Building the Hot Rod Guitar

[Ted Crocker]

EDIT:  here's the final.  Scroll down to see it built step by step

 

 

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A new client build. Here's a photoshopped idea for a general shape. I'm going for a hot rod, chevy tail fin vibe. The wood in this idea shot is 2 pieces of African Black Walnut with a racing stripe down the center made of Bloodwood/Maple/Bloodwood, just laying next to each other - no glue. Nothing is definite yet but the wheels are turning...

<(shape is PhotoShopped, just wait till I make sawdust)

 

 

[Ted Crocker]

Top half glued up, this will be a 14 piece body! Hot Rod gets a racing stripe.

[Robert Sambat]

It's gonna be awesome, Teddy :)

[Ted Crocker]

Back glued up!

[Ted Crocker]

Robbie, jump into the chat room and introduce yourself

[Ted Crocker]

Why a top and bottom? will there be a hidden semi hollow chamber...?

[Robert Sambat]

Out of town right now, Ted, but will definitely jump in the chat room when I return. Looks great so far! And lots of great ideas from you and the other clubhouse members.

[Ted Crocker]

I was able to fight the urge and wait until this morning to unclamp and check out the wood. I ran the pieces thru the planer and the wood is gorgeous. Sorry, no photo. I put painters tape on the top half and spent a couple hours coming up with a shape. I had to consider the position of the bridge and the size so it will fit in the case.

Once I was happy I cut the rough shape on the bandsaw, here's the steps:.

A little help from a big bowl

Here's the top half

Next I carefully lined up the top with the bottom so the rascing stripes line up. I drilled a hole where the neck pocket will be and under where the bridge will be and screwed both pieces together. Using a template following bit in the router I was able to cut the bottom to the same shape as the top

And here's the Hot Rod

Still some final shaping and smoothing to do but this baby is already hot!

Stay tuned...

[Robert Sambat]

Nice job, Ted!

[Ted Crocker]

Time to do some sanding. I have a drum sander attachment for the drill press - works great for this but you need a gentle touch

Next I used a roundover bit in the router on the edges

A little more smoothing out with the palm sander and she was crying for a coat of Tru-oil

Robbie, hope you dig it, she's going to be awesome! Time for a beer!

[JoJo]

HOW COOL