My First Build - Full of NOOB (and pics)

endo · 09-22-2011, 06:38 PM

Hey guys. So, short and simple: I've been browsing the luthiery forums for almost a month and have been slowly gathering materials to start my build. This is what I've got so far:

7 String
27.5" Scale
24 Frets
Macassar Ebony fingerboard
Neckthru
Spalted Maple for the top

That's about it for right now. I've got an idea on what hardware I'll be using i.e. Hipshot hardtail for a bridge. I'm at a loss for what wood(s) I want to use for the rest of the body, or even the neck. I'm going to go with a 5 piece laminate for the neck, I know that...I've also got a couple mock up drawings (not to scale) of what I'm going for as far as a body and head piece. I'll be doing a picture story in this thread when I eventually get to the wood working part.

Pictures:

Spalted Maple Top 1

Spalted Maple Top 2

Guitar Body Idea 1

Guitar Headstock

Anyways, I was wondering what input you guys had, thoughts or ideas (as far as wood choice goes). I've already got the spalted top, so that position is filled!

Thanks and I am very open to constructive criticism. Also, the drawing of the guitar body is not to scale, but the headstock is approximately to scale. I tried, but I fail sometimes.

HaMMerHeD · 09-22-2011, 06:43 PM

I like that body shape a lot.

For a body wood, I'd go with an Ash blank to go with that spalted maple. I'd also put an ebony or some other black veneer between the two, for an accent.

For the neck, maple is always a good choice. It can be easily laminated with purpleheart, walnut, mahogany, or rosewood. It depends on what kind of color scheme you want with this. I'd go with walnut or rosewood, if it were my build.

endo · 09-22-2011, 06:47 PM

Thanks! I updated the specs and added that it'll have 24 frets and a macassar ebony fingerboard.

SirMyghin · 09-22-2011, 07:44 PM

Have you ever built before? If not you might want to consider not using the fancy wood straight off. You are going to make mistakes.

endo · 09-22-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirMyghin

Have you ever built before? If not you might want to consider not using the fancy wood straight off. You are going to make mistakes.

I have not built a guitar before, though I am semi-experienced in wood working. I am aware there will be mistakes, but I also don`t want to build anything less than awesome and have a junk wood guitar body laying around the shop that`s not being used. That being said, my plan is to do a mock up out of junk wood for each piece, until I gain some confidence and then reproduce my (hopefully) good results on the preferable wood. That way I can make my mistakes and get `em out of my system and go right into the good stuff.

Mysticlamp · 09-22-2011, 08:09 PM

nothing but respect for ya dude, i browsed this forum for a while and all i've had the balls to do yet is strip a guitar and refinish it

skeels · 09-22-2011, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo

I have not built a guitar before, though I am semi-experienced in wood working. I am aware there will be mistakes, but I also don`t want to build anything less than awesome and have a junk wood guitar body laying around the shop that`s not being used. That being said, my plan is to do a mock up out of junk wood for each piece, until I gain some confidence and then reproduce my (hopefully) good results on the preferable wood. That way I can make my mistakes and get `em out of my system and go right into the good stuff.

Sounds like a good plan! Can't wait to see the results- and I also like your body shape- very original.

HaMMerHeD · 09-22-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo

I have not built a guitar before, though I am semi-experienced in wood working. I am aware there will be mistakes, but I also don`t want to build anything less than awesome and have a junk wood guitar body laying around the shop that`s not being used. That being said, my plan is to do a mock up out of junk wood for each piece, until I gain some confidence and then reproduce my (hopefully) good results on the preferable wood. That way I can make my mistakes and get `em out of my system and go right into the good stuff.

I found that home depot Poplar does a reasonable job of approximating the machinability of maple. Maple is harder, of course, but poplar carves in similar ways, albeit a bit more easily.

I bought a bunch of poplar 1x3s to practice neck carving, and some wider pine planks for body practicing.

scherzo1928 · 09-22-2011, 11:12 PM

Love the body shape!

About the build, all I can say is think of every process you will have to go through to get your guitar. Then think if any of those parts can be simplified. Particularly in regards to joining the top to the laminate and the fingerboard on to the top.

Ironbird · 09-22-2011, 11:13 PM

Nice wood choices, man. I would've chosen spalted maple myself.

