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View Full Version : latest scratch body build - Explorer with Iceman horn



wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 01:45 AM
Hi, been a while since I've built a scratch body, had a slab of wood leftover from the woodshow so flattened off the edges and glued it, then the decision what shape shall I cut. Had a light bulb moment and thought an explorer with an Iceman horn would look cool, and I have these 2 models so could trace the shape. There's a few dips/holes in the surface but should give the axe character. Will be a wudtone stain I'd say to retain the grain. Does anyone have any idea what type of wood it may be ? We think it could be some type of oak or similar to marri without the dark grain. It cuts pretty easily but weighs a ton, without any routing it weighs at least as much as a mahogany Les Paul.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0331l-2014-01-12-18.08.09.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/v1nc5-bandsaw1.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/h918o-2014-01-12-19.20.22.jpg

wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 01:50 AM
got it sanded to a reasonable level, still a bit more to go but its taking shape. Will probably buy an explorer or Iceman PBG kit for the neck and electronics, got to work out whether the Iceman or Explorer headstock will look better, any preferences Forumites ? I am leaning towards the cool style of the explorer headstock.
Also got a nice gift from Wayne's sister, a new 4D Guitars neon light in the background of the 2nd pic.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/8o2j6-2014-01-12-22.43.19.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/tfp60-2014-01-12-23.38.45.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/5iqc9-2014-01-12-23.43.55.jpg

dingobass
14-01-2014, 02:37 AM
Interesting chunk of tree ya got goin there Woks.. looking at that sap inclusion I reckon you have a chunk of Euchy of some sort... lovin the flame in the bottom section!
Can hardly wait to see this one done :)

wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 02:49 AM
cheers DB, eucalyptus you think, is that normally fairly soft but heavy ? The knock test sounds pretty good (not that I would know !)
Better lift your game DB I've overtaken you in number of posts ! Pest is on my radar next !

pablopepper
14-01-2014, 03:23 AM
Freakin love that shape. Mixes up my two favourite 'pointy' guitar styles. Great stuff Wokka.

wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 03:57 AM
cheers Pablo. Had to modify the shape where your right elbow will rest otherwise its same as the explorer shape.

DanMade
14-01-2014, 04:34 AM
Cool idea Woks. I have no idea what wood that is but it looks good.

As for the headstock, why not make it a real mash up and do a firebird shape. Just an idea.

wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 04:48 AM
thanks for the idea Dan, an tuners upside down firebird headstock would look cool, I'll think about it !

leaning toward explorer kit as the control cavity is simple and only 1 vol/1 tone control.

lawry
14-01-2014, 09:24 AM
Cool shape Wokka, and the sap gap could be quite a feature. And... How do you find the time to do all this building of yours? You sure seem damn prolific!

stan
14-01-2014, 09:38 AM
inspired shape, looks pretty good!

Brendan
14-01-2014, 09:59 AM
Woks - based on the top photos - I'd go newspaper bark ;) . Sorry - had to be said. That said - it's a heck of a nice guitar! May have to take a chunk of wood I've got here down to your cave one day and see what a mess we can make of it!

wokkaboy
14-01-2014, 10:52 AM
@ Lawry/Stan thanks for the comments. Lawry I suppose I make building a priority when I'm not at work, if you have about 4 or 5 projects on the go you just devote a bit of time to each and can give stains and top coats a good 48 hours curing between coats.
@ Brendan any time mate drop over with your chunk of wood, assuming it's around 550mm long x 400mm odd wide should be able to choose any shape you like

wokkaboy
15-01-2014, 12:04 AM
got a bit more sanding done and with the offcuts rubbed some wudtone samples in. Was probably going to do a burst so more than likely hot auburn or cherry flamenco with burning sun or golden rod inner
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/5vbu6-2014-01-14-07.29.55.jpg

Fretworn
15-01-2014, 01:23 AM
http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/17/12437.jpg

Crack out the Conch Girl!!!!!!

wokkaboy
15-01-2014, 01:29 AM
thanks for the idea Fretworn but think I'll pass on conch girl. Paul Gilbert going for some alternative colours in that pic !

Brendan
15-01-2014, 02:32 PM
Wokks - maybe Amaranthine / Conch burst - someone's gotta do it... :)

wokkaboy
16-01-2014, 12:51 AM
thanks for the tips Brendan but I saw Gavmeister's HB-4 done by DB in conch/amaranthine and it didn't float my boat - the boat sunk !

Fretworn
16-01-2014, 01:23 AM
Have you decided on the headstock yet? I think an asymetrical 3-a-side like the iceman, or a modified version of it would work best. I'm not convinced the Explorer headstock would work best.

wokkaboy
16-01-2014, 01:46 AM
Hey Fretworn, still undecided on the neck/headstock I'll use, the iceman headstock shape did look good, I'd have to make up a template for the control cavity. Best thing to do is to photograph both headstocks and ask for opinions. I like the idea of having 2 vol/2 tone (Iceman) over 1 vol/1 tone (explorer)

Gavin1393
16-01-2014, 02:14 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on January 15, 2014, 09:51
thanks for the tips Brendan but I saw Gavmeister's HB-4 done by DB in conch/amaranthine and it didn't float my boat - the boat sunk !

