Anyone tried building your own guitar?

BobS · #1 02-25-2002, 09:26 PM

I have been poking around the 13th fret and am toying with the idea of getting a kit and rolling my own....anyone tried this?

Bob

joe white · #2 02-25-2002, 09:35 PM

Nah! I never got into that stuff. It can kill ya'

Bill Nichols (CaptBill) · #3 02-25-2002, 09:41 PM

Electrics ..Yes
Acoustic .... very soon

BobS · #4 02-26-2002, 05:54 AM

Capt - Are you gonna use a kit or try from scratch? (btw - I used to have a little 22' Catalina I kept out at Parrish CreekMarina at Shadyside ...anywhere near you?)

Bob

Bill Nichols (CaptBill) · #5 02-26-2002, 06:45 AM

I will be building from scratch.....well actually from wood but not a kit

I however am going to be getting some instructional help from a top luthier.

If I remember correctly ShadySide is off the West River...that is about 30 miles north of me.

Acoustics4ed · #6 02-26-2002, 11:47 AM

This is actually something I have been tossing around, although I think I would have to go the kit route.......
I think it would be very cool to have one ya made yourself.....

RickC · #7 02-26-2002, 06:02 PM

Well guys if you're looking for a real fun Guitar supply web site try this one www.stewmac.com it's a blast!!! I ordered some stuff from them great service. They have everything from inlay materials and tools to acoustic guitar kits, and router bits, Hey! that sounds like a song, or maybe Dr. Suess

Rick

Charlies3 · #8 02-27-2002, 06:30 AM

Havn't tried a guitar yet although I'd love to. Last year I built a mountain dulcimer from a kit and it came out great. I got the kit from a web outfit called Folknotes. I was 100% solid walnut with real nice wood. I am not an experienced work worker and I pulled this off. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress

ps. There's a good article on guitar building from a kit in AG
http://www.acousticguitar.com/Gear/P...s/Bobkit.shtml

Charlie

Acoustics4ed · #9 03-02-2002, 05:14 AM

I saved the above links and now find myself getting excited about this whole idea..........wrote for a kit quote.......what do you think about a redspruce top?? any thoughts or comments?

Basic Kit________________________$425
Cococbola Back & Sides_____________$100
Red Spruce Top____________________$40
1 Piece Neck______________________$50
Ebony Bridge_______________________$4
Ebony Fingerboard___________________$8
Install Rosette_____________________$20
Taper & Radius_____________________$25
Shipping__________________________$30
TOTAL__________________________$702

as you can see I asked for some work to be done for me since my "wood shop/skills" are minimal at best......

BobS · #10 03-02-2002, 06:08 AM

That sounds awesome....!! Keep us posted. I would love to do this....however my better half would blow a fuse since I already have "hobby projects" on her list 1) extend the deck 2) remodel upstairs bath 3) finish basement room....

....but could I help it if while I was downstairs framing up a bedroom, somehow a guitar came out? Who knew?

Who knew?

Bob

Bill Nichols (CaptBill) · #11 03-02-2002, 07:01 AM

I don't own a guitar with a red spruce top so I cant give you an opinion on that.
My one suggesstion would be to consider a different wood for the back and sides, since this is your first foray into building an acoustic guitar. Cocobolo is a gorgeous wood and very tempting but it is a wood that poses a couple of problems for a luthier. The first is that some people have a bad reaction to the dust and oils from the wood. Second because the wood is oily it is considerably more difficult to glue. Also this wood is VERY hard and dense it is very tough on saw blades and it has a propensity to chip.

Acoustics4ed · #12 03-02-2002, 07:27 AM

I remember that from other posts....
so you think I should stick with rosewood back and sides??
the res spruce was just a thought.........and if I go with rosewood then I will most likely to go regular spruce......any suggestions there??

WOW

that just knocked off a hundred bucks.......this could happen faster then originally planned.....

Bill Nichols (CaptBill) · #13 03-02-2002, 08:08 AM

Hi Ed,
So do you feel any older?

The Rosewood is very user friendly and of course a beautiful wood. Plus you can purchase the highest grade and not have to spend a huge amaount of money.(other than Brazillian of course)

I will most likely get my feet wet using a high grade of rosewood and spruce.

Good luck with it and keep us posted.

stevemc · #14 03-02-2002, 08:20 AM

I used to toy around with the idea of trying to build one from one of the kits. But shoot, I don't have enough time to play now, the last thing I need is another "project".

SM

Cisco · #15 03-02-2002, 08:25 AM

I tried to enroll in Orange Coast Colleges guitar building class on Saturday's but it was full. I'll have to enroll next semester. I've been talking to a few Luthiers about working in the shop for free just to learn. I'll let you guys know how that goes. I would start with Mahogany as a back and sides to start out. I think it's the easiet to work with. I've made a lot of truss covers with inlays using the rosewood and it is also a bit oily and bit harder to work with. Try this place too. It is great ! http://www.lmii.com/

Ron