@tv101

I'm only on build #2, #3 is still growing in the back of my mind and #4 is already on the drawing board. Ive got a long way to go on your map, l think I'll stop when it gets easy.

The reasons for each build, and why the journey never ends with 1.

 

Build #1:  "Can I do it?"

Build #2:  "It'd be mad to just make 1".

Build #3:  "I enjoyed the first ones so much".

Build #4:  "Now I'm getting into this, I'll make some proper jigs".

Build #5:  "It's so much easier, now I've got all the jigs I need".

Build #6:  "Well, I've got all this spare wood, and parts, might as well".

Build #7:  "It's so much easier, now I've got all the tools I need".

Build #8:  "Now I've spent all that money on tools, I'd better use them".

Build #9:  "It'll only take me a few days, with all these jigs & tools".

Build #10:  "But I don't have a semi-hollow, Strat style, fixed neck, with 2 HBs.  In Orange".

Build #11:  "I'm saving so much money compared to buying them".

Build #12:  "Hi.  My name is TV1.  I'm a guitar builder."

 

That’s pretty much spot on @tv101 although I never stop buying tools and products. 😜

I've done Bolt-on Neck style guitars for years, but glued neck with carve top has to be tried this year as an intermediate build leading to Acoustic - then I will feel like a Guitar builder!!!

I am only on guitar #5 (if you don't count guitars that I just assembled) and that is stalled until things warm up a bit....

It is addictive ......and you get a piece of beauty at the end.!

I am the opposite. I find bolt on necks and parallel headstocks so much more difficult and challenging than set necks. Is it just me? Or does anyone else has that struggle? Getting better after my 3rd bolt on however and I am understanding it way more. A few discoveries and lessons learned. I still think it is harder.  @Eddie6string 

@tv1 I am on #11 as of today

Different strings and different strokes make most of us a bit of a joke?

What you learn first will always be easier!

Mind you, getting the Nut to fit tight, level and square is a Doo doo sometimes 

@Eddie6string Exactly! The nut slot. My nemesis. 

I find bolt on necks and parallel headstocks so much more difficult and challenging than set necks. Is it just me?

That's interesting @clinton.

I've always thought of set necks as being more "difficult", but - in reality - I think they're just slightly more risky.  You get one shot at cutting the join and making the angle.  It all needs to be just so.  Once glued in place, it's not easy to re-do that join.

Whereas, with a bolt on, you still need to get the join cut accurately, and the neck slot depth cut correctly, but if you get it wrong, it's easy to take it apart and make adjustments.

What you learn first will always be easier!

@eddie6string and @clinton Yeah I think this is true. The first neck I made from scratch was the set neck for the Bandsman but before that I mainly messed around with bolt on necks in kit builds. When Mark added the bolt on neck build to the courses, it was different for sure but I soon picked it up. I made it with the truss access at the headstock end too instead of the heal end. I then did the scarf neck joint, which is almost like a combination of the two, this was surprisingly easy I found. They are all different but once you start making plenty of them, it all becomes easier. 

@Boo @TV @Eddie6string

Just wanna say. I totally admire your builds. 3 different styles but all spectacular builds. Mos’ def my major influences at guitar building.  I have made 3 bolt ons in a row. My first attempt was spot on way better than the next two. Funny how that works but some how I reach the common goal we all strive for. Still learning but it is coming on real quick soaking it up. Gonna take a break for a bit and play my #11 guitar. Gonna wait before I can truly say I am on #12. I’m getting close.

I totally admire your builds

IIRC @clinton you did that blue, semi-hollow, Bandsman?

Now, that is a guitar to admire!!!

Now, that is a guitar to admire!!!

@tv101  Your first Bandsman build truly is the most special one.

Yours certainly is @clinton.

Ive not even made a Bandsman yet.  I’ll have to remedy that during this year.  Not sure what design extras to add to mine though.

Just wanna say. I totally admire your builds. 3 different styles but all spectacular builds.

@clinton Hey thanks man, I appreciate it. It’s always nice to get a little appreciation, I’m just glad that something I’ve done encourages someone else. That is what is great about this forum, we all influence each other and I still say that if we had a build-off competition, you would win every time. I think your builds are stunning, amazing craftsmanship and you do influence me. I must say that @marcel influences me too with his fantastic bass builds, something I haven’t done yet. Let’s just keep going, keep building, keep influencing each other. 👍