7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Please put your pickup/wiring discussions in the Electronics section; and put discussions about repair issues, including "disappearing" errors in new instruments, in the Repairs section.
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

Barry and RD thank you for your feedback,

Barry,
I've checked it, and I think it will be (just) fine. Because of the fanned frets the position of the hand is different than with parallel frets, but it is on the "next build"-list.
I'm a bit more worried about the nut because I have to "reach" over it to play the first notes. I have to make sure that there are no sharp ends.

Hans
Attachments
30 f-chord.JPG
30 f-chord.JPG (79.39 KiB) Viewed 8203 times
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

I've glued in the frets with epoxy and trimmed the frets.
I've applied the epoxy in the slots with a toothpick, hammered in the frets and wiped the excess of glue with a cloth, finally I used a long piece of plywood and clamps to hold the frets in place while drying.

A little while back I dyed a piece of pine plywood and finished it with Danish oil.
I'm thinking of giving the body only a Danish oil finish and use some black dye / Danish oil for the neck.

Next up:
Making the neck plate and test fitting the neck.
Attachments
28 - glued in frets.JPG
29 - wood dye and danish oil.JPG
User avatar
Mark Swanson
Posts: 1991
Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:11 am
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Mark Swanson »

Hans, I agree with Barry. You need more room in the peghead behind the nut. In the photo shown, you have to reach back with your first finger and the lower part of the finger does not hit the highest two strings- in that photo, those strings would be muted.
It's hard to tell without strings, and you should just go ahead and finish the guitar but be aware of this and next time you'll be able to deal with it. Many un-forseen problems pop up when designing a new instrument, it's a normal part of the process.
  • Mark Swanson, guitarist, MIMForum Staff
User avatar
David Schwab
Posts: 69
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 6:59 pm
Location: Staten Island, NY
Contact:

Re: Glueing up the body

Post by David Schwab »

Hans Bezemer wrote:Any suggestings?
Yes, you glue up your body blank before cutting out the shape.
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

David and Mark,
Thank you for your feedback!
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

I've made the neckplate and coverplate out of a 4 mm aluminium plate.
I've drilled the holes for the jack input with a 20 mm forester drill. The plywood splintered a little bit, so I have to glue some pieces back in place.

Hans
Attachments
31 - Neckplate.JPG
31 - Neckplate.JPG (101.21 KiB) Viewed 8152 times
32 - coverplate and holes.JPG
32 - coverplate and holes.JPG (108.81 KiB) Viewed 8152 times
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

Made little progress, due to my work and family.

I've put masking tape on the frets and started sanding the neck and body.

I need some advice on that.
I'm planning to use (wood dye and) danish oil as a finish and want to sand up to 800 grit.
Is this all right? To much? To little? Is dry sanding ok or do I have to wet the surface?
Thanks in advance.

Hans
Attachments
33 -  masking tape.JPG
33 - masking tape.JPG (126.52 KiB) Viewed 8120 times
Markku Nyytäjä
Posts: 301
Joined: Sat Jan 07, 2012 11:42 am
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Markku Nyytäjä »

If it's plain wood, dry sand it. Otherwise the water will soak the the wood fibres. Of course you can wet sand with oil, but I have never tried that. Wet sanding with water is better if you have lacquered the surface. 800 grit is pretty fine for plain wood. It will polish the surface and you will see, if there are dents or uneven spots left.
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

I've applied the wood dye and 2 layers of Danish Oil.
I had some trouble getting the right colour. I wanted a brown / red colour but after drying it turned to pink (which didn't happen on the scrap piece I used). But after adding some more brown and black dye the problem was solved.
Another thing is that the knots in the pine don't take up the wood dye as good as the rest of the wood.

Hans
Attachments
34 - Body with wood dye and danish oil.JPG
34 - Body with wood dye and danish oil.JPG (131.12 KiB) Viewed 8057 times
35 - Body with wood dye and danish oil.JPG
35 - Body with wood dye and danish oil.JPG (124.11 KiB) Viewed 8057 times
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Re: 7-string guitar: All plywood and using simple handtools

Post by Hans Bezemer »

I've also put 2 layers of oil on the neck and installed the tuners and the nut.

Hans
Attachments
36 - Neck with oil.JPG
36 - Neck with oil.JPG (143.52 KiB) Viewed 8057 times
37 - Neck with oil.JPG
37 - Neck with oil.JPG (139.31 KiB) Viewed 8057 times
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Finished!

Post by Hans Bezemer »

I've finished the guitar!

I've applied an extra coat of danish oil on the body to get a more shiny result.

I will evaluate the process / materials in the next post.

Hans
Attachments
38 - Front view.JPG
38 - Front view.JPG (69.54 KiB) Viewed 8004 times
39 - backview.JPG
User avatar
Hans Bezemer
Posts: 373
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 1:01 am
Location: The Netherlands
Contact:

Looking back

Post by Hans Bezemer »

When looking back on the process I've have the following conclusions:

- In general I'm satisfied with working with plywood:
* The neck is holding up fine and the birch plywood is easy to work with and wood dye and oil are easily applied, so I will use this for a future build;
* The pine is also easy to work with, but it has a tendency to splinter. Furthermore there are more flaws in the plywood (holes and knots) and the wood dye doesn't stain the knots, but the look of the top is nice;
- Taking it easy is the way to go: I've noticed that my biggest "enemy" was my impatience, even more then my lack of building experience / technical skills.
- For a future build I have 3 thinks I will change in the design:
* Giving more room for the peghead (as noticed by Barry earlier)
* Making some chambers in the body or use thinner plywood to reduces some weight
* Let the neck meet the body at the 15th fret instead of the 19th fret (to get a stronger connection)

I want to thank everybody who gave feedback!

Hans
Attachments
40 - pick ups.JPG
41 - Headstock.JPG
41 - Headstock.JPG (72.62 KiB) Viewed 8004 times
Post Reply

Return to “Solid-Body and Chambered or Semi-Solid Electric Guitars and Bass Guitars”