Scratch Build 2: Overwatch Zarya Themed "Hawk"

[B'Lark]

Ahh, I see we're doing this dance again, me.

I'm finally back to being able to do a scratch build with some lessons, and it's some of the same, some of the different this time around. This has been in the back of the idea tank for a while so I'm really hoping it comes out well.

Brief version: I had an idea for a modified version of the BC Rich Eagle shape, I liked the broad strokes, but just something about the proportions didn't sit quite as well with me as it could, so I reworked it to fit the silhouette of a Soloist, ending up with this, which I've been calling the "Hawk" because I felt like it needed a name and it's similar to an Eagle:



And after playing around with some ideas, I got thinking more of themed and painted builds. The main one coming to mind was incorporating my Overwatch main, Zarya. I ended up with a fairly simplistic mockup with a couple of the sprays from in-game and one of her voice lines:



Eventually when I was discussing it with my partner and getting plans in action to start a new build, she said she was underwhelmed by the design. But since she's an artist she said "Here, I've got an idea, send me a copy of the mockup you've made there" and got stuck in to drawing. Eventually all coming out in this absolutely amazing form:



And that's roughly where the sights are set now. Some structural changes are planned, but that right there is what we're aiming at.

Now I haven't locked in exactly how I'm gonna get this on to the guitar yet, it's gonna be a printed work though. Currently evaluating a couple of options in a custom waterslide decal or vinyl wrap, but I'll sort the nitty gritty when I get there. If anyone does have any recommendations for/against either of these ideas, or has any other good options for it, please let me know, I'm always happy to hear it!!

Well, that's the story behind it all, so on to building the thing!!

[B'Lark]

Alrighty, so I had my first session a while back, and just hadn't been able to follow up until this week.

That time, we got the Neck scarf all sorted, but did it all clever with the bandsaw instead of hoping to get it good with a hand saw. I find the compound scarf to look really nice and satisfying to have it work. Using Red Cedar for the neck, likely gonna be stained black on the back and will have a graphic on the front





As well as getting the body template shaped (on top of the Mahogany that I'll be using for the body)



Fanned Frets again, but going 25" - 26.125" this time. It's a kind of odd pair of scales but in theory I think that it'll work for me haha

[B'Lark]

After planing it back to even up the headstock, Matt pulled out a Plane which:





Surprise Sanding Plane!! Made levelling it down an absolute breeze.

[B'Lark]

Routed in the Truss Rod channel:



Karri for the fretboard, which will end up stained black



And putting the radius on it!



Which, silly me, I didn't snap a picture after it was done because I was hella tired. But nonetheless, it's always a fun time, and I'm glad to be back making a scratch build again.

[B'Lark]

And so we continue.

Worked on the headstock firstly.



Rough cut on the bandsaw then taken pretty close with the spindle sander, finished with just files



Cleaned up the edges of the halves of the body blank



Glued and clamped down



And roughly cut the nut. Going to be angled and behind the fretboard, and glued down



I'm happy with the progress so far, and it feels like it's coming together nicely

[JohnH]

I'm really enjoying following this. Inspiration for days!

[B'Lark]

Thanks as always John for the kind words!

So today was pretty straightforwards, but good progress. Body is all dry now and levelled it down flat.



Then got the template copied down and rough cut it on the bandsaw.



Then routed nice and cleanly! All went really smoothly with it thankfully.



Took out a belly carve on the back. Carving is so damn cathartic.



Fretboard template is glued down, didn't end up with enough time to cut the slots after the carving, but it's all ready for next time.



It's always amazing to me how quickly it seems to come together. First few seem to go slowly, but once it's going, man does it come together well