And most of all, passion!
And most of all, passion!
I don't know what guitar building course DB may have done, but my course cost me $3,500 which included the acoustic kit but not the strings or tuners. They were extra. Then I had two weeks worth of accommodation, airfares and transport to and from the airport which was about $2,400. The tuners and strings were about an extra $180. Overall it cost me $6,080 to attend the course and leave with my acoustic Guitar. I think most electric course seem to be around $2,750 but not sure what you get with that.....maybe someone else has experience with building an electric on a building course?
DB / Gav - is there an option for smaller short courses? Was thinking ...
- Blank to Crank - how to increase your tone with a piece of bone (i.e., how to make / install a bone nut)...
Pickup winding for luddites.
How to protect your Tele from Adam (magic wand not included)
Hahhah Brenda, I love the last one!!!! But remember that Adam will now sneak into your house at might tonight!!!!
Pest! You really need to check your spelling young man! I'd be surprised if Brendan ever forgives you for this gaffe! :) :) :)Quote:
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from keloooe on June 19, 2013, 05:59
Hahhah Brenda, I love the last one!!!! But remember that Adam will now sneak into your house at might tonight!!!!
*gaffe
Now for the neck shaping.
First up I rough in the heel and headstock ends of the neck with my razor files.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-IMG_1748.JPG
Then it is time to go nuts with the spoke shave to remove the bulk of the timber!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-IMG_1757.JPG
the final roughing in is done with the razor file, now ready for fine tuning with sand paper.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...q-IMG_1758.JPG
I will survive - what do they say - call me anything you want, just don't call me late for dinner 8O .Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Gavin1393 on June 19, 2013, 07:22
Pest! You really need to check your spelling young man! I'd be surprised if Brendan ever forgives you for this gaffe! :) :) :)
DB loving the blow by blow... Coming up nicely...
D'OH!
One of those mornings where I should have had 4 cups of coffee before starting in the Man Cave...
Happily filing away at the end of the fingerboard when SNAPPO, off flies a chunk of Ebony.... fffffffff@rk!
Alrighty then, what do I do to solve this one?
Easy. Break out the masking tape and Black medium viscosity super glue.
First step is to mask the job, I don't want black goo to ooze out all over the place.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...x-IMG_1763.JPG
Then I apply a thin layer of glue, trying to keep it in from the edge a little as the glue will squeeze out and fill this area.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-IMG_1764.JPG
Place the missing chunk, hold it in place with masking tape and go have another coffee.
Half an hour later, off with the tape, a quick buff with steel wool and what missing chunk was that?
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...a-IMG_1767.JPG
WHOOPS!!!! At least your signature is true!!!
"Whoops" wasn't one of the many words uttered at the time.... but it sums it up perfectly :)
And DB, where's my custom LP?????
Check your emails as well DB, there's a special Wudtone mix for you that I am typing very shortly
well done DB on the fix, looks the same as I saw the fingerboard lastnight, there's always a work around !
I bet a few loud word were muttered in the DB man cave when the chunk of ebony went flying !
I have the footage from my secret spy-cam if anyone is interested.....
Nice recovery DB!
Now that drama is sorted out, time to cut the nut slot.
I clamp my trusty neck caul to give me a square edge- all these years and I still cant cut straight 8O ..
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...r-IMG_1768.JPG
Set the depth gauge on fret saw.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1769.JPG
Cut the slot!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...v-IMG_1770.JPG
Now for the fun bit! Sharp chisel and a mallet 8-)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...z-IMG_1771.JPG
After giving it a few taps, the waste comes out easily leaving a groove with a messy bottom..
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...3-IMG_1772.JPG
The way to fix this is to attack it with a 1/4" nut slotting file :D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-IMG_1773.JPG
After some careful work with the file, checking that the slot is square the slot is done!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...f-IMG_1774.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...k-IMG_1775.JPG
Bone nut blank fits like a dream ;)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1776.JPG
Now all that is left to do for now is do the final shaping on the bobbin sander...
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...7-IMG_1780.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...i-IMG_1781.JPG
Here she is to date, with a special guest build :D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...2-IMG_1784.JPG
Looking sweet DB. Good to see that glued chunk of ebony stayed put!
Good luck holding onto the little guitar in this picture....word has it that you have already lost controlled possession of the bottom one! ;)Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on June 20, 2013, 18:26
Here she is to date, with a special guest build :D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...2-IMG_1784.JPG
Uh oh DB, bad decision there mate!!!
The Tele is NOT going to be added to Adams collection!
It is for an old friend of mine back east....
Just to be sure Adam understands, this is NOT going to end up on the wall of fame! :)
YES!!!!!! I knew DB would build me a Tele one day!!!!
Even though I need a DB LP....
Good luck Pest, I think DB means the Tele is for someone else over east
Hope you have it padlocked still DB in case you get a visit from the TAS - Tele Acquisition Squad
There's also the LPAS!!!!
Pest you aren't any where as near as dangerous as the TAS being 3600km away !
I'm dangerous when I see any LP or ES shape.....
That is Gold, Woks! :DQuote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on June 21, 2013, 09:09
Hope you have it padlocked still DB in case you get a visit from the TAS - Tele Acquisition Squad
Finger board levelling is the next step.
I get out my saddles for the Katana levelling tool and use these with my straight edge to get the neck set as level as possible.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1789.JPG
Then I attack it with my sanding radius beam.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-IMG_1790.JPG
When I have it close to dead flat I mark the finger board and do the last few passes to make sure it is infact flat.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...c-IMG_1791.JPG
Time for dots.
I am using 5mm Gold Mother of Pearl dots.
First I set out the positions on the fingerboard.
You will see that I am using a Brad point drill bit as this type of bit drills a flat bottomed hole.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1801.JPG
Off to the drill press and carefully drill each hole no more than 4mm deep.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e-IMG_1802.JPG
Now the holes are drilled ready for the dots to be glued and pressed in.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...w-IMG_1803.JPG
Now I progress onto the fretting...
The fret wire comes in 12" lengths, so I will need to cut and pre radius it for installation.
To radius the wire I use my fret wire pliers to grip it. These guys have a slot in one jaw for the tang of the wire to sit in.
It is a simple job to gently bend the wire, moving the pliers along an inch at a time and gently bending the wire towards the tang.
End result is pre radiused wire! It is best to pre bend the wire in a slightly tighter radius than the fret board. This makes it easier to press home correctly.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-IMG_1793.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...j-IMG_1795.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-IMG_1796.JPG
Before pressing the frets, I install the side dots.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-IMG_1804.JPG
With the 16" radius fret pressing caul mounted in my drill press, I firmly press each fret home.
It is important to support the underside the neck, this saves a butt load of swearing caused by snapping the neck :)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-IMG_1805.JPG
Then I trim and file the fret ends and next file the 30 degree angle on the ends with my supa special toy.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...t-IMG_1807.JPG
Filing the fret ends.
Frets installed!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...o-IMG_1808.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...5-IMG_1809.JPG
that is looking fantastic DB, I am really keen to do a build course and you guide me through building a scratch neck ! I need some of the flash tools and order some nice wood from your favourite online supplier !
DB, the fret file I use is already angled at 30' . Consistent results every time.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...&xst=3&xsr=531
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...r52x-image.jpg
Yep. got one.
I see that! :) now!!! Only the first pics of your last two posts downloaded on my phone, and i thought to myself, "let me ease my good mate DB's suffering and tell him about the lovely 30' bevelled file unit I have! Oh well! Its the thought that counts! :)
Thanks Gav, the thought does count :)
I may even think about leaving the frets in your Hofner and not painting it pink......