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View Full Version : Dingo Custom Luthiers experience featuring PBG @ Stringfest Tasmania, 2015



dingobass
12-03-2015, 12:34 PM
Challenge given, produce a Tassie Blackwood Guitar kit in less than a week and get it to Tasmania for Stringfest 2015....
Challenge accepted!

So here's the story. Our Guitar kit Guru Adam recieves an email from Rob in Tassie asking to purchase a Blackwood kit to display.
(Rob has recently purchased a sawmill and will be specialising in Tasmanian tone woods)

Adam immediatly handballs this to me and after an hour long convo with Rob it is going to happen... No pressure :)

The upshot of this is that from time to time PBG will be offering Guitar kits manufactured by hand by yours truly.
These kits will be made to my usual pedantic, anally retentive and OCD standards.....
So the lucky punters who score these kits will be getting a Luthiers quality Guitar which would normaly retail @ 2k for considerably less!

So here we go, lunch time day one of the build.
Timber selected, machined and blank glued...
Time for a sit down and lunch...

stan
12-03-2015, 12:42 PM
now this will be interesting...

I actually have an idea for a blackwood and Huon pine guitar (family is from Tassie, explains a lot, huh?), have my templates and things about done, was looking at blanks on the site yesterday.

Looking forward to see what direction this one takes...

gavinturner
12-03-2015, 01:02 PM
Awesome DB. I am very interested to see what you come up with. What body shape are you going with?

cheers,
Gav.

wokkaboy
12-03-2015, 01:38 PM
awesome challenge DB, so the scratch tele has to be put aside. As Gav asked keen to know the body shape, presume it will be ST or TL shaped.
What about hardware will you supply better hardware or stock PBG ?
better not ask too many questions so you can start on the neck while the body glue dries !

kells80aus
12-03-2015, 01:50 PM
Absolutely facsinating. what will it look like.

Been toying with th idea of a Tassy Blackwood build, but not anything Solid.

My Tassie connections go back to 1810. I got two, no three Convicts from Tassie, Oh wait one of them belongs to the missus.
My Kelly's landed there in 1850, great great grandfather. Believe him to be Neds long lost Great Uncle.

PK

dingobass
12-03-2015, 02:28 PM
Thats pretty cool, PK.
On my maternal side, our family goes back to the first fleet.. Only difference is they were free settlers, which probably made them to be bigger crims than the Convicts :)

As for the build, it will be a Tele as this is what Rob asked for.
Hardware will be Gotoh and Tone rider pups...

stan
12-03-2015, 02:31 PM
Sounds like a sweet axe DB.
Now all you have to do is keep it out of Adam's hands until Stringfest!

wokkaboy
12-03-2015, 02:59 PM
nice one DB, so I could almost enter my blackheart sassafras (from Tazzy) scratch tele and that has Gotoh and tonerider hardware. Even has some tazzy blackwood in the neck. Haven't finished the wiring and setup yet.
Have you looked into how long postage will take DB ? It starts a week tomorrow on the 20th ! No time to waste !

kells80aus
12-03-2015, 03:06 PM
@DB, my maternal side was first fleet, complete with steel hand and ankle braclets. they also went to Norfolk Island on the Sirius
the girl that went to Tasy in 1810, was part of that family. she was born in Pitt Town in 1800
She married in Tassy, her husband was a Convit. She died in the gold fields of Bendigo and is burried in the diggings
PK

dingobass
12-03-2015, 03:32 PM
Alrighty, back in the Man Cave at 1:30...
Spent the best part of an hour fossiking through my stash of Tassie Blackwood until I found "the" peice I wanted...

Machined it down to 40mm, routed the truss rod slot, marked out neck with headstock break angle, attacked it with the bandosaurus.

3:20, I have had enough... Time for a Grolsch or three :)

wokkaboy
12-03-2015, 03:40 PM
nice one DB looks great. So a break angle on F type, nice touch. Was the first blank you glued for the body or this neck ? Looks like the neck is one piece ?
enjoy your hard earned beers !
Did you cut the break angle with the bandsaw ?

dingobass
12-03-2015, 03:45 PM
That was the body Woks, the neck is a one piece..
Yep, cut the break angle on the bandosaurus... 20mm blade installed..

With the right tools, holding tongue correctly whilst standing on one leg, you can do just about anything if you put your mind and 30+ years of stuffing around with timber to it :)

wokkaboy
12-03-2015, 03:52 PM
nice one DB, 20mm wide blade must be easier to cut straight lines. Whats your deadline about Wednesday to get it posted off in time ? Hope you sell the kit at the show, sure you will !
At least its just shape it, route body and roughly sand it and throw it in a box

dingobass
12-03-2015, 04:03 PM
Yhep, 20mm blade gives a nice square cut.

Rob is paying for the kit, think he wants to put it together after the show.

wokkaboy
12-03-2015, 04:11 PM
nice one DB it's sold before it begins ! Look forward to see it progress, don't forget to take photos of a mock build and of course you better post it - chances of Ads posting it to himself are very high !

