Woltz's semi-scratch strat build

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Originally Posted by Woltz

Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy with how it's coming out. You always wonder whether the image you have in your mind will actually look good once it takes shape. I'm super nervous about carving the neck and stuffing it up now haha.

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You’ve probably got a method in mind and an ideal profile drawn up, just hold true to that, go gently and you’ll be fine.

Coopers should be proud of their towel being photographed along side such a fine piece of craftsmanship !! ;)

cheers to you Waltz, Guv

Well today was neck carving day. Because it was my first time carving a neck I set out with a plan.

I carved the thickness taper between the 1st and 12th frets.

https://i.imgur.com/XCRP0aF.jpg

Then I drew facets on the back of the neck and carved using those facets.

https://i.imgur.com/rfnVQsW.jpg

Once I'd done three different facets, the two transitions and some sanding I was left with this.

https://i.imgur.com/rKE24aV.jpg

Pretty happy for my first go.

Today didn't quite go to plan though. The side dots (which weren't straight) also in a couple spots were a little too close to the fretboard and after I radiused there was a tiny bit showing. So I drilled out and attempted to fix with CA glue and sawdust before redrilling for the side dot. You can see the small repair at the top of the 15th.

https://i.imgur.com/kOEugho.jpg

In hindsight I should've drilled for the side dots after I radiused but I'll know that for the next build.

Nice work Woltz, That is a good methodical way to do it.
The bit that always gives me issues is the neck shaft to heel transition. I can never quite get it looking exactly the way I want it in my head, the IB-5 project I'm on at the moment is about as close as I've gotten to what I saw in my head.
What is the relative thickness at the head and heel ends after your shaping?

Looks great Woltz.

Great work!

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

Nice work Woltz, That is a good methodical way to do it.
The bit that always gives me issues is the neck shaft to heel transition. I can never quite get it looking exactly the way I want it in my head, the IB-5 project I'm on at the moment is about as close as I've gotten to what I saw in my head.
What is the relative thickness at the head and heel ends after your shaping?

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Thickness at 1st fret - 0.860"
Thickness at 12th fret - 0.920"

I was initially planning on 0.82" at the 1st and 0.87" at the 12th (Fender Modern C) which I had marked out on the neck but I left a little margin for error when I did the taper so that during the rest of the carving I didn't end up too thin. As it turned out I didn't actually take much off the very centre with the rest of the shaping even during blending. Although I'm pretty happy with that because I have reasonably large hands and now feeling the carved neck I doubt I'd like it as much if it was thinner.

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Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain

Looks great Woltz.

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Originally Posted by JohnH

Great work!

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Thanks guys. It's starting to come together now. Hopefully the finishing part goes a bit smoother than my kit haha.

Frets are in.

https://i.imgur.com/4IMFR7W.jpg?1

I'll get some strings later this week and do a mock build to check everything lines up and intonates etc and then on to sanding and finishing.

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Looking great Woltz

Mock build and everything checks out. On to sanding and finishing.

https://i.imgur.com/OGeOYpR.jpg

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