So I have the itch to build a guitar...

[Roxy13]

And the one I'd like most for my collection would be a P90 singlecut.

However, I don't have a large jointer, planer or bandsaw and I don't really have the room either for them right now. Is it even possible to do a good job without those tools?

 

[nuance97]

It is possible. You can use router-rails in place of a planer, a router and straight edge in place of a jointer, and a jigsaw in place of a bandsaw. Obviously there are other tools you’ll need but the specific ones you listed can be substituted

 

[Roxy13]

I have routers, a good table saw, a good miter saw, all the tools for fretwork, and a drill press. I also have an orbital sander, which I suppose might come in handy.

 

[Roxy13]

As for skills, well, I'm lacking in a lot of areas I guess, but I have done these:

Built furniture
Refretted about 10 guitars and plenty more that I leveled and dressed the frets
Of course all the electronics
I completed one husk where I drilled for the bridge and all the small parts like the plastics, tuners, TRC, etc.

But, I have not made a body or carved a neck, that's for sure. I haven't done a full finish on a guitar either, just touch ups.

 

[emoney]

You've got everything you need it sounds to me like. Some of us even built their first one without having the experience of building furniture, doing fret work, etc. Heck, I couldn't even solder when I started.

Also, plenty LP's built right here in this forum totally done with hand tools. Read a lot...experiment some...build good templates and have a go!

 

[jkes01]

And the one I'd like most for my collection would be a P90 singlecut.

However, I don't have a large jointer, planer or bandsaw and I don't really have the room either for them right now. Is it even possible to do a good job without those tools?

Sure search any of @Barnaby ’s hand tool builds. Truly inspiring.

Here’s one that still has pics.

Barnaby's Hand Tool Tele

Right thenthis is a tele-style build from scratch. There are two self-imposed rules. The first is that hand tools only shall be used in construction. The only exception is that a spray gun will probably be used to apply lacquer at the end. The second rule is that I shall attempt to complete...

www.mylespaul.com

 

[LtDave32]

And the one I'd like most for my collection would be a P90 singlecut.

However, I don't have a large jointer, planer or bandsaw and I don't really have the room either for them right now. Is it even possible to do a good job without those tools?

You really don't need a jointer or a planer to build a Jr.

Use 8/4 lumber full-thickness, which is between 1 3/4" and 1 7/8" thick.

Cut around the pattern (leaving a fair border around the pattern) with a jigsaw. You are going to need that, if you don't have a bandsaw.

You're going to need a router.

Probably could really benefit from a ROSS unit from Rigid. $200.

A lot of sandpaper. A lot of clamps.

 

[Roxy13]

You really don't need a jointer or a planer to build a Jr.

Use 8/4 lumber full-thickness, which is between 1 3/4" and 1 7/8" thick.

Cut around the pattern (leaving a fair border around the pattern) with a jigsaw. You are going to need that, if you don't have a bandsaw.

You're going to need a router.

Probably could really benefit from a ROSS unit from Rigid. $200.

A lot of sandpaper. A lot of clamps.

I'd like to do a carved top. I've been wondering how thick the maple should be. And also the size for the neck blank.

 

[LtDave32]

There's also the possibility of neighbors and friends that have tools and equipment.

Also, some towns or churches have neighborhood workshops with that sort of gear.

 

[LtDave32]

I'd like to do a carved top. I've been wondering how thick the maple should be. And also the size for the neck blank.

Ay yiy yiy! A carve-top LP? That's a big bite off the hindquarter, Roxy.. Complicated build. I wouldn't recommend that for a first-build.

But to answer, I'd go through some of the LP carve-top build threads and see what they've used, typically it would be 5/8 to 3/4 maple to start with.

neck blank is going to vary. If you want that 17 degree headstock angle, you're going to need at least 3 inches of depth, and 2 1/2 inches wide. Or you can glue up boards to get there, if you don't mind a 2 piece neck. Nothing wrong with that, as single piece mahogany in that size is expensive.

you can also glue the body blank up with 8/4 lumber from the hardwoods yard. Cheaper than a solid, one-piece body blank.

However you choose, a jr is a fine first build that will show you the basics of builds.

 

[LtDave32]

Some of the threads on this forum are excellent primers for doing builds. Really, really good work.

I never tire of going over them. I still do it today. And it seems every time I do, I learn something I can take out to the shop and benefit from.

 

[Roxy13]

Ay yiy yiy! A carve-top LP? That's a big bite off the hindquarter, Roxy.. Complicated build. I wouldn't recommend that for a first-build.

But to answer, I'd go through some of the LP carve-top build threads and see what they've used, typically it would be 5/8 to 3/4 maple to start with.

neck blank is going to vary. If you want that 17 degree headstock angle, you're going to need at least 3 inches of depth, and 2 1/2 inches wide. Or you can glue up boards to get there, if you don't mind a 2 piece neck. Nothing wrong with that, as single piece mahogany in that size is expensive.

you can also glue the body blank up with 8/4 lumber from the hardwoods yard. Cheaper than a solid, one-piece body blank.

