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OK, Raxz -

What you've done for the neck pocket will probably work, but next time try using the Dremel. It will be a stronger neck/body joint, I think. Good choice with Titebond, too.

Is that ALL cedar for the body? Just trying to identify the species, that's all.

Next time seal the body before painting. That cedar really sucks up the paint, I'm sure.
By the way, what kind of "guck" did you get at Sherman-Williams?

Also, I can't tell what vibrato system you are installing, but you could probably get by without routing such a big pocket in the back. Less is more, ya know?

Keep us updated!

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Hi Slim,
I have to admit, the guitar so far is ugly as sin, but the point is you are GOING for it - you will learn a bunch along the way (I am on my 2nd build now and totally addicted to it!) I love the fact that you are using prehistoric tools to make this, this, uhhhhh thing my bet is that it's going to look pretty cool when you are done and will move on to another one - keep it going bro, enjoy the journey - it may just be a diamond in the rough now

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Cool!
I like the shape,
and the fact that it's cedar.
How did you dig out the cavities?
With a dremel?
I wouldn't have done the neck pocket that way,
but you will be fine, I think.
I would have used a backsaw, drill bits, and chisels.

Kudos to you for attempting what you are doing. It actually doesn't look too bad when you consider the methods you used.
I'm with Chris though. I'd've used the dremel for the neck pocket.
I'm actually puzzled why you went about this like you have. You mention you have done some repairs in the past, which means you have at least some tools.
All you really need to start building electrics are a router, jigsaw ,and hand drill. And if you're jointing your own wood, a decent hand plane(both of mine cost less than $25). You could have taken these three tools, and your first guitar would have turned out much, much better. And it would still have been built by hand.
I encourage you to try that.

_________________
Mike

The only thing nescessary for evil to thrive is for good men to do nothing.

Htgvytgtyttgtttttuuniygvrexreruy

Listen, they say the goal with your first is to finish. Well done, I say. I can't believe you got so much done with the tools you used. Now finish, go buy a router, and build another.

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David Morris

My first build was kind of like this. I tried to see how cheap I could do it, and I didn't want to buy any tools. I ended up throwing that chunk of wood away, but it proved the concept to me that I could make a guitar like object out of wood. Yours looks like it is going much better than mine did. I then decided to get some cheap tools (router from Harbor Freight, small band saw at Lowes etc). Those tools lasted me through about build number 3 or 4, and I realized if you want to make a really nice guitars you have to invest in the tools. You obviously have to start somewhere, and kudos for attempting this, but might I suggest seeing if you can borrow some proper tools. It will make life much easier in the long run. My guess is also that if you have come this far, you are going to be hooked, so might as well spring for at least some basic tools. Good luck and keep us updated.

_________________
John Thiessen
http://www.iszacguitars.com

Sounds like my story!

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

Neck pt.1
I had a neck lying around, so I just had to fix it.
The neck was for a big block, but I made a round pocket so I changed the screw alignment.



I took off the exiting paint

The existing neck had a very poor attempt to make it a volute between each fret

I had to fix this,

I used some tubes with sand paper around em, as I went to a wider neck I would place more sand paper on the tube (is this how you would do it?)


When I reached the 5th fret only a beer bottle was wide enough

Now to level the frets, first I measured with a cut up ruler and filed down the high spots

I take from the 12th fret up and file down 5 times more on each higher fret. I start on the highest fret and file it 5 times then the second to highest and highest 5 times. So on and so forth up to the 12th fret, this makes each fret above the 12th slightly lower.

Next I take a square ruler, without the ruler, place some sand paper and level out all the frets

I go from 100 grit , to 120, 220, 360, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000, and 1200

I think this will be a very good learning experience for you. Those scallops are too deep btw, but it's your first build. I think the biggest lesson you need to take from this is to get the proper tools for doing this.
But you're plugging right along!

I think this will be a very good learning experience for you. Those scallops are too deep btw, but it's your first build. I think the biggest lesson you need to take from this is to get the proper tools for doing this.
But you're plugging right along!

I also did my first guitar without a router. good learning experience but definately worth the investment in a router. BTW. I think the finish looks kinda cool... call me crazy but it just has a steampunk/industrial victorian vibe to it that I think is kinda neat.

_________________
~shad peters

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petersinstruments/
http://petersinstruments.blogspot.com/
http://petersinstruments.com/

Gyhtguuntffeertgeyhrfcrthrfeduy

Ha! Love the artwork!

_________________
"Talking about music is like dancing over architecture".
See the most insane first guitar build: http://www.virgilguitar.com
http://www.youtube.com/VirgilGuitar

This is really cool. Not using a router is very possible and I'm trying to phase out of using it entirely. The only tool I feel you should have is a drill press. Straight, accurate holes shouldn't be a luxury. Get some forstener bits for it and you can rough out those holes for the electronics, pickup and neck pocket, then clean them up with a sharp chisel. Fit isn't that important on your first few. The first bass I made has a 1/8 inch gap between the neck and pocket on one side. I always get compliments by how good it looks and sounds. Kinda hard to see what this thing looks like now but after you clean it up and get a proper finish for it, I think it'll look great in a barbaric punky sorta way. Love the character on the back of the neck. Perhaps paint the body white and do something similar there? Most important thing is to have fun though, and you're acing that bit.

Kuhbytgvyhbtgytrr

Is that a 5 string guitar? (check the nut....)

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Old growth, shmold growth!

I think his finger is just obscuring part of the nut...? maybe?

Yup, yer right.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!

Yes, he's only going to play Keith Richard licks on it.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Is there any good way to make a neck pocket/pickup cavities without a power tool? would it just come down to gouges and chisels?

If I was going to do this,
I would make the end of the neck with square corners,
cut the sides of the pocket with a backsaw, as much as you can,
hog out the main material with a hand drill,
and maybe a forstner bit would work in the hand drill.
Never tried one in a hand drill.
Then chisel the rest out.

Thanks alan!

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