New build, just a few steps to go

[DrewB]

Maybe it's a midlife crisis, but I'm building a shredder. The body is poplar with the shape borrowed from the Grover-Jackson-designed Washburns from the mid-'90s. The neck is from the first guitar I ever built and is returning to action after 23 years. The Floyd Rose is a recent acquisition and came off a Kramer from the '80s. Now that it's together, I can figure out the placement for the single humbucker and volume control and finish the routing. There was more than a little problem-solving involved in this build (like the jig for routing the locking-nut ledge), which makes it all the more fun when it works out as intended.

[NastyMojo]

That is beautiful :)

[DrewB]

I hope it will be one day! Right now it's sporting all manner of shop funk. The main thing right now is that it feels really good. I hope that it sounds equally good when I get the pickup in it within the next few days.

[ReaL Madras]

Originally Posted by DrewB

Maybe it's a midlife crisis, but I'm building a shredder. The body is poplar with the shape borrowed from the Grover-Jackson-designed Washburns from the mid-'90s. The neck is from the first guitar I ever built and is returning to action after 23 years. The Floyd Rose is a recent acquisition and came off a Kramer from the '80s. Now that it's together, I can figure out the placement for the single humbucker and volume control and finish the routing. There was more than a little problem-solving involved in this build (like the jig for routing the locking-nut ledge), which makes it all the more fun when it works out as intended.

It reminds me of my Ibanez MMM1 like that!

[DrewB]

The rest of the story...

The construction work is done. The test drive through an amp this afternoon says it's bona-fide. I only had a couple of pickups in my parts stash, so it's sporting a Seymour Duncan Antiquity with a magnet from an old broken Gibson P-90. The action is low and fast (1/16" at the 22nd fret) without fret buzz and it sounds pretty full and articulate. It feeds back nice, too! I'll have to take it all apart before long to finish the body, but we're gonna get acquainted for awhile.

[manticus]

Hey there Drew,

Didn't realize you were a member here. I lurk here a lot, lol. So glad the Floyd is working out for you. You're right, it's perfect for this project.

Andy F.

[DrewB]

Hi Andy, I wish you could hear it. It turned out really well, and it's a joy to play. I'll intonate the bridge tomorrow and that'll get rid of the quirkiness on some double-stops. Now to find out if Seymour Duncan makes an Antiquity Trembucker...

[hekawi]

Originally Posted by DrewB

I'll have to take it all apart before long to finish the body

what the heck, i'd just leave her like that. i think it looks pretty bad@$$ just the way it is! (pencil marks and all)

gorgeous.

[Strat62]

Nice job! How are you getting on with that router? I've got one of those and I found the plastic stand/guide assembly to be practically useless.

[DrewB]

I only used that laminate trimmer for the nut ledge, and it worked fine. I did manage to crack the stand by over-tightening it (paranoia) right before I routed the ledge, but it wasn't a problem. I used a CMT pattern bit in it for that rout, but I used my Porter-Cable router for everything else. I figure I'll just fix the plastic base and keep using it. For a $20 power tool, I've been real happy with the laminate trimmer.

[DrewB]

Originally Posted by hekawi

what the heck, i'd just leave her like that. i think it looks pretty bad@$$ just the way it is! (pencil marks and all)

gorgeous.

It's not without its charm like that, I have to admit!

[dog fart]

I think it looks great Drew. All these builds are making me think and that could be trouble.

My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that you didn't post the whole build. FWIW I think it looks tougher 'n nails without a finish

[Andy Summers]

WOW!!! That is sweet! Im so jealous of folks like you!!! Must be a great feeling to play a guitar you made with your own hands!!!!

[DrewB]

I'm ashamed to say I cut out the body a few years ago and then got "distracted," so it sat until about a month ago when I decided to get on with it. I don't have any pics prior to routing the neck pocket. What should I have documented?

It is a great feeling to put together a guitar I can be proud of. I went to GC this afternoon to burn a $10 certificate and played a few "shredders" real quick. I didn't like any of them as well as this one and, for once, they were all set up fairly well.

[idjster]

Very nice build! You make building your own look easy! Nice work!

[Ironbird]

Heh, I think it's pretty badass as it is right now, too! Good work, I like what I'm seeing!

Sent from my HTC Incredible S using TDPRI

[DrewB]

I've decided to leave it in the raw (love the feel!), but I'm going to have to sand it a bit at the next string change to clean it up and smooth it out. I love the oxidized look it has now and don't want to lose that any more than I can get away with. I figure I'll go with an oil finish to seal it. Any suggestions for what to use to darken up the white wood to get back to this look?

[hekawi]

Originally Posted by DrewB

I've decided to leave it in the raw

Yay!!!
it's too cool as is.

[idjster]

Originally Posted by DrewB

I've decided to leave it in the raw (love the feel!), but I'm going to have to sand it a bit at the next string change to clean it up and smooth it out. I love the oxidized look it has now and don't want to lose that any more than I can get away with. I figure I'll go with an oil finish to seal it. Any suggestions for what to use to darken up the white wood to get back to this look?

Great decision. That's a truly wonderful looking body on it!