8 sting attempt...

[lctdmf]

Uneven design.

Doesn't really look like an RG/Blackmachine shape much at all to be honest.

You could use this to get the correct shape for an RG, but you'd have to modify the heel area.

 

[sk3ks1s]

Cool. Thanks for those blueprints. You're probably right about it not looking like either. I think I'm gonna put a bit more girth at the butt and take a bit away from the horns. Give it a more even look... I'm also thinking about doing a binding as well. Anyone know how this flows into the armpit bevel (don't know what it's actually called)? Would I put it on as normal then carve into it (essentially making it disappear at that point)?

 

[Rokkaholic]

Awesome. I love the Blackmachine-inspired look.

 

[sk3ks1s]

Cutting and shaping over the past couple of days. Did a rough cut and planned on fine sanding but didn't realize how hard walnut actually is. So I ran the router along the edge and made a few deep cuts... nothing a little sand paper and elbow grease couldn't fix.

Starting to shape up...

Back cut-outs.

Front bevel...

That's pretty much it until I get my hardware for measurements. Probably glue the neck laminates together tomorrow, then wait...

 

[Echo]

Looking really good so far. I like that walnut alot.

 

[Matt-Hatchett]

This is looking awesome so far. I'm jealous

 

[Customisbetter]

I don't know why you went ape shit on the edges with a router, but the end result is looking pretty good.

 

[sk3ks1s]

I don't know why you went ape shit on the edges with a router

Thought it would make life easier 'cause I was finding it hard to sand the rough cut... ended up makin me work harder. Ah well, I'll know for next time. I need a belt sander.

 

[Customisbetter]

if you want to use a router. make a template of the outline form MDF and get a bearing bit. then cutting hte body is EZ PZ

 

[sk3ks1s]

Yeah, in hindsight that would have been the way to go. I need to practice with my router. I'm planning on doing binding... planning.

 

[sk3ks1s]

Started work on the neck. None of the maple strips match... which is actually kinda cool. After hours of planing/sanding, I ended up with a nice straight neck. After planing, I wasn't left with a very thick blank which resulted in a more acute headstock angle... which should still be fine... right?

Also did some alterations to the body. Sharpened the horns a little. Kinda worried about the placement of the heel join... the bolts are gonna be a little off center. That gonna be a big problem? I plan to use 5 minimum.

Cutting out the headstock tomorrow and routing the truss rod channels.

 

[Hollowway]

Man that's nice! This might be your first guitar build, but you have woodworking experience, yes?

 

[sk3ks1s]

Thanks... and none. Kinda just winging it and copying what I see in pictures on here. Unless you count cutting firewood.

 

[Elysian]

Yeah, in hindsight that would have been the way to go. I need to practice with my router. I'm planning on doing binding... planning.

You CANNOT freehand with a router, no matter how much practicing you do. Always make a template... Always. You also will find you can't really do body binding on a forearm carve with a normal router... When you see binding on forearm carve guitars, the channel is usually done with a CNC... I've tried to imagine ways of doing it, but I've not put my theories to the test yet.

 

[Elysian]

Also, headstock angle is fine. I personally don't do more than 6 or 7 degrees, it doesn't take much, and when you do a lot of angle on the headstock, you'll find you'll always need to use a slippery nut material, because of the added pressure of the string over the nut...

 

[Hollowway]

Thanks... and none. Kinda just winging it and copying what I see in pictures on here. Unless you count cutting firewood.

Well then I think you found your calling. I gotta think there's some natural talent there.

 

[sk3ks1s]

You CANNOT freehand with a router, no matter how much practicing you do. Always make a template... Always. You also will find you can't really do body binding on a forearm carve with a normal router... When you see binding on forearm carve guitars, the channel is usually done with a CNC... I've tried to imagine ways of doing it, but I've not put my theories to the test yet.

Yeah... I learned my lesson. I'm gonna use a template/fence for all of the good stuff. I have the bit/bearing for the binding. I think I'm going to taper the binding at the shoulder keeping it parallel with the top. Gonna practice on the pine one first to see how the taper looks and to get some practice.

 

[sk3ks1s]

Well then I think you found your calling. I gotta think there's some natural talent there.

I dunno about that... We'll find out when its time to make her sing...

 

[sk3ks1s]

Anyone know where I can get a black (or blackish) nut blank about 2 1/2" wide? I got a bone one from StewMac that was 2 3/8" (roughly) but its the vintage tan color. Gonna use it to practice cutting it and whatnot, but I would ultimately like to have a color that will match the guitar. I guess while I'm on the topic... what material would be best (bone, synthetic, tusq, etc.)? Gonna be a fixed bridge, in line 8 headstock (don't know what else would determine the material used for the nut)...
Thanks.

 

[Digideus]

Theres some buffalo bone nut blanks on Ebay, they are fairly black.