***OFFICIAL*** Guitar Guys Thread -- all axes, all the time (1 Viewer)

[jdoggydogg]

Unless you have a guitar tech, tuning with a tremolo on the fly during a performance is a major headache if you have ever have to make an adjustment like a Drop D tuning on a particular song. Huge PIA. For that reason (and because I don't really have a need for tremolo), I've blocked/disabled the tremolo on every guitar I own.

I really was ignorant about how much of a pain these tremelos are. I don't regret buying it. But clearly, this is going to be a real learning curve for me.

Guitar seems to be fixed. Tech added two additional springs. I am going to play my fingers raw to the bone tonight...

 

[jdoggydogg]

Cool:

"I work in a guitar shop and recently got chatting to a customer to likes to draw/paint. So we gave her an old guitar to draw something on to go on our wall, she returned with this. Girl got skills!"

 

[bigbottom]

Cool:

"I work in a guitar shop and recently got chatting to a customer to likes to draw/paint. So we gave her an old guitar to draw something on to go on our wall, she returned with this. Girl got skills!"

Nice!

 

[jdoggydogg]

Cool:

"I work in a guitar shop and recently got chatting to a customer to likes to draw/paint. So we gave her an old guitar to draw something on to go on our wall, she returned with this. Girl got skills!"

Nice!

I have a nice old Washburn acoustic I'd love to turn her loose on.

 

[Britney Spears]

Just went out and hit my neck and pick guard with another coat of nitro.

Tough to really tell with it wet, but this feels like this might be the one!

Really frustrating with this dumb pick guard. I've spent way more time on this than the actual body. Black shows absolutely everything. If/when I ever do a strat, I'm definitely going for vanilla gorilla (white).

If you take photos with your phone, you can go to imgur.com and upload them in two seconds. The site will give you a link and you can post it here. Really interested in seeing your progress.

Well, it wasn't the one. kickrock

Had a tiny sag I had to gently sand, so I'm shooting another coat tonight. Will try your picture idea. I'm not exactly tech savvy.

 

[mad sweeney]

I don't recall if it's been covered or not, but has anyone had experience using a guitar through an Apple device and can recommend an interface product? I don't think I've found one that's done everything I want yet. I want the signal to go into the 30 pin rather than the headphone jack, and I want to be able to go to my amp with the finished signal, after going through the digitial pedals in a guitar app. I think this Line 6 Sonic Port has most of the feature I'm looking for, except for reviews from more trusted users than corporate shills. THanks

PS- The Washburn still plays like butter. Such a great mellow and crisp sound with great sustain. I think the wider neck works for a ham handed 6'1" 230-ish lb player. It gets itself pretty liquored up nicely when plugged into the different rock amp mixes either on the Rocksmith game or using the ####ty 1/8 input for iPad guitar apps. Though I am still trying to figure out how to get what kid of tone I want with all these extra tone control knobs

 

[bigbottom]

I don't recall if it's been covered or not, but has anyone had experience using a guitar through an Apple device and can recommend an interface product? I don't think I've found one that's done everything I want yet. I want the signal to go into the 30 pin rather than the headphone jack, and I want to be able to go to my amp with the finished signal, after going through the digitial pedals in a guitar app. I think this Line 6 Sonic Port has most of the feature I'm looking for, except for reviews from more trusted users than corporate shills. THanks

I use iRig just for practicing along with mp3 tracks and it works fine for that purpose. But it uses the 1/8" input, and the sound is not performance quality.

 

[bigbottom]

PS- The Washburn still plays like butter. Such a great mellow and crisp sound with great sustain. I think the wider neck works for a ham handed 6'1" 230-ish lb player. It gets itself pretty liquored up nicely when plugged into the different rock amp mixes either on the Rocksmith game or using the ####ty 1/8 input for iPad guitar apps. Though I am still trying to figure out how to get what kid of tone I want with all these extra tone control knobs

Be careful. If you become a tone fiend, you'll never be happy with modeling, and certainly not happy with anything you're running through an Apple product.

