New (first) build: Birch body strat.

[SawDusty]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

My very first guitar bodies were from birch. Mostly because at the time I worked in a lumber yard and I liked the smell of birch.

From a tone perspective I’d say birch is more similar to poplar than hard maple. You’ll get sustain and brightness so take that into consideration when designing your electronics


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

My very first guitar bodies were from birch. Mostly because at the time I worked in a lumber yard and I liked the smell of birch.

From a tone perspective I’d say birch is more similar to poplar than hard maple. You’ll get sustain and brightness so take that into consideration when designing your electronics


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I did suspected the brightness and sustain. Always thought poplar to be softer wood though. Didn't thought that analogy and thought maple to be closer...

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Project slowed down a bit with new years festivities and due getting back to work. Also I did a bit of mess with the routing: First routed the bridge cavity too large...

So needed to route a recess around the hole, plug it up, and route it again. Now it's just right:



Then after dropping the bridge in place I checked the neck and realized the neck pocket was crooked. Proceeded to shave down the lower side to get the neck straight (Good thing I left the lower horn finishing for last!)

So need to add a bit extra wood there as well:


Can't get it done today since forgot glue in my car and it froze...

[Old Guy]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

That looks really cool! Can't wait to see it all finished and hear how it sounds. Nice work!!

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

After fixing the neck pocket other projects got a bit of my time. Got back to this project today and finished the routing (well, aside the jack plate):



Neck fits nice and snugly now. Also set up the "up-down" alignment of it as well by sanding the heel while i was at it:



I tried out the bridge with small screws to make sure the neck alignment. High e side was slighty too on the edge, which was easy fix as the bridge was a bit too much on that side as well. Filled those two screwholes with matchsticks.

Once I get screws for neck I'll string it up and test. Ones that came with the neck plate are too long with the countour.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

It needs a buffer!

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

It needs a buffer!

? What?

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Joke...

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Joke...

So I figured. Just didn't get it ...

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

I stringed it up todays ago and made sure all works correctly. It plays really well acoustically. More sustain than neither of my other strats.

56 mm wide bridge is stupid. It's perfectly centered and e strings barely stay on fingerboard.

It'll be next week before I have time to get back on it.

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Update on the project:

I sold the unfitting Callaham bridge and build one from GFS block and Squier CV plate I had around. Also picked up Boston/SPG saddles to finish that "budget trem" option.

Body has gotten paint. Backside got two smallish runs, but what matters looks nice. Hopefully It'll look that after it cures as well...

[SAguitar]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

You are doing a great job!

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Now is the time for a buffer.

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

Now is the time for a buffer.

I still don't get it...

[Jacew]

Re: New (first) build: Birch body strat.

So. I've had the body, neck and hardware mostly ready now for months, but got stuck with electronics. Being busy with just about everything else I just didn't have motivation to start planning the wiring.

Well I finally got the plans ready and wired the pickguard today:


Tomorrow I'll fix up the jackplate with master volume and hopefully I'll get it together during weekend and may post first impressions.