First design and build... a little nervous

[C Squared]

So I've done a few bolt-on builds now. Was about to try and do an explorer or V with a set neck but one of my students has talked me into taking on her "project". She has sketched out a body that looks pretty damn cool, and wants to use the Warmoth neck she currently has on her telecaster.

I've since transferred her sketch onto a full size poster board, measured everything up, laid out control cavities, traced up some ideas for "chambers" she was interested in, etc etc.

Since this is a new design, I was thinking of first cutting a body out of poplar. It's cheap enough and would let us experiment with balance, figuring out just how deep to cut the neck cavity, upper strap button, etc. Plus a little extra experience with the new band saw wouldn't hurt. Its got some BC Rich like "horns" that look like they might be a challenge to get just right.

What I'm thinking about doing is:

1)Making a template with MDF

2) Mock body of poplar.

3) Adjust neck depth (how far into the body, while still giving great upper fret access) strap buttons, Control cavity, etc

4) When all the above is done cutting the true body from Alder or Ash. She just wants an oil finish on it so I suggested Ash.

Does this seem like a good way to go?

 

[Bellows1]

Since it is a bolt on, the only place to go really wrong is the depth of the neck pocket or pick up placement. I'd say your plan would be the safe route.

 

[Mongrel]

So I've done a few bolt-on builds now. Was about to try and do an explorer or V with a set neck but one of my students has talked me into taking on her "project". She has sketched out a body that looks pretty damn cool, and wants to use the Warmoth neck she currently has on her telecaster.

I've since transferred her sketch onto a full size poster board, measured everything up, laid out control cavities, traced up some ideas for "chambers" she was interested in, etc etc.

Since this is a new design, I was thinking of first cutting a body out of poplar. It's cheap enough and would let us experiment with balance, figuring out just how deep to cut the neck cavity, upper strap button, etc. Plus a little extra experience with the new band saw wouldn't hurt. Its got some BC Rich like "horns" that look like they might be a challenge to get just right.

What I'm thinking about doing is:

1)Making a template with MDF

2) Mock body of poplar.

3) Adjust neck depth (how far into the body, while still giving great upper fret access) strap buttons, Control cavity, etc

4) When all the above is done cutting the true body from Alder or Ash. She just wants an oil finish on it so I suggested Ash.

Does this seem like a good way to go?

All you've done so far sounds good, as far as the "horns" on the guitar, cut the body about a 1/4" large and sand them down carefully, with your template as comparison you should be able to get it close.
For the Mortise, (neck pocket) measure her telecaster neckpocket from the top of the body to the bottom of the neck, that should get you your depth, use some Forstner (sp??) bits if you have them to hog out the majority of the wood before you rout the mortise.
I'm not sure about the oil finish, never messed with that, seems like you would want to at least have a satin clear finish on the body.
Hopefully somebody more experianced than I will shed some more light on this!! Good luck My Friend!!

 

[C Squared]

Guess I should clarify, neck pocket I know will be 5/8" deep. That won't be a problem. Trying to figure out how far into the body (overall length) for a nice balance and low weight for her. Main reason I wanted to do the poplar mock up is to experiment with that. A have a template from Stew mac for fender neck pockets and has worked out well, with a little tape around it any way, seems to be a bit oversized. Just want to see how far (closer to the control cavity) we can go and still allow very good upper fret reach. Going to use a standard fender style string through body bridge, two volume and master tone, one hum in bridge and a P90 in the neck, three way toggle up top like on a Les Paul.

 

[GreaseBox]

Sounds really cool man!

You've sparked my interest. Care to show us the body shape?

 

[C Squared]

Sounds really cool man!

You've sparked my interest. Care to show us the body shape?

Here's a sketch that Shannon first came to me with. Since this we've adjusted the shape of the horns a bit and gave it more of a Gibson "bottom".

Like I said, Looks like something Blackie Lawless Would play

but she said she got the inspiration from the Pat Matheney Ibanez?

 

[GreaseBox]

Cool!

 

[C Squared]

after tweaking the horns and the body lines just a bit, I traced it out full scale, cut the poster board, transferred that onto MDF, and cut out a body template on the band saw, with a little help from router. Just for the hell of it, (cause I've been thinking about making one of these for myself) I mocked it up on white with some black hardware...

YUP I'm gonna make one of these for myself

 

[Jason]

Looks pretty cool with the LP pickguard.

 

[C Squared]

Looks pretty cool with the LP pickguard.

probably would have the pickguard follow the lines of the lower horn instead of it just being a les paul style pickguard, but it did look cool and figured all the Les lovers here might dig it, or hate me

 

[Nelson674]

i think the LP guard looks really good on there. maybe even sharpen the lines of it to match the horns on the body? i really like the body shape by the way. what is the headstock gonna look like??

 

[Mongrel]

man, that really looks good, its so hard to come up with a new body shape that doesent suck!

 

[MRJ5]

I believe that design is coming along well. It looks better in my eyes now than in the initial graph paper drawing.

As for the PG, if it were mine, I would loose it altogether. The body speaks on it's own.

Keep the pics coming!

 

[JonMan94]

good luck!

 

[C Squared]

man, that really looks good, its so hard to come up with a new body shape that doesent suck!

Thanks man!!!!
the first sketch def caught my eye. I've tried a few and nothing has ever really jumped out at me. This was one though I think has a nice blend of new and classic lines

 

[C Squared]

I believe that design is coming along well. It looks better in my eyes now than in the initial graph paper drawing.

As for the PG, if it were mine, I would loose it altogether. The body speaks on it's own.

Keep the pics coming!

Thanks man
Wow a new design that works so well we're back to the classic question:
Pickguard or No Pickguard jk

I'm really not sure just yet. Luckily it will be a while before I get to that point. The first one to be built is going to be tung oil finish, gold hardware.

I have two pieces of very light weight ash in clamps now that will make the body core. Crazy week scheduled this week so probably won't get to do anymore untill next weekend. It will probably be the end of summer before I get started on the one for myself, which will give me plenty of time to sketch headstock shapes and pickguard ideas. I am def thinking white laquer, black hardware, maybe some black binding, and a 5 ply pickguard if I go with one... so much to ponder

Thanks for compliments and the suggestions

 

[DRF]

Good for you trying something different. What is the width at its widest?

 

[C Squared]

Good for you trying something different. What is the width at its widest?

Thanks man.
Right now 13 1/2" width, but may slim it down. Waiting to finish a poplar body to get an idea for balance and fret access and then make some tweaks if needed.

 

[GreaseBox]

Looks really cool! Very original!
My vote would be flame cap with some kind of burst and no pickguard, but in all honesty, that body beckons for a solid white with black hardward (including black pickguard), metal you know, thrasher style.

Again, looks great!

Peace!

 

[Bellows1]

I like it, very nice.