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themachine
June 12th, 2012, 07:25 PM
So anyway, I thought it was time I posted a photo of what you all, by means of the archives and links, have contributed to. Here is my first telecaster, the first guitar I've built in 20 years. It's a semi-hollow (no f-hole), built from an old shed that blew down in a storm. The timber is macrocarpa with a rimu top.
http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t507/themachine187/P1010251.jpg
I decided to pick up playing again, after 15 years away from it. Having the personality that I do, I wanted to build the guitar I'd be playing. There are a few important lessons I learned along the way. Hopefully this will be of some use to people searching threads, so here goes.
Important lessons:
-when the laquer feels dry enough to wet sand and polish, it's not. wait another week.
-never apply clear coat over a white guitar in a dusty shed.
-always mount the neck, bridge and strings to check for fit BEFORE painting. Having to re-rout a pocket or sand a heel on a finished guitar sucks.
-always keep the guitar at a constant temp to work on it. Wood moves an incredible amount and one night in the shed in cold temps can cause buckles, movement and cracks in seams. This sucks especially after it's been painted and partially assembled.
-always check to see if a purchased neck is stright and square before working on it, not after you've spent hours shaping the headstock and laquering.
-never zone out while using screw drivers to assembly a guitar. it's very easy to slip and gouge/dent/scratch paint.
Is it the best guitar ever made? No. Did I use the most expensive gold plated this and that for it? No. But I made it with my own two hands, it plays well and that's all that matters.
http://i1063.photobucket.com/albums/t507/themachine187/P1010251.jpg
I decided to pick up playing again, after 15 years away from it. Having the personality that I do, I wanted to build the guitar I'd be playing. There are a few important lessons I learned along the way. Hopefully this will be of some use to people searching threads, so here goes.
Important lessons:
-when the laquer feels dry enough to wet sand and polish, it's not. wait another week.
-never apply clear coat over a white guitar in a dusty shed.
-always mount the neck, bridge and strings to check for fit BEFORE painting. Having to re-rout a pocket or sand a heel on a finished guitar sucks.
-always keep the guitar at a constant temp to work on it. Wood moves an incredible amount and one night in the shed in cold temps can cause buckles, movement and cracks in seams. This sucks especially after it's been painted and partially assembled.
-always check to see if a purchased neck is stright and square before working on it, not after you've spent hours shaping the headstock and laquering.
-never zone out while using screw drivers to assembly a guitar. it's very easy to slip and gouge/dent/scratch paint.
Is it the best guitar ever made? No. Did I use the most expensive gold plated this and that for it? No. But I made it with my own two hands, it plays well and that's all that matters.