Barge better pull his finger out, it's currently the Wok's and DB show on top of the Whats new page !

stan
12-03-2015, 06:06 PM
thats looking nice, love seeing how the neck is done

keloooe
12-03-2015, 07:00 PM
Very cool DB, another one of your awesome projects begins!
PK, I'm sure my Kelly's also came here around the same timeframe, if only my grandfather (who is also a Paul :D) could remember the rest of my family history...

bargeloobs
13-03-2015, 05:14 AM
Looking good DB

wokkaboy
13-03-2015, 07:56 AM
hey Barge for a little while yesterday arvo it was the DB and Woks show, was waiting for you to turn up and hijack a thread mate !
I'm off work today so I'll be too busy in the workshop and watching F1 to get online !

bargeloobs
13-03-2015, 08:52 AM
hey Barge for a little while yesterday arvo it was the DB and Woks show, was waiting for you to turn up and hijack a thread mate !
I'm off work today so I'll be too busy in the workshop and watching F1 to get online !

hahaha, good to see you're keeping the show going Wokks, I was a bit busy on other things yesterday arv so wasn't at the puter much.
Remember I mentioned I was having chainsaw issues, well I fixed it yesterday. I'd broken the cord a while back and rather than replace it I just wound it back on and tied a new knot. So what was happening was the piston wasn't completing it's full stroke, hence fuel pissing out the front...duh!!
Enjoy ya day off bro:-)

wokkaboy
13-03-2015, 08:56 AM
haha nice fix on the chainy Barge !
Yeah I got a full day ahead got 2 more benches to build before next weekends 4D's 3rd birthday party, F1 on TV and cold beer, oh that beats being at work anyday haha
What a good thread to hijack Barge, our mate DB's ! haha

bargeloobs
13-03-2015, 09:01 AM
Nice nice, sounds like it's gonna be a good bash Wokks, you got a few of the PBG crew going?
I'm sure DB won't mind us dribbling a bit of crap on his thread:-)
We got a choice day over here, might even have a scotch or five myself later on after the chores are done.

stan
13-03-2015, 02:16 PM
must be time for update pics DB!!

dingobass
13-03-2015, 05:19 PM
Alrighty then...
Day two. After shopping, banking etc I finally made my way into the Man Cave.

First, body blank out of the clamps, clean off the glue bead and a few quick passes through the drum sander... YUMMO!

dingobass
13-03-2015, 05:25 PM
Then it was time to re visit the neck..

First, run the heel end through the drum sander to flatten and square it up.
Next cut the neck out on the bandosaurus then on with the template and rout the profile.

Next up is rough out the headstock shape...

dingobass
13-03-2015, 05:27 PM
Then mark out body shape on blank...

Not bad for three hours work :)

stan
13-03-2015, 05:35 PM
Nice, blends together well.
Are the blackwood body blanks in the PBG shop done like this?

dingobass
13-03-2015, 06:18 PM
They sure are Stan.

I have a few more chunks of tree ready to be glued together..
Should have them in Adams sweaty hands soon :)

bargeloobs
13-03-2015, 06:43 PM
They sure are Stan.

I have a few more chunks of tree ready to be glued together..
Should have them in Adams sweaty hands soon :)

I always imagined he had sweaty hands, it must be a terrible affliction:-(

dingobass
13-03-2015, 07:40 PM
I always imagined he had sweaty hands, it must be a terrible affliction:-(

Only when it comes to Teles or chunks of tree that can be turned into Teles :)

wokkaboy
14-03-2015, 08:55 AM
looking good DB, you are motoring along nicely. So are you or Ads going to post this baby to Tazzy ? It may not get past Ads sweaty hands !
So presume today is routing the body shape ?

dingobass
14-03-2015, 04:53 PM
Day three....

Spend two hours stuffing around with bandosaurus changing blade and trying to get the f#*%n thing to run true.....
Finally get it right and cut the body out..

Clean it up and rout neck pocket... Does it pass the DB neck pocket test? Oooooo yeah! Very toight :)

Beer o clock.

bargeloobs
14-03-2015, 05:04 PM
Nice nice, extra points for the curve in the neck pocket too, looks sooo much better than a square one. Worst part is we don't get to see it all put together:-(

dingobass
14-03-2015, 05:26 PM
Yep, I like the modified neck pockets. Makes it much more comfortable to play those higher notes and it has no effect on the strength of the join either.

I will be doing a mock up so you will see it together, unfinished but together....

keloooe
14-03-2015, 06:20 PM
Nice join there DB, I agree, square necks are horrible on the upper frets.....

dingobass
15-03-2015, 03:07 PM
Day four...

Body routs done.
That is after searching for my router bit that fell into that damn black hole in the man cave that regulary steals tools.....
Eventually found it lurking under a cupboard.
Then a series of annoying phone calls from peeps asking if I can retro fit flux capacitors to their guitars, do fret levels and rewiring jobs.....
Finally I get to do some real work.
Then its time to revisit the neck. Machine fretboard, slot and attach to neck.
Notice the locating pin embedded into the neck. I put one each end, line up the fret board and clamp it.
This is to make sure it wont slip when I clamp the board down when gluing it.

