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Post by angelofdeath on Jan 25, 2007 19:39:04 GMT -5
hey, i've gotten a nice amp and now its time for a nice guitar. only problem is, i have nowhere near the money to all out buy a new guitar. so i've decided to build one from scratch. i would like the opinions of some people on what kind of wood to get. i really hate painting so i would like to get a wood that has a nice grain to it so i can just have it as a natural finish. so i'd like to hear what you guys have to say about it.
chris
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Post by ChrisK on Jan 26, 2007 23:39:43 GMT -5
While I've never built a guitar from scratch (making my own body and neck, winding my own pickups, etc), I have made several guitars with scratch ($). The typical aftermarket build for me runs about $800 to $1,000 due to using the best components. guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&thread=1163644536guitarnuts2.proboards45.com/index.cgi?board=music&action=display&thread=1144693179This is made entirely of padouk, with no finish required. There are several woods that do not require a hard finish. Padouk, wenge, pao ferro, canary, rosewood, bloodwood, purpleheart, etc. Some will route a body blank for just the neck, bridge, and pickup cavities of your choice (assuming that they do the desired cavities) while leaving the outside rectangular. The alder ones run $110. You can finish some woods with tung or Danish oil in lieu of painting. I have a book-matched flame walnut chambered Strat copy body about to undergo such. Aside from delamination from moisture attaching the glue on laminated bodies, many closed grain woods such as alder don't really need a hard finish if you don't use them as paddles or umbrella's. The Padouk Caster will eventually get a coat of a finishing oil just because it's a laminate. It's a "house guitar" and isn't allowed "out to play", but prevention is. The neck is an entirely different story. While bodies generally don't warp, necks do from moisture absorption. The several woods mentioned above do not require a hard finish while others such as maple and mahogany most certainly do. The best thing for you to do is to lurk about the various sites, read all that they have to say about body and neck descriptions, visit their customer guitar gallery, and (follow the yellow brick link). |
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jester700
Meter Reader 1st Class
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Post by jester700 on Jan 27, 2007 5:56:10 GMT -5
Consider the Carvin Bolt kit as well. Fewer choices for customizing, but easier on the wallet, and of equal quality. I love the Carvin necks.
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Post by dunkelfalke on Jan 27, 2007 7:16:27 GMT -5
only problem is, i have nowhere near the money to all out buy a new guitar. so i've decided to build one from scratch. i would like the opinions of some people on what kind of wood to get. tonewood and parts are so expensive that it is really much cheaper to buy a decent budget guitar. |
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Post by angelofdeath on Jan 27, 2007 17:20:38 GMT -5
i was considering getting the carvin kit. but the thing is with building this guitar from scratch, i dont have to pay a lot upfront. i can slowly build it as i get the money.
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bjg
Apprentice Shielder
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Post by bjg on Jan 29, 2007 12:36:05 GMT -5
I have built two guitars from scratch(going out to lumber shop and picking up from there). The cost is only an issue if you dont have the tools necessary (router, band saw, drillpress are very very helpful). If you have the tools you could make a complete guitar for about $250 to $300. However tools are expensive. Also you really should know what your doing when trying to build something. My first neck was terrible and i have expierience working with wood. Do not expect your first guitar to be something great because everyone will mess up the first time.
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Post by ranchtooth on Jan 29, 2007 17:40:36 GMT -5
I've only built one myself.... but something I can't stress enough is the old adage about measure twice, cut once. Measure three times, just to be safe, then measure again. Also, a vernier micrometer is indespensible if you wanna be accurate!
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spud1950
Apprentice Shielder
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Post by spud1950 on Feb 5, 2007 8:31:05 GMT -5
"i don't have to pay a lot upfront. i can slowly build it as i get the money."
Why don't you put together a parts guitar by buying parts off eBay?That way you don't have to pay for everything at once, just collect the parts over a period of time and put it together when you have everything you need. You can put together a really good guitar for a very reasonable total cost.All you need is some basic, common hand tools as opposed to having to buy a lot of expensive power tools.
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Post by angelofdeath on Feb 5, 2007 11:53:05 GMT -5
hmm...good point....but i already do have all the wood working tools........i have the mechanical/wood working grandpa....haha
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spud1950
Apprentice Shielder
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Post by spud1950 on Feb 7, 2007 0:59:25 GMT -5
If you have access to the tools and someone to help you,go for it. Making necks is tricky business,but making the body and putting an already made bolt on neck on it should be a great way to do your first one.There's a lot of how to info on the net about building guitars.I wish I had access to the proper equipment.I'd love to build one.
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