AJ- First Scratch Build

[AJ]

Thought I'd start one like Dan did.. seemed easy enuff... :?
So here goes.
After being inspired by the other thread, I was fortunate to source the same sort of exotic wood as Dan so I had the green shed chop 1 length into 600 mm pieces. I then glued and clamped to get my solid bit of wood (45mm thick). I then made a template for the body and routed out the shape.

[AJ]

I then waited for the PBG neck to be delivered so I could then make up a template to rout the neck pocket. I used my laser guide to get the neck straight along the center line. that all done and marked out on the body, I then transferred the outline etc via the good old expensive oven liner paper. Have now just about completed the the template.

[stan]

nice one AJ, great to see scratch builds!

[AJ]

Over the Chrissy break, whilst being dragged around the shopping centers by the boss, I thought (yeah I know that doesn't happen often these days.. was one of them times I didn't have a grandpa moment..lol)to myself , I said, self, there's a fishmonger here in these walls of HELL... So I waddles of the the fishy guy and says a big warm Hi! Just wondering if you have any abalone shell? or Oyster shells? or maybe some really fat mussel shells? Well I struck out on 2 so not too bad a effort. He said to come back in the morning ... I thought oh yeah.. getting the polite rack-off from him.. :x
So, the next mornings I front up and sees him again and he said.. how much you want? 150Kg? :P I said I wouldn't mind just a few of the oyster shells to give this project a whirl.. I got given a shopping bag full of the shell tops..
Moral to this little story is , always worth asking.
I have given 2 shells a bit of a sanding and a polish to see how they would come up. I reckon they will come up a treat as small bits layered/ joined to make small logo's or unique fret board markers.

[MetalMatt]

Awesome stuff AJ, I can't wait to have a crack at a scratch build. Great looking bit of wood too!

[lawry]

Good score AJ. Looking forward to your exploits.

[DanMade]

Sweet. Coming along nicely A.J.

I'm keen to see how you go prepping those shells. What a great find.

[johnnychronic]

AJ, that's some hardcore luthier action you've got going. I'm envious.

[Brendan]

Braver man than I am at the moment AJ - well done - looks like it will be a cracker! Looking at your template - 1 'bucker? You going to do any more shaping (rounding edges, arm / belly cutouts)?

[AJ]

Ty for the great comments guys, I will detail later on how I go about the prepping of the oyster shells, and but the basic technique is to file/ sand the rough outside to a smooth surface, then you trim off sections to get "flat pieces" then it's a matter of mix match to get what you want , not to dissimilar to the sheets of MOP that you buy, same sort of method except they laminate the little flat bits together to form a sheet.

I got the neck routing done today and drilled the mounting holes for the neck, next major job is to line up the bridge position , then I will mark out and route for the pups. ATM I have a sort of spare loaded scratch plate with HSH set up, might use those for this.
Still deciding whether or not I will do a sort of arched top to it, but I do plan to do a belly cutout and some rounding here n there.

I set the neck height for the solid tail bridge, but not 100% sure now after the light mock up. My preference is for sting through the body but if worse comes. I have the spare tele bridge from my TL kit. Also open to ideas/ suggestions.