The Teardrop Explodes!

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Thu May 05, 2011 6:51 pm

Well hopefuly not! But it got your attention.

I've been aproached by another forum member to build a custom guitar body.

Basically, this is what we're aiming for;

It will be hollow-bodied, with binding around the top.

Using this pic and an emailed outline I got this paper template;

With parts to get a better idea of scale, and how the finished guitar;

That spawned this MDF template;

I'll flip this on it's centreline to ensure symmmetry when making a heftier 'working' template
I still need to cut out the areas for routing the soundhole and the chambers.

I hope to pickup the timber tomorrow afternoon and have the body blank done on Saturday, if the weather allows.

I was a bit unsure about posting this thread, does this contravene any 'commercial' rules?
Anyway, I'm grateful to be trusted with this build and will do my best to do it justice.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu May 05, 2011 7:07 pm

Good stuff Adam!
Just down turn into Aug..

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Thu May 05, 2011 7:34 pm

this looks like its going to be a really interesting project and I'm very jealous of whoever is getting it

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Thu May 05, 2011 7:36 pm

Don't worry Fran. I don't want to be making too many as, I'm sure you know too, making guitars is a fucking pain in the cock!

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:31 pm

I know mate, you have to be geared up for it with some kind of workshop. Unlike me, waiting for a sunny day to drag the work trestles and Router out onto the garden..

Joey · Post by **Joey** » Thu May 05, 2011 8:32 pm

I was a bit unsure about posting this thread, does this contravene any 'commercial' rules?

I think your cool, think that commerical rule applies to:

I'M THE BSET GUITARZ BUILDOR EVER!!! I WASHED A UTUBE VIDEO FOR 5 MINUTES. NOW I MAKE YOU BEST GUITARZ FOR CHEAP! DON'T BUYZ FROM WARMOTH. i'M CHEAP, FAST & EAZY. I ATE QUEERZ, GOD BLEZZ, HAVE A NICE DAY.

But if you want to get your name out, just spam every guitar forum/section known to man. It got that guy like 5 pages of attention... now I know where to buy fast/cheap bound necks.

P.S. You gottsa do binding on em F holes

JohnnyTheBoy · Post by **JohnnyTheBoy** » Fri May 06, 2011 1:57 am

Cor blimey,...this is gonna be an ace build Adam!
Really looking forward to seeing you tackle the binding

...thumbs up old bean!

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:19 pm

I got started about 3 hours ago, I'm having a lunch break and a quick internet posting session.

Pics inside

► Show Spoiler

Updates later in the day!

Mo Law-ka · Post by **Mo Law-ka** » Sun May 15, 2011 2:46 pm

Totally awesome! I can't wait to see the finished product.

ac88 · Post by **ac88** » Sun May 15, 2011 4:08 pm

Last picture - body of guitar looks excited.

: D

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sun May 15, 2011 4:10 pm

Well rain has stopped play, but at least I've achieved something today!

Marked and rough cut the top, did a practice sound hole in one of the off cuts, then rough cut the actual sound hole in the actual wood.

► Show Spoiler

Still needs a fair bit of work; loads of sanding, roundover on the back, more sanding, extra work on the sound hole, some sanding, top needs gluing on, more sanding, making some templates for the pickup routes, rouning pickup and neck routes, maybe more sanding, routing the rebate for the binding.
Having said that, the hard engineering is done so it shouldn't take long to finish.

Anyway, I'm pretty proud of the results so far.

Oh, and because all the other people who make guitars in internetland seem to brag about the weight of their guitars, this is 4lb bang on.

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Sun May 15, 2011 5:10 pm

So it'll be about 4.98lb once the binding channel is cut, right? Arf.

Looks absolutely brilliant. Fast work!

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun May 15, 2011 5:20 pm

most impressive!

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sun May 15, 2011 5:27 pm

I decided I needed to get the control cavity cut before gluing the top down.
But in order to do that, I need to know the exact size, of the cavity.
So during a break in the rain, I quickly made a template, and hit the router table.

Looks the part!

Gabriel · Post by **Gabriel** » Sun May 15, 2011 7:08 pm

Good work, looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

JohnnyTheBoy · Post by **JohnnyTheBoy** » Sun May 15, 2011 7:39 pm

Booootiful....really Boooootiful!
This is taking stuff to the next level Adam...that bookmatched veneer is gonna look superb!
With baited breath we wait......

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Tue May 17, 2011 8:15 pm

On the home stretch now!

► Show Spoiler

I just need to route the recess for the binding, make templates for the pickup routes and route the pickup cavities then it's time for it's new owner to take over.

BTW, the neck pocket is cut shallow to accomadate the tuneomatic, rather than shim it.

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sat May 21, 2011 12:35 pm

Well I've done my part!
The post office is closed now, so I'll get this sent out on Monday.

This is the embryo of the pickup template;

Positions marked onto body;

Pickup cavities stage 1 done;

Stage 2;

Binding channel done;

So, I'm passing on the torch and hopefully we'll get to see this thread continued.
I'm actually really looking forward to seeing it finished.

cooter · Post by **cooter** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:10 pm

Great work. That looks excellent.

lorez · Post by **lorez** » Sat May 21, 2011 3:34 pm

very impressive and i cant wait to see the results of the finished guitar