify the wood threads.

Wow! Coming along very nicely.

Hi Glen,
Thanks, it shouldn't be long now that I'm back on it.

Last thing for today is the rack to hold the small pieces for spraying.

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Smart thinking on that "CA to shore up the wood thread" thing. I'd prefer, however, that
you start ignoring customers so I can see this thing finished. Just tell them it'll be,
"2 more weeks"....they'll understand.:lol:

Holy jeez! I'd missed this build before; boy, did I miss out.

Looking forward to hearing it.

Just tell them it'll be, "2 more weeks"....they'll understand.:lol:

I do a lot of contracting so it would be perfectly normal to tell them "Thursday"

Holy jeez! I'd missed this build before; boy, did I miss out.

Looking forward to hearing it.

Hey Picton,
I know how that can happen, I just saw Allthesounds totally cool one piece build. So many threads, so little time.

Steve

Mmmmmm, Magnets.
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These are 1/4" x 1/4" x 3" C5 magnets from The Magnet Source. A bit stronger than original but I'll take what I can get. I need these to be 2 1/4" long so it's diamond wheel time.
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More like controlled breakage but mission accomplished.
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Do I detect some copper spinning may be happening in these parts soon?

Barncaster

Do I detect some copper spinning may be happening in these parts soon?

Barncaster

Not on this guitar, just the rebuild of an old abused gold foil. The rest of the pickup story is waiting on finish.

Speaking of which, first coats sprayed today.
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Shiny tele and a nice speck in the middle of the black one.
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Doh!!! what is that speck? I've learned first hand this year how difficult black is to get perfect. I had to work really hard at it, every little imperfection shows up 10 times more than it would on any other color. This guitar looks awesome, glad you did such a great thread on how you made it.

Doh!!! what is that speck? I've learned first hand this year how difficult black is to get perfect. I had to work really hard at it, every little imperfection shows up 10 times more than it would on any other color. This guitar looks awesome, glad you did such a great thread on how you made it.

Your doing quite the stand up job on your black tele James. I did a black double bound in lacquer in November that I nailed on the first try. This is catylized urethane and it's been kicking my butt.

No pics today as I left the camera at home. Close yuur eyes and imagine sanding the first two coats level. Be amused at the thought of me sanding around those spacers between the layers. Maybe chuckle a bit as I drop fill the birds eyes that I didn't pay enough attention to because maple doesn't need pore filling. Now you'll see me polishing the headstock and applying a waterslide decal which I will hit against the table while sanding a drop fill and have to redo it.

Ouch. I think it reasons like this as to why I've only built rugged guitars. If the finish isn't perfect, aww who cares :lol:

I really admire guys like you who do the tedious work of top-notch finishing. And check out the latest entry on my thread about how to avoid any decal problems :wink:

"I thought now would be a good time to drill for the strap button in case I mess it up. Repairs after finish are not on my list o' fun stuff. "

Wasn't on my list either! I still got to do it! :lol:

This is an incredible build. Great idea well executed so far. I am sure it will be fantastic when completed! I agree with Emoney....ignore customers, satisfy forum members. :wink:

Your doing quite the stand up job on your black tele James. I did a black double bound in lacquer in November that I nailed on the first try. This is catylized urethane and it's been kicking my butt.

No pics today as I left the camera at home. Close yuur eyes and imagine sanding the first two coats level. Be amused at the thought of me sanding around those spacers between the layers. Maybe chuckle a bit as I drop fill the birds eyes that I didn't pay enough attention to because maple doesn't need pore filling. Now you'll see me polishing the headstock and applying a waterslide decal which I will hit against the table while sanding a drop fill and have to redo it.

Oh no, you are having one of those days huh? I know them well, and I didn't chuckle btw. That's serious stuff when you are trying to meet a deadline.

Ouch. I think it reasons like this as to why I've only built rugged guitars. If the finish isn't perfect, aww who cares :lol:

I really admire guys like you who do the tedious work of top-notch finishing. And check out the latest entry on my thread about how to avoid any decal problems :wink:

Hi Roger,

I saw your screen printing on the other forum. Always wanted to try that but haven't taken the time to source the materials yet.

