I just finished up my second build. A pastor friend of mine had played my acoustic, fretless first build and asked me to build him one. I said okay.
Then he said, "I want a four-string, fretted, electric guitar."
Uhhh...I don't know how to build one of those. Ah well, part of the fun of taking on new things is the learning process. Spenr about a year just looking at the supplies before starting. Found a Bible presentation box that I thought would work for the body and finally started.
This one didn't give up without a fight. Figured out a more precise way to cut out the neck using a tablesaw and then the neck started bending when I strung it up. Had to add a piece of formed steel to the inside of the box to reinforce the neck--but it finally plays correctly.
Anyway, here is the finished product. Still more to learn and I expect the next to be a bit more refined.
Replies
Thank you both for the kind words and the information about the truss rods. I'll incorporate the ideas in the next one.
I actually found some scrap formed steel at a Restore outlet (Habitat for Humanity sells donated materials/furniture to found house builds using Restore) and screwed it under the neck cut out inside the box. Also switched to light gauge electric guitar strings.
The two changes really made a difference, but I think I'll go for the square tube in the neck for the next one.
Next item is to learn to play better. :)
looks great, love the choice of tuner placement on the headstock.
And a steel bar hidden under the fingerboard is genuine old school Truss Rod, predating the 1921 patent on the "adjustable" truss rod.