1 more. I'm thinking of a winter project. Hollow or semi, with a "highly figured" top. Need supply's, dye, stain, glue. possible clamps and such "finishing supplys...any suggestions ?

[crustoleum]

I've never built a guitar. So, have you ? I don't want "stew-mack"...or whatever...just because...Super highly figured, proper stain, poly or nitro...if available..."clear" spray can ? , "spray dye/stain" shellac ? "spar varnish" , "French" finish, tung oil ? any suggestions, yt links ? Need somethingto eliviate cabin fever ok

 

 

thank you for your suggestions and reply's

 

 

[gardo]

Check out this thread http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-41/31499639-lets-build-something-that-looks-like-an-es-335

It's everything you need to know

[Freeman Keller]

Thanks G, here are a couple of other threads of that type of guitar

 

http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-41/31843239-teaser-hollow-body-archtop

 

http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-41/31736776-another-335

 

http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-41/31217963-lets-build-something-that-looks-like-an-es-175

 

The big problem with a hollow or semi-hollow is making or obtaining the plates - as I said in the build threads the way Gibson does it is not easy for the home builder to duplicate. There are partially assembled guitars of this type available out there, however some of them are absolute junk.

 

Let me make a humble suggestion for your first guitar - build a solid body strat or tele style, you can put a figured cap on it if you want and do all sorts of fancy finishes. And please don't put down Stewart McDonald - I spend thousands of dollars with them each year for "dye, stains, clamps...." And if you can pucker up, this is the best book on finishing guitars on the market

 

http://www.stewmac.com/SiteSearch/?search=guitar%20finishing%20step-by-step

 

 

[crustoleum]

thank you for the reply's. Solid would be OK...looking for something with a Florentine cut thin body. I'm hoping to find something "pre-cut"...relatively straight forward assembly instructions..hoping something of that ilk actually exists...somewhere. I've got more research ..thanks, will keep on searching...Bigsby capable. maybe (don't want to cover the figuring, too much. Yes stewmac probably definitely has the right stain and finishing stuff. I have procured several items from them, previously good stuff indeed.

 

[Freeman Keller]

Let me suggest getting this book

 

https://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-Own-Electric-Guitar/dp/0953104907

 

He covers the construction of three different types of solid body guitars - screw on neck (Fender), set neck (Gibson) and through neck (some basses and a few esoteric guitars). He talks a lot about geometry, and covers tools, woods and other materials, finish and electronics.

 

Building a flat topped solid body guitar (like a strat or tele) is really quite easy - all you need is a band saw and a router. You can buy or make your own neck - again, the Fender design is intended to be dead simple. The next step in difficulty is a curved top and angled neck - basically a Les Paul and all of its variations. That will require some real wood working skill and a modest investment in tools. A hollow or semi hollow body is a huge step from that - not impossible but I hope my threads give you some idea of what is involved.

 

Finishing is one of the trickiest parts for a home builder - we simply don't have the equipment or skills to do a professional level finish in a garage. I've been struggling for ten years to get my finishes right - I'm pretty happy with them now but there are flaws in every guitar I build. Often what you see with home built guitars are finishes that, in my opinion, are compromises - often varnish or some of the furniture finishes like tung oil. If you tell me what effect you want with your finish and what equipment and background you have I can maybe give some advice.

 

Last thing to consider is buying a kit or parts (Warmoth, StewMac, Guitar Fetish) and doing the assembly and setup - in other words build a "parts caster". This is reasonable and lots of fun - just depends on how much you want to bite off.

 

I'm here to lead you astray, er, help in any way I can

[crustoleum]

thank you

[crustoleum]

Let me suggest getting this book

 

[

I'm here to lead you astray, er, help in any way I can

 

 

right on,,,me too