 

[Chaos Commish]

PS- The Washburn still plays like butter. Such a great mellow and crisp sound with great sustain. I think the wider neck works for a ham handed 6'1" 230-ish lb player. It gets itself pretty liquored up nicely when plugged into the different rock amp mixes either on the Rocksmith game or using the ####ty 1/8 input for iPad guitar apps. Though I am still trying to figure out how to get what kid of tone I want with all these extra tone control knobs

Be careful. If you become a tone fiend, you'll never be happy with modeling, and certainly not happy with anything you're running through an Apple product.

The Fender Mustang 1 amp I bought is a modeling amp, and we can't get clean articulate tone from it. I thought it was the cheap guitar, but when plugged into the teacher's amp it sounds chimey and sweet like it should. I'm a vintage tone fiend, I guess. While trying to learn I hear myself better with clean tones. The Joe Walsh Tele tone that finishes Hotel California would make me very happy. I've been told to upgrade the pots, try a 22uf capacitor, and few other ideas, but it really hits the right notes on the other amp, so buying a low powered but decent quality amp is on the horizon.

I never ordered the Mexican Tele pre-wired bundle. I'm pretty sure this is going to be a three pickup Tele with only the bridge a stock Fender product. I'll be unhappy if I build a Tele without the old school ashtray bridge, so that's been ordered. Also pretty sure I'm going underwound on the neck and a humbucker of some sort in the middle. Clean for now please. This has really been a fun education and project, btw. I'll be on vacation for a couple weeks pretty soon, so hopefully I'll give this build a good push before leaving town. Indecision on the pickups will stop me from finishing before leaving.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Just went out and hit my neck and pick guard with another coat of nitro.

Tough to really tell with it wet, but this feels like this might be the one!

Really frustrating with this dumb pick guard. I've spent way more time on this than the actual body. Black shows absolutely everything. If/when I ever do a strat, I'm definitely going for vanilla gorilla (white).

If you take photos with your phone, you can go to imgur.com and upload them in two seconds. The site will give you a link and you can post it here. Really interested in seeing your progress.

Well, it wasn't the one. kickrock

Had a tiny sag I had to gently sand, so I'm shooting another coat tonight. Will try your picture idea. I'm not exactly tech savvy.

You may think I only do hand rubbed finishes because they're all snobby and old school, but it's because they're just so easy and bullet proof. I can't stand using a spray or a brush on wood. I'm never happy with the results. Since I'm waiting for parts I'll do a little more with my finish than I planned. I'm feeling a surf guitar thing, so talk me off the sky blue/mint green/teal ledge if you guys hate it. It would not be paint but dye. Dye that highlights wood grain better than typical stains. I'd also rub in clear gloss of some sort until I got the shine and feel I want. The neck I ordered will be here tomorrow. That might have something to do with how I finish this too.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Here's a photo of the clamped guitar with the guide strings on it. I used two low E-strings so that the tension would be equal on both sides of the bridge (and wouldn't pull the neck to the side when the clamp was loosened for adjustments).

http://imgur.com/aELXqL4.jpg

Thanks. I might be a little worried about clamped cardboard on my frets, but I can't think of a better approach at the moment. Sounds like it worked, so nice job. Setting the neck perfectly seems to be the make it or break it part of the process. Other work has margins for error. Instead of a plate, I'm planning on using bushings and some contour on the oak piece. The whole thing is an experiment so why not? Here's the idea. After reading your instructions, I'm not so sure, but shaving weight off the oak is a good thing.

You're working on a whole other level of difficulty, my friend. That looks like a cool idea.

I like the contours on the strat. They're comfortable. These are just roughed out at the moment.

Arm contour

Neck and belly

You don't have to look closely to see all the dings in this old table top that make me think a relic job makes sense, but if you do look closely around the meeting of the neck and belly contours you might see a wave... dude.

