No rest in January - Two guitars & a bass [three down!]

[greens]

Looking good so far!

[solfege]

big fan of what you're doing with pickguard - control plate here.

[epizootics]

I love the way the lines work together on this- body shape, pickguard, control plate, everything. The centreline still visible on the body, plus what looks like some experimenting, sanding(?) on one side makes me think a 2-tone paint scheme based somewhere around the centreline could be a thing (maybe dark/light variations on the surf green?)..... Or I could be insane.
This is going to be a very cool guitar.

Definitely not insane, that's actually the plan with the other guitar (in a three-tone scheme!)
On this one, the sanding line in question is actually the forearm contour that got flattened in the picture because of the lack of light. It follow and extends the line created by the upper horn - I nicked the idea from the St Vincent guitar (I still can't get over how many good ideas Annie Clark put into that design, in a very understated way, kinda like her songs I guess )

I think I'm going to try and keep things simple for this one and let the three-dimensional layout do its job, but I definitely plan on going crazy on the other guitar!

I decided to go with a Les Trem II instead of the JM trem unit on my friend's guitar. I'll keep the rocking bridge, though. I seem to remember a few people here used that combination with success? I got a piece of square aircraft aluminum stock to carve a bridge from, into which I'll hot/cold fit two posts with the JM bridge spacing. I like the resonance of a solid aluminum bridge, but I want to give him the option to swap it for something more standard if he wants to.

Also, looking at the color scheme, I'm thinking white or cream pickup covers & knobs would fit better overall...?

[epizootics]

"THEY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN IDLE THREAT"
"I hope you don't be thinking I'm just talking and I won't do a thaaaaaang'



I went and did it. Found a cheap Gotoh Floyd Rose unit. The third guitar will be the victim. Still a long way off, but I thought I'd share the shame with y'all.

[antisymmetric]

There's still a chance to redeem yourself and not offend OSG sensibilities quite as much- you could run a rocking bridge and use that Floyd as a tailpiece.

[epizootics]

There's still a chance to redeem yourself and not offend OSG sensibilities quite as much- you could run a rocking bridge and use that Floyd as a tailpiece.

I actually thought of that - the next step would be adding another tremolo at the nut

Almost there - the neck needs a few last bits of work, then the spraying will begin...

04

[Rgand]

That's taking shape nicely. Looking forward to seeing the finish on it.

[Scout]

You know, I feel like a slacker for just putting parts together. Last scratch build I did was a 5 string banjo with a spruce carved arch top. Your build looks great.

[ThePearDream]

I'm really liking how this is shaping up. And the neck wood is beautiful!

[epizootics]

Thanks! That neck is plain old quarter-sawn French walnut, with a very subtle ripple figure. I gave the shaft a quick French polish to reveal any inconsistencies in the profiling and sanding. I've ended up with a few areas I didn't like on several occasions once I'd given a neck its final finish. Shellac is quick to apply and remove. I'd be lost without that stuff (75% of my income actually comes from slapping shellac onto old furniture!)

You know, I feel like a slacker for just putting parts together. Last scratch build I did was a 5 string banjo with a spruce carved arch top. Your build looks great.

Cheers! To be fair, there are many times in my builds when I feel like an idiot trying to make every single part from scratch. All of the metal parts, plastic bits, pickups, etc. It makes the whole thing take a lot more time and I usually ruin my flat once or twice in the process

[Amon 7.L]

Cheers! To be fair, there are many times in my builds when I feel like an idiot trying to make every single part from scratch. All of the metal parts, plastic bits, pickups, etc. It makes the whole thing take a lot more time and I usually ruin my flat once or twice in the process

These builds are freaking awesome, I was silently but cat-like stalking following the progresses.
One of the things I like about your builds is that you don't just slap standard aftermarket plates/parts on your design but you actually work from the ground up to make it a wholesome new concept from the ground up and you also manage to do it with a rather good taste.
Fantastic Job!

Keep it coming, I'm looking forward for what's coming next!

[epizootics]

Ouch - nobody posted here in the last couple of days and I think I know why...
Come on people, what better time that a few weeks of government-imposed sequestration to get on with our builds?
Yesterday, I realized I had everything I needed for those four instruments...except pinstriping tape. By some kind of miracle, an auto parts shop was still open next to the supermarket (where no more than fifty people were allowed inside at a time).

I am fortunate enough to live in an apartment building with a yard at the back, and the weather is finally nice enough to spray paint.

After two coats of sanding sealer, sanded down to 320...



...and the ridiculous Church of Paint I assembled from scraps yesterday:



...complete with my cat surveying the deserted streets of France. The pickups are done (Carvin AP-6-inspired super-low-wind, crazy-scatter P90s). Hopefully I can finish the guitar by the end of the week. I am also getting started on the bass, which should be a fair bit easier to make (no angled neck pocket, no tremolo, etc.)

[Deed_Poll]

I'm loving this design!

[antisymmetric]

Looking good!

[Shadoweclipse13]

Does the butt end of that control plate taper out a bit wider?