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Post by jkemmery on Apr 28, 2007 11:47:07 GMT -5
When I decided to try my hand at building a guitar, I decided to start off cheap for the first one then work my way up to the ultimate ... so I bought a cheap Chineese strat-style body and neck, a pre-wired pickguard and a cheap Floyd copy (I've never been a huge Floyd fan, but I do like this bridge, it's a toploader.) I stained the body in a turquoise alcohol-based stain and rubbed it with about 4 coats of Formby's Tung Oil Finish. I did the Floyd routing myself, so it's a little crooked and probably the biggest reason I won't use another anytime soon. I used a Stew-Mac prewired pickguard, just to keep it simple and cheap a graphite nut and a cheapo set of top locking tuners (which I do not like, but probably won't replace). On the whole, I spent about $250 and it really doesn't play or sound bad at all - about like a Mexican Strat, if you ask me. It looks pretty cool, IMHO, despite being a 4 peice body (of what's supposed to be ash - but it sure ain't no swamp ash!) Here's the pics:      I've already bought the parts for my next build: Mighty MIte body and neck, GFS pickups (HSH), Wilkinson bridge, Grover Locking tuners, Warmoth silver shell pickguard, etc ... this is fun! |
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Post by sumgai on Apr 28, 2007 17:16:30 GMT -5
jk, Well, it sure isn't alder. The tighter grain patterns are consistent with swamp ash, in my experience. But it is unusual to use 4 pieces, can you show us a full-face shot of the back, please? BTW, nice finish job, especially for a first time up to bat!  sumgai |
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Post by jkemmery on Apr 29, 2007 9:16:55 GMT -5
Well, it sure isn't alder. The tighter grain patterns are consistent with swamp ash, in my experience. But it is unusual to use 4 pieces, can you show us a full-face shot of the back, please? BTW, nice finish job, especially for a first time up to bat! sumgai Thank you. I like the idea of being able to see and feel the grain, along with some color. I'm attempting a burst for my next one. The swamp ash body I have now, and the one's I've seen have a bit of a looser grain, but that's just my limited experience. Being a Chineese import, I'm not sure of the origin of the wood, but it seems a bit "softer" than the northern "baseball bat" ash or swamp ash that I've worked with before, but again, that's a very limited experience. But it sure ain't no alder, either, that's true. I'm sure the 4 peices contributed to it's relatively low cost. I don't have a full on back shot to post at the moment, and I broke my digital camera after these were taken. If I can get one to post, I will. Thanks again! |
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Post by hammeroff on Apr 29, 2007 22:23:31 GMT -5
Dude, nice looking axe!
I'd totally play it.
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Post by jkemmery on Apr 30, 2007 9:01:45 GMT -5
Thanks man! I'm liking it. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever buy a guitar again. It's too rewarding to make your own, and all the parts are out there to make exactly what you want.
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mch
Rookie Solder Flinger
Posts: 7
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Post by mch on Apr 30, 2007 10:54:46 GMT -5
Thanks man! I'm liking it. Honestly, I don't think I'll ever buy a guitar again. It's too rewarding to make your own, and all the parts are out there to make exactly what you want. I just started building my own guitars and I feel the same way. It's truly rewarding. I'm selling off my store bought guitars. I really like the look of your guitar. I'm into the natural look of wood in guitars, not the plastic thick finishes. cool |
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