I'll strip the old finish tonight and sand this out to a respectable body tomorrow.

 

[Britney Spears]

Just went out and hit my neck and pick guard with another coat of nitro.

Tough to really tell with it wet, but this feels like this might be the one!

Really frustrating with this dumb pick guard. I've spent way more time on this than the actual body. Black shows absolutely everything. If/when I ever do a strat, I'm definitely going for vanilla gorilla (white).

If you take photos with your phone, you can go to imgur.com and upload them in two seconds. The site will give you a link and you can post it here. Really interested in seeing your progress.

Well, it wasn't the one. kickrock

Had a tiny sag I had to gently sand, so I'm shooting another coat tonight. Will try your picture idea. I'm not exactly tech savvy.

You may think I only do hand rubbed finishes because they're all snobby and old school, but it's because they're just so easy and bullet proof. I can't stand using a spray or a brush on wood. I'm never happy with the results. Since I'm waiting for parts I'll do a little more with my finish than I planned. I'm feeling a surf guitar thing, so talk me off the sky blue/mint green/teal ledge if you guys hate it. It would not be paint but dye. Dye that highlights wood grain better than typical stains. I'd also rub in clear gloss of some sort until I got the shine and feel I want. The neck I ordered will be here tomorrow. That might have something to do with how I finish this too.

Surf guitar sounds pretty cool to me so I won't be trying to dissuade.

I screwed up the finish on the fretboard and I'm now progressing backwards.

Here is what my neck looks like now: http://imgur.com/dB4DMYQ (thanks BB for the tip on pictures)

Sanding finish off between the frets is the suck.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Just went out and hit my neck and pick guard with another coat of nitro.

Tough to really tell with it wet, but this feels like this might be the one!

Really frustrating with this dumb pick guard. I've spent way more time on this than the actual body. Black shows absolutely everything. If/when I ever do a strat, I'm definitely going for vanilla gorilla (white).

If you take photos with your phone, you can go to imgur.com and upload them in two seconds. The site will give you a link and you can post it here. Really interested in seeing your progress.

Well, it wasn't the one. kickrock

Had a tiny sag I had to gently sand, so I'm shooting another coat tonight. Will try your picture idea. I'm not exactly tech savvy.

You may think I only do hand rubbed finishes because they're all snobby and old school, but it's because they're just so easy and bullet proof. I can't stand using a spray or a brush on wood. I'm never happy with the results. Since I'm waiting for parts I'll do a little more with my finish than I planned. I'm feeling a surf guitar thing, so talk me off the sky blue/mint green/teal ledge if you guys hate it. It would not be paint but dye. Dye that highlights wood grain better than typical stains. I'd also rub in clear gloss of some sort until I got the shine and feel I want. The neck I ordered will be here tomorrow. That might have something to do with how I finish this too.

Surf guitar sounds pretty cool to me so I won't be trying to dissuade.

I screwed up the finish on the fretboard and I'm now progressing backwards.

Here is what my neck looks like now: http://imgur.com/dB4DMYQ (thanks BB for the tip on pictures)

Sanding finish off between the frets is the suck.

So you didn't like the vintage yellow? From what I've read it's probably worth $10 of fret wire to pull the frets, sand and finish without them, and then glue in some new ones. What's your plan for that neck? It looks whitewashed. Is that the natural maple?

Mine is similar.

My first thought was oof too yellow. Then I checked out the original 53 and decided best to live with it. It might look good with surf green. Relic-king it would be easier than what you're doing.

Bridge and tuners will be here soon and I should be able to set the neck. I don't have a drill press. I'm not looking forward to drilling the string through body holes.

 

[Britney Spears]

Just went out and hit my neck and pick guard with another coat of nitro.

Tough to really tell with it wet, but this feels like this might be the one!

Really frustrating with this dumb pick guard. I've spent way more time on this than the actual body. Black shows absolutely everything. If/when I ever do a strat, I'm definitely going for vanilla gorilla (white).

