Here’s the finished article and I’m very much looking forward to the next one!
@abbbbbottttt Well done sir! It’s such a good feeling isn’t it? That feeling gets better and better the more you build. It’s like a drug without it damaging your health, although it can be expensive.
@boo Thank you! I’m definitely getting the sense it’ll be the first of many.
It’s funny because some of the most enjoyable parts were the bits that didn’t quite go right. Not that anyone would likely notice but there’s something very nice about dealing with that and chalking it up to experience for the next build.
I’m not sure what’s going to be next on the bench… Got some cabinets to finish for in the house first!
Any recommendations for a second build? I feel like I should maybe try a bolt on neck too? Maybe a carved top?
It’s funny because some of the most enjoyable parts were the bits that didn’t quite go right.
Any recommendations for a second build? I feel like I should maybe try a bolt on neck too? Maybe a carved top?
@abbbbbottttt Congratulations on your first build. Sounds like you enjoy the challenges. Try a carved top or maybe a semi hollow. I found it quite rewarding to go from the "I'll never be able to do that" stage, to "well that turned out not too bad".
Any recommendations for a second build? I feel like I should maybe try a bolt on neck too? Maybe a carved top?
@abbbbbottttt For my second build, I did a bolt-on, a nice Tele project. They are quite easy to do but are different enough to give you some new challenges. I have made a few now, mainly “Barncasters”, using old woods from pallets etc. You can make a basic one or get creative and customise them as much as you want and they are much cheaper to make. So long as you can get your body blank flat and ready to work on and buying a decent neck blank, the only limit is your imagination. Neck blanks for bolt-on builds are thinner and cheaper to buy, there is much less waste too. As you are used to working with wood, you could easily laminate several pieces of wood together for a body blank, run it through a planer and you are good to go. I’ve used pine, redwood, poplar and all kinds of pallet wood etc and made some great little Tele Barncasters for friends and family. The only cost is your time and the hardware. They are lots of fun and a real skill and confidence builder. I’ll find some examples of mine to look at. 👍
A carve top is another different ball game, I still haven’t made one yet but it’s coming. I would save that for a later date, in my opinion, but it’s up to you. If you have the skills and the confidence, go for it.
Try a carved top or maybe a semi hollow. I found it quite rewarding to go from the "I'll never be able to do that" stage, to "well that turned out not too bad".
@robin Yep, this is definitely one of my next challenges, it’s time. 👍
Sorry to bombard you with all of this but I definitely recommend doing a Tele for your first bolt-on build.
@boo - Not at all! Thanks so much for the food for thought. You have me comprehensively sold on the idea of a Barncaster. I love the idea of getting some more build time under my belt without spending a fortune!
Hey Chris, It's great to hear that you're wife is actively involved. My wife is very supportive of my guitar building adventure but not interested in it at all. 🤣
@markbailey - Is there anything I can do for you in terms of review, etc?
YES!! The best thing would be to make some kind of video review. You can send it to us or post it to youtube or anywhere you like and put a link in with your review here:
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