Thoughts on new build

[Talen]

I'll be starting my new build in couple weeks. Yesterday I finished designing the look of it.

I tried to minimize the size of the pickgaurd because I'm going to try some funky painting on it and wanted to have as much room as possible for it. I have no idea what color the pickgaurd will be yet, but I do like the design so far.
I plan on using the pickups (HB) and bridge from my old Washburn. I'll probably replace both at sometime, but I'm really trying to save money, at least on easily replaceable parts.
I'm going to route a universal pickup cavity, because there's a good chance I'll want to switch to SC when I get the chance. Hopefully that won't effect tone too much?
It's not drawn on, but I think I'm going to put the switch in the lower horn.
I want to build my own neck this time too, but I do not want to deal with the fretboard. Does anybody know of a place where I can buy just a fretboard, already made?
Headstock will be similar to a Strat style, except the round part will be cut to match the horns.
Right now I'm thinking one tone and one volume, because that's just what I prefer.
Alder body.
My friend has a guitar that hasn't been touched in years. I might try to see if I can buy it for cheep, and scrap it for parts, but I'm going to need to look at it closer.

I think that's about it...
What do you guys think? Suggestions?

[GPW]

 T, you can get ready made fretboards at www.StewMac.com
  Looking Good Dude !!!   

[Talen]

T, you can get ready made fretboards at www.StewMac.com
  Looking Good Dude !!!   

Do they make the pre-fretted? I can only find them with fret slits pre-cut.

Thanks

[GPW]

  Not to my certain knowledge ...  All the ones I’ve seen/bought , you have to fret yourself ...   fretting is Not that hard to do/learn , as some would have you believe...  especially those asking hundreds of dollars for a two hour job  at most ...     An essential skill to learn for anyone making their own guitars ... 

[Talen]

  Not to my certain knowledge ...  All the ones I’ve seen/bought , you have to fret yourself ...   fretting is Not that hard to do/learn , as some would have you believe...  especially those asking hundreds of dollars for a two hour job  at most ...     An essential skill to learn for anyone making their own guitars ... 

I don't doubt that I could do it, but I am limited for time. I've only got an hour a day for one semester. I'll have to build at least one practice neck too, since I've never done anything like that before.
Although fretting isn't something that I'd need a shop for, is it? I could probably do that at home.

[Mr.Spicecake]

looks awesome man

[Sven]

That looks awesome... When's the left-handed model coming out?

What I would do for the neck, is get a cheap Squire Strat or a Fender clone neck one and re-purpose it. You can gently re-shape the head-stock, into the design you're looking for.

[Talen]

That looks awesome... When's the left-handed model coming out?

What I would do for the neck, is get a cheap Squire Strat or a Fender clone neck one and re-purpose it. You can gently re-shape the head-stock, into the design you're looking for.

For enough cash, whenever you want haha

That would work since, like I said, the headstock is really just going to be a slightly modified strat headstock, but I really want to make my own neck this time.  I haven't bought wood yet or anything, so we'll see.

[Baz]

the problem with fretting a fretboard before gluing it to the neck is that it'll cause all sorts of problems when you go to glue it, for a start you'll want the fretboard to be already cut flush to your neck before you do it but then gluing it on perfectly straight would be almost impossible no matter how many times you check it before you clamp it... not to mention actually clamping it, frets would get in the way and would be "flattened" or you risk flattening part of the radiused fretboard and it'll look unattractive when you take the clamps off... if you oversize the fretboard to cut down when you glue it on (which would be a good idea) you'll have to dress the fret ends, which isn't a hard job, but getting a bandsaw to cut through the frets might be a bit strenuous and you risk the frets actually being pulled out, even if you go the slow way and belt sand it

a fretboard really isn't hard to make and can be made in a few hours total labour time, it'll take you less time than the neck to make if you don't go with fancy inlays, i'm sure of it, and gluing the fretboard on before radiusing or inserting the frets is a much better and risk free way to go about it too

[Talen]

the problem with fretting a fretboard before gluing it to the neck is that it'll cause all sorts of problems when you go to glue it, for a start you'll want the fretboard to be already cut flush to your neck before you do it but then gluing it on perfectly straight would be almost impossible no matter how many times you check it before you clamp it... not to mention actually clamping it, frets would get in the way and would be "flattened" or you risk flattening part of the radiused fretboard and it'll look unattractive when you take the clamps off... if you oversize the fretboard to cut down when you glue it on (which would be a good idea) you'll have to dress the fret ends, which isn't a hard job, but getting a bandsaw to cut through the frets might be a bit strenuous and you risk the frets actually being pulled out, even if you go the slow way and belt sand it

a fretboard really isn't hard to make and can be made in a few hours total labour time, it'll take you less time than the neck to make if you don't go with fancy inlays, i'm sure of it, and gluing the fretboard on before radiusing or inserting the frets is a much better and risk free way to go about it too

Okay, I should probably do a bit more research on fretboard making and decide if I'm ready for it. Although I still don't understand why I shouldn't buy one that's pre-cut, glue it on, then attach the frets?

[Baz]

buying a pre slotted one and then attaching the frets is a better idea, also better to radius it after it's been glued on too, but i don't think they make them pre cut to the exact size of a finished neck, you'll most likely still have to glue it and then sand it down to sit flush before inserting the frets, but inserting the frets is easy if you have a drill press, then buy a fret press caul from stewmac and it's easy as, way easier and better than hammering in frets

[Mr.Spicecake]

you two should make a guitar together, infact go into buisness as a custom shop all I ask is 5% for coming up with it

[GPW]

  T, you can do fretwork on your kitchen table , and you don’t need any exotic tools to do it , save a fret file  which you can purchase for a reasonable price ...    and if you follow the prescribed methods , even your first fret job can come out Perfect ...  
  It’s only lately I’ve gone to using a fret caul (Stew Mac  http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Pressing/Fret_Press_Caul.html  )  in an old drill press to “press” the frets in ...  and that’s even quicker than banging them in ...   The rest is all done with some old flat files , the fret file , and some steel wool ...  all done on a folding table  with a few old towels  to cushion the guitar ...    nothing fancy ...    very effective , and you can’t beat the price ....

[Talen]

Okay, this is what I think I'm going to do. I'm going to order a pre-cut fretboard from Stew Mac. Then I'll make my neck and body in class first. If I still have enough time in the semester left maybe I'll order a caul and use the drill press. If not then I do the fret work the old fashioned way at home.

you two should make a guitar together, infact go into buisness as a custom shop all I ask is 5% for coming up with it

Bazlen Guitars? It has a certain ring to it haha

[Baz]

you two should make a guitar together, infact go into buisness as a custom shop all I ask is 5% for coming up with it

Bazlen Guitars? It has a certain ring to it haha

  could work dunno how we're gonna go operating living half way across the world from each other though