Andrews first scratchie "pine-o-caster"

**ponch** · 07-11-2014, 07:58 AM

Hey guys. I'm starting this thread about my first scratchie! It'll probably be me breaking things and asking questions a Google search would answer, but if by the grace of the guitar gods I come out with a playable instrument then maybe the info contained here will be useful to people like me who have zero wood working experience and want to build an axe. So here goes!

The plan for this build is a Tele body made out of bunnings finest pine with a pbg neck. I've got a bridge and pups, knobs, pots, a 3 way already from leftovers, just need a neck and tuners.

**wokkaboy** · 07-11-2014, 08:03 AM

nice one Andrew, thats where I started scratchys and learnt alot and the pine is soft and easy to cut. Just be aware if the axe falls over it will dent !
Ask any questions and you have my email addy. Have you got some routing templates or are you going to make them ?
A hard tail is an easier way to start, no trem routes !
Post some pics and look forward to the build. It is much more satisfying building a scratchy

**ponch** · 07-11-2014, 08:04 AM

Templates made and blank glued.

**wokkaboy** · 07-11-2014, 08:08 AM

nice one Andrew, oh that brings back memories. Template looks good, so will it be a string through ?
That knot bottom right might have been better on the outside ie the waste side, but will give it character.
Looks like the 2 pieces in the middle are narrower, next time go 4 x 90mm wide and it won't be so tight

**ponch** · 07-11-2014, 08:10 AM

Body cut out, then routed. Looks kind of like a guitar. I didn't get a pic of the next bit but I broke it already haha. Using a powered plane to flatten her out, the blade dug in on the edges in a few spots. The middle of the body was sweet though so what to do with a concave edge? Carved top Tele!

**wokkaboy** · 07-11-2014, 08:12 AM

looking great Andrew, hope the planer didn't take out too larger chunks !

**ponch** · 07-11-2014, 08:17 AM

The carve starting to take shape. Roughed in with the plane, rasps, surforms, files and a spokesshave. It's pretty flat here so to get the arch contour I used a sanding bobbin on a drill to bevel it a bit. So far it's arched all the way around with a deeper cut for your elbow like a strat, and a prs treble horn cut out.

**wokkaboy** · 07-11-2014, 08:23 AM

nice one Andrew arched top looks way cool. A tip get your neck pocket, control cavity and pup cavities routed, this is typically done before any body shaping so the router template has more 'meat' to sit on

**ponch** · 07-11-2014, 08:26 AM

And this is where we are as of last night. For the hardware I'm thinking single coil bridge, hb neck, Tele style bridge and control plate and no pick guard.