Slab-Strat with flame-top build for MLP member Crotch..

[Lokkochaa]

Well, call me a dumb-ass for asking this, but what is a "slab" Strat?

I poked around and the only reference I can find is to a slab fretboard as opposed to a veneered one.

Way i see it there are no contours. One slab of wood, like a junior i guess. Mine doesnt have a tummy carve or and arm carve.

 

[pshupe]

Not big round-overs and arm contour?? like a flat slab?

slab -

non-slab -

Cheers Peter

 

[Crotch]

Correct

 

[fretman_2]

Love it!

 

[LtDave32]

Alright, time for some updates.

First, let's reckon with that flame top.

Put together, I could see daylight in some places between the pieces.

So I cleaned up the mating surfaces on the table saw. Then I glued 'em up:

I let that glue cure up for half the afternoon and all of that night.

Next morning, I gave it a once-over surface sanding. Pretty pleased with the results:

Now we've got to re-thickness the swamp ash body spread, as it is full thickness and we need to take it down the thickness of the added top.

Which by calipers in several places is about .275 after sanding everything level and clean.

I had made a routing box jig, surfaced the edges of the jig nice and level, and put the body blank in:

(I had already rough-cut the strat shape, as to make the thickness reduction a bit less work)

I put both the box jig and the body blank down with double-sided tape, but I also added a screw at an angle in every corner the box jig to the bench, as I need it completely level and not moving around.

I used a half-inch straight router bit and took it in two passes of 1/8", and another just over 1/8".

It cut just beautifully, as swamp ash is pretty soft stuff.

I put the top and the body together and broke out the calipers. after sanding things nice and level, Turns out it's exactly the original size of the ash spread before cutting, at 1.8".

We're pretty happy with that.

Now we're going to go for a top glue-up. I drove some brads in two opposite corners and cut them off just proud of the surface for locating pins. Fit the top to where I wanted it, popped it with my fist, and I've got my locating pins. Next step is to coat the surface with Titebond and clamp her up:

One can never have enough clamps, eh?

Tomorrow we'll clean that all up, put a template on it and give it some routing..

 

[redjunior]

Dave, thats going to be totally drool worthy.....

 

[LtDave32]

Dave, thats going to be totally drool worthy.....

I can't hardly wait to unclamp it, rout it clean and take a look.

But I have to wait until tomorrow morning.

 

[redjunior]

Kinda like Christmas when you were a kid, up as early as possible......

 

[edro]

Alright, time for some updates.

First, let's reckon with that flame top.

Put together, I could see daylight in some places between the pieces.

So I cleaned up the mating surfaces on the table saw. Then I glued 'em up:

View attachment 341547

I let that glue cure up for half the afternoon and all of that night.

Next morning, I gave it a once-over surface sanding. Pretty pleased with the results:

View attachment 341548

Now we've got to re-thickness the swamp ash body spread, as it is full thickness and we need to take it down the thickness of the added top.

Which by calipers in several places is about .275 after sanding everything level and clean.

I had made a routing box jig, surfaced the edges of the jig nice and level, and put the body blank in:

View attachment 341549

(I had already rough-cut the strat shape, as to make the thickness reduction a bit less work)

View attachment 341554


I put both the box jig and the body blank down with double-sided tape, but I also added a screw at an angle in every corner the box jig to the bench, as I need it completely level and not moving around.

I used a half-inch straight router bit and took it in two passes of 1/8", and another just over 1/8".

It cut just beautifully, as swamp ash is pretty soft stuff.

View attachment 341556


I put the top and the body together and broke out the calipers. after sanding things nice and level, Turns out it's exactly the original size of the ash spread before cutting, at 1.8".

View attachment 341558

We're pretty happy with that.

Now we're going to go for a top glue-up. I drove some brads in two opposite corners and cut them off just proud of the surface for locating pins. Fit the top to where I wanted it, popped it with my fist, and I've got my locating pins. Next step is to coat the surface with Titebond and clamp her up:

View attachment 341559

One can never have enough clamps, eh?

Tomorrow we'll clean that all up, put a template on it and give it some routing..

Those pics just plain make me moist... Yeah buddy....

 

[The Ballzz]

@LtDave32
Just curious and hoping to learn stuff, why did you use a router instead of either a thickness planer or drum sander to adjust the swamp ash slab thickness? Either way, I can't believe I missed the beginnings of this thread. I've become somewhat of a Stratoholic and this build has seriously piqued my interest and curiosity!

Just Wonderin'?
Gene

 

[LtDave32]

@LtDave32
Just curious and hoping to learn stuff, why did you use a router instead of either a thickness planer or drum sander to adjust the swamp ash slab thickness?

Just Wonderin'?
Gene

Most planers are too narrow for guitars, unless you have separate pieces that you are going to glue up into a guitar spread I buy my swamp ash spreads from the same place Fender Custom Shop buys them, already glued up to a 16" width, and 8/4 thick. And I don't have a drum sander.



