Check it out, finally another update!

[J E C]

It has been WAY to long since I have done any work on this. I've been working way to much and some crazy day and night hours. As an example, 2 weeks ago I worked 58 hours in 4 days but only worked 6 hours on one of those days....ARG!
So on to the show! I have routed for the bridge and both PUs since the last update. I did it yesterday and today including make the fixtures and templates. With the bridge route I have done something I have not seen before. I routed the spring cavity and bar mount cavity with a 1/8" radius in the bottom corners. The block cavity (the one that goes clear through the body) has an 11 degree slope to the front and back sides rather than the step that you normally see. I accomplished this by using an angled base on the bottom of the router template and a 5" long 1/2" dia. straight bit in my plunge router. The reason I did it this way is... 1) I don't like covers over the back of spring cavities. 2) It will be easier to finish. 3) I always wanted to (because I thought it would look good). 4) It looks B1TCHEN! Now I need to drill for the pivot posts (I would have done it already but I missed getting to the supply place by 5 minutes to get the J size drill bit I need). Then I can route the face for the rear bridge relief and do the forearm, tummy and heal contours.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

That's superb man. I really like it.

 

[ExplorersRock]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

What wood is that? It looks fantastic! Nice work, bro.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Have you done a version of this before? Where did you get the shape and idea from?

And bro i dont think i have seen any of your other builds so if you could post them up that would be good thanks.

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Thanks guys. It is a design I came up with about 14 years ago. It incorporates elements of Strat and J-Bass, but is my own design. This the first one, and uses Koa, Redwood, Maple and Bocote for the body and Maple and Bocote for the neck. Part of this build proses has been making fixtures, templates, tools, and machines. It has been a fun proses and in some instances I have ended up with better stuff than what I had/was using years ago. I would like to build more of them. Would like to do one that uses figured Walnut in place of the figured Koa. I have a nice chunk of Swamp Ash ready to go and was thinking of doing it with a Douglas Fir neck with a Bocote FB. If all gos well will have some more progress and pics by weeks end.
Thanks, John

 

[CTN]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

lookin good man.

I presume you're going with a floyd hence the smaller trem block cavity?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

I have looked at this thread four times now.

Have the day off man to work on it :nana:

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Re: Check it out, finelly another update!

Having the day off plus having a more normal week before hand (so I didn't hurt and wasn't totally exhausted) is how I was able to do what I did. Ya Freakin Hoo !!!
Yes, I am going to use a Gotoh Floyd this time. Thought I would see how it compared to an OFR. Turns out they are direct replacements for each other, so if I don't like it I will get an OFR and switch it out.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

The gotohs are awesome. Even if you don't click with it right away i am sure you will after awhile. I have a nice gold one in my parts box ready for something. I also have another on my sabre and a few ofr's and i think they're all fantastic.

I dont know what it is but i really like top mount floyds.

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Well here is another update. I made a couple of fixtures this week end and was able to use one of them. So here are a couple of pics of it and what it does.



The bridge plate recess is angled at about 8 degrees.
Well I got to get back at it. Got to use the other fixture. Will be back with more pics....SOON!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Oh yeah pal. Looking nice, I am loving that floyd route on an angle.

I like pictures that have clamps in them Not sure why.

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Well I'm back, and with more pics. Just finished using the second fixture I made over the week end.

Well can you guess what it does? Here's another pic.


It makes a guitar....Hee, Hee....GROOVIER!

So far the only sanding that I have done on it is just enough to take any fuzz off of the edges of the routs. That is all about to change....
Next up....Tummy, Fore Arm, and Heal contours.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Looks great!!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Oh the gotoh will look great on that. Loven that cavitos.

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

 

[CTN]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

your routing work is EXTREMELY neat dude.

well done!

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Bit of a sucker for HS here; love the clean work :headbang:.

 

[nightfall]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Goddamn thats a pretty axe. Waiting for updates!

 

[J E C]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

Thanks CTN, Ashurbanipal, Kramersteen, and nightfall. I try to do as accurate a job as I can. It makes for a better final result and even if you can't see it, I KNOW IT IS THERE and if it aint right IT WILL BUG THE CRAP OUT OF ME. I did some contouring on it this week end using rasps and files. I don't have any scrapers other wise it would look a bit better and the final clean up would be easier. So I just ordered some from StewMac not more then 15 min ago. Well here are some up date pics. I wetted the main surfaces with a bit of H2O to raise the dents that rasps and files can make and any dings that occurred during the proses.




You mite notice that the Red Wood on each side of the Maple is it's neighbor. That is I split the Red Wood and and put them back together with the Maple between the same two pieces. The next big part of this build will be radiusing the FB and shaping the back of the neck shaft. So I better get going on the actual building of "The Radiusing Machine". I was hoping to have built it already, but you know how working and paying the bills can get in the way. I will do a thread on it as well.
Cheers, John

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Check it out, finally another update!

ohhhh hey wheres my jig drawing you promised? hehe

Looking good. That wood is awesome

I like how clean your area/building is too. very neat.