1st time Build , T-style Ulysses

Hey Everyone,
I've been a member for while but haven't commented or posted anything until now.
The following is my first build but definitely not the last. I've learned a lot from everyone on the forums here and I will put what I've learned so far into this thread.
The pics are all from my phone but when I get this guitar completely finished I'll get better pics and a video up.

 

Ok so first thing I did was cut MOP and Abalone for some inlay

 

Got a huge plank of Sapele for the back (backs). I ordered some flamed alder that I should get 2 guitar tops out of after resawing.
Also got some Irish Ash for further builds.

 

Next up get a router sled built for Thicknessing
The wood is rough sawn so needs to be tidied.

 

Picked this invaluable tool up in a second hand shop for €20 - very cheap.

 

Messing around in the shop - made this little Bluetooth speaker because I need music while I work.

 

Made two templates using T-Downs blueprints (TY) they could be a bit thicker but they will do. One is ply and the other is mdf about 1/4".
Also clamped up some of the thicknessed Sapele.

 

Ty fret man - I've actually got most of this build done but I want to write this thread in sequence.
More coming very very soon.

 

Drilled out 1st Sepele Guitar Blank for the back. I'll be thicknessing and clamping more body blanks while I'm at this stage of the build.



Clamped up 2nd sepele back.



Thicknessed and clamped up some Irish Ash - its hard as nails and is well thick enough for a 2 piece guitar body



Drill out 2nd Sapele back

 

Time to get my coping saw arm limbered up


1st sepele back and...
All 3 sepele backs lined up- starting to look like guitars yet?
These all need tops yet.


First Ash body cut with the coping saw - slow going.



All 5 body blanks cut out. I just thought it would be good practice for my first time to do a lot of thicknessing, edging and clamping up. I used the router, small drill press and coping saw (phew) to get to this stage.

 

Got some 1 & 2mm square sterling silver wire and a bit of round 4mm - plan is to have sterling silver inlay in the back of the guitar (or wherever)


Practice on some sapele scrap - not great - first time stabbing the wood and I didn't have a round nose pliers or even a small hammer

 

hey Flat 5
it was Green Abalone and white mother of pearl blanks that I got online. Did some designs and cut it out with the piercing saw and cleaned up with different small diamond files. Shell was delivered from the UK - can't get any shell delivered from US to here in Ireland

 

The good old homemade router table with a flush trim bit and 2 Sapele Tele's.



A Nice big chunk ripped off and flew across the room while flush trimming. Found it, glued it, chisel it, second pass flush trim it and sand it. Delighted should be fine.

 

Ash pieces inserted into router table - The screws holding the router kept vibrating straight out of the MDF which made for scary routing.

 

Ordered ironstone-custom telecaster-5-way-set

 

The Neck I will be using (I will make a neck on my next build hopefully), Ashtray Bridge cover for when the Guitar is in its case and a choice of T-style bridges.

 

Other stuff I'm using. The Jack input is for a lespaul but I'll be flattening it out a tad with a belt of a hammer and block of wood.

 

The neck in real life - pretty nice
I got Flamed alder and brought it to local jointer who resawed it and bookmatched it for me as I don't have a Bandsaw yet.

They look good - flame is subtle I'm not staining these tops just french polishing with shellac. I'll be bookmatch glueing using the acoustic guitar technique.


Roundover on 1 sapele back