Gee, Woks! DB was so proud of his efforts and it's my favourite Fretless Bass. He is going to be so hurt that you don't like it.

wokkaboy
16-01-2014, 02:17 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Gavin1393 on January 15, 2014, 11:14

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on January 15, 2014, 09:51
thanks for the tips Brendan but I saw Gavmeister's HB-4 done by DB in conch/amaranthine and it didn't float my boat - the boat sunk !

Gee, Woks! DB was so proud of his efforts and it's my favourite Fretless Bass. He is going to be so hurt that you don't like it.

I bet Gav its your ONLY fretless bass you own so it must be your favourite !

Gavin1393
16-01-2014, 02:53 AM
Yeah, you got me.... :(

wokkaboy
21-01-2014, 02:30 AM
got a bit more done on the Iceplorer, cut off the length for the neck pocket and got both neck and bridge pup routes done. Forgot how stressful using a router is ! Scored an explorer neck off DB so next step is to route the neck pocket, then can work out where the bridge and tailpiece bush holes will go.
Then have to make a template for the control cavity, they are pretty simple 'sausage' shape on the explorer, similar shape to the tele template I'm using that got half destroyed from the wrong router height on an old job !
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/sw05j-2014-01-19-17.41.52.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/py2sn-2014-01-19-18.05.06.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/96dr3-2014-01-19-18.50.09.jpg

wokkaboy
21-01-2014, 02:37 AM
here's a few more pics showing how it looks with the explorer neck. Lined up my face nicely in the reflection of the pickup !
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1f2hr-2014-01-19-18.50.33.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/4hxd3-2014-01-19-18.51.48.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/x79w9-2014-01-19-18.50.53.jpg

Brendan
21-01-2014, 10:00 AM
Looking good Woks. (The guitar I mean).

wokkaboy
24-01-2014, 03:24 PM
Got the neck pocket routed tonight and the hole drilled from neck to bridge pup cavity. Next step is to locate bridge and tailpiece bush holes and drill them, then route control cavity and drill output jack hole, then should be ready for a final sand before staining begins. Colours to be decided yet
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/96tu4-2014-01-23-20.55.31.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/f6h9d-2014-01-23-20.59.41.jpg

lawry
24-01-2014, 09:04 PM
That's going to look very swish with the timber as it is. I also think you have far too much patience.
It's a pity you can't lock in your image on the pup. How cool would that be!

wokkaboy
29-01-2014, 01:08 AM
made up 2 templates for the control cover and got the cavity routed and holes/recesses drilled for switch and pots.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/9a86x-2014-01-27-14.02.16.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/j57zh-2014-01-27-14.02.03.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1vrk0-2014-01-27-01.33.18.jpg

wokkaboy
29-01-2014, 01:11 AM
then got the final sanding and shaping done and got 1st coat of cherry flamenco on body and neck.
Thanks Brendan for the idea of using a clamp to hang the set neck body !
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/moa6d-2014-01-27-21.27.16.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/lb5sh-2014-01-27-21.27.56.jpg

AJ
29-01-2014, 02:56 AM
lookin good :)

Brendan
29-01-2014, 10:14 AM
Quote from wokkaboy on January 28, 2014, 10:11
Thanks Brendan for the idea of using a clamp to hang the set neck body !

Great to know I'm more than just a pretty face! ;).

wokkaboy
31-01-2014, 11:46 PM
got a hole in the back plugged and glued with the same wood, when I was drilling the bridge bush hole through the sap area the drill sunk like a hot knife in butter. I'll sand that flat tonight and give the back another coat.
Got a coat of hot auburn on the top and sides and happy how the hot auburn is a bit browner/mahogany coloured than the cherry flamenco
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/o6ni7-2014-01-30-19.28.49.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2pey2-2014-01-30-20.25.11.jpg

wokkaboy
31-01-2014, 11:49 PM
here's 2 more angles. The neck as usual doesn't take the wudtone colour as well as the body but I'll keep steel wooling between coats and putting on more hot auburn coats
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/81144-2014-01-30-20.25.25.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/d860g-2014-01-30-20.25.53.jpg

lawry
01-02-2014, 01:31 AM
The way the grain is popping on that is amazing. It's hard to remember what you started with.
I reckon it will look hot and cool when it's finished.

wokkaboy
01-02-2014, 02:40 AM
cheers Lozza, if you go back to page one of this post it shows the body blank after it was glued and bandsawed into its rough shape

Brendan
02-02-2014, 01:05 AM
Looking great Wokks - it's gunna be a stunner!

