On your mark...get set..

I thought I'd share my friends build from the very start for you all.
 
He is a vocalist/guitarist and a club owner that his band plays at when he wants.
They are a true southern rock/country band.
 
His desire is a Tele with Tele bridge pup and neck humbucker with a coil splitter.
Mahogany body, Spalted Maple top, birdseye fretboard.
He doesn't know yet but I've located and hope to receive some birdseye lumber for the neck.
My preference is a Mahogany and Maple laminated neck but it's a decision he must make. I need to have
all the wood on hand for him to select from.
 
Planning the build and choosing material is just great fun. One may save regrets by having
a pretty solid idea.
There are choices made that will determine construction so "mid-stream" changes can be costly.
So with that- one may ask, "why a birdseye fretboard if the neck is birdseye too?"...after all, one could
build that as one piece. My reasoning for this build is that I don't want to install the truss-rod from the
back of neck that would also require the "skunk-stripe" filler. I want it to have a double-action rod too.
Since it will be a set-neck should it acquire backbow all isn't lost.
 
I had some bookmatched spalted Maple and that was his choice after picking through many select choices of various woods.
I ordered and received the African Mahogany that he has yet to see and approve. It is very light and just a wonderful
block. Two very small knots and the layout placement seen in the photo avoids both.
 
So, I jointed the edges, glued and sanded the bookmatch pieces together and traced layout so he could approve. It was
his choice that the spalt be at the butt end.
 
I hand cut the fret slots- 25.5" scale length. I hope nothing happens to the wood- it's not thick enough to workout any damage and if it gets a dent...replace is only option.
 
After his approval I will continue. Confirmation on pups and controls will have to be confirmed before continueing.
Until then...I don't plan on improving my photography skills so hope these do. :)
 

 
 
 

Another superb guitar in the making.

Love Mahogany, my preference for body and neck. 

"Got wood?"

Yes.  Yes, he does. 

 Looks like the fun has just begun.

  I am impressed Spacey.....if you get the time can you work on a free energy solution? I think you might just be the man to make that work.

Looks nice!

Curious about how you'll be dealing with the spalt and any of the potential stability issues one tends to hear about with it.

Drew I've heard that below 14% or so moisture and the mold is dorment. This being about 6% I'm not concerned. I believe with the oil seal and oil finish it will be fine.
Since it is spalted I did think of adding some hardner but I'm not. It taps very well and really not that much spalting to the overall piece.
First run with it though if ya have some tips.

I hope you're right Wookiee. It's not a guitar I care to keep so he better love it LOL. Once
I route for the HB...done deal.

LOL, I had a friend that wanted a huge kick drum so he soaked a sheet of plywood in the bay and tried shaping it.

Idiot!

Mike

DRUMS?? sounds like a real beat to me. ar ar...

Drew I guess extreme spalted pieces are soft. I imagine a wood hardner treatment and poly finish would
preserve it fine.
As I mentioned, this is not soft or spalted enough for me to be concerned-that combined
with oil to protect it from moisture and I will predict it lasting as well as any.

Excellent questions Drew.
I'll stick with an oil finish until I paint one. I just can't bring myself to plastic coat one for the shine.

Well that was a trip...my first Humbucker!

I don't know if it will have a cover so I'll wait to pot it. Best to pot
with the cover.
Hot wax will loosen the tape so it'll be wrapped with rubber bands.
I also put a bit of super glue on the tape end.

4 leads rather than two so all the optional hookups are ready.
Has a maple filler rather than plastic. I don't think they could pot the
first ones...would warp the bobbins.

Noice!

Can't make the second (or the 400th) until you've made your first. 

That's the stuff.  Turned out very nice on a fine piece of walnut.

spacey


Don't be going over it as it starts getting tacky quick.  
  

That applies to most of our forum topics too...
 
(Sorry, couldn't resist!  )

I love wood. specially if it's maple.
Nice stuff Spacey.