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Post by valvetronix on Sept 17, 2006 19:34:03 GMT -5
I am routinely asked for information on electric guitar building: tools needed, costs, wood types, hardware, templates, etc etc. In this thread I will try and answer some of these questions.
First off, I will address guitar kits. These kits are great as a first or even second build; they get you comfortable with the tools, build your confidence and show you the basic construction of a guitar. The cane come in different setups… some you just attach the neck, stain and equip, others you just get a box of wood and parts. My personal opinion is; you learn more and its cheaper to just disassemble and reassemble one of your guitars. But if you just want to sink your hands into something without jumping in with both feet these may be a good idea. www.stewmac.com has some decent ‘looking’ kits, I have never made one myself.
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 17, 2006 19:42:19 GMT -5
Similar to kits are Piece and Play (pun intended). This is another quick and easy way to get into luthierism. You can buy a finished Stratocaster body, with skulls and flames inlayed in pearl, and 24 fret graphite neck, with tree of life inlays and a Dime Dead Headstock, with a mid 1960s Les Paul neck playing profile, a Pre-Wired pickguard with quadbuckers, and 40:1 Steinberger Gearless Tuners. Then put this guitar together. I DO NOT recommend this approach. It does not teach you anymore than disassembling your guitar and reassembling, but it is MUCH more expensive.
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 17, 2006 21:02:09 GMT -5
Next I will talk about planning… DO IT!!!! When you get your hunk of brazilian purple heart and put your hands on it, it sucks your brains out through your fingers. Changing your mind repeatedly is harmful to your project, wallet, and you. When you decide to build a guitar, decide what you want, from body style, to routing depth, to fret size and pickup selection. This will save you money and possibly wood. (I routed a stratocaster for a recessed floyd rose tremolo, then decided to block it in again and install a tune-o-matic) This will also save you shipping time. Get all your parts ready, so you don’t end up waiting for a part to finish the guitar, which is a huge buzz kill. If you have the capability, plans can be done in autoCAD.    |
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 17, 2006 21:30:08 GMT -5
Now lets talk about woods (how exciting eh?). While not as important in electric as in acoustics, it is still important to think about. Density is VERY important. Every played three similar guitars, with 1 guitar having a rosewood fretboard, one a ebony fretboard, and the other a maple fretboard? The density of the woods changes the brightness of the sound. As a general rule the more dense wood has a brighter sound. For example lets look at Gibson Les Pauls. The new Gibson Mahogany Les Paul has a all mahogany body, and a much warmer sound than the Les Paul Standards and Customs, which have a maple, or curly maple top. The thick wavy wood grain you see on top of a Les Paul Standard is the maple. Customs also have the maple top, but it is covered by the full-fill paint.
When searching for woods to use on your first guitars, I would suggest mahogany, or mahogany and maple. Rare and exotic woods may look better, but can be very hard to work with.
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voltimus
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Fear the Smurf!
Posts: 117
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Post by voltimus on Sept 17, 2006 22:38:03 GMT -5
Good info...I've been thinking about making an acoustic, but, I haven't had the time lately...
That and I'm afraid of messing up..
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 17, 2006 22:46:48 GMT -5
Good info...I've been thinking about making an acoustic, but, I haven't had the time lately... That and I'm afraid of messing up.. Try a kit... Its decent work, and like i said... builds your confidence |
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voltimus
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Fear the Smurf!
Posts: 117
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Post by voltimus on Sept 18, 2006 9:31:24 GMT -5
I've been checking out a few luthier sites Mish posted on JS, they have a few kits on their that have piqued my interest.
My daughter's 8th birthday is coming up and she wants a guitar, I think it would be great if I built it for her.
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 18, 2006 10:53:34 GMT -5
I've been checking out a few luthier sites Mish posted on JS, they have a few kits on their that have piqued my interest. My daughter's 8th birthday is coming up and she wants a guitar, I think it would be great if I built it for her. Then get one and get started! You know the link to one of the ones your looking at? |
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Post by Turbo7MN on Sept 19, 2006 15:58:27 GMT -5
I'm curious what you think of using all maple for the body of the guitar. My 335-S is all maple with a rosewood fretboard, it's kinda like a bright-sounding LP. I love the sound (especially unplugged) and I'm wondering why all-maple guitars aren't more common.
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 19, 2006 17:04:31 GMT -5
Well... The 335s are hollow bodys... That make a very warm sound to begin with. So the Maple, to a certain degree brightens that out.
Also, a full size, solid body guitar, out of maple, would be insanley heavy, and VERY bright sounding.
I'm sure it could be done though.
Maple guitars are pretty common in hollow bodys though. I have one myself.
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Post by Turbo7MN on Sept 19, 2006 17:07:28 GMT -5
No... the 335-S is a rare solidbody variant of the ES-335. I can show you a pic if you want.
It is insanely heavy, but it sounds really nice. I like the brighter sound.
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Post by Turbo7MN on Sept 19, 2006 17:11:19 GMT -5
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 19, 2006 17:14:03 GMT -5
No... the 335-S is a rare solidbody variant of the ES-335. I can show you a pic if you want. It is insanely heavy, but it sounds really nice. I like the brighter sound. Ah well, I am humbled, I saw the 335 and automatically thought of the ES335  . In that case... Price, and demand could be a problem. The 335s started up in the 1960s, maple was scarce and used not used unless really needed (Check out history of tele headstock!). Since your guitar is from the 80s, It could possibly be becasue the ES with solid maple construction has no historical good selling numbers. Of course this is all off the top of my head speculation... Most likley, its just becasue... well you said it, its a rare guitar  I wouldnt mind seeing a all maple super strat though  |
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voltimus
Soloist
Fear the Smurf!
Posts: 117
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Post by voltimus on Sept 23, 2006 0:36:47 GMT -5
Well, I've decided to do 2 projects this year..
My electric Peavey Adrian Vanderberg model is going to get some new skin and hardware..
and I'm looking to build an acoustic with a LMI kit, mostly, so I can collect the tools for future projects...
I'm looking to make a few kits, then get into going from stock wood to finished project. I have alot of ideas rolling around in my noggin' that I'm looking forward to trying...
I'll try to keep everyone posted with some pics, and I'm definitely going to need some advice.
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Post by valvetronix on Sept 23, 2006 8:27:27 GMT -5
Awesome! Good to see people getting into it
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