Members BeeTL Posted August 13, 2011 Members Share Posted August 13, 2011 Going forward, here is where I'll blog about projects, power tools, bacon, bunnies, and other occurrences in the Lowe Custom Guitars shop.First, may I introduce Roxy, the shop bunny: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 4, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 4, 2011 So, it seem like I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 4, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 4, 2011 The finished product, in a variety of forms: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ezstep Posted September 4, 2011 Members Share Posted September 4, 2011 Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2011 Why thank you! Today I got back to guitar work. I have quite a few guitars I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 6, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 6, 2011 Finished with the rough cut, so on to the router with a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 11, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 Up until now I have considered myself to be a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 11, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 Next I need to measure out the pickup, neck and whammy cavity:...transfer the measurements onto an MDF blank and use a straightedge to project the outside edges of the neck out through the body: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 11, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 11, 2011 Did I ever mention that I have a 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 19, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 19, 2011 OK, time to make a body from the templates. First, I Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 19, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 19, 2011 Over to the sander to smooth out the edges and back to the router table to round off the back edge:Next, I get ready to rout out the neck, pickup and tremolo cavities. I mark out the location and then hog out the bulk of the wood with a forstner bit:Set the depth, and go to it:I forgot to snap pics cleaning up the pockets with the router, so here it is mocked up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Perfessor Posted September 19, 2011 Members Share Posted September 19, 2011 How do you clean up the sides with the router without distorting the shape? Do you use a template or guide of some kind? Nice work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted September 20, 2011 Author Members Share Posted September 20, 2011 Thanks! Yes, the template is the MDF piece screwed to the sapele blank in post #10. The 2" x 3/4" flush trim bit has a bearing on top that rides on the template. It's the woodworking equivalent of tracing. Pattern routing was "state of the art" prior to the advent of CNC machines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted October 23, 2011 Author Members Share Posted October 23, 2011 Just getting back to some guitar work. I've done some clear-coating recently, but that doesn't make for interesting photos. I did get a chance to work up a new design to go on the "whammy" bass.Design laid out on paper:Cutting the design in stencil paper:Just the dragonflies:All finished: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gspointer Posted October 23, 2011 Members Share Posted October 23, 2011 nice!, and I thought I recognized that whammy bass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassman1956 Posted October 24, 2011 Members Share Posted October 24, 2011 Although I really like the full design, I think it looks cool with just the dragonflies too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted October 24, 2011 Members Share Posted October 24, 2011 Sweet work!! I can't wait to see the finish on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted November 1, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 1, 2011 Thanks guys...it's comments like these that keep me going.On the design front, another little thing to make my stuff look a bit different.I've been thinking about having my own pickup surrounds fabbed: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted November 21, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 I've felt like I needed an offset body to satisfy the Jazz/Jazzmaster crowd, and I'm also in love with the non-reverse Firebird and the idea of a reverse RD Artist.This shape has been knocking around in my head for over a year, I'm VERY pleased with how it came out.This design picks up elements from LOTS of different influences, but isn't close enough to any one to be remotely confusing in the eyes of a consumer, especially when you see the headstock.The hook on the horn may get a small radius to make adding binding a bit easier, but we'll see.What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members groutt Posted November 21, 2011 Members Share Posted November 21, 2011 Sweet. I think a small radius on the hook would look good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted November 22, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 22, 2011 Originally Posted by groutt Sweet. I think a small radius on the hook would look good. Thanks man!So, here's the revision for today...the short-horn version could be used on bass, but may be more prone to neck dive.Controls could be rear-routed, but I use the Tele plate for both scale and personal preference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted November 22, 2011 Members Share Posted November 22, 2011 I'd go with the longer scale, but that is just me....sexay btw....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted November 29, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 29, 2011 Thanks man!I started wetsanding and polishing nine guitar bodies. Although it was a bummer of a weekend on the woodworking side, the finishing process is going well.Six down...three to go. I'm going to put these up as a silent auction...$500 reserve / $895 Buy It Now shipped in the US lower 48. I'll post photos and specs of each in the classifieds in the next week or so, but the basics are US made bodies, nitro finish, AllParts necks, Lollar TV Jones or Fralin pickups, CRL, CTS, Deluxe Gator case, etc. Yes, I'm giving them away!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted November 29, 2011 Members Share Posted November 29, 2011 Kinda sad, I got a beautiful piece of aged mahogony. I used a piece of it to make a custom counter top in the powder room downstairs. The leftover is still about six feet long, two and a half inches thick and 24 inches wide. I don't have the skills/tools to do anything creative with it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BeeTL Posted November 30, 2011 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2011 That is sad...So, another interesting development.I really thought a 4+1 5-string would look awkward with the bottle-opener shape.Turns out I was wrong...it's no more awkward than anyone elses: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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