Woltz's semi-scratch strat build

[Sonic Mountain]

"...I just wish more people were having a crack at scratch builds here but then to be fair it was set up as a forum for the Pitbull Kit Builds.".

Seems to be the natural progression once you get hooked to move onto a semi scratch or scratch build. The kits are such a good learning tool, doesn't take long to start looking beyond them once you've done a couple.

[wazkelly]

Yeah, neck building needs so much more precision.

I am in early stages of considering a semi scratch build too and also wondering about what timber to use as some can be as heavy as concrete whilst light weights (like pine) may not be strong enough. Have a few left field low cost ideas floating around that might work.

[Woltz]

"...I just wish more people were having a crack at scratch builds here but then to be fair it was set up as a forum for the Pitbull Kit Builds."

I'm looking at doing a semi-scratch build soon. I'd like to do a custom body with a pre-made neck. I'm not ready to undertake the neck building part of it yet!

I'll be posting a question here about Aussie timber recommendations for a solid body next.

Yeah, neck building needs so much more precision.

I am in early stages of considering a semi scratch build too and also wondering about what timber to use as some can be as heavy as concrete whilst light weights (like pine) may not be strong enough. Have a few left field low cost ideas floating around that might work.

Yeh a lot of the eucalyptus varieties are quite dense and heavy. The Australian Red Cedar (part of the mahogany family) piece that I have though I think will make a nice body that will be quite light. Too soft for a neck I would think but should be hopefully ok for a body. I'll use Queensland Maple for a neck to go with the cedar body. I also have some Southern Silky Oak drying which would be fine for guitar bodies as well and not too heavy.

Once I've finished the routing on my current build I'll weigh it and let you know how heavy it is so you guys can get an idea of what to expect if you use Tas Oak/Vic Ash. Having said that obviously from tree to tree there can be quite a bit of difference as well.

[McCreed]

I'll look into the Aus Red Cedar and Silky Oak. Silky Oak was a suggestion in my other post re: Aussie timber in the Non-PBG section.

As for Red Cedar being possibly too soft and light, I've got a few guitars that are Basswood and Asian Mahogany (bodies) that fit that description. Once they're finished and have neck & hardware fitted, they feel more "solid". I definitely don't have any problem with how they play and sound.

Cheers

[Woltz]

Just a quick minor update.

Last night I finished removing material with the forstner and the body is now ready for routing.



I also enlarged the bridge pickup cavity towards the neck on the working template and confirmed that now the bridge will sit in the required spot to get the correct scale length.



I've also thicknessed the neck blank down to closer to the final 3/4" thickness.

And this arrived...

[Woltz]

The postman came again today.

Hopefully this should be the last of the things I need to finish this build.

[vh2580]

100% those tritons are the good stuff. I have a good Mikita as well but the triton is a machine.

[Woltz]

Had some time this morning so thought I'd start routing the cavities. All going well and almost finished the first passes and then that dreaded sound....





Quite a large tear out. Fortunately it came off mostly as one piece.

So off came the template. And gluing the piece back on.



I'll clean it up and hopefully finish routing the cavities next weekend.

I've also been trying to get the neck pocket on the template right but it's gone from being too tight to too loose. So I may scrap that template and cut a new one off the master.

[FrankenWashie]

Bugger, your bit must have picked up on the rising cut. All the rest looks neat and tidy though, nice job!

[Woltz]

Bugger, your bit must have picked up on the rising cut. All the rest looks neat and tidy though, nice job!

Yeh, it's a good lesson for me with this particular wood. I'll be careful the direction I cut in when I route the edge of the body.