If you take photos with your phone, you can go to imgur.com and upload them in two seconds. The site will give you a link and you can post it here. Really interested in seeing your progress.

Well, it wasn't the one. kickrock

Had a tiny sag I had to gently sand, so I'm shooting another coat tonight. Will try your picture idea. I'm not exactly tech savvy.

You may think I only do hand rubbed finishes because they're all snobby and old school, but it's because they're just so easy and bullet proof. I can't stand using a spray or a brush on wood. I'm never happy with the results. Since I'm waiting for parts I'll do a little more with my finish than I planned. I'm feeling a surf guitar thing, so talk me off the sky blue/mint green/teal ledge if you guys hate it. It would not be paint but dye. Dye that highlights wood grain better than typical stains. I'd also rub in clear gloss of some sort until I got the shine and feel I want. The neck I ordered will be here tomorrow. That might have something to do with how I finish this too.

Surf guitar sounds pretty cool to me so I won't be trying to dissuade.

I screwed up the finish on the fretboard and I'm now progressing backwards.

Here is what my neck looks like now: http://imgur.com/dB4DMYQ (thanks BB for the tip on pictures)

Sanding finish off between the frets is the suck.

So you didn't like the vintage yellow? From what I've read it's probably worth $10 of fret wire to pull the frets, sand and finish without them, and then glue in some new ones. What's your plan for that neck? It looks whitewashed. Is that the natural maple?

Mine is similar.

My first thought was oof too yellow. Then I checked out the original 53 and decided best to live with it. It might look good with surf green. Relic-king it would be easier than what you're doing.

Bridge and tuners will be here soon and I should be able to set the neck. I don't have a drill press. I'm not looking forward to drilling the string through body holes.

I do like the vintage neck color. I specifically put the light amber dye that Fender used on the 50s necks, and am using nitrocellulose lacquer to match as well. I'm essentially trying to copy the look of the neck in the picture you posted.

I had it all the color of the headstock in my picture, but some of the color was uneven looking to me around the 5th fret so I decided to sand it back to natural and start again (the picture is post sanding). It's solid maple with the skunk stripe.

I am not personally a fan of relic'ing the guitar, even though many look phenomenal. I will put my own miles on it. I'm trying to make what would look like a '52 that came right off the assembly line. But with a few twists of course, including a tremolo and jumbo frets (don't like the tiny skinny old ones), and Lollar pickups. Maybe also modified wiring and flipping the control plate, we'll see how I feel if I ever become satisfied with the finish. I got the original sized neck as well without the hangover last fret. I'm not going to put a logo on it (even thought it looks very easy with a waterslide). I like the blank headstock, and its not a Fender.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Okay good. Mine came done the way you're making yours look. Nice job on the headstock. Man, I can't imagine the delicate sanding job. I messed up the kids fingerboard leveling a fret. Happened so fast. Are you going to do the two tone amber where it's a little darker near the body? I thought about that. Those look better than the all yellows, imo.

I like the idea of relic job because of the pre-existing dings and dents in my homemade blank. I'm going for one more sanding session tonight (to 400 grit) and I'm going to start finishing it. Bad idea before it has all the cavities, but I don't care. I don't want to route it out until I have the parts.

 

[Britney Spears]

Here is a dry fit of where I currently am at:

http://imgur.com/BucrXDF

Very, very pleased with the tightness of how everything fits (much effort went into this), but still not thrilled with the finish. I think I'm going to put another coat on the body after further inspection, and current re-doing the neck. Pickguard is the only thing I feel is satisfactory right now.

Dry fit definitely makes it seem like its closer to done than it probably is. I haven't actually attached anything yet. The tremolo should be a challenge.

 

[Otis]

Here is a dry fit of where I currently am at:

http://imgur.com/BucrXDF

Very, very pleased with the tightness of how everything fits (much effort went into this), but still not thrilled with the finish. I think I'm going to put another coat on the body after further inspection, and current re-doing the neck. Pickguard is the only thing I feel is satisfactory right now.