As for the body, and if it's not too late, perhaps you can consider incorporating some of the lines that Ron Jarzombek uses for these guitar he made?

scherzo1928 · 09-22-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironbird

As for the body, and if it's not too late, perhaps you can consider incorporating some of the lines that Ron Jarzombek uses for these guitar he made?

Personally, I'm liking endo's design a LOT better than that axe.

Swyse · 09-22-2011, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scherzo1928

Personally, I'm liking endo's design a LOT better than that axe.

+1 endo's design is in fact the business.

musikizlife · 09-22-2011, 11:39 PM

Body shape kinda reminds me of these:
Sue

but in its own unique way! Points for being original!

Wood choices seem sweet as well, i wish you luck!

Stealthdjentstic · 09-23-2011, 12:10 AM

Looks good man, psyched to see this get going.

endo · 09-23-2011, 03:28 AM

HaMMerHeD, Mysticlamp, skeels, scherzo1928, Swyze, Stealthtastic: Thank you all for your input! Ya'll have no idea how stoked I am that you like my design!

HaMMerHeD: Thanks for the advice! Home Depot will be the start of my day this Saturday.

Ironbird: Thanks for the possible inspiration, but I'm trying to stick to something that I came up with on my own for my first build, kinda from the heart, ya know? Especially since I'll be using it. Which leads me to...

muzikizlife: Damn you for showing me a guitar that is similar to something I thought I created! Ha ha! I am so damn peculiar and OCD that I thought for a nanosecond about completely redesigning it! Thankfully, everyone (including you) says it's pretty original, so I got over it.

Again, thanks everyone for your input, I'll definitely be referencing what everyone has to say in the future. I can't wait to get started!

-endo

Pikka Bird · 09-23-2011, 06:38 AM

I like your designs a lot, but I think the strings will fan out in a rather odd fashion on that headstock. Maybe you should skew it a little to the treble side.

BlackMastodon · 09-23-2011, 08:40 AM

This should be awesome man! I love that design too, maybe consider ziricote fretboard?

ShadowFactoryX · 09-23-2011, 10:14 AM

I think the body shape is killer, I designed one similar about two years ago.
Never got around to getting it done though.

endo · 09-23-2011, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikka Bird

I like your designs a lot, but I think the strings will fan out in a rather odd fashion on that headstock. Maybe you should skew it a little to the treble side.

I checked the headstock with a ruler, ha ha, I figured out what you meant...so my response is: the only permanent part of the headstock is drawn in pen. I am going to adjust the placement of the pegholes so the strings are a straight shot to the nut, I just wanted to see what it looked like .... with holes ...

As far as the ziricote goes, I'm pretty set on having some ebony on this guitar. It's my favorite wood for fingerboards.

Yay for guitar making!

aWoodenShip · 09-23-2011, 12:53 PM

SPALTED MAPLE. PHACK. (this is my subscription)

BlackMastodon · 09-23-2011, 05:47 PM

Almost forgot: make lots of templates!!

SirMyghin · 09-23-2011, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by endo

I have not built a guitar before, though I am semi-experienced in wood working. I am aware there will be mistakes, but I also don`t want to build anything less than awesome and have a junk wood guitar body laying around the shop that`s not being used. That being said, my plan is to do a mock up out of junk wood for each piece, until I gain some confidence and then reproduce my (hopefully) good results on the preferable wood. That way I can make my mistakes and get `em out of my system and go right into the good stuff.

Their are plenty of awesome guitars out there without exotic woods, however if you screw up on spalt at least you removed some spalt maple from the world. Damn I hate that stuff

Something with mistakes will also not be awesome by default. You build out of 'junk wood' for the practice to not make those mistakes.

Good luck. The real expertise in woodworking is in HOW QUICKLY you can do it. Master's are much faster than people learning, so if you take your time you should be able to turn good results, but it will be slowly going.

endo · 09-24-2011, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirMyghin

Their are plenty of awesome guitars out there without exotic woods, however if you screw up on spalt at least you removed some spalt maple from the world. Damn I hate that stuff

Something with mistakes will also not be awesome by default. You build out of 'junk wood' for the practice to not make those mistakes.

Good luck. The real expertise in woodworking is in HOW QUICKLY you can do it. Master's are much faster than people learning, so if you take your time you should be able to turn good results, but it will be slowly going.

