Peg hangs out in new luthiery forum... lutherie*

[Peg Dizzler]

Sup guys. I see a new forum section has been made... it's about time! :)

Also, Lewstherin--I've seen you on here quite a bit, but I had no idea you were a luthier. Fun stuff, eh?

So, to anyone who doesn't know me... I'm an aspiring luthier who is interested in building many different kinds of instruments, but I'm starting with the electric guitar (not only do I love instruments and want to build many different types, stringed and percussion, but I love to build computers too, and may get into building amps someday). I plan on going to Galloup Guitars this fall, a (very expensive) school that trains one how to build 4 different types of guitars, and I hear alot of experienced luthiers say it's good occupational training.

I hope to build custom guitars to anyone who wants one; to me, every serious/semi-serious guitarist needs a custom guitar. After some time, every guitarist develops a certain taste for different aspects in a guitar. I know I did!! I think everyone would love to have a guitar made just to their specs, with the exact body design, neck thickness, fret size, fretboard radius, scale length, bridge type, pickup type, pickup configuation, wiring, finish, body wood... erm.. I guess I don't need to say much more here.

Anyway, to proclaim my love for the new lutherie section (it's lutherie, not luthery :D), here's a picture of a neck I built. I still don't have the inlays yet, so I haven't fretted the rosewood board I have, and attached it yet. :(
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/cdoasis/customguitar0033.jpg

Aaaand this monday I should have a picture of the body all routed, might even have the shape bandsawed out too, depending on how much time I have.

*kisses this thread*

[Dave293]

Yeah i mentioned it was lutherie in the welcome thread aswell. :)

Hopefully this forums will get more traffic.

I'm also planning on becoming a luthier, i in the middle of build 2 electrics, when i'm finished those i'll be starting a bass and some acoustics.

That neck is looking nice.

Heres my latest.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dave293/sanded001.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dave293/284001.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dave293/284002.jpg

[Tryxx]

Welcome back! And awesome work to the both of you. I'm hoping to get a couple instruments made for me, though I won't be the one that's doing it. But I'm curious, how do you shape the back of the neck and the fretboard? Radial sandblock?

[Dave293]

The fretboard radius can be done with a radiused sanding block like http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Neck,_fingerboard/Fretboard_Radius-sanding_Blocks.html (this) or with a router and a jig.

The back of the neck can be carved with rasps,files,surforms and spokeshaves untill it's the right shape. This site (http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/neck2.htm) Gives a good explanation.

[Peg Dizzler]

^ Yep, those are the best ways to shape them. I actually carved most of the back of the neck with a rasp, and a small sander attached to a hand drill. The necks I build are extremely thick though, but that's because that's the feel I like for a neck--if it was for a customer I'd probably use the spokeshave more to take off more wood, as most people like thinner, C-shaped necks.

[Miek]

So, how hard is it if you have all the right tools?

[Son of Magni]

Carving the neck with a spokeshave is the most fun part of build a bass :)

[Peg Dizzler]

So, how hard is it if you have all the right tools?

Building a guitar in general?

If that's what you're asking..
Well, it's not for everyone. You have to be pretty good at woodworking. If it's for fun you could end up with a pretty decent guitar. It does take alot of patience. And, of course, money for hardware, power tools, and specialty tools.

[Miek]

Yeah, pretty much.
I've done some extensive modding work on guitars, rewired them, and the likes, and I would really love to build a guitar.

[Peg Dizzler]

Do it!

What style you wanting to build?

[AG]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y117/dave293/sanded001.jpg

That shape is really nice. Kinda like an RG crossed with an EBMM Petrucci model.

[Peg Dizzler]

That's what I was thinking. I like that shape too. And the heel is a bit curved, very cool design.

[Polyamarous]

Yeah, pretty much.
I've done some extensive modding work on guitars, rewired them, and the likes, and I would really love to build a guitar.
It seems likea good idea, you know some basic stuf and form the looks of it, we've got some pretty sweet people here that might be willing to help out.

[Miek]

Do it!

What style you wanting to build?
I'm not sure yet, but I want to do something original.
If it's decent in any way, I'll sell it, maybe start a business eventually with my friend.
I can get the supplies dirt cheap, so I'd have a pretty large margin of profit.

[Peg Dizzler]

How do you get supplies dirt cheap? And are you referring to wood, hardware, or tools?

[Miek]

Wood and tools..
Thanks uncle Dave.

[Peg Dizzler]

Sweet. I currently have some access to a woodshop, because an older, experienced woodworker is helping me build. In return, I bought him wood and hardware for an LP style guitar (except with the body made out of ash, and a hardtail bridge to prevent tune-o-matic/neck angle confusion).

[mnemonic]

what do you think would be the easiest way to build a guitar's neck joint? bolt-on, set, or through? (buying neck premade) i've been thinking about making a custom guitar for a while. (have to wait until after collage, so it will be a while)

i was thinking neck through would be easiest, becuase the neck angle and everyting would alredy be there, and i woudn't have to worry about setting it right, or anyhting

[Peg Dizzler]

Bolt on neck is by far the easiest, I'm quite sure many others will agree.

[mnemonic]

how hard is a neck through? i could get one from carvin

[Specialsauce]

i always thought that neck through was the hardest considering that Neck through basses are more expensive than set or bolt neck...

[LewsTherin]

Id say NT is the hardest neck to construct and the easiest to build a bass around. Bolt-on is the easiest to make and the hardest to make a bass around, imo.

And part of why NT necks are more expensive is because they can be. Its a "premium" feature.

[Son of Magni]

Id say NT is the hardest neck to construct and the easiest to build a bass around. Bolt-on is the easiest to make and the hardest to make a bass around, imo.

And part of why NT necks are more expensive is because they can be. Its a "premium" feature.
I would agree with the first statement 100%. But as far as NT being more expensive, I'd say materials play a big part of that. My neck blanks are 48 inches long. That means the nice, stable, clear, exotic woods need to be found in lengths of at least 50, preferably 56 inches.

[LewsTherin]

I would agree with the first statement 100%. But as far as NT being more expensive, I'd say materials play a big part of that. My neck blanks are 48 inches long. That means the nice, stable, clear, exotic woods need to be found in lengths of at least 50, preferably 56 inches.


Yea, thats true too, and I never said it wasnt. I was simply expressing my opinion that companies often upcharge simply because they know people will pay for it.


Oh, and also, not everyone uses exotics. Maple and such shouldnt add that much expense to a bass.

[mnemonic]

i would think neck through would be easier, becuase the neck angle and everything is alredy there, you just need sides. i'm sure there's more to it than that, but, i dunno.

[Peg Dizzler]

^ Yes there is, tbh.
A neck-through style has a few more complications that a bolt-on. Bolt-on is definitely the easiest to start with.

[mnemonic]

what kind of extra stuff do you have to do?

[Son of Magni]

what kind of extra stuff do you have to do?
I guess my feeling is that the only real difference is that you have to glue the wings on. You still have to plan the neck angle, which is the tricky part. And I think it's just as easy to do the neck angle on the neck blank as it is to do it in the neck pocket.

So I think it's pretty much a wash.

If you're going to be successful building your bass, the key is in the planning stage. And doing a bolt-on doesn't change that.