Dry fit definitely makes it seem like its closer to done than it probably is. I haven't actually attached anything yet. The tremolo should be a challenge.

Beautiful

 

[bigbottom]

Here is a dry fit of where I currently am at:

http://imgur.com/BucrXDF

Very, very pleased with the tightness of how everything fits (much effort went into this), but still not thrilled with the finish. I think I'm going to put another coat on the body after further inspection, and current re-doing the neck. Pickguard is the only thing I feel is satisfactory right now.

Dry fit definitely makes it seem like its closer to done than it probably is. I haven't actually attached anything yet. The tremolo should be a challenge.

WOW

 

[Chaos Commish]

Here is a dry fit of where I currently am at:

http://imgur.com/BucrXDF

Very, very pleased with the tightness of how everything fits (much effort went into this), but still not thrilled with the finish. I think I'm going to put another coat on the body after further inspection, and current re-doing the neck. Pickguard is the only thing I feel is satisfactory right now.

Dry fit definitely makes it seem like its closer to done than it probably is. I haven't actually attached anything yet. The tremolo should be a challenge.

WOW

Very nice! I'm a follower. I see BB's and want to relic mine. I see Brit's and want vintage butterscotch. Also those six little holes through the body mock me. Bridge and tuners will be here Tuesday so no excuse not to set the neck (and drill those holes). I'm struggling to get the new neck fit tight, but it's very close. I may resort to a very thin shim. <_<

The builderguys use a homebrew of superglue and sawdust similar to bedding a firearm receiver. I'll test it on something else later tonight.

I've mixed dyes from mint-to-seafoam-to-teal shades but both my mom and kid keep saying no. Just clear gloss over the oak may be the answer. I'm sort of diggin' a faded green but it's been insulted harshly by the girls.

Also Brit (I had a dog named Brit as a kid), I can't tell but it looks like a 22 fret neck with the overhang. I've been told the pick guard cannot touch it or it's disastrous for the sound. Yours looks like it might.

 

[Britney Spears]

Here is a dry fit of where I currently am at:http://imgur.com/BucrXDF

Very, very pleased with the tightness of how everything fits (much effort went into this), but still not thrilled with the finish. I think I'm going to put another coat on the body after further inspection, and current re-doing the neck. Pickguard is the only thing I feel is satisfactory right now.

Dry fit definitely makes it seem like its closer to done than it probably is. I haven't actually attached anything yet. The tremolo should be a challenge.

WOW

Very nice! I'm a follower. I see BB's and want to relic mine. I see Brit's and want vintage butterscotch. Also those six little holes through the body mock me. Bridge and tuners will be here Tuesday so no excuse not to set the neck (and drill those holes). I'm struggling to get the new neck fit tight, but it's very close. I may resort to a very thin shim. <_<

The builderguys use a homebrew of superglue and sawdust similar to bedding a firearm receiver. I'll test it on something else later tonight.

I've mixed dyes from mint-to-seafoam-to-teal shades but both my mom and kid keep saying no. Just clear gloss over the oak may be the answer. I'm sort of diggin' a faded green but it's been insulted harshly by the girls.

Also Brit (I had a dog named Brit as a kid), I can't tell but it looks like a 22 fret neck with the overhang. I've been told the pick guard cannot touch it or it's disastrous for the sound. Yours looks like it might.

Great callout, but this is a 21 fret vintage style my friend.

bowtie

 

[Hopeless Lions Fan]

So I've been playing for almpost 30 years now. Had superstrats, pink Ibanez's, Strats, Les Pauls, tube combos, full stacks, direct boxes, countlesss effects.

I'm now down to a Squier Classic Vibe Tele which I've had for 4 years, a Blues Junior Combo, and a boss DD-6. All I really need. Wish I had gone with a tele 30 yeara ago.

