Captain Tomahawk Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 I want to give it a shot! Anyone out there with some experience got some tips or can give me some information on someone with a workshop etc. I've been thinking of getting into this for some time now and it's about time i actually did something about it!I'm having a bass built for me by a great luthier in America and although i've nearly settled on the specs for it i still wish it could be a fretted 4 string and 6 string fretless in one!Well im sticking to the fretted 4 from him but i figure in time i could build my own 6/7/8 string basses! (I have no control over my desire for extended range basses)So if anyone has any experience in this field please give me any help on the following:Location -I don't mind paying for use of a workshopTools - I have a rough idea of what i'll needSources For wood- I can't find any british sources, two great american ones however! www.walnutwoods.net and www.exoticwoodbrokers.com are amazingUseful/Required readingand any other helpful tips to keep me from cutting fingers off.Anyone else interested in starting up? It would probably be more interesting having a couple of people carving up too and would allow us to save a wee bit each on space, tool and materials etc.cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest b-bert Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 i had planned to build a guitar this summer but have discovered i will have no time or money so that plan has been binned.someone on these boards had a thread on a telecaster if you want to search for it.They guys on this forum know alot, it includes a few expert luthiers they might be able to answer some of your questions :-http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=53 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Preid Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Ah the UG, ive been a memeber there since 2004. Fantastic site.Building a guitar from scratch, if your a noob, is a nightmare. The build threads on UG should open your eyes to it.I build composite guitars, random parts stuck together!!!Heres one i made earlier (in the year) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 I built an electronic sensor->midi interface with a washing up glove drum programmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest texjamm Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Having a bass built? Nice.....who's making it, what sort of spec, pickups, woods etc, etc. Sorry I'm just a nosey bass nut!!As far as making one, I've looked at doing such a thing several times. When I priced up buying good woods, pickups, hardware, tools etc. it wasn't that great a saving on getting someone else doing one for me. Plus the fact that I would have to make probably at least four to get it right! The big advantage is at the end of your build you can say "I made this" and hopefully you've got your ultimate bass.If you do decide to build one I for one would be interested to see updates on the forum (with photos!) of how you are doing. I'm sure many others would be as well. When the guy who made the Telecaster started his thread it was well populated.Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeid Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I built my telecaster. I bought body though.I sprayed it and put everything in it. So, i guess i contructed it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flossie suvara Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 www.frets.comGreat site - more about repair than building, but extremely well supported by detailed photos and lots of tips.RegardsFlossie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Tomahawk Posted June 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 Thanks for the links guys, Muchos help.My bass is being built by a Luthier I know over in America called Karl Thompson(not Carl Thomspon,though he is brillaint too). It's a 4 string double cut 34" neck scaleEtimoe BodyBuckeyeburl bookmatched top and bottom see link belowfor the peice im using http://walnutwoods.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=NW&Product_Code=6-10-1h&Category_Code=BBIW5 peice neck with side veneers :wenge veneer, maple,wenge,bubinga,wenge,maple, wenge veneerAint finalised my fretboard wood probably good ol' ebony.ebody accent linesbookmatched headstockNordstrand signature dual coil pickupsAguilar 3 band preampcontrols: N-pu volume, B-pu volume,Mid selector, Passive/active switch, passive tone, 3 Eq knobsThg Ebony domed knobs (possibly with the buckeye on top)Gotoh TunersHipshot B-sytle bridgeDunlop Strap locksThe body will use a clear matte lacquer finsh neck finish will be Tung OilI still aint finalised my desired specs for my neck dimensions etc string spacing will probably be 18mmInalys i still aint sure on either..im gonna design something interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest texjamm Posted June 9, 2006 Report Share Posted June 9, 2006 Nice....very nice....keep us up to date with its progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteBuchan Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 I built a guitar from ash a few months ago - bought a fender neck from a friend for 25 and built the body. I got the wood from this place:http://www.scottish-hardwoods.com/It's about 45miles north of aberdeen, near banff, but i see they have a mail order service.I went and bought another couple of sheets of ash from the guy a couple of days ago. I just have to decide on a shape now.Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest b-bert Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 people have made 'metal' guitars from a tele shape.with ash you could make a country sounding warlock!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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