New (first) build: Birch body strat.

[Jacew]

We've had these full trunk wide birch planks stored in dry warehouse for 20 years now. I've been pondering that would make a great wood for guitar build if I got around to it.

I had ready soft v rosewood neck at the shelf and recently bought Callaham bridge when one popped up on sale nearby. Since I now also have free time thanks holidays and unlucky injury I finally got around to begin the build:



I used Peavey Raptor body for measurement, modifying shape free handedly to fit the idea and to fit standard strat pickguard.

Like usually, I was a bit short on tools. Freehand saw had too short blade, so I had to improvise. Used circular table top saw, round drill bits and chisel & mallet to get the shape:



It went surprisingly well, and came out nicely

 

[Chris Pile]

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

You use a planer before you glued those body halves together?

 

[Jacew]

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

Whole lotta sanding next...

 

[Jacew]

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

You use a planer before you glued those body halves together?

No. They apperently weren't perfectly straight as the top got that streak, other side is perfect. It's solid though, as it's just the top side edge. I also used a dozen pegs between the halves.

 

[Jacew]

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

Project continues...

Didn't get much done in christmas. Yesterday finished the sanding and carving.

Took a while to figure out how to make tummy cut...



Sometimes old and simple is the best way





Should be easy to reach with rounded lower horn and contoured heel.

Tomorrow need to go shopping for a router, so I can get the cavity and neck pocket done.

 

[Mincer]

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

Love the pics! I can't wait to see how this turns out. I wish I had the skills to do this sort of thing.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

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

Looking good! All you guys with all these builds are inspiring me to stop buying and start building.

Got any pics of the neck?

 

[kramersteen]

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

Good work.

 

[Mincer]

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

I've never heard a birch guitar. I'd be interested to know how it compares to other more popular guitar woods.

 

[Jacew]

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

There's the neck as well.



Got the router and did some measuring at the evening when I had time. Everything should be in place so I'll start routing it tomorrow. Lower cut needs a bit trimming as well...

Neck has 22 frets, so I need to cut heel of it shorter to get scale right.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

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

Rear routed?

 

[kramersteen]

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

I've never heard a birch guitar. I'd be interested to know how it compares to other more popular guitar woods.

I think it's used in a lot of high end hifi gear.

I think my 1980 ibanez dt50 is birch but i could be wrong.

 

[Jacew]

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

Rear routed?

No. Just drew the holes from pickquard to while I had it there.

I've never heard a birch guitar. I'd be interested to know how it compares to other more popular guitar woods.

I've heard it used in place of maple for guitar necks and tops, but not for body wood. Generally it's harder and lighter than maple.

 

[SawDusty]

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

Here’s a tip for routing. Get the Stew MAC neck pocket routing template and line the inside edge with layers of their paper binding tape to custom fit the template to the exact shape of the neck heel. The paper binding tape is strong an hard enough to withstand the router pressure for at least one neck pocket. While you are at Stew Mac also get the straight router bit with a guide bearing on the top of the router bit. You might have to put a spacer under the template for the first pass so that only the bearing contacts the template and not the bit blades. TIP FOR NEXT ONE: route your neck pocket before cutting out the body. You’ll have more wood to stabilize the template and bit. Also 2” wide Solvent activated golf grip tape is my best friend. It is very sticky (one doesn’t need the solvent it’s mostly for making the tape slippery so the grip slides on) and relatively cheap. (GolfWorks, Hireko)


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[Jacew]

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

^ Good tip with doing the routing first. I already cut the neck pocket, was pretty damn careful work keeping it level. I was quite pleased with result though.

 

[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


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[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


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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.