However you choose, a jr is a fine first build that will show you the basics of builds.

I like a challenge

Everyone told me I could not build a barn by myself, but I did. I only had help for setting the roof trusses. And then they told me I couldn't put a new roof and siding on my house by myself and I did that, too.

I do need to find out if any of my neighbors have a bandsaw, jointer or planer.

 

[nuance97]

My 1st build was 4 carved topped Les Pauls so it is absolutely possible to successfully build a carved topped guitar as a 1st build. You have to fully understand the process-how, why, and when to do certain steps. There are a ton of excellent build threads that walk you through every step. Read them all! Look at every photo. Watch every video. Ex-Nihilo and Freddy G’s are some of the best to start with imo

 

[ARandall]

+1

Many of us have indeed done a carved top as a first build.....inspired and guided by the various build threads on this subsection.
But it takes a lot of planning and reading to get ready for such an endeavour.

You have a headstart due to the furniture and re-fretting work. The main things to learn (other than how to actually physically do each step) is the use of creativity and ingenuity - inventing ways you can complete tasks with small tools that would normally use big tools you don't own. Most small business people or craftsmen seem to have this, so you should be at least clued into this side of it.

 

[LtDave32]

I like a challenge

Everyone told me I could not build a barn by myself, but I did. I only had help for setting the roof trusses. And then they told me I couldn't put a new roof and siding on my house by myself and I did that, too.

I do need to find out if any of my neighbors have a bandsaw, jointer or planer.

Roxy, I don't doubt your ability for a second.

I too, had a "head start" being a finish carpenter at the time. I had worked in construction ever since I got out of the army, and that was a lot of years ago. That led to being a journeyman finish carpenter, making cabinets, etc for several years.

All's I'm saying is what I would tell everybody who's starting out; get used to the procedures on a simple build like a jr or a tele. But if you want to jump in with both feet and tackle a carve-top LP, by all means, and we'll be rooting for you.

Building guitars is where art meets engineering. Measurements are exacting, down to the ".003 of things" in some cases.

That said, you can go a LONG way with a simple router and to ease the labor, a spindle sander or ROSS.

 

[LtDave32]

My 1st build was 4 carved topped Les Pauls so it is absolutely possible to successfully build a carved topped guitar as a 1st build. You have to fully understand the process-how, why, and when to do certain steps. There are a ton of excellent build threads that walk you through every step. Read them all! Look at every photo. Watch every video. Ex-Nihilo and Freddy G’s are some of the best to start with imo

Daniel, you've put up some pretty great stuff yourself, sir.

ExNihilo, SGLou, Freddy, and a host of others, especially in the "index of useful threads" sticky at the top of the luth's corner are really GREAT studies.

Once you get to the neck carve stage, you'll find it a blast. A lot of people get scared of this stage, having so much time and money invested. Nothing to be nervous about, you will find that the shaping is a natural thing and just falls in place under your hands. Very rewarding, having carved a neck for your build.

Get good hard-patterns for every style you wish to do.

make hard copies of them immediately, and work off of those copies. There isn't a builder here who hasn't knicked a pattern with a router bit. Once you do that, the router is going to replicate and follow that knick or gouge forever more.

-unless you repair it with JB wood weld or something, then re-rout it off the original

Remember this: We in the Luthier's Corner community want you to succeed. Always ask when you're not totally sure of something, and we'll all do our best to get you though it.

 

[Roxy13]

I feel very strongly I can do this I have that kind of brain. I'm a visual mathematician/artist who likes to picture things and then create them. I know I can get a kit but the only new thing I'll learn is my first finish.

 

[LtDave32]

Yep. Agreed.

If you just want a guitar, and you want to have somewhat of a hand in the making of it, then a kit is fine.

But if you want to make a guitar. . Then by golly, make a guitar!

 

[LtDave32]

And I know you can do this. Patience, study, think everything through. Ask, ask ask. -We will gladly answer.

 

[DaveR]

I’ll second everything these guys said for sure. I’ve done some fine art furniture pieces and have a well equipped shop for a hobby builder. I could do most of it without all the fancy tools, but a spindle sander is almost a must. It’s a fairly cheap tool and useful for all kinds of things. Also a pattern maker vice with padded jaws is extra handy for guitars and all kinds of other projects. I would consider those tools the most essential in my limited experience. Bandsaws and planers and all that other stuff is useful and makes things faster, but it’s not a requirement.

My first two builds were carved tops. Turned out great, but took a lot of planning and patience. Carving a neck was super rewarding. Finishing is hard and proved to be the most difficult part for me.