Topic: DIY guitar

[Richard]

I have been making this for what seems like several decades now and always found an excuse not to finish it 

However for some unknown reason I have this week had the time and and the energy. so have really grabbed it by the spheres by making a neck and at long last glues the arched back to the sides so I hope it's right  The back and sides are made from some ancient thick cherry veneer, the top is to be spruce and the neck mahogany.

It started out a sort of Gibson L5 (I recall) copy, rather like that enormous thing Big Bill is seen holding, but it has now lost that pretention and is a squareneck (haha) but I am at the crossroads of what to turn it into.... a giant single cone resonator  or to continue as an acoustic.

I have the materials and way with all to go in either direction, so thoughts gentleman please  I expect you can see I also have thing about big cast iron machines

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[Richard]

And, it came out of it's mould thingy without springing apart and now looks much more guitar like 

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[Slack]

Very cool Richard.  I assume you have some kind of plan going and so i think you should stick to the original plan - I say acoustic.

[Johnm]

Hi Richard,
This is a really neat-looking project.  I agree with John D., that your original plan seems like a good one, especially after the last photo you posted, which gives a clearer idea of the body shape.  I think a resophonic guitar with such a wide lower bought might get sort of jumbled in its sound, whereas a flat or carved top acoustic without a resonating cone, but with a square neck, might make for a really suave, smooth sound for lap-style as you play.  Either way, I look forward to seeing/hearing how it turns out.
All best,
Johnm

[Colin Brooks]

Big Oahu shape, I say go acoustic, but.......you could turn it out as an Aragon style reso and deafen the neighbours!

[blueshome]

Stay with the wood - it'll be unique. If it doesn't kick you can either put a pickup on or convert it to an Aragon-alike.

[Richard]

Okeh, Okeh... I'll stick with the acoustic as planned   but you didn't realise that now I have to concoct some form of oval rosette, that's gonna be tricky 

With luck another progress pic tomorrow.

[Richard]

Seems both of my kids have decided to come home from uni for two weeks so I fear progress has slowed somewhat.

However I have now done some more on the neck as the pics show, the next task is the horrible oval hole  I'm not sure if it's going to make WeenieGuernsey as 100% but it gives me target to aim for 

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[Richard]

Despite the orffspring I am still making progress although a little slower 

It's only "placed" together here as there is still way to go yet !

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[blueshome]

How dat goiing to fit on your lap?

[Richard]

You're not gonna get a go on it if you carry on like this 

[Parlor Picker]

You're not gonna get a go on it if you carry on like this 

Phil would only struggle anyway, Richard, given his left-hand tendencies.

(Note to self - must stop stirring up fellow-Weenies  )

[blueshome]

Less so in the lap as you know PP.

[Richard]

Oh girls... no need to get too excited 

[Richard]

And the latest situation is top, botton and sides all glues and trimmed and that nasty oval hole you made me do is complete. I have just given it a coat of good old 18C recipe Vandyke crystals the top to be left as is, since it's a nice bit of wood!

The cam makes it look a bit bottom heavy and of course it's still a mock-up as regards the neck etc

Now next I must finish the neck and then all that nasty rubbing down is next and I might risk a spray with water based lacquer.... any suggestions... ideas.... who has done what???

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