Beer o clock......
Speaking of beer, must bottle the batch of home brew :)

stan
15-03-2015, 05:17 PM
This is great to watch. Lovely work.
I think it must be close to time to order a Blackwood blank...

dingobass
16-03-2015, 07:56 PM
Day five....

Time to get that neck shaped...
Assemble tools of timber destruction and begin.

First, rough out the profile at the headstock and heel, then attack with great gusto with the spoke shave..
Then frets, dots and tuner holes bone nut then a butt load of sanding, sanding more sanding and then a bit more sanding just for the fun of it....

dingobass
16-03-2015, 08:00 PM
And it looks something like this...

andrewdosborne
16-03-2015, 08:24 PM
Very nice indeed DB.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

Nickosaurus
16-03-2015, 10:02 PM
The softened edges are a nice touch mate

dingobass
16-03-2015, 10:26 PM
Cheers Nick.
I could never understand why Fender left hard edges on the Tele... They are a sensual Guitar and deserve soft rounded edges.

stan
17-03-2015, 06:11 AM
if this was a PBG kit: Take my money!

wokkaboy
17-03-2015, 07:06 AM
Nice one DB. You knocked this up quickly and with distractions

pablopepper
17-03-2015, 07:23 AM
Good to see I'm not the only one who starts out with a clear bench and good intentions, only to end up with almost every tool I own and other bits and pieces scattered about.

Love watching this come together, a shame we won't see a finished guitar in this thread.

maxaxe
17-03-2015, 08:35 AM
Ahh Mc Goo . . . you've done it again!
Top stuff Dee Bee

dingobass
17-03-2015, 04:57 PM
And here she is..

kells80aus
17-03-2015, 04:59 PM
I WANT...... lol
looks fabulous DB, well done

dingobass
17-03-2015, 05:00 PM
if this was a PBG kit: Take my money!

Best not look at the PBG shop in a week or five then, Stan :)

I have some very tasty BW just itching to be turned into the first run of Dingo Custom kits....
Stay tuned folks :)

andrewdosborne
17-03-2015, 05:04 PM
Oh my word.. looking forward to this!

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

kells80aus
17-03-2015, 05:16 PM
I can see this dressed in only a clear gloss. it would be stunning.
she's gorgeous, all the right curves in all the right places. like a naked rose

PK

dingobass
17-03-2015, 05:54 PM
You are right on the money, PK.
I am sending a colourless DT kit along with her, as requested by Rob.

wokkaboy
17-03-2015, 06:19 PM
looks unreal DB, well done, so 6 days turnaround ?
You even done all the pre-drilled holes. How was the action and did you tune it and strum a chord ?

dave.king1
17-03-2015, 07:20 PM
Stunning is just not adequate in this instance ( thumbs up or dribbling emoticon required )

dingobass
17-03-2015, 07:57 PM
looks unreal DB, well done, so 6 days turnaround ?
You even done all the pre-drilled holes. How was the action and did you tune it and strum a chord ?

Yep.. Drilled everything, installed ferrules etc..
She isnt wired up but I did tune and roughly intonate. (Love those headstock tuning thingys)
Sounds really nice unplugged, was a struggle to pack her up.

Did a quick tot up of hours and it took me 28 to get it to this stage.
Sanded her to 320, which took up about 6 hours..........

keloooe
17-03-2015, 08:03 PM
Can't wait for the Dingo kits DB, should really be cool to have in the range!
If only that was my axe being shipped away...

jarrod
17-03-2015, 08:10 PM
nice work DB

Brendan
17-03-2015, 08:37 PM
Simple - elegant and classical - love it DB.

bargeloobs
18-03-2015, 06:27 AM
And here she is..

Yep you done good!! Love it.

stan
18-03-2015, 08:16 AM
oh so nice, simple , elegant and very cool.

Fretworn
18-03-2015, 09:46 AM
Very nice DB. Hope the guy you are sending it to posts a picture after the clear is on and it's all shiny!

kimball492
18-03-2015, 12:59 PM
Hey Jarrod where you been hiding

dingobass
19-03-2015, 10:28 PM
Update.

Sent Guitar via Quantas Freight yesterday. Dropped it off at the depot at 12pm and it arrived in Launceston this morning at 6am!
Bloody fast!

The owner is one very happy boi!

Will post pics of the Guitar in situ at Stringfest early next week.

wokkaboy
19-03-2015, 11:39 PM
nice one DB, 18 hours door to door to Launceston is impressive. Glad it didn't get intercepted by any tele nappers !

stan
20-03-2015, 07:24 AM
excellent news, can't wait to see it!

dingobass
20-03-2015, 07:37 AM
Here she is with her new owner :)

stan
20-03-2015, 07:43 AM
he looks rightfully happy

andrewdosborne
20-03-2015, 08:02 AM
And rightly so! One happy camper.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

wokkaboy
20-03-2015, 08:39 AM
He looks happy as Larry and rightfully so. Nice work DB meeting the deadline !