 

[bigbottom]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

 

[Otis]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

So, so awesome. Drool.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

Nice touch with the rust. For all the love you have for and have put into this guitar, seems to me an appropriate name is Tom. He's getting a little rusty too.

 

[glock]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

Nice touch with the rust. For all the love you have for and have put into this guitar, seems to me an appropriate name is Tom. He's getting a little rusty too.

 

[mad sweeney]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

That's awesome!

Is it possible, not necessarily on your project but in general, to rough up the fretboard and headstock or the pickguard? Or is there a physical reason that would detract from the guitar's sound to do so? Looks great no matter what though.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

That's awesome!

Is it possible, not necessarily on your project but in general, to rough up the fretboard and headstock or the pickguard? Or is there a physical reason that would detract from the guitar's sound to do so? Looks great no matter what though.

When this addiction first hooked me, I read about 2500 words on how to get this look.

 

[bigbottom]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

That's awesome!

Is it possible, not necessarily on your project but in general, to rough up the fretboard and headstock or the pickguard? Or is there a physical reason that would detract from the guitar's sound to do so? Looks great no matter what though.

Thanks! The headstock is already pretty roughed up (complete with a cigarette burn) with some extremely aged tuners:

http://i.imgur.com/rvciq3W.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/OM5JG6U.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/CV8XpK8.jpg

But you're right, the fretboard is way clean looking. I was in a bit of a quandry, maple fretboards are far more suited for relic'ing, but I really prefer to play on rosewood. Since I'm hoping that this will be a real player, I didn't want cosmetics to outweigh utility. I guess I could try to rough it up a bit, but I really don't want to affect its playability. But it does look like someone put a new fretboard on an old guitar, which is somewhat odd.

The pickguard doesn't bother me as much. White pickguards do yellow as they age, but black plastic doesn't really age in the same way. It does have some scratches on it from regular use, so it doesn't look brand new or anything.

So, yeah, the fretboard bothers me some, but I guess you have to make choices when you're doing these projects.

As an update, I've turned the project over to a buddy to solder the electronics and work on the set-up. That's stuff I'll leave to people who know what they are doing. Should have a working guitar within a couple weeks.

 

[bigbottom]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

That's awesome!

Is it possible, not necessarily on your project but in general, to rough up the fretboard and headstock or the pickguard? Or is there a physical reason that would detract from the guitar's sound to do so? Looks great no matter what though.

When this addiction first hooked me, I read about 2500 words on how to get this look.

Yeah, that looks really cool for a relic project.

 

[bigbottom]

I'm not getting the Tom reference.

Also, I know this is a guitar guys thread, but I just bought my kid a Roland V-Drums kit for his birthday on Friday. He's been taking snare lessons for about a year and a half. I told him if he stuck with it, I'd get him a kit. The wife is completely against the noise of an acoustic drum set in the house, so a Roland kit it is!

 

[Chaos Commish]

Tom is a quarterback you used to know. :(

I've been looking at Roland drum kits. Nice. Expensive. My kid wants one. I think the keyboard does a great job adding drums to her stuff. She's pretty motivated to develop her own songs. I say develop because she sure can't write music.

Her better keyboard... er pardon me if I sound dumb here because I'm not really up on this stuff... anyway, the keyboard has four tracks she can loop. So, she can tap in a bass line and a drum rhythm and they keep going for her to play over them. She wants this functionality in a guitar pedal. Any tips on this guys? I am clueless. She says it's better becaus of the amp, and oh yeah, I'm building a cigar box deluxe bass for "us" next.

Chapter 11? 13?

Also BB, I just got those same tuners in the mail yesterday, shiny and new. Unfortunately the Stratosphere sent me a Tele bridge without the correct brass saddles. It's already been sent back. Also also, I picked up a used Lace Sensor for the bridge.

 

[bigbottom]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

 

[bigbottom]

Tom is a quarterback you used to know. :(

 

[Chaos Commish]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

Looks great, sounds great, has a great future!

