Right been thinking about this...

ROUTING!

I have a Dremal...

I would have to hire a plunge router (have used one before...)

Would a dremal do d'ya think?...I'm thinking it would definately do the job with the truss rod routing

I think there's some accessory for the Dremel that turns it into a plunge router, maybe that's an option?

I think there's some accessory for the Dremel that turns it into a plunge router, maybe that's an option?

Yeah, you're right...I've just put a bid on one on ebay

Just hopefully the dremal will be powerful enough!

My Mahogany body just arrived today...very nice!

There is a large knot on one side, but won't cause a problem! Lots of space!

Smells very nice...

45mm thick...nice and thick for good sound and resonance..

Cant wait!!!

Looks like if you turn the body a little bit on the wood, such that the top of the top cutout touches the top of the board of wood, you'll be able to work around the knot even more.

Looks like if you turn the body a little bit on the wood, such that the top of the top cutout touches the top of the board of wood, you'll be able to work around the knot even more.

That's not the proper knot...the real ones on the underside and it's between the horn and the neck route...so it's all good!

Good suggestion though... sawing a knot is hard work

I'm borrowing my friends Jackson Dinky 7 string this weekend to make final measurements and make sure I haven't missed anything obvious. (neck pocket width etc)

Will then be cutting out the body. As I don't have a band saw and I want to do it myself without sawing my arm off, I'm going to use a jigsaw with a hardwood cutting blade to a depth of 50mm which SHOULD do...hopefully.

Going to practice first though.

I will post pictures when I start. I may even post a video...although I more than likly won't.

There is a huge difference between a jigsaw and a band saw man. Especially for this application and circumstance (and that knot!)

Trust me man, if you can access a band saw, do so. You'll find out when you start going with the jigsaw either way. Not to mention the thicker the wood gets (1/4 inch sheeting, 3/8 plywood, 5/8 plywood, to even a 2x4 onside at 1 1/2 inches) the more the blade starts to angle itself inward or outward along its length while you go around the curves (the direction of the angle dependent on the direction of the curve). And those examples are all just softwood. This is why a the band saw was invented. I've cut up to 5 1/2 inches thick on a band saw, and it worked just fine, but I could never imagine doing that with a jigsaw.

Keep us posted, I'll gladly advise you when the time comes if no one else can provide answers for you.

You'll find out when you start going with the jigsaw either way. Not to mention the thicker the wood gets (1/4 inch sheeting, 3/8 plywood, 5/8 plywood, to even a 2x4 onside at 1 1/2 inches) the more the blade starts to angle itself inward or outward along its length while you go around the curves (the direction of the angle dependent on the direction of the curve)

I'll second this, jigsaw might work when going straight but beware the curves.

^ Ah, I have done it before...it can be quite tricky (as you said, the curves...) but it's manageable!

Go slowly and carefully...take a bit out each time

Plue where the knot is, it's (k)not part of the guitar so that will be avoided

Hows the guitar coming mate?

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

You can get a custom 8 string with a floating bridge these days. I wont recommend specific companies for the guitars. For the bridges, Kahler has a few 8 string models out. With Kahler bridges you can go from floating trem to fixed with the turn of an Allan key.

Oh, to the TS. Have you picked up the body and tried feeling out what the lower horn would be like with your hand/wrist getting access to the higher frets? Best wishes on making your custom, that is an awesome project to take on! And go with a truss rod!

Any progress with this?

I haven't had time to saw out the body yet...but I will be starting later this week...I'll post pictures of progress and possible finger separation

I'm also looking at buying the neck wood....going for Maple I think....and a double action truss rod from tonetechs...they are UK based and sell woods and stuff for guitar luthiers....which I am not