Rap Hat
the:pawn.project
So I've been wanting to start a guitar build for probably close to 15 years now, and the task has always seemed too daunting/I haven't had the time needed (excuses!). While looking at the OAF fall run thread someone posted that Oregon Wild Woods had gotten a couple amazing burled redwood tops - literally the moment after seeing them I decided to finally start my build!
I'm doing it in two parts to make it easier and less overwhelming for me. First up is a replacement body for my Agile intrepid 828. When that's done I'm going to start on the neck and take my time, and once it's complete I'll combine the two and have a self-built 8-string! This lets me have a 28.625" to record with while working on the neck, and if I screw up on the neck it won't be the end of the world.
Here are the specs (starred are tentative):
So far I have the body, top and fretboard woods, pickups, electronics, tuners and most of the tools I'll need. I have to grab the rest of the body supplies (ferrules, bridge and poly), then the neck supplies will be bought over time to spread out the financial impact (including fret tools).
Since this is my first build it's going to be a big learning experience. I have a decent amount of woodworking experience so I'm not too worried about that aspect, but the frets are daunting and where I'll be taking the most time. If it looks like I'm making a mistake feel free to let me know, I'd rather be yelled at here than screw up the build.
Thanks for your interest!
E: Oh, and I'm definitely open to suggestions! Be it body shape, neck woods, neck profile, techniques and so on. As this is my first build I'm not going for a specific setup (i.e. my dream guitar) so I'm willing to try something if it sounds cool!
I'm doing it in two parts to make it easier and less overwhelming for me. First up is a replacement body for my Agile intrepid 828. When that's done I'm going to start on the neck and take my time, and once it's complete I'll combine the two and have a self-built 8-string! This lets me have a 28.625" to record with while working on the neck, and if I screw up on the neck it won't be the end of the world.
Here are the specs (starred are tentative):
- 8 string straight scale (28.625")
- E1-E4 tuning
- Modified double cut body shape
- 2 piece alder body
- Salvaged old-growth burled redwood top
- 3 piece flamed maple neck or 3 piece FM and ebony*
- Asymmetrical neck profile*
- Figured bubinga fretboard w/20" radius
- Medium jumbo nickel frets
- Burled redwood headstock overlay
- Dimarzio DA8 pickups
- 1vol, 1tone w/coil split, 3-way
- Hipshot bridge or maybe a Hannes based on money*
- Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
- 12th fret inlay (2 dots)*
- Luminlay glowing side dots
- Black hardware
- Bass ferrule on E1 string, guitar ferrules on rest
- Gloss poly body finish*
- Tung oil neck finish
So far I have the body, top and fretboard woods, pickups, electronics, tuners and most of the tools I'll need. I have to grab the rest of the body supplies (ferrules, bridge and poly), then the neck supplies will be bought over time to spread out the financial impact (including fret tools).
Since this is my first build it's going to be a big learning experience. I have a decent amount of woodworking experience so I'm not too worried about that aspect, but the frets are daunting and where I'll be taking the most time. If it looks like I'm making a mistake feel free to let me know, I'd rather be yelled at here than screw up the build.
Thanks for your interest!
E: Oh, and I'm definitely open to suggestions! Be it body shape, neck woods, neck profile, techniques and so on. As this is my first build I'm not going for a specific setup (i.e. my dream guitar) so I'm willing to try something if it sounds cool!
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