So...has anyone else built one??

I'm building a 7 string. I have the follwoing parts: 1 EMG pickup, bridge, nut, fretboard (preslotted) and some pots; and potentialy a truss rod.

So far, I've cut out the body shape onto Ply (to get measurements and to have a good template) and worked out all measurements. I have yet to buy a body blank to cut out, although I know where to get this from.

I'm worried about routing out the body (pickup cavities and control cavity) The body will also be contored so that will make it extra difficult....yay!!

If you can cut the body out of stock, you can do the router work no problem.

I've never built a guitar, but I'm a carpenter of 6 years. I'd recommend you practice with the router on the bits you have left after your body, if indeed there are any large enough to practice on properly. Things can go drastically wrong very fast if you are not comfortable with the tool.

If you are really savvy, you could make a template for your cuts based on your end product, and measurements taken from the router/bit you are planning on using, and secure it to a table top over-top (not into, of course) your guitar body.

Hope it goes well.

someone on this board did this with an acoustic a little while ago on this board. i labelled it as a frankencaster but apparently Mr Van Halen calls his guitar a Frankenstrat. i hope someone still have pics of it anyway

I haven't done it yet but planning to build one someday, though I'm not that skilled in carpentry.

Anyway, please post pics of the different stages of the process! It would be very nice to follow how your guitar progresses from random bits to a complete instrument. Not to mention educational for when I want to build my own So, pictures, thank you, if in any way possible

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R0ZU4PiS1A

Can anyone recognise the guitar???

That looks really awesome! Good luck! I wish i could build guitars....Then i would make a custom 8 string with a floating bridge.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R0ZU4PiS1A

TOM, String-thru-body... excellent choice.

"potentially" a truss rod??? oh dear

"potentially" a truss rod??? oh dear

As in, I have one in a spare neck. I might take apart and get out...it's a double action one. Waste not etc..


Ok, I have decided I am going to build the body out of basswood because:

1. Easy to work with i.e sand, route and cut
2. Good with the mid range tones
3. Most importantly: it's relativly cheap
4. It's a light wood also...so in theory should resonate well....in theory

[Blazingmonga]

someone on this board did this with an acoustic a little while ago on this board. i labelled it as a frankencaster but apparently Mr Van Halen calls his guitar a Frankenstrat. i hope someone still have pics of it anyway

That was me, and it's final name was 'The Brain Shitter'. I still need to finish the paintwork and put it back together.

http://noisyinkbubbles.com/d_Art_NoisyBubbles_TBS

This is shaping up to be an awesome project auldj! Must be exciting to be able to pick each component from scratch.

someone on this board did this with an acoustic a little while ago on this board. i labelled it as a frankencaster but apparently Mr Van Halen calls his guitar a Frankenstrat. i hope someone still have pics of it anyway

That was me, and it's final name was 'The Brain Shitter'. I still need to finish the paintwork and put it back together.

http://noisyinkbubbles.com/d_Art_NoisyBubbles_TBS

This is shaping up to be an awesome project auldj! Must be exciting to be able to pick each component from scratch.

Moral of the story: If you have an acoustic guitar I recommend that you don't do this.

the body looks awesome though mongatron

someone on this board did this with an acoustic a little while ago on this board. i labelled it as a frankencaster but apparently Mr Van Halen calls his guitar a Frankenstrat. i hope someone still have pics of it anyway

That was me, and it's final name was 'The Brain Shitter'. I still need to finish the paintwork and put it back together.

http://noisyinkbubbles.com/d_Art_NoisyBubbles_TBS

This is shaping up to be an awesome project auldj! Must be exciting to be able to pick each component from scratch.

That is definately a unique guitar! Haha! How does it play?

Yeah, It should eb good to have a customised guitar...based on other designs of course....

Update: I have just purchased a nice slab of mahogany....it was going very cheaply (£22.95 for 22" x 14" x 45mm) which was just too good to miss!!

How much do you think it will cost in the end?

How much do you think it will cost in the end?

Hmmm...good question...

Well...I have most of the tools I'll need....I'll need to get some extras e.g spokeshave but that shouldn't be too much, I tend to get a lot of stuff online and it works out cheaper.

Freatboard was £12...body wood was £22...neck wood...I'm guessing will be about £20-£30...going for maple I think.

I have most of the hardware minus one pickup (I'm guessing about £70ish) and the machineheads (I have one set, just need one more for 7 string)

What is for sure: it'll be a damn site cheaper than a custom made ESP!...quality won't be as good...but we shall see!!

I'm really chuffed I got the mahogany body wood...great condition...and nice and cheap!

I'm going to say £250-£300...hopefully