Another scratchie using only hand tools. Again in laminated pine. While I’m learning I might as well use up the timber I have laying around.
Usually by the time I start a build I have done my research and have a pretty fair idea of what I’m doing, but with this one I am basically making it up as I go along. So needless to say I am not overly confident about the prospects of a successful build.
I am going to try and build a solid body “acoustic” guitar. Acoustic as in she won’t have any magnetic pickups but an under saddle Piezo pickup. Even if I pull this off I have no illusion that it will sound like an acoustic guitar but my hope is that she will sound a little bit acoustic-ish in a mix with other guitars.
The piezo pickup I have is for an acoustic guitar but the pre-amp unit is too large and will not fit on the treble (or upper) bout of the guitar as it would do on a real acoustic. So I will have to mount it somewhere in the body and also remotely locate a 9v battery somewhere as well. This will mean access to volume, EQ etc will be very limited/impossible while playing. If I am game I will try and mount a second volume pot in a convenient position, but even with Scott’s help I feel out of my depth with this. I am quite prepared to use this one as a test-bed for a future build.
Anyhoo, I have cut out the 3 piece body sections and roughly shaped them. I now have to figure out what routing I will need for the pre-amp unit, the battery and a volume pot before I glue it all together. I also have to figure out how to get access to all the wiring once the body is glued topgether.
This is my biggest challenge yet, should be fun.
Pics:
Pic 1 – The 3 piece body roughly cut. The central layer is marine ply and has been cut more accurately with a coping saw.
Pic 2 – The body before being attacked with my new toy, the Japanese Saw Rasp.
Pic 3 – Still rough, but close enough to start routing out the cavities.
Reply With Quote