I'm glad you posted these new pics. The first images made me wonder where you were going to put the pick-ups, the fretboard went so far into the body.
I thought, this will be the highest-playing guitar ever!

Got the wood bent for the head and didn't like the rosewood fretboard
with it. So made an Ebony one.
Guess I should order some tuners and bridge. 
Well it was a fun day in the shop. Hope everybody had a good one.

Greg I'm wondering the same thing....and I'm suppose to know! 


Thanks Mike.

 

Lookin beautiful 

Thank you Karyn.

Mike I couldn't copy a photo for some reason but here it is with info.

It sure is nice knowing that the hole is exactly has it is suppose to be and
won't be causing any issues....and such a nice clean precise one. I'm very picky
and the cost has been justified.

Drool

I finally received the bridge and all the missing pieces so
things should start coming together pretty quick.

I'm trying to determine the best way for me to do all the router
work. Much different than how I handled a neck-through. I'm
thinking I'll make that determination tomorrow and make the cuts.

Once all the cavities are there I'll hit a comfort zone. Routers scare the
hell out of me.

LOL Steve.....me too. I'm especially excited to see how the woods start
showing off when I carve the neck. And you're the reason I went with gold!

Thanks Craig. Yeah there's alway that part...man that is where it gets tuff.
Just when you think it's right...you find out you're not even close LOL.

What are you going to use for grain filler on the face of the headstock? I hear they make a clear synthetic filler that looks good under a clearcoat. I'd likely wimp out and give it an oil finish. It's going to be a stunner when it's done Spacey. Zebra wood has that stained Ash vibe. It gets to be custom and traditional at the same time. Well played.

John that is a very good question.
I'll stain some micro poly resin and test on scrap.
I'll also be asking some luthiers because this
is my first round with Wenge.

I have to deal with it on the back of head and neck too.

If it's go with stained filler then it's somewhat of a hassle. It needs
to be kept off the maple. Been there, just different woods.
I know I want it slick. I don't want to feel the grain. It'll be like
glass before I apply the oil finish.

Thank you Craig.

Enjoying morning coffee before getting into the Turkey day so decided to
show how the routering went and what I decided to do.

I decided to go with the P-90s I wound.

Also decided to inlay the cover to the control
cavity and on the backside.


Now I can move to the neck again. Get the gold pearl
fret and side marker dots in- sand fretboard to ready for
finish and install the frets.

Before glueing the top plate I'll take care of the path
for the bridge ground wire.
I'll also decide if I'm going with the conventional way of
the output jack. If so I won't drill for that until top is on.

Coffee's cold...gotsta go.

Fretmarkers and side markers in.
I like to get the fretboard ready for frets
before doing the sidemarkers.
Prepping the fretboard changes the thickness
and I don't want the side markers in if that needs to happen.



After the sidemarkers black super glue sets I'll just semi-flush to
fretboard edge. I won't deal with getting pretty until after the
frets are in.

I don't use a jig. I find centers with digital calipers and hand drill.
Those markers aren't very thick so depth of hole I judge by amount
of wood removed. I seldom go to deep but it's not bad to deal with
if the inlay isn't in...just add a little dust. Sure don't want a sunken
marker.


Well I may to get to install some frets this evening too. I'm excited...
it's going good and getting a lot done. If I get the frets in today then
I can assemble the pieces tomorrow. Major milestone if all goes well
and I get there lol.

By the views I think some folks are enjoying this...I hope so. Whatever
they've done to Photobucket my computer sure doesn't like and posting
photos as become a job.

I have been smelling turkey all day....turkey and wood...seems to be a great
combination :)

Did you say "black super glue"?

Never heard of it before.

Thanks for the link.


:-)


Happy Thanksgiving!

This is really cool stuff Spacey; I have always been fascinated with guitar building.  I have done quite a bit of wood working in my life, but have really never had the guts to attempt anything like this.  I manage 10-18 carpenters in my day job and we have 2 cnc routers at work.  I have always thought it would be cool to program up a guitar body and give it a wirl.

Thank you Greg. I appreciate the kudos .
 
Mike I wouldn't mind learning how to program CNC for wood and metal. Maybe someday.
 
 
 
 
 
Trimmed the fat.

LOL...thanks Jon.

My first build was a Strat style for myself. When I was finished pressing in the frets and looked
down the fretboard I thought it was amazing how straight it was...I've looked down a lot of necks
and that surprised me.
I later read other luthiers talking...if the fretboard/neck is straight then pressing the frets in there
may be very little if any leveling needed.
I can see how pressing can be a much better method than hammering for some.

I also glue them in. They could still be replaced...just needs to be heated first.



With them pressed I went ahead and assembled.


I decided to put a wood veneer inbetween the Zebra top and body.
You may notice a small dent on the back edge. It was a metal stop on
my table saw that got it. Luckily it's right where I'll be rounding the edge.

That is one of the hardest things about building- not putting a dent. I have
had success in steaming out small ones. Saved a build that way.

Well that about does it until it's finished.
I know Craig wanted to see how I carve the neck...I just don't know how to
show that. I use a file and it's a long tedious process.
Most everything from here on out is what anybody would do by assembling a kit so
no reason to post anything else unless somebody requests to see
something.
If not I'll post some pics of it finished and maybe a sound clip if it plays.

Hope it's been fun for ya'll.
Michael