And it was quite an easy task to take 20 minutes and rout the thickness down.

Most guitar bodies are engineered to work with existing thickness of wood in quarters. When you go to a hardwoods outfit, wood is measured in quarters, such as "6/4", "8/4" etc.

Telecaster spreads are 8/4, which when glued up, sanded and sold, are just a hair under 2".

 

[The Ballzz]

Most planers are too narrow for guitars, unless you have separate pieces that you are going to glue up into a guitar spread I buy my swamp ash spreads from the same place Fender Custom Shop buys them, already glued up to a 16" width, and 8/4 thick. And I don't have a drum sander.



And it was quite an easy task to take 20 minutes and rout the thickness down.

Most guitar bodies are engineered to work with existing thickness of wood in quarters. When you go to a hardwoods outfit, wood is measured in quarters, such as "6/4", "8/4" etc.

Telecaster spreads are 8/4, which when glued up, sanded and sold, are just a hair under 2".

Thank You Sir!
Bein' the dumbass that I am, I didn't consider the width, although my planer is 13 1/2 and a Strat or Tele ends up about 13, but the rough is likely a tad too much. I also do not have a drum sander, but is certainly on my list of "wanna get, but probably won't" items! I so wish I had started all this stuff as a younger man!

This Build Will Likely Be Epic!
Gene

 

[LtDave32]

Well, morning came.

Good things come to those who wait:

Wood-to-wood seam is flawless.

Too bad I'm covering it up with binding...

Nahm, it's going to look superb double-bound.

Next step; routing around the pattern, then the binding channel rout.

 

[Skyjerk]

Most planers are too narrow for guitars, unless you have separate pieces that you are going to glue up into a guitar spread I buy my swamp ash spreads from the same place Fender Custom Shop buys them, already glued up to a 16" width, and 8/4 thick. And I don't have a drum sander.



And it was quite an easy task to take 20 minutes and rout the thickness down.

Most guitar bodies are engineered to work with existing thickness of wood in quarters. When you go to a hardwoods outfit, wood is measured in quarters, such as "6/4", "8/4" etc.

Telecaster spreads are 8/4, which when glued up, sanded and sold, are just a hair under 2".

My DeWalt planer takes a 13" board. Used it for all my Strat builds. All one-piece bodies.

I route the body to shape first, then it just squeaks through

 

[LtDave32]

I've been meaning to buy one, but as yet I haven't had a dire need..

And if I had to use one, my cousin about 2 hrs away has a huge Jet planer. It's how I did the 1/4" alder back on my first ever build.

But I would like to get some bad-ass sanders in the future.

New and better routers..

Buffing arbor..

Huge-ass compressor and run air lines all around the shop..

For that matter, more shop lights!

oh, the Xmas list gets bigger and bigger..

Hey, I've got lots of shop space. Let's fill it up!!

 

[pshupe]

I've been meaning to buy one, but as yet I haven't had a dire need..

And if I had to use one, my cousin about 2 hrs away has a huge Jet planer. It's how I did the 1/4" alder back on my first ever build.

But I would like to get some bad-ass sanders in the future.

New and better routers..

Buffing arbor..

Huge-ass compressor and run air lines all around the shop..

For that matter, more shop lights!

oh, the Xmas list gets bigger and bigger..

Hey, I've got lots of shop space. Let's fill it up!!

Hey Dave, that's my next wishlist item. A big compressor and dedicated spray booth. Small wishlist item is a full face respirator. I can feel the nitro in my eyes even with safety glasses. My dad has an 80 gal 5 hp compressor he's not using but I have to do a little addition on my shop. I have to first build my wife a head board for the bed, then I can layout my renovation plans.

Cheers Peter.

 

[LtDave32]

Hey Dave, that's my next wishlist item. A big compressor and dedicated spray booth. Small wishlist item is a full face respirator. I can feel the nitro in my eyes even with safety glasses. My dad has an 80 gal 5 hp compressor he's not using but I have to do a little addition on my shop. I have to first build my wife a head board for the bed, then I can layout my renovation plans.

Cheers Peter.

I have to remodel the bathroom for the wife and put in a huge tub, multiple shower and bath heads...

..and a whole bunch of other things. I got married last month. Anything she wants, she gets.

 

[Skyjerk]

I got married last month. Anything she wants, she gets.

What?!?!

Congrats Dave!

 

[pshupe]

I have to remodel the bathroom for the wife and put in a huge tub, multiple shower and bath heads...

..and a whole bunch of other things. I got married last month. Anything she wants, she gets.

Yeah for sure. I've been married 18 yrs and that does not change! ;-) Happy Wifem Happy Life. Congratulations on the wedding.

Cheers Peter

 

[edro]

I have to remodel the bathroom for the wife and put in a huge tub, multiple shower and bath heads...

..and a whole bunch of other things. I got married last month. Anything she wants, she gets.

I can offer her a few cool suggestions....