Members Juicy Elk Man Posted November 16, 2014 Members Share Posted November 16, 2014 This thread It's cool seeing everything coming together nicely. Awesome work so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted November 17, 2014 Author Members Share Posted November 17, 2014 Thanks guys. It has 15 coats on and is quietly hanging in the shop for a couple of weeks before buffing and final assembly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted December 1, 2014 Moderators Share Posted December 1, 2014 As this is like an AJ Coholic thread, and no reflection on the ES175 build FK, I'm gonna sticky this, mainly for my benefit:) Nah, I love the awesomeness in these threads where someone is just brave enough to apply some skills carefully and methodically and end up with a gorgeous unique guitar. AJC's thread inspired many people, myself included to go from assembling Partscaster, to building LP type set necks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 1, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2014 Whoa, thank you RC, I am flattered. I saw that you had commented on the thread and went looking for it, here it is stuck to the top of the page. If I can get the temperature in the shop above freezing today I'll start buffing and maybe do some wiring. As far as inspiring others to try building their own guitar - that is part of the reason I do this. I am so grateful to those people who have inspired and helped me and if I can do the same for someone else it makes this worth while. So, if there is anyone out there who wants to give this a go, let me lead you astray, er, offer my help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 1, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 1, 2014 Sanded it from thru the grits from 1000, 1200, 1500 and 2000, then buffed with medium and fine. I'll do one more buffing before I start the assembly It really is shinier that it looks in the photos - the lighting in my shop is kind of funky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mikeo Posted December 2, 2014 Members Share Posted December 2, 2014 Damn, that's looking sweet. Nice build Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tom Mc1 Posted December 3, 2014 Members Share Posted December 3, 2014 Wow. This looks beautiful. If I remember right, the top is cedar. That took the finish really well and polished up nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Buttcrust Posted December 3, 2014 Members Share Posted December 3, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 3, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 3, 2014 Wow. This looks beautiful. If I remember right, the top is cedar. That took the finish really well and polished up nicely. The top is "Spanish cedar" which is neither a cedar or from Spain. Its of the mahogany family and is what Martin calls "select hardwood" or something like that when they use it in necks. There is more of this where I bought it - I might buy a couple more sets on speculation - always good to have some wood on hand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted December 3, 2014 Members Share Posted December 3, 2014 Would it be rude to ask what you charge for such a piece of art? I mean, it's beyond a regular, manufactured guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 3, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 3, 2014 Would it be rude to ask what you charge for such a piece of art? I mean, it's beyond a regular, manufactured guitar. I would like to keep that out of the discussion for reasons that will become obvious when I answer. I would be happy to do that thru a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 4, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 4, 2014 Time for some electrickity. The standard LP wiring has a little quirk where if you have the switch in the middle (both pups) and turn one volume down it kills both pick ups. There is a slight modification that allow each volume pot to truly only control that pup - in the middle it blends both. I'll do that mod. I've also learned that it is much easier to do some of the wiring before the pots are installed in the cavity - obviously you can't do it all but I built a little jig to let me prewire some of it. Everything is the correct distance apart so I can cut wires to length without fiddling around inside the cavity. This is on place the Fender method of loading the pick guard beats Gibson's hands down, but I sure prefer the looks of the Gibbie. Here's everything stuffed into the cavity and the switch and pickups connected. Wiring is complete Pressed the studs in for the bridge and tailpiece and slipped them in place to check the neck angle - not that I could do much about it now. I'm going to call that perfect which means I can celebrate with a nice cold adult beverage. Tomorrow we'll mount the tuners and make a nut. Stay tuned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Preacher Posted December 4, 2014 Members Share Posted December 4, 2014 Wow, that finish on the back looks great , and I'm really digging the pickup rings... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 4, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 4, 2014 Wow, that finish on the back looks great , and I'm really digging the pickup rings... Pickup rings are from LMI - 20 bucks a pop in rosewood, ebony, maple and other beautiful woods to match or contrast with your guitar. These are Madagascar rosewood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lefchr Posted December 5, 2014 Members Share Posted December 5, 2014 Great looking guitar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted December 5, 2014 Author Members Share Posted December 5, 2014 OK, lets wrap this thing up. Made a nut, set the relief and action, adjusted the intonation - didn't take any pictures but you've seen all of that before. Did the obligatory final pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Juicy Elk Man Posted December 6, 2014 Members Share Posted December 6, 2014 It's great to see something crafted from scratch - seeing it done from beginning to end. You have a process and end-result that's easily envied. Awesome guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Preacher Posted December 6, 2014 Members Share Posted December 6, 2014 Wow, Freeman - that is stunning! Thank you so much for taking the time to setup the pictures, take them and then post - and that goes for the whole process in this thread - thanks for your generosity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members t_e_l_e Posted December 7, 2014 Members Share Posted December 7, 2014 me se like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mrbrown49 Posted December 7, 2014 Members Share Posted December 7, 2014 Looks great! Love the dark binding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted December 8, 2014 Moderators Share Posted December 8, 2014 Most exquisite FK, thank you for sharing the build with us, and the inspiration it wiull obvioulsy give at least one person to go out and try their hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tom Mc1 Posted December 9, 2014 Members Share Posted December 9, 2014 Once again, the shop of Freeman strikes again. Thank you for the hard work and for this amazing thread. If someone is intrested inbuilding their own, this is an excellent guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted December 9, 2014 Members Share Posted December 9, 2014 Freeman, you are a GOD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Grant Harding Posted December 10, 2014 Members Share Posted December 10, 2014 Fantastic! Thanks for making the effort to share! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members billybilly Posted December 12, 2014 Members Share Posted December 12, 2014 Truly amazing guitar, wow, just wow. I could hang that on my wall and dedicate it to art. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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