Thanks for the words! If I may ask, what is it you dislike about spalted maple tops? I think they look rather "evili-ish" and should go well with the design!

I am working on drawing a full size body stencil and will be taking a picture of it over the wood to see what I shall see, then I'll post it and ya'll can see what yee shall see!

-endo

flo · 09-24-2011, 03:45 AM

That's a nice looking body! Kind of like the evil sister of a PRS custom

One thing you should check is the that the tip of the upper horn is (roughly) at the 12th fret to avoid balance issues.

Best of luck with your build, I looooove when people make their own designs!

endo · 09-24-2011, 08:54 AM

Spent all day yesterday drawing the body to scale....then I cut it out and put my top under it!

This one is the top natural:

This is the top with a small amount of water rubbed in to see it darkened:

If you look close, the upper horn is a bit above the 12th fret. My next step is to cut out a template of the body shape out of cheap wood to use as a stencil when I get ready to actually cut. Looks pretty good to me! There will be small adjustments on the wood template.

-endo

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09-22-2011, 06:38 PM	#1
endo SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 164 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My First Build - Full of NOOB (and pics) Hey guys. So, short and simple: I've been browsing the luthiery forums for almost a month and have been slowly gathering materials to start my build. This is what I've got so far: 7 String 27.5" Scale 24 Frets Macassar Ebony fingerboard Neckthru Spalted Maple for the top That's about it for right now. I've got an idea on what hardware I'll be using i.e. Hipshot hardtail for a bridge. I'm at a loss for what wood(s) I want to use for the rest of the body, or even the neck. I'm going to go with a 5 piece laminate for the neck, I know that...I've also got a couple mock up drawings (not to scale) of what I'm going for as far as a body and head piece. I'll be doing a picture story in this thread when I eventually get to the wood working part. Pictures: Spalted Maple Top 1 Spalted Maple Top 2 Guitar Body Idea 1 Guitar Headstock Anyways, I was wondering what input you guys had, thoughts or ideas (as far as wood choice goes). I've already got the spalted top, so that position is filled! Thanks and I am very open to constructive criticism. Also, the drawing of the guitar body is not to scale, but the headstock is approximately to scale. I tried, but I fail sometimes. scherzo1928 likes this.

09-22-2011, 07:44 PM	#4
SirMyghin The Dirt Guy Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Anywhere but here. Posts: 7,157 Thanked: 41 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Have you ever built before? If not you might want to consider not using the fancy wood straight off. You are going to make mistakes. Guitar techs are for sissies. Learn some damn music theory, don't complain, and you'll be a better person. -Schecterwhore Show me a truly awesome guitar for under $1000 and I'll show you hateful lies.

09-22-2011, 08:09 PM	#6
Mysticlamp Ripplesprint Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Jersy/FL Posts: 533 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	nothing but respect for ya dude, i browsed this forum for a while and all i've had the balls to do yet is strip a guitar and refinish it endo likes this.

09-22-2011, 11:12 PM	#9
scherzo1928 has wood for you Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mexico City Posts: 4,698 Thanked: 33 $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ $scherzo1928 is rather kvlt and tr00. \m/$ Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Love the body shape! About the build, all I can say is think of every process you will have to go through to get your guitar. Then think if any of those parts can be simplified. Particularly in regards to joining the top to the laminate and the fingerboard on to the top. Is this... guitar?

Today
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09-22-2011, 06:43 PM	#2
HaMMerHeD Bass Player in Exile Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Norman, OK Posts: 991 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I like that body shape a lot. For a body wood, I'd go with an Ash blank to go with that spalted maple. I'd also put an ebony or some other black veneer between the two, for an accent. For the neck, maple is always a good choice. It can be easily laminated with purpleheart, walnut, mahogany, or rosewood. It depends on what kind of color scheme you want with this. I'd go with walnut or rosewood, if it were my build.

09-22-2011, 06:47 PM	#3
endo SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 164 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks! I updated the specs and added that it'll have 24 frets and a macassar ebony fingerboard.

09-22-2011, 11:13 PM	#10
Ironbird B.C. Rich Maniac Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: KL, Malaysia Posts: 1,370 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Nice wood choices, man. I would've chosen spalted maple myself. As for the body, and if it's not too late, perhaps you can consider incorporating some of the lines that Ron Jarzombek uses for these guitar he made? Leave no stone unturned until I'm done.

