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Thanks for all the help.....

After watching the YouTube videos for about six months, I pilfered a wooden box out of the supply drawer at work, stopped on the way home and bought a stick, and went to work.
The tuners are off an old cheap banjo I bought at a garage sale to hang on the wall. The nut is cut from an old wire brush with a Bakelite handle. I carved the Banjo bridge down and recut it for the right string spacing.
Here's the fun part. Probably at the same garage sale the banjo came from, I bought one of those Fisher-Price tape recorders with the big fat micophone and coiled cord. Out of curiosity, I tore it apart and zip tied the mic element against the back of the neck. Soldered it up and plugged it into a Fender Hot Rod amp. Plucked a string and gently eased the volume up. Eureka! Whoda thought?
I just wanted to thank everyone that posts on here. There were so many pitfalls I missed because of the great folks on here.
I made sure of a good break at the bridge. The mic element is liberally hot glued to the back of the neck. Filing a little, and checking alot, made sure I didn't make a sitar when grooving the nut and bridge. There were several more "better not do that" moments.
I have included some pics. It is just a stick and a box compared to some of the beautiful work posted on here, but it's mine and it plays like a dream. The tone is tasty and dirty, and the intonation is right on. Thanks, in no small part to you guys.

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Permalink Reply by jabes on September 4, 2012 at 7:08am

perfect....

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on September 4, 2012 at 7:30am

It's a great moment when you plug the first one in and think "I don't believe it ......it actually works !"

Nice job !

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Permalink Reply by Kevin (Voodoo Rat) Hoelting on September 4, 2012 at 7:40am

Exactly! Or when you check the 12th fret and the tuner lights up green again. The first was about getting the technical part down. Now to make one look good too. I will be spending alot of time picking sawdust out of the corners of my eyes. Totally hooked....

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on September 4, 2012 at 8:52am

So begins the addiction!!!

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Permalink Reply by jabes on September 4, 2012 at 10:00am

my wife thought i was nuts until i plugged in my first guit...after 18 months i not quite so obsessed but it's still a buzz when a new one gets launched...have fun ...

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Permalink Reply by Kevin (Voodoo Rat) Hoelting on September 5, 2012 at 3:16am

Thanks Jabes. The next one was on the drawing board before the first was tuned up.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Dave on September 4, 2012 at 11:13am

A stick and a box works for me. This looks great.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin (Voodoo Rat) Hoelting on September 5, 2012 at 3:16am

Me too. Couldn't help thinking about some kid running home with a stick, a box, a pocketknife, and some screen wire.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on September 4, 2012 at 3:53pm

It is a looker, cool tuners. Great job! Started the next one yet?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin (Voodoo Rat) Hoelting on September 5, 2012 at 3:16am

Of course I have! I have also started searching thrift shops for those crazy looking tape recorders. Maybe I will incorporate those big, fat, red knobs on the pots next time. Thanks for the kudos.