DBs next project.... turning a chunk of tree into a Baritone Guitar

[wokkaboy]

Hey DB these Scratch build diarys are excellent. you will have to teach me how to build a scratch neck, love the process

[dingobass]

Hey Woks.
Gavin and I have had a few talks about running a few short build courses sometime in the future.
We would most likely hold them in Gav's Man Cave as he has got more room! (So jealouse of his Man Cave).....

The more interest we get the sooner this is likely to happen.

Ladies and gentlemen, let the hassling begin!

[wokkaboy]

sounds like a great idea DB, yes myself and Wayne would be super keen to attend a short build course

[maxaxe]

The more interest we get the sooner this is likely to happen.

Ladies and gentlemen, let the hassling begin![/quote]

Consider yourself hassled by little old me . . .

[keloooe]

wait, whats the cost though??

[dingobass]

Now for the fun bit.... getting a nice straight edge on the neck.

To do this I attach my trusty template and rout, at this stage I only take 10mm off as I need a surface to use as a guide for for the fingerboard placement.

To hold the template in situ, I use 6 short screws, countersunk so the router runs smoothly.


Now that this is done it is time to attach the fingerboard.
I cut the ends off three of the screws and screw them pointy end up into the holes from the template attachment.
Next I locate the fingerboard and clamp it down so the points dig in. This gives me locating pins to make it easier to locate the fingerboard when I glue it down.


Before I spread the glue I place a strip of tape over the truss rod. This prevents glue squeezing down and fouling it up.
Normally I use masking tape and remove it before I place the board but this time I have used a trick I got from Gav, good old Sellotape which is thin enough to leave in place.

[dingobass]

Now I can place the fingerboard and clamp it tight.
Lunch time!


After the glue has set sufficiently- 1 hour for Titebond- off with the clamps, shape the headstock and drill the tuner holes.
For this job I am using my new toy from Stewmac, a tuner hole jig.
Man does this make it easier! 10 minutes and the holes are done.


Now the neck is roughed in, I use the ledge mentioned earlier as a guide to rout the fingerboard flush to the neck.
Usually I would cut the fingerboard separately but as I am using a pre-radiused and slotted fingerboard it is more accurate to go this way as it needs to be accurately square to the neck.


Beer o'clock

[MetalMatt]

Wow DB, I love these well explained and well photographed scratch builds you put up. You're skills are great to watch. There must be a fantastic satisfaction building something like this with your hands from scratch. Same with Gav's acoustic build that I'm only half way through - very skilled artists in your own rights.

[Brendan]

I'd certainly be interested in a short course - just depending on what and how much - also gotta save for those tools and kits 8-).

[Gavin1393]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from MetalMatt on June 17, 2013, 23:37
Wow DB, I love these well explained and well photographed scratch builds you put up. You're skills are great to watch. There must be a fantastic satisfaction building something like this with your hands from scratch. Same with Gav's acoustic build that I'm only half way through - very skilled artists in your own rights.

It's like watching a child being born and taking their first breath! For me it was a spiritual experience and the ultimate satisfaction. The other day I took my first ever build to my mate's Music shop where a gent in his 60's asked to play the guitar. Man! Could he play dem blues! All the staff and I watched in awe as he got the full tonal qualities of the guitar which everyone had already agreed sounded good. Now it just sounded sensational!

The best part was that the Blue's player was stunned that this wasn't my full time occupation! A marked contrasts from my woodwork teachers opinion of my abilities! Which goes to show you don't necessarily need a high level of skill to do this work, but you do need a great ear and great feel!