"I thought now would be a good time to drill for the strap button in case I mess it up. Repairs after finish are not on my list o' fun stuff. "

Wasn't on my list either! I still got to do it! :lol:

This is an incredible build. Great idea well executed so far. I am sure it will be fantastic when completed! I agree with Emoney....ignore customers, satisfy forum members. :wink:

Thanks Bro!


Oh no, you are having one of those days huh? I know them well, and I didn't chuckle btw. That's serious stuff when you are trying to meet a deadline.

I'm not a big fan of deadlines when it comes to guitar building. I do it for fun and profit.:lol: That's funny. Doing it for fun and to try and cover my costs is more accurate.
How do you make a million dollars building guitars? Start with two million dollars.

Here's the guitar all blocked out and ready for round 2 with the spray gun.
125618

I'm using this for finish. Don't use this without the proper safty equipment, nasty stuff health wise. Tough as nails, I've got a spruce top acoustic I built and used this finish on it. No pickgaurd and after two years nothing more than a couple of light scuffs on the top.

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No fancy equipment (yet) just a HF conversion gun.

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Here's a few shots about 20 minutes after spraying. You could touch these lightly and not leave a mark at this point. After another 20 mins you can actually handle them.

Reasonably smooth surface with as few dustys as I can get until the spray booth is built.

This will sit for two days before sanding and polishing.
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Beautiful finish!

Perfect spray job. Sure makes the rest of the process go quicker when it lays on nice like that. I'm getting impatient though, I really wanna see this thing all done and together, could you hurry it up :mrgreen:.

Aloha Brudah!

All is well in Hawaii. 5 hour time difference is making it hard for me to call you at a reasonable hour. I may be in town a few weekends from now. I'll call and try to stop by to check this one out.

The build looks great. I wasn't into the concept at first but you made a believer out of me. The pickup looks great too. Ry Cooder will be calling shortly to test run this one. Well maybe not but he should.

Beautiful finish!

Perfect spray job. Sure makes the rest of the process go quicker when it lays on nice like that. I'm getting impatient though, I really wanna see this thing all done and together, could you hurry it up :mrgreen:.


Thanks guys, we'll see how good it is in a few days if the assembly goes as planned. The rest of this build hinges on getting that finish right.

Aloha Brudah!

All is well in Hawaii. 5 hour time difference is making it hard for me to call you at a reasonable hour. I may be in town a few weekends from now. I'll call and try to stop by to check this one out.

The build looks great. I wasn't into the concept at first but you made a believer out of me. The pickup looks great too. Ry Cooder will be calling shortly to test run this one. Well maybe not but he should.

Hey Joe, where you going with that ukulele in your hand?
Good to hear you made it safe and sound. Mahalo for the props on the build. I knew when I first pitched this concept to you two years ago that I wasn't explaining it clearly, but I've always been better at showing someone than telling them.
Call when you get in, I'll make time. A hui hou my friend.

Sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand sand...You get the idea.
Who's stupid idea was a gloss finish around all those stupid little spacers anyway?

That sure is looking gorgeous!!! Can't wait till you get everything joined together!

Every time I see an update I keep hoping for a pic of the assembled body! :mrgreen: I love the layering on this and really want to hear how that translates to the sound of the guitar overall.

Every time I see an update I keep hoping for a pic of the assembled body! :mrgreen: I love the layering on this and really want to hear how that translates to the sound of the guitar overall.

That sure is looking gorgeous!!! Can't wait till get get everything joined together!

Greetings gentlemen and welcome to the thread,
Just a couple of days till assembly. Of course that pesky thing called work is rearing it's ugly head again.

I sanded from 600 through 1200 grit today. I use mineral spirits to wet sand. Something about the surface tension makes it easier for me to see the scratch patterns as I go up through the grits.
125916
And here all parts are awaiting tomorrows trip to the buffer.
125917

On another front. Right now the radio is playing Bill Withers "Aint No Sunshine". Tonight is Blues Breakers with a feature on Little Walter. Gotta love WXRT!

A cool process and guitar.

A cool process and guitar.