09-22-2011, 11:39 PM	#13
musikizlife TCM Softhands Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Monmouth, NJ Posts: 702 Thanked: 14 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Body shape kinda reminds me of these: Sue but in its own unique way! Points for being original! Wood choices seem sweet as well, i wish you luck! endo likes this. S906#4!! http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/sta...at-am-56k.html My Soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/you/tracks

09-23-2011, 12:10 AM	#14
Stealthdjentstic Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canadia Posts: 19,969 Thanked: 338 Feedback Score: 10 reviews	Looks good man, psyched to see this get going. endo likes this.

09-23-2011, 03:28 AM	#15
endo SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 164 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	HaMMerHeD, Mysticlamp, skeels, scherzo1928, Swyze, Stealthtastic: Thank you all for your input! Ya'll have no idea how stoked I am that you like my design! HaMMerHeD: Thanks for the advice! Home Depot will be the start of my day this Saturday. Ironbird: Thanks for the possible inspiration, but I'm trying to stick to something that I came up with on my own for my first build, kinda from the heart, ya know? Especially since I'll be using it. Which leads me to... muzikizlife: Damn you for showing me a guitar that is similar to something I thought I created! Ha ha! I am so damn peculiar and OCD that I thought for a nanosecond about completely redesigning it! Thankfully, everyone (including you) says it's pretty original, so I got over it. Again, thanks everyone for your input, I'll definitely be referencing what everyone has to say in the future. I can't wait to get started! -endo Stealthdjentstic likes this.

09-23-2011, 06:38 AM	#16
Pikka Bird SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Odense; Denmark Posts: 1,175 Thanked: 5 / 1 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	I like your designs a lot, but I think the strings will fan out in a rather odd fashion on that headstock. Maybe you should skew it a little to the treble side. scherzo1928 likes this.

09-23-2011, 08:40 AM	#17
BlackMastodon \m/ (ﾟДﾟ) \m/ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 3,216 Thanked: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	This should be awesome man! I love that design too, maybe consider ziricote fretboard? "Metal is for Vikings; if you're not a Viking, get off the boat." - The Beard "He doesn't even like Metallica, that's how metal he is." - My friend describing my musical tastes to her friends.

09-23-2011, 10:14 AM	#18
ShadowFactoryX OMNIHILITY Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 2,281 Thanked: 28 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I think the body shape is killer, I designed one similar about two years ago. Never got around to getting it done though. I like my guitar tone like I like my women, perfect rounded bottom end, cut in the mid section, heavy on the top end, and super tight. Omnium - Atmospheric/Trance/Ambient

09-23-2011, 12:53 PM	#20
aWoodenShip Great Job, Jeremy. Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Marietta, Ga Posts: 265 Thanked: 17 / 1 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	SPALTED MAPLE. PHACK. (this is my subscription) endo likes this.

09-23-2011, 05:47 PM	#21
BlackMastodon \m/ (ﾟДﾟ) \m/ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 3,216 Thanked: 12 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Almost forgot: make lots of templates!! "Metal is for Vikings; if you're not a Viking, get off the boat." - The Beard "He doesn't even like Metallica, that's how metal he is." - My friend describing my musical tastes to her friends.

09-24-2011, 03:45 AM	#24
flo Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lautern, Germany Posts: 912 Thanked: 22 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That's a nice looking body! Kind of like the evil sister of a PRS custom One thing you should check is the that the tip of the upper horn is (roughly) at the 12th fret to avoid balance issues. Best of luck with your build, I looooove when people make their own designs! scherzo1928 likes this. Guitar building project Eightstring Custombuild

09-24-2011, 08:54 AM	#25
endo SS.org Regular Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 164 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Spent all day yesterday drawing the body to scale....then I cut it out and put my top under it! This one is the top natural: This is the top with a small amount of water rubbed in to see it darkened: If you look close, the upper horn is a bit above the 12th fret. My next step is to cut out a template of the body shape out of cheap wood to use as a stencil when I get ready to actually cut. Looks pretty good to me! There will be small adjustments on the wood template. -endo daemon barbeque and BlackMastodon like this.

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