One large channel between FB and bridge, some velcro or "erector set" type rails...hmmm, think I will do that sometime.
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First Build - And May My Mistakes Be Minimal
- Thread starter PDX Rich
- Start date
One quick and dirty way of doing something similar is to make some spacers out of scrap wood that allows you to hang the pickup ABOVE the strings, and use some masking tape to stick the pickup in different locations. You can wire the pickup temporarily with alligator clips.
It's a bit awkward to play it this way, and of course it gets messy if you want to test run a pair of pickups together.
Loved the first day of woodworking class! Yay adult education! They had a ton of awesome gear mostly from the 50s. Doesn't look like I can switch to Tuesdays, Mathias. =/ But, I look forward to working on more lutherie with ya!
I will be able to get back to my project tomorrow night. I even managed to get close on the headstock design (open book Aria style). Took a little bit to get the Bezier Curve tilted correctly, then re-mirrored to match. I'll upload a picture tomorrow of the drawing.
Tuners on backorder...may need to switch to a different model or wait longer.... hmmm. I really want to figure out where to make my marks on the headstock drawing, but have no reference... meh.
I will be able to get back to my project tomorrow night. I even managed to get close on the headstock design (open book Aria style). Took a little bit to get the Bezier Curve tilted correctly, then re-mirrored to match. I'll upload a picture tomorrow of the drawing.
Tuners on backorder...may need to switch to a different model or wait longer.... hmmm. I really want to figure out where to make my marks on the headstock drawing, but have no reference... meh.
This reminds me of the Open Book design when production was first switched to Korea. It was way out. It is back to where it should be now.
I think I'll stick with this one. It is not exact, but I think I've captured the spirit of the design. Since I have the brass nut now, I can use the calipers to transfer measurements. I am lacking the tuners, of course, so I will look online to see if I can find measurements. From there, I can simply connect the inside of peg to corresponding slot on nut. If the slots require no further work, I'll use whatever string diameter to make final measurements.
That pointed concave spot in the center can't be followed by a router bearing, or sanded with the ROSS, so you'll have shape that detail by hand.
You probably don't wait for the tuners before moving forward, all you need is the tuner post diameter. And perhaps an idea of the "lollipop" size, so the tuners don't stick out too far.
Yup! Even with my initial wavy-tips design, it would require more detailed work than my current gear could provide. If I am careful, I can use hand tools + Dremel!
Alternatively, our woodworking class has scroll saws.
Rough cut and rough sanded (bandsaw, ROSS) upper body wing. Walnut stringer to show placement down the line.
Hickory is tough stuff, but no issues.
Hickory is tough stuff, but no issues.
A bit more on hickory, from my brief experience:
- hickory is hard. Hard as a rock
- hickory is heavy!
- hickory sapwood is dense. Dense enough to cause my small bandsaw to seize up multiple times. I ended up having to make relief cut-stop saw-back out-repeat.
- hickory would make a great kitchen counter
- hickory is certainly pretty!
- hickory is fairly easy to sand
As you may have noticed, I went from bandsaw to ROSS. No router used yet. Now that I have a little scrap, I will test a roundover bit. Others have pointed out the potential for tearout, so I wanted to use the router to a minimum. Of course, there will be plenty of routing to do moving forward!
- hickory is hard. Hard as a rock
- hickory is heavy!
- hickory sapwood is dense. Dense enough to cause my small bandsaw to seize up multiple times. I ended up having to make relief cut-stop saw-back out-repeat.
- hickory would make a great kitchen counter
- hickory is certainly pretty!
- hickory is fairly easy to sand
As you may have noticed, I went from bandsaw to ROSS. No router used yet. Now that I have a little scrap, I will test a roundover bit. Others have pointed out the potential for tearout, so I wanted to use the router to a minimum. Of course, there will be plenty of routing to do moving forward!
D'oh! I hate it when that happens. At least you can spare the 1/8". This whole hobby is a series of recoveries from mistakes, and I am gradually working my way through all the potential screw-ups. Looking really nice, love this build. We both just hadda do neck-through to compound the pain of any mistakes.
Turns out I was a bit wide initially on the upper wing. Jointer jointed the mistake out. Now both wings are same width.
I'll have to do some boart-foot calculations for the wood.
Other stuff (all approximate USD):
FB: 48
Bridge: 100
Tuners: 100
Nut: 8
Electronics: 100
Pickup: 120
Wow, that added up! But, I really wanted to try for that SB-1000 sound I love so much. Hopefully, my project will be successful. And at least most of the cost is salvageable in case I have to start over ;D.