If I could play like that, I doubt I'd do anything else these days. I am making some progress but still seem to have coordination issues. I'm developing a couple callouses, first two fingers, but they hurt now. I'm a wuss.

Another good reason for having a relic is just in case you drop it or something. I sanded my Tele body over a trash can tired of sweeping saw dust. When finished I closed the can and set the body on the lid. A half hour later I bumped the can and it fell neck first onto a two by four. I thought the worst, but itwas gouged in the tiny cutout just above the neck. I routed it smooth making what should be little notch more of a semi-cutaway. So I no longer have a pure Tele shape, but the neck fit is perfect.

Waiting for parts is annoying as I would happily finish this thing if I had everything. I might try a burst finish because youtube makes it look easy. But I'll wait for the drilling and routing to be done first, and I need the part to do that safely. I'll be in DC from the 4th to the 14th. Everything should be here by the time I get back. This guitar will be done by the 21st. There, it's in writing.

 

[Otis]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

So, so, so awesome. I want that guitar.

 

[bigbottom]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

Looks great, sounds great, has a great future!

If I could play like that, I doubt I'd do anything else these days. I am making some progress but still seem to have coordination issues. I'm developing a couple callouses, first two fingers, but they hurt now. I'm a wuss.

Another good reason for having a relic is just in case you drop it or something. I sanded my Tele body over a trash can tired of sweeping saw dust. When finished I closed the can and set the body on the lid. A half hour later I bumped the can and it fell neck first onto a two by four. I thought the worst, but itwas gouged in the tiny cutout just above the neck. I routed it smooth making what should be little notch more of a semi-cutaway. So I no longer have a pure Tele shape, but the neck fit is perfect.

Waiting for parts is annoying as I would happily finish this thing if I had everything. I might try a burst finish because youtube makes it look easy. But I'll wait for the drilling and routing to be done first, and I need the part to do that safely. I'll be in DC from the 4th to the 14th. Everything should be here by the time I get back. This guitar will be done by the 21st. There, it's in writing.

The color is gorgeous. Just give it a finish and be done with it.

 

[bigbottom]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

So, so, so awesome. I want that guitar.

Thanks man. You should really think about doing one. It was actually pretty easy.

 

[Kumerica]

Well, getting closer. Electronics still haven't been hooked up yet, but I strung it up so I could start working on the setup. Action is near perfect, and the neck plays great, but still some work to be done on the intonation. Found a rusty input jack that really suits the project, imo. This thing is also light as a feather. I really hope it sounds as good as it looks and feels. Need to come up with a name for it now.

http://imgur.com/mQ5kKHy.jpg

My God, that's a sexy guitar.

 

[Kumerica]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

Feckin' phenomenal. Well done, sir!

 

[Otis]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

So, so, so awesome. I want that guitar.

Thanks man. You should really think about doing one. It was actually pretty easy.

Seriously thinking about it now. Never owned a strat, but this gives me a good excuse. Any good, simple guides for where to start?

 

[Otis]

Some sweet relic'd bodies available on eBay....

 

[bigbottom]

Some sweet relic'd bodies available on eBay....

That's how it all started for me.

 

[Chaos Commish]

The color is gorgeous. Just give it a finish and be done with it.

Not sure what my camera did there, but the color is misleading, still unfinished white hickory. Maybe yellow-gold is the way to go though!

I have decision paralysis on pots and pickups. I'm so novice I don't want to screw this up, but everything to finish it will be ordered today. I've spent an hour or so reading wiring diagrams this morning. I've wanted an SHH Tele all along to preserve the vintage bridge look and have a little something extra, but there's almost no info out there on them. This morning I found this 14 year old kid who built one and had it played at a Petty concert. Pretty cool read.

 

[bigbottom]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

So, so, so awesome. I want that guitar.

Thanks man. You should really think about doing one. It was actually pretty easy.

Seriously thinking about it now. Never owned a strat, but this gives me a good excuse. Any good, simple guides for where to start?