Hi Marty,
Thanks, I'll see if I can fulfil the vision soon.

Today was buffing. I had to go out to my friend John's house as I don't have one of these yet.
126043

Older style Stew Mac buffer. It's nice using a machine that's made for the job. No pics of the polishing yet as there are a lot of areas that this buffer can't reach. I'm doing those by hand and with a Dremel.

I did get the pickup put together. First I had to clean the finish from the holes in the cover so the pole screws would fit, then I lined it with copper foil. Not sure if it was needed or not, but the original had a metal cover and being a singl coil I figured it couldn't hurt to add some shielding.

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Next was to install the guts. I checked the magnets against the bridge pickup and put them in with the poles oppisite of that. Had to make some small wood shims to snug it all up and used hot glue to hold it together.
126050
126051

Last thing I did was start on the control cover. Here's the back side with copper foil attached.
126052

This build is awesome! I really like the design and the execution is beautiful!

This build is awesome! I really like the design and the execution is beautiful!

Thank you very much Lazor.

Ok, the step we've all been waiting for. Today it was time to glue it all together. Finish damage was kept to a minimum by the use of 1/4" melamine faced masonite. I drilled holes at the two outer string holes to allow the use of two drill bits as alignment pins. I spread some glue and threw in a fish wire just in case for the neck pickup.
126422
126423

All clamped up. I added four more clamps after theses pics and cleaned up the squeeze out.
126424
126425


And here's the back layer added.
126428

Now comes the fun part. This is why the finish had to be cat urethane. Gel super glue will be used to adhere the spacers and control cavity shell to the opposing surfaces. Make sure to have the acetone and cotton swabs ready!
126429

Spread open the joints to apply the adhesive. Yes, I need the glasses off to see that close.

126430

Clamp it together and clean up any squeeze out. Repeat 7 times.

126431

Installed a set of Gotoh mini steel tring tuners.
126434

Put the routing template on and used the drill bits in the string holes for alignment again. I didn't want to clamp the template down as that could cause additional finish touch ups. I routed the bridge pickup cavity to final depth. You can see the wiring channel that was cut a couple of weeks ago and I didn't rout the fish wire. Small victory but I'll take it.
126432
126433

This is starting to "layer up" very nicely. I like it!

Yep and I just can't hide it :mrgreen:

sS6eUIpwwds

Getting closer.

Wet sanded and buffed the top and back to clean up the clamp marks.
126543
126544
126545

Installed the string ferrules.
126546

I may have to stop checking into this thread because my wife think's I'm having some type
of seizure, every time I do, because my jaw drops to the floor.

At least I don't have to fret over where my vote for #1 is going. This is an amazing build.

Then it was copper shielding,electronics, pickups and bridge.

This is starting to "layer up" very nicely. I like it!

I may have to stop checking into this thread because my wife think's I'm having some type
of seizure, every time I do, because my jaw drops to the floor.

At least I don't have to fret over where my vote for #1 is going. This is an amazing build.

Thanks Glen and E. I hope it will live up to the expectations.

James,
At first I was taken aback by The Pointer Sisters showing up in my thread but will gladly accept the sentiment in the spirit in which it was intended.:lol:

I want a cookie.

That has got to be one of the coolest things I've ever seen!

Don't want to sound too dramatic, but WOW! It is a rather dramatic guitar. Very cool, and very good workmanship. Sure do want to see and hear the finished product.

It's so simple yet so complex at the same time. And the glass finish doesn't hurt. Spectacular!!

Wow.

So were getting closer.

Strap buttons and a better shot of the tuners.
126640
126641
126642
Electronics are all finished up.

I needed to touch up the tail end as there was a bit of abuse getting the masking off. Probably should have left this area untouched until it was assembled as the polishing left the previously true surface a little rounded. Not to worry, the cat urethane touches up faboulosly with CA. I'll let this cure up for a while before wet sanding and buffing.
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I cleaned up the fretboard edges and polished the frets, cleaned and oiled the fretboard. Then things got a bit nutty.
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I discovered that I have no chrome string tees. Just ordering those would result in a poor merchandise to shipping cost ratio. Fortunatly I have this problem with being completely unable to control myself when it comes to guitar supplies so my ratio should remain near an acceptable 10 to 1. Of course SWMBO thinks that's a rather silly affliction and tries to curtail such nonsense. This is easily countered by opening the closet and counting pairs of shoes.

