My friends build

It's my first build for a local. It's cool that he can see first hand how it's going.
I didn't take as many pics since he's seen so much but thought this may enjoyed.
 
He has made most all decisions of design and materials.
Neck - Flame maple with Wenge ( maple center) Rosewood fretboard
Body- Mahogany with Spalted Maple top
Vintage tuners, Vintage Tele bridge, Humbucker neck
 
I prepped the bookmatched Spalted Maple to be joined.

Located placement on Mahogany- there was another small knot
to miss on backside.
 
Used double stick tape and routered neck pocket-notice the top is
larger than the body to be trimmed later.
 
At this time the neck has to have fit- if not, no reason to continue.
Neck fit perfectly. Center-line is checked from head to tail with straight-line.
This check has to be right-on...you sure don't want the strings running off the fretboard.
 
No reason to stop...do all router work.
 
What is not shown:
Once the cavities are routered then the top is removed and wire channels are routered.
In the last two pics the top has been glued to the body and trimmed.
Takes some effort to assure line-up and good clamping. Sure don't want to see gaps, glue lines
or anything between the two.
There is a channel from the bridge pup cavity to where the bridge will mount. I'll drill a small hole
in top to the channel ( I know where the channel is) for the bridge ground wire.
 
Since the photos I've rounded the edges (top and back). That completes all router work and the
neck can be attached anytime. I prefer to wait until sanding on top to @ 220 grit is done. Just easier
with neck not in the way.
 
Most all the neck work to this stage didn't have pics taken. I wanted to get it done so no time was
spent other than building it.
It will be carved after it's attached. The frets are leveled and crowned but I'll polish sometime during
final assembly of all hardware.
 
Next? ... he wants a body relief. I'll carve that next and then sand it in prep to attach the neck.
 
The bridge pup I wound and built like Fender did in the 50's and hit 6.4 kohms- the HB I wound to
much like a Burstbucker and hit 7.6 kohms....target was 7.4
I'm not happy with the bobbins I purchased for the HB. They have hair-line scratches and look used
to me. I may have to wind another....maybe hit my target lol.
 

Hope you enjoy! I skipped a lot of steps so feel free to ask if you any questions.
 
Mike
 

Really looks awesome.

Always a pleasure to see these builds.

Thank you Jan and Rain.
 
That is great to hear Craig! For you both and hope you update with details.
 
Thank you Wookiee and Mike.
 
 

 
The chainsaw always makes the voice over hard to understand.
 
Maybe a booklet?

Alright, another guitar build thread. I will be following this one through to the end. Very interesting to follow your processes Spacey.

SteveStrummerUK

spacey
I have supplied a booklet, that I think is very nice, to every person that I've built for.
 

The book was simply the icing on the cake for me Mike.
 
Although I kept all the photos you sent me as Ruby was being created, the book made everything even more special to me.
 
A touch of class from a genuinely classy guy
 
 

Been working all day and find this...man I'm almost embarrassed.
I appreciate the kind words.
 
Tony wants a "tummy" relief so I carved it out and did clean-up sanding- prep to glue neck on.
Just got it glued so tomorrow I'll post a pic or two.
Yes I could have easily made it a bolt on but I like to carve the neck into the body. Just feels
better playing and it does look good IMO.
 
 
 
 
 

She's going to be a beauty when she's done.

This is going to be gorgeous. I am dying to know what the finished color is going to be; something transparent I hope to show off that beautiful wood grain.

excellent

Over the top!
 
Do you have an uncle named Don?
 
:-)

It looks like your usual high-quality work.  Nice job.  

*Drool!*

Completely blown away!  Great job.  Love the grain patterns. 
 
Rimshot