Ever make your own guitar?

[frenchji]

I've made around 20 or so basses. The latest one has 14 deg twist on the neck, carbon fiber skin on maple core. Headless of course as I really like the balance on headless basses. Pickup is Wal-inspired 10-coil with state variable filter preamp. So far the best bass I've made both in sound and playability.
Marko

Tell me about that bridge.. that looks hot!

[Marko Ursin]

What about the bridge? It's made of brass, 3mm base plate and 8mm brass for other parts. I brazed the ends to the base plate, then blackened all the bridge parts with Birchwood Casey's Brass Black.
Marko

[frenchji]

What about the bridge? It's made of brass, 3mm base plate and 8mm brass for other parts. I brazed the ends to the base plate, then blackened all the bridge parts with Birchwood Casey's Brass Black.
Marko

It looked like you made it yourself... in a good way!

Ive always wanted to make my own hardware.. but I just don't got the skills.

Do the saddles adjust? Is the bridge floating or attached? How hard is it to build something like that? What sort of tools would a noob like me need to get started? I imagine my propane torch won't get brass hot enough to braze.

[Marko Ursin]

The bridge is fully adjustable. The saddle blocks are held on place by set screws on both sides of the bridge.
I have drill press, files, hacksaws, Dremel bits and thread taps. And some skills and a lot of time. Well, not so much time if you ask mrs.
Marko

It looked like you made it yourself... in a good way!

Ive always wanted to make my own hardware.. but I just don't got the skills.

Do the saddles adjust? Is the bridge floating or attached? How hard is it to build something like that? What sort of tools would a noob like me need to get started? I imagine my propane torch won't get brass hot enough to braze.

[John_H]

I'm almost ready to put the finish on this one. I'm using Tru-Oil. I experimented with it, and some waterborne urethane. The poly looked good, and was easy to work with. The oil looked better and won out. There are around ten coats on the sample. This could take a while.

[David Schwab]

I'm almost ready to put the finish on this one. I'm using Tru-Oil. I experimented with it, and some waterborne urethane. The poly looked good, and was easy to work with. The oil looked better and won out. There are around ten coats on the sample. This could take a while.

Nice looking guitar. You should try Watco Danish oil. I like it better than Tru-Oil, and it builds faster.

I finished this bass with it.



I don't even think I had to give it 10 coats, but it's been a long time. I also use it on figured maple before spraying lacquer top coats to five the wood a nice glow.

[John_H]

Nice looking guitar. You should try Watco Danish oil. I like it better than Tru-Oil, and it builds faster.

Thanks David, I'm really liking the way it's turning out. It's been a long time since I've built one, so this has been fun. I like your guitars, the finish looks great, and I admire brave design that isn't inhibited by the status quo. I stepped a little out of the box on this one of mine, but really only with one foot. I'm kind of a chicken when it comes to that.

I'll have to give the Watco a try again. I used it on a Black Walnut desk that I built about 25 years ago. I saw the desk a couple years ago, and it still looked great.

[Quarter]

... The poly looked good, and was easy to work with. The oil looked better ...

I'm a big fan of Tru Oil mainly for that, it can really bring a piece of wood to life and feels so nice under hand.
If your going for a high gloss mirror result, it can take a bit of effort, but is definitely doable. Here is a project I just completed with a Tru Oil finish.

.

[playonit]

Here's a few of mine.... these were keepers

[ken]

Quarter, you have a way with wood. How do you make your finishes look so good?

Playonit, do you have a better photo of the center guitar in your thumbnails - the white? Strat?

ken

[playonit]

Here are some more pics

Quarter, you have a way with wood. How do you make your finishes look so good?

Playonit, do you have a better photo of the center guitar in your thumbnails - the white? Strat?

ken

[John_H]

I finished my mahogany guitar this weekend.

[davos]

I love seeing your lapsteels Tom!

I ran a custom shop for a few years before switching to pickups full time, here a few builds I did:

[John_H]

I was bored a couple weeks ago, so I started this one. I've been wanting a new tel.

[jack briggs]

Since I do this for a living, I'll try to restrain myself:














Cheers,