I've got £340 to spend on power tools...

[Bainzy]

...as I'm starting to make my own guitar parts. Should be really fun as it's the last thing I've not yet done in terms of guitars, I've painted, assembled, drilled, set up parts, but never made my own from timber simply due to lack of tools.

To help me pay back the initial investment of the tools I need to get quickly, would you guys like some rediculously cheap guitar bodies routed to Fender neck pocket dimensions (ie. ala Warmoth)? I'm talking like wood cost plus £20 or something. Although being my first few bodies they wouldn't be inferior quality, as I've had plenty of woodworking experience, it's just that the first ones might take a bit longer as I will have to furnish brand new templates.

I'm just floating the idea out there, as I'm curious as to whether there'd be much demand for this stuff. I'm also gonna post progress pics and tutorials in threads so you guys can follow it and see whether you think you'd like to try it yourselves.

[Guitarzan]

I'm really interested in the whole guitar body thing. I was just thinking the other day that I would like to get a superstrat body to go with my old neck.

Would you be willing to ship to the US as I do not live in the UK (as of right now). I plan to try to make a trip there for LGS next year but I cannot find any info on when it'll be on next year.

Cheers
Joe

[Bainzy]

I guess so - I'm not really wanting to run a business though, just thought I'd do a few for some forum mates in the first few weeks after I get the gear.

One thing I'd like to be able to build is the Jackson Soloist body that Warmoth offer on their site, I love the way it accomodates for 24 fret necks and still has Fender Strat neck pocket dimensions.

[WezV]

For bodies you probably want a small bandsaw or good scroll saw and a good solid router.  Templates and good router bits will get you a long way.  A drill press will also come in handy

Nice bandsaw:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/1/product-Perform-CCBB-Bandsaw-21702.htm

Nice starter router:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/recno/2/product-Axminster-AW635R-Router-21373.htm

I would also get a router bit with a bearing ON TOP, (not on the end).  The you can use a template with the router for your pickups, control cavity and neck pocket and even the shape of the guitar.  If you are after doing specific copies of guitar shapes then you can get templates a few places on the web.

In the US:

http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/electricguitar.htm

Or send a message to Simo, the moderator of the UK guitar builders forum at:

http://simnettguitars.co.uk

He sells some nice templates but doesnt have as many as the shop in the US

[chrisola]

BC Rich Stealth body maybe? 8)

[downfader]

...as I'm starting to make my own guitar parts. Should be really fun as it's the last thing I've not yet done in terms of guitars, I've painted, assembled, drilled, set up parts, but never made my own from timber simply due to lack of tools.

To help me pay back the initial investment of the tools I need to get quickly, would you guys like some rediculously cheap guitar bodies routed to Fender neck pocket dimensions (ie. ala Warmoth)? I'm talking like wood cost plus £20 or something. Although being my first few bodies they wouldn't be inferior quality, as I've had plenty of woodworking experience, it's just that the first ones might take a bit longer as I will have to furnish brand new templates.

I'm just floating the idea out there, as I'm curious as to whether there'd be much demand for this stuff. I'm also gonna post progress pics and tutorials in threads so you guys can follow it and see whether you think you'd like to try it yourselves.

Kudos to you for trying it. I'm still trying it, lol!

Yeah get a decent bandsaw, plus you may want to invest in an extractor fan/vacuum for it as the dust will be a pain and can clog the blade.

Sash Cramps are a must, you'll need atleast 2, I'd recommend 3 long ones for the body as it will be easier. For the neck various G and F clamps are handy. When I glued the wood for my neck laminate (which I still havent finished) it took 14 clamps to get it right. Try Machine Mart for this as they're quite cheap on a few ranges.

Machine Marts online clamps range

Wickes also have some quite nice G clamps for 6 and 8 quid. They have a good, large spring clamp for 2 handy for setting things up while getting the proper clamps in place.

A drill press is also handy. Dont buy a hobbyists one, you'd need a proper floor standing one, and these can be about 180 quid.

I made me own templates and cut them out of ply. Use marine ply as it will last longer and will spinter less  

Chisels, sharpening stones, various spoke shaves and planes are very handy, but go for quality, not the run of the mill you get in B&Q.