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 02:58 AM
got 2 more coats of hot auburn on the weekend and was happy with the colour so got 1st coat of clear on. This non pitbull gear section has really taken off !
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/81y85-2014-02-03-00.25.28.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pj68x-2014-02-03-00.24.55.jpg

Fretworn
05-02-2014, 01:04 AM
This non pitbull gear section has really taken off !

At least you have a Pitbull neck for it.

wokkaboy
05-02-2014, 06:28 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Fretworn on February 4, 2014, 10:04

This non pitbull gear section has really taken off !

At least you have a Pitbull neck for it.

yes Fretworn the neck is Pit Bull and I'll reveal where I got it from once the build is complete.
Got 2nd clear coat on lastnight
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/m811r-2014-02-04-07.28.48.jpg

wokkaboy
07-02-2014, 05:07 AM
only a small update but I needed a truss rod cover so made one from leftover camphor veneer, it should suit the body grain. Need to find a smaller screw head ! Haven't got any recent body pics but its had 4 coats of clear, so almost ready for wet sanding and thinned clear to go on.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/m996e-2014-02-05-21.10.04-truss-rod-cover.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/7ml51-2014-02-05-21.10.37-truss-rod-cover.jpg

wokkaboy
18-02-2014, 03:22 AM
got the Exman completed lastnight, just giving the glue on the neck another 24 hours before I put on any string tension but its wired up and makes noise.
Got some black pup surrounds posted today so I'll replace the bridge pup surround for a black one and should go well with the dark grain.
Pretty happy how it turned out.
Spent about 3 hours doing a fret level so should play pretty well with any luck !
Might need to tweak the truss rod.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0ew8w-2014-02-16-23.36.18.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/2f8di-2014-02-16-23.37.29.jpg

wokkaboy
18-02-2014, 03:24 AM
couple more pics
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/cjr7j-2014-02-16-23.38.28.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/082f5-2014-02-16-23.37.56.jpg

vh2580
18-02-2014, 04:18 AM
Nicely done Wokka.
The iceman and explorer shapes fit well and the chunk of wood looks awesome.

lawry
18-02-2014, 06:09 AM
Thats a hell of a lot of depth in the sheen there, Wokka. Looking very speccy.

wokkaboy
18-02-2014, 06:19 AM
thanks Tony and Lozza for the nice comments.
@ Lozza, its about 8 coats of Tru Oil, last 2 coats were thinned down and wet sanded to 2500 grit.
Like all axes it looks better in the flesh than the photos

maxaxe
18-02-2014, 08:54 AM
The horn is a bit too Freudian for my liking, but regardless, the look and finish is fantastic.
Another example of the builders' art at work.

pablopepper
18-02-2014, 09:27 AM
Dammit Max! There are some things you just can't unsee.

Great stuff Wokka.

Fretworn
19-02-2014, 12:59 AM
\\m/ >,< \\m/

wokkaboy
19-02-2014, 02:16 AM
got the black pup surround on and am really happy how it plays with no setup yet
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/4g899-2014-02-17-20.36.53.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/w4752-2014-02-17-22.54.37.jpg

Fretworn
20-02-2014, 01:17 AM
Damn fine Wokka!

lawry
20-02-2014, 04:04 AM
They all look fantastic, Wokka.
What's the collective noun for a group of guitars?

wokkaboy
20-02-2014, 05:08 AM
@ Lozza not sure mate, do you know ? thats only a small part of my collection haha. Lucky I haven't got GAS !

DanMade
20-02-2014, 06:37 AM
Came out a treat woks, looks like its straight out of the 70's. Very cool

adam
20-02-2014, 07:41 AM
Hey Wokka, that looks amazing mate. Your work just get better and better. I'd be surprised if you couldn't sell this one for a decent price... if it had Tonerider pickups in it... hint, hint.

One thing, can you please watch the size of your images, they're 3000+ px on the longest edge. Try and crop or reduce them to 1000px. Or get to know how to use imgur.com.

wokkaboy
21-02-2014, 01:05 AM
@ Adam, thanks mate, yer sure may think about upgrading the pickups to tonerider. I'll try and resize my pics in future, I always take the pics at maximum resolution.
Here's the last daylight pics.
Oh and I was going to reveal where the neck came from when the build was finished, the neck is actually from one of your first builds Adam, the marone EX1 kit that features in some of the early PGB videos. Must have been one of the really early kits because no one has noticed its only got 21 frets and the heel was taller than my EX-1 kit and had a funny shape step that wouldn't allow the neck pickup to sit flush.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/3938c-2014-02-19-07.05.49-resized.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/8br2j-2014-02-19-07.06.18-resized.jpg

lawry
21-02-2014, 01:30 AM
Hmmm. That must mean you can claim time-share on it ,Adam.

wokkaboy
21-02-2014, 01:36 AM
Don't give him any ideas Lozza !
I got the neck from DB for a swap for a 4 pack of quadrupel beers !