Amazing Wheelie! This is looking so incredibly cool! :cool:

+1 on counting pairs of shoes :lol: I't always seems to put a quick end such debates here too.

Well boys, it's all over but the twangin'.

Oh, and the string trees, they're on the way.

Hey Wheelie,

This is absolutely one of my most favorite builds. I have a dumb question however. How do you know if you need string trees?

Barncaster

Hi Barn,

Thanks.

You need string trees if you do a Fender style headstock.
In this pic you can see how high the e and B strings are above the headstock. If you play it like this (we did last night) the e string has a tendency to jump out of the nut during moderate to hard strumming. The higher strings will feel real loose due to the lack of break angle over the nut. The string trees even out the tension on the strings and keep the strings in the nut. The break angle over the nut and saddle also have an affect on the sound of the instrument. That becomes one of those lengthy discussions in itself so we'll leave it be for now.

Steve

Thanks Wheelie,

My strings currently look like the picture above as I'm not using string trees. The guitar sounds fine and I'm not noticing differences in tension but will re-evaluate tonight. I've never had a problem with my strings jumping out of the nut slots either. Then again, I don't play out either where pounding the crap out of your strings would probably be more likely to happen.

Barncaster

Wow, what a beauty! Plenty of room to let the mojo aerate.

Wow, what a beauty! Plenty of room to let the mojo aerate.

Thanks Glen,
A friend who was over last night couldn't get over the gold foil (ex gold foil
?). I kept switching to the middle and bridge as he was playing to get them balanced and he kept switching back. After about a half hour he said he was really starting to dig the neck shape also.

Awesome! In the vernacular of a younger generation... You got some mad skilz, dude :grin:

Stunningly beautiful.

Man o man, this is one of the 5 or 6 totally amazing things that got built this year.

Folks, record this moment, because this guitar has me "SPEECHLESS"!!!!!

Folks, record this moment, because this guitar has me "SPEECHLESS"!!!!!

Ok but I doubt it will last :lol:.

This is such a cool guitar. You got a perfect shiny finish on that thing, spectacular. Did you post somewhere how much it weighs?

I guess that it's been said a hundred times before or befive......but I wheelie wheelie love the concept, the execution, and the overall idea. Ain't it great living outside the box?

Stunning guitar and excellent craftsmanship!

That looks great!

Let the twangin' begin!

A demo tune suggestion to fit right in with your "handle" would be "Wheels" by Chet Atkins.

Incredible job....more art than guitar...but wait...it really is a guitar.....

Thank you everyone, it has been a fun build. I may build this one again after I figure out a different technique for joining the body to simplify the finishing.


Ain't it great living outside the box?

One of my favorite places to be!

...but wait...it really is a guitar.....

And I'll prove it shortly. My video skills are nominal and I don't know how to do the Youtube stuff but I know this guy... He's coming over Saturday.

Steve

So many innovative builds this year. This guitar is amazing. Great job!

Dep

Wow, Wheelie, that's beautiful and very unique!
Awesome design concept. Have you told us how much
it weighs?

Does having most of your weight under the controls tweak the balance at all?

Wow, Wheelie, that's beautiful and very unique!
Awesome design concept. Have you told us how much
it weighs?

Hi Glenn, It was 7lbs 4ozs without hardware. I bet if it had a mahogany center it would be 2 lbs lighter.

Does having most of your weight under the controls tweak the balance at all?

The balance is very good. That heavy neck evens things up nicely.

That is absolutely stunning. Pure architecture meets the prodigy of Leo Fender. Beautiful things happen.

Congratulations on a wonderful achievement!

So about that guy you know...did he come over and solve your youtube noobness? We all wanna hear this thing.

This is one of my favorite builds. I can't wait to hear it. If you have any exact You-Tube questions, you can ask them here as well. Patiently waiting, tap, tap, tap.