[downfader]

One more thing, bandsaw blades, get decent ones. I've been recommended Saw Tech ones from a local timber merchants, though I've not been able to get ahold of any yet. The range you get in most DIY stores is terrible and they seem to blunt rather easily.  :roll:

[Bainzy]

Thanks for the posts - you guys rock  :twisted:

I'll be looking into getting the router this week, that model is the best I've seen so far in that price range so I might put an order in.

[Guitarzan]

Sorry for the last post, it came off different than I intended  :oops: .

Anyways, I commend you for getting into building your own stuff. I've been interested for a long long time, but never gotten my stuff together.

I like what all the other mates are saying, but I think you might find a small planer to be helpful too. They make some inexpensive bench-top models nowadays.

Also find a good wood supplier, as good ones are few and far-between.

[TwilightOdyssey]

Sounds like a good plan, Bainzy!
When you're set up, let me know!!

[Bainzy]

Also find a good wood supplier, as good ones are few and far-between.

Tell me about it! That's the only thing I'm still yet to find, though I'm working on it. I'm also hoping to find someone who can get me any wood that's a bit older than modern production if possible, for making '54 strat and '59 LP replicas that sound more authentic.

Sounds like a good plan, Bainzy!
When you're set up, let me know!!

Will do! By the way, you wouldn't happen to know anyone with a template for a George Lynch ESP reverse headstock would you?  

[TwilightOdyssey]

PM me, I might be able to help you. :)

[downfader]

Tell me about it! That's the only thing I'm still yet to find, though I'm working on it. I'm also hoping to find someone who can get me any wood that's a bit older than modern production if possible, for making '54 strat and '59 LP replicas that sound more authentic.

Wood kind of reaches a natural maturity and settles as I call it, after about 5 years, a max of 10, so thats the age of the cut wood if you ask me. Going for very old wood is pointless, unless you want to cut up an antique  :lol:  You'd need to rough cut it to shape and leave it for that time in a good environment.

You dont just have tonewood suppliers for woods, try any merchant. I go to a marine timber merchant for my little projects. They know nothing about musical gear, but it may end up being cheaper if you can come to learn what to look for and tap test for. Avoid knots and big splits, test out little splits to see how deep they may be (its like an iceberg sometimes  :roll: ) by gently flexing the wood if you can.

When I tap test I lay the wood across my shoulder, just put the edge of my ear against it and tap with my knuckles or finger nails. I'm listening for a longish "pop!" that is bright and clear and not too bassy. Others may have other methods or listen out for other characteristics

[Bainzy]

Tell me about it! That's the only thing I'm still yet to find, though I'm working on it. I'm also hoping to find someone who can get me any wood that's a bit older than modern production if possible, for making '54 strat and '59 LP replicas that sound more authentic.

Wood kind of reaches a natural maturity and settles as I call it, after about 5 years, a max of 10, so thats the age of the cut wood if you ask me. Going for very old wood is pointless, unless you want to cut up an antique  :lol:  You'd need to rough cut it to shape and leave it for that time in a good environment.

You dont just have tonewood suppliers for woods, try any merchant. I go to a marine timber merchant for my little projects. They know nothing about musical gear, but it may end up being cheaper if you can come to learn what to look for and tap test for. Avoid knots and big splits, test out little splits to see how deep they may be (its like an iceberg sometimes  :roll: ) by gently flexing the wood if you can.

When I tap test I lay the wood across my shoulder, just put the edge of my ear against it and tap with my knuckles or finger nails. I'm listening for a longish "pop!" that is bright and clear and not too bassy. Others may have other methods or listen out for other characteristics

When I mean old wood I mean really wood that wasn't taken from a modern plantation where every tree is planted the optimal distance from each other, and they all turn out the same, and are cut at the same age. I'm after some wood that came from trees that grow longer and randomly in old forests, as it's got generally got more character and vibe.

[Brow]

To help me pay back the initial investment of the tools I need to get quickly, would you guys like some rediculously cheap guitar bodies routed to Fender neck pocket dimensions (ie. ala Warmoth)? I'm talking like wood cost plus £20 or something. Although being my first few bodies they wouldn't be inferior quality, as I've had plenty of woodworking experience, it's just that the first ones might take a bit longer as I will have to furnish brand new templates.

Would this be just for the bodies 'as is'? Or would they be routed for pickups/electronics, drilled for hardware etc?

I know this is kind of a cheeky question, but I'd be VERY interested, dependent on your answers  :D