A build with aspirations.

[calmb4tehpwn]

I aspire.

So, I've wanted to do a build since I was, hell, 15? And if anyone here recalls, I have, in fact, posted here about it before. Now things are getting more serious. There's a couple things getting in the way of me actually working on this, but we can focus on that later, first let's focus on what we do have.

First, a design. I've gone back and forth with designs a hundred times, and in the end, I'm just going to steal everything I like about all my favorite instruments. There's a bit of Dingwall in there, a bit Alembic Epic, and a horn off of a cutsom I spotted pictures of once. And in the end, you have what I'm looking to build. Now, with as much though as I've put in about the body, I'm at a loss for the headstock. I think I've made some headway, and I've included in my drawing a couple ideas. I'm personally leaning towards A. but please include any comments you have on the matter, as all four (and perhaps anything I haven't considered, or haven't yet thought up) are in the pool.

Now! This will be a neck through, 4 banger, and (I'm as astounded by this as you are) I HAVE ALL THE WOOD (caps lock is cruise control for awesome) except a really nice top. I think I want to top the wings, and leave the neckthrough showing, as I find there's something aesthetically breaking about having two bookmatched pieces coming together at a seem. I've seen some gorgeous peices, don't get me wrong, but I doubt I'll find that perfect piece. So, it's either one seemless top, or just top the wings. Either way, I think I'd be happy. Oh, also don't have anything for the fretboard. Now, to clarify, I'll be doing this full from scratch, and making every damn thing myself.

I have a baby coming in march, so this will probably be put on hold half way in, so I can switch to make a crib, then I'll come back to it.

Okay! So for woods, I actually have a few options. I have enough wood for a 5 piece maple neck (each piece about 3/4in thick, if I recall) OR a 2 piece teak neck with a purpleheart accent line, which is what I'm leaning toward. I also have mahogany for the body of the wings, and plenty for a veneer for the headstock, should I decide to go that route.

So, what I need:
top, probably Cocobolo, or Bubinga.
a bright body accent line, nice curly maple
fretboard, looking at ebony, or wenge.

Now, what's holding me up. Tools.
My dad actually just gave me a lowes gift card to put toward tools for making the crib, so I can go get some nice clamps and a plunge router, but I'm currently in a dillema. The last time I tried to get everything together for this, I ran into one big issue. I bought a nice 14in bandsaw, but it's old. From 20 years past. The engine works fine, strong pull, but the belt has long crumbled away. I've tried to replace twice, but with no luck. The first time it was a quarter inch too short, and the second time it was a quarter inch too long. I can try the short one again, try to make it fit. In either case, while I was trying to replace that, I found the pads on the guide wheels are worn. Worn to a point of a saftey hazard. I have to spend some time looking into it, I'm sure I can get replacements for different size wheels, but it's just another hinderance right now.

Anyways, I'm very excited to get rolling on this. And yes, I know, Teak is a difficult wood to work, and might not be the best idea for a beginner with limited tools. I'm taking the plunge anyways, and I'll come crying to you in a month.

I'm at work currently and will drop pictures of the wood tomorrow.

Oh! And electronics. I'm walking blind as far as pickup placement. I was planning on using the bass I have as a template, as it's what I know, and I know it sounds good, and same goes for scale, nut width, all that fun stuff. All I know for sure, is I'll be using Alembic electronics, assuming I can afford them (maybe not new)

Michael

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Seems the scan cut off part of my headstocks. Mainly, their indication.
-------A
---C
------B
--D

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Also, anyone in the Hampton Roads area of VA, that I might use the workshop and experience of? I just forsee a couple I might not want to be alone for.

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

I'm still flopping on wood choices here. I could do a drop top on the whole body, but with neckthrough, I can scarely imagine the additional problems that will bring forward. If I do a drop on the wings, they'd have to be a dark wood, to counter the medium color of Teak. I'd love to use wenge. Mayhap I will. Any thoughts on the idea behind the build so far?

 

[calmb4tehpwn]

Alright, so What I'm looking at here, is having a 3 piece neck. Teak/Purpleheart/Teak, with Mahogany wings. Now, for a top piece, I think I've decided on

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But how to implement is a different story.

What I'm thinking, and bear with me on this, is having the mahogany wings and the teak covered, but the purpleheart in the middle come flush with the top. This idea may prove as difficult as I expect it to be, and might in the end discourage me. But hear me out. There's a couple ways to go about this, I think. Glue up the neck as planned, except cut down the Teak beforehand, to be flush with the mahogany, leaving the purpleheart protruding. Glue on the mahogany wings, take a minute to ensure everything is flush, take a hand planer if needed (most likely) and then glue on the top pieces. This takes a lot of extra precaution as well as planning, but there's another idea.

Don't glue the neck up as planned. Instead, cut down the teak so it'll be flush with the mahogany, then instead of gluing up the neck, glue each piece of teak to each mahogany, once both are dry, glue up their tops, so the guitar will be in two pieces down the center, with the purpleheart still unglued. Then glue them in turn that way.

Both are much more difficult than nessecary, I know. I just have a vision.