Rob

Stunningly beautiful.

Man o man, this is one of the 5 or 6 totally amazing things that got built this year.

Folks, record this moment, because this guitar has me "SPEECHLESS"!!!!!

I guess that it's been said a hundred times before or befive......but I wheelie wheelie love the concept, the execution, and the overall idea. Ain't it great living outside the box?

Stunning guitar and excellent craftsmanship!

That looks great!

Let the twangin' begin!

Incredible job....more art than guitar...but wait...it really is a guitar.....

So many innovative builds this year. This guitar is amazing. Great job!

Dep

That is absolutely stunning. Pure architecture meets the prodigy of Leo Fender. Beautiful things happen.

Congratulations on a wonderful achievement!

Wow you guys sure are nice. Thanks everyone for the support.

The video is rendering right now, should be done soon. The friend who is helping me with the video is generally amused by my crazy ideas and is more than willing to egg me on. To make matters worse, he's a bit of a technology fiend and is doing a full HD AVI somthing or another in case someone wants to see the video in super high zoot resolution. We spent a good part of the day traveling to friends houses and have clips of five different players whose skills range from "rank amature" to "what are you kidding me, how's he do that?". I hope you guys don't deduct points for Pink Floyd renditions, precocious 8 year olds or speed metal.

Steve

Hi Wheelie, I am in awe of your construction ability and the final look of the beast. The only thing I would have liked to have see is a scarfed neck which to my mind would have flowed with the natural lines nicely, but what you have there is top shelf.


We did agree on $100 didn't we?

^^^ Even if they did it wouldn't matter, you got points to spare. So what did these five players think of the concept? Did you get positive feedback from them, did they like the feel?

Thanks to all who made this contest possible (that means you Paul) and all the contestants and cheerleaders who made it fun.

A quick synopsis:

Three layer laminated Ipe neck through design with three layer Birdseye Maple body wings.
Birdseye maple control plate and Ipe control knobs.
Ipe fretboard with Jescar medium fretwire.
Bone nut.
Catalyzed Urethane finish.
Gotoh mini steel string tuners.
Gotoh modern tele bridge.
Grover strap locks.
GFS bridge pickup @ 7k ohms.
Resurrected Teisco gold foil neck pickup.
500k Alpha audio taper pots with 22mf orange drop cap.

12750839jkKOyD59s

And a big thank you to my friends Ashley, Todd, Jason, Jon and Steve for playing in the video. You guys rock!

Steve

WOW!

that's one of the coolest design I've ever seen! sounds great to boot.

fantastic job!

Fantastic Wheelie ! Congrats :)

Amazing! Sounds as good as it looks! :smile:

Wowsa!

Hi Wheelie, I am in awe of your construction ability and the final look of the beast. The only thing I would have liked to have see is a scarfed neck which to my mind would have flowed with the natural lines nicely, but what you have there is top shelf.


We did agree on $100 didn't we?

Thank you very much Dave. I was considering a scarfed headstock using one of my own standard headstock shapes but since I couldn't decide I went with the standard Tele. I hope I don't get a letter or an e-mail.
You may be correct on the $100 as my memory is faulty at times, the shipping costs may come as a suprise.

^^^ Even if they did it wouldn't matter, you got points to spare. So what did these five players think of the concept? Did you get positive feedback from them, did they like the feel?

Ashley thought it was a bit heavy but would like to have one because you can wrap scarves through it. (can I get a rimshot smiley here?)



The guitar brings out the same reactions I've been getting from you guys. All very positive on the looks and on the playability and sound as well. I visited the manager of one of our local independant music stores with it on Saturday. Mike is very knowledgable and will speak his mind, and it has not always been to my liking. It sucks because his assessments are generally spot on. He has told me I missed the mark on a number of occasions. He really dug this guitar.

Ah yes, wrap scarves through it - very important and a detail often overlooked so good job there. Seriously that turned out great and it obviously plays very well. Great work.

Incredible!!!!

Absolutely amazing guitar and skills :)

Thanks Ken and Esetter.

I just follow what Grandpa taught me and try to do a bit better each time.


Steve