Grady Martin Doubleneck

[Ike57]

Originally Posted by customxke

Thanks a bunch! I'm going to experiment with amber shellac as a grain filler.

I doubt if amber shellac will have enough color to match the original color (that is if you want it to match). If necessary you could always add some extra color to the shellac.

I love your project. In due time I want to build a Bigsby BY-50 modell. Just because it's such a weird shape
Working on the plans now using the tutorial Guitarnut made on this forum.

But, have to make a couple of teles first

[customxke]

Bullseye's Amber shellac is giving me the color I want. These guitars were very slightly honey colored when new, so I don't want it to be yellow until its good and old, worn and checked, and after a few songs have come out of it. Make sure and post your Bigsby when you get it built!

[customxke]

One headstock has a walnut laminate. Baby steps.

[Ike57]

Nice. Take you time ... (I can hardly wait )

Have you decided what you're going to put on the headstock (if any). Normally I don't like someone putting "Fender" or "Gibson" or whatever on a homemade guitar but it this case I feel there should be "Bigsby" on the headstock using the original font.

For historical reasons that is!

Any news re the pickups yet?

[customxke]

I couldn't decide on what to put on the headstock. There's enough variances in the way I'm building this to make it "not a Bigsby"....so I may just leave it blank. Its up in the air. I ordered pickups a few weeks ago...I was told it'll be a couple of months. I probably won't do much on this until then. I'm also in the process of moving my workshop. I'll post when I've got some more done!

[studysession]

WOW! Looks awesome - thanks for posting

[OldSkool]

Are you still waiting for the pups? I found this thread halfway thru and am now on tenterhooks waiting to see the finished product. This was a fantastic idea and you were very brave (and skilled, obviously!) to tackle it. Really, really cool.

[Greg M]

Just found this thread and I'm loving it. Always thought this design was so funky and this is the first time I've seen a build attempted. Hope it's going well.

[customxke]

Still waiting for pickups. Hopefully soon!!

[spook69]

Great thread thanks for posting.

[Ike57]

Originally Posted by customxke

Still waiting for pickups. Hopefully soon!!

Glad I subscribed to this thread. Didn't want to miss the final results

[jakaj]

One day, when I have see many a post by master builders such as you - I will attempt a tele double-neck 4/6 :) - meanwhile all I can do is watch and learn - I really like the tortoise binding - very well and precisely done :) - thank yo for this post, it is much appreciated.

[customxke]

Thanks for the kind words so far everyone. Got some correct-ish Dakaware knobs in the mail today.

[OldSkool]

Those really do like right! - good score!

I'd hope I'm not the only one wondering: are you gong to hang on to this puppy, or offer it for sale?

[customxke]

Originally Posted by OldSkool

Those really do like right! - good score!

I'd hope I'm not the only one wondering: are you gong to hang on to this puppy, or offer it for sale?

I plan on keeping this one for myself.

[knuckles123]

Do you know how thick bigsby made his electric guitars? In pictures they seem thinner than 1.75".Thanks

Mark

[Ike57]

Originally Posted by knuckles123

Do you know how thick bigsby made his electric guitars? In pictures they seem thinner than 1.75".Thanks

Mark

The Bigsby Prototypes are 2 inches (50.8 mm) thick. As these were made after the original Bigsbys I guess that would be the correct thickness.

[knuckles123]

So the Merle Travis is 2"?

[Ike57]

Don't know about the double neck. These were all custom made guitars, maybe they don't all have the same thickness.

But my guess is that, in general, the Bigsby guitars were 2" based on the specifics of the Prototypes. They are chambered to cut on weight.

[customxke]

The Bigsby "prototypes" made by Gretsch bear little in common with actual P.A. Bigsby built guitars. The 3 actual Bigsby guitars I've handled were considerably thinner than 2". Possibly 1.5 or 1.75 inches.