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My First Build: What I've Learned So Far

I'm only a 24 hours into my first "proof-of-concept" build, but I've already learned a number of things.

Mistake number 1 was buying a 2x2 board instead of 1x2. The idea at the time of purchase was, since some people here have said they like having a big plank inside the box, a 2x2 board was going to give me more wood than a 1x2.

The flip side is that since I am mostly using hand tools, I am carving away close to an inch of wood for the neck with a surform file and a rasp. And the monotony of it is taking its toll on my patience. Simple or complex, it looks like having an electric saw, or router, is a big advantage to carving the neck. And right now, that's an advantage I don't have.

Once I get the sucker built, I'll try to post pictures.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Gajeski on July 29, 2010 at 7:20am

Thats how i do it. it works great.
Wes Yates said:

[How this post ended up in the wrong discussion I will never understand. Reposted it here]

Here's one poor man's way of getting something like a lid recess cut down. Try cutting parallel groves about 1/8" apart by X deep. Once cut, knock the pieces out with a chisel or screwdriver. Sand or rasp flat.

The tape is to mark where to stop. You could even clamp two pieces on either side as guides. That will make the depth more even. The above is from an instructional manual I did for kits.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Scott L on July 30, 2010 at 12:33pm

Well, I can testify that a handheld electric jigsaw isn't going to be great for cutting the neck sound area. it was fine for cutting the steps down, but the sound slot I cut is no where near as straight as your saw/chisel work. I'm using maple on mine which is really hard wood and I got a lot of burning during the cut as well. I think my next one will have to be done differently.

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cox on July 30, 2010 at 1:58pm

building the world's largest resonator! It's a lot for your first guitar, but I gotta give you credit, man!
Scotty C. said:

This is what I've gotten done by hand so far. Apologies for the crappy cell phone pic.

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Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on August 3, 2010 at 1:45pm

Well, she's finished. Not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works... Kind of like me.

I'm already planning out the next build. Color me hooked.

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Permalink Reply by William McCauley on August 3, 2010 at 2:12pm

Looks great to me. Good job
Scotty C. said:

Well, she's finished. Not the prettiest thing in the world, but it works... Kind of like me.

I'm already planning out the next build. Color me hooked.

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Permalink Reply by Mister Scott on August 3, 2010 at 2:17pm

william McCauley said:

Looks great to me. Good job

Thanks, William! I am really enjoying this new hobby...

String action is a touch high, but that's easily fixed next time around. It's quite often dropping out of tune, though. I can't decide if I did something wrong, or if it's just the strings being broken in...