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
 

It looks like your usual high-quality work.  I'm sure it will sound as good as it looks.  

Really looks awesome.

Noice!
 
I just found out two days ago that my luthier friend is starting to work on my next custom again.  It's only been about a five year(!) hiatus for both of us.

Always a pleasure to see these builds.

 
The wood selections look top notch.
 
The workmanship looks smart and clean.
 
Thanks for sharing the photos.
 
best regards,
mike

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.
 
 

Beautiful work Mike, and as always, absolutely fascinating to read about.
 
Have you ever considered making a video of certain parts of the construction process? I'd love to see the master craftsman at work
 
Or would you be in danger of giving away too many trade secrets
 
 

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

Thank you Steve.
I did make a video of winding a pickup showcasing the winder I had made and still use.
I posted it but I had mixed a few DP tunes to have fun showing "speed"...which was a wrong thing
to do so I took it down. I know Jon got to see...he thought the music for the "speed" trip was great LOL.
 
"Trade Secrets"...interesting in that I guess I look at it much like playing a guitar. We all use the same notes
but manage to keep our identity so you understand why I see no danger in sharing.
I do believe the biggest issue would be to have somebody filming. Ya got to move with the punches lol.
Since my wife doesn't hang in my workshop...if I run into somebody that wants to film a build I think it would
be a very fun trip.
I will give a static some thought Steve.
 
LOL Mike....
I have supplied a booklet, that I think is very nice, to every person that I've built for. If it's not- they at least know
I tried.