I didn't really follow any guide on the overall process, though I did come across some parto-caster instructional videos on YouTube. You can give those a watch. There were a couple particular stages, however, where I did do some internet research. How to fill the holes on the neck (they weren't in the right place), and the best way to attach the neck (the only tricky part of the whole process, imo). Basically, this was my process, along with the cost:

1) Find cool relic Strat body on Ebay (came with relic bridge) ($300)

2) Find cool relic Strat neck on Ebay (came complete with relic tuners) ($175)

3) Put three coats of polycrylic water-based satin finish with light sanding in between coats (probably around $15)

4) Fill holes in neck with cut and sanded dowels and non-expanding epoxy (around $7)

5) Purchase relic neckplate on Ebay ($25)

6) Purchase loaded pickguard on Ebay ($135)

7) Install bridge on body, and insert wood trem block (used some scrap wood from my garage)

8) Drill holes into the neck and attach the body, neck and neckplate (using a clamp)

9) Purchase and screw in relic input jack ($7)

and then . . .

10) Hand off to a friend to wire the electronics and set up the guitar (action, intonation, etc.)

I've included pictures from most of these steps in the thread. Total cost = $664. It would have been cheaper but for paying to buy already relic'ed items. You can save money by relic'ing things yourself, but you'll need to add a bunch of extra time into the project for that. Total hours of work on my part for steps 1-9 = probably around 10-12 hours (not counting the many hours I spent perusing eBay and researching parts).

Also, be sure that you're buying from reputable sellers who are selling actual Fender or Fender-licensed parts. You don't want to buy a body and neck and have them not fit.

 

[bigbottom]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

Feckin' phenomenal. Well done, sir!

Thanks man. Means a lot coming from you!

 

[bigbottom]

The color is gorgeous. Just give it a finish and be done with it.

Not sure what my camera did there, but the color is misleading, still unfinished white hickory. Maybe yellow-gold is the way to go though!

I have decision paralysis on pots and pickups. I'm so novice I don't want to screw this up, but everything to finish it will be ordered today. I've spent an hour or so reading wiring diagrams this morning. I've wanted an SHH Tele all along to preserve the vintage bridge look and have a little something extra, but there's almost no info out there on them. This morning I found this 14 year old kid who built one and had it played at a Petty concert. Pretty cool read.

That is a great story. Campbell is awesome.

 

[Otis]

Very cool story indeed.

 

[Otis]

By the way, I can't get over how fun these Baby Taylor guitars are. It plays like butter -- so easy and fun to play. I guess it's the short scale and the nut width, but it's just such a pleasure to play. Sounds great for what it is. Has to be the best $150 you can spend on a used guitar. Anyone looking for a great little acoustic, I encourage you to check one out. I'm really considering picking up one of the limited edition versions too (rosewood, koa, maybe others?)

So sweet.

 

[bigbottom]

By the way, I can't get over how fun these Baby Taylor guitars are. It plays like butter -- so easy and fun to play. I guess it's the short scale and the nut width, but it's just such a pleasure to play. Sounds great for what it is. Has to be the best $150 you can spend on a used guitar. Anyone looking for a great little acoustic, I encourage you to check one out. I'm really considering picking up one of the limited edition versions too (rosewood, koa, maybe others?)

So sweet.

Did you buy it used at that price? Have been thinking about getting an acoustic for my 13-year-old and that might be just the ticket.

 

[Britney Spears]

Partocaster is DONE!

Unfortunately, I don't have it in my grubby hands yet (and won't until the weekend). But my buddy who did the electronics set up just sent me a quick video he took on his phone. He says it sounds as good as any US production model (though the phone microphone has its limitations).

Video

I told my son (the one who has been sick) that this was going to be "our" guitar. He's been playing for a couple years now, but had to stop his formal lessons this past year. I can't wait to see him play it.

Holy crap! This is so good.

Also would love to be able to play like that someday.