Building Your Own Guitar?![help]

[Light]

I got something you can chew on.

I have several LP's and several LP copys and not a single one of them have tuning problems.
besides that your beloved Paul reed Smith guitars are nothing more than LP copys.
there is nothing origional about a PRS except for maybe the headstock
and the argument you are trying to make is ridiculus and wrong.

Hey now! The original Custom 24's where a legitimate progression of the craft. It's just that they have been sliding backwards ever since.

For what it is worth, the main reason most non-trem guitars have tuning problems is simple operator error. There is certainly nothing wrong with the angle of the headstock on a Les Paul - it is the angle that most guitar companies use, including PRS. Usually what happens is the player either wraps too much string on the peg, or they tune down to a note. To suggest that there is some kind of problem with Gibson's peghead angle is seriously ill informed. Just because you have been playing for 30 years doesn't mean you've learned anything about the structure of guitars - I know guys who have been playing seriously much longer than that who still can't figure out what brand or gauge of strings to use. Hopefully it means you have learned something about playing, but as I haven't heard you I can't say that for sure.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[SHEPPARDB.]

Hey now! The original Custom 24's where a legitimate progression of the craft. It's just that they have been sliding backwards ever since.

For what it is worth, the main reason most non-trem guitars have tuning problems is simple operator error. There is certainly nothing wrong with the angle of the headstock on a Les Paul - it is the angle that most guitar companies use, including PRS. Usually what happens is the player either wraps too much string on the peg, or they tune down to a note. To suggest that there is some kind of problem with Gibson's peghead angle is seriously ill informed. Just because you have been playing for 30 years doesn't mean you've learned anything about the structure of guitars - I know guys who have been playing seriously much longer than that who still can't figure out what brand or gauge of strings to use. Hopefully it means you have learned something about playing, but as I haven't heard you I can't say that for sure.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

Light,you are misunderstanding me.I'm not talking about the tilt of the headstock.I am talking about the angle of the D and G string between
nut and tuner.(Imagine the guitar on a stand facing you.The d string
take a very hard angle to the left from nut to tuner and the G does
the same to the right.
Anyone that thinks this would not cause tuning issues has not thought
it out.Most les pauls go sharp on these 2 strings when you bend them
hard.That is a problem at the nut and is is caused by that drastic angle.

 

[muttley600]

Light,you are misunderstanding me.I'm not talking about the tilt of the headstock.I am talking about the angle of the D and G string between
nut and tuner.(Imagine the guitar on a stand facing you.The d string
take a very hard angle to the left from nut to tuner and the G does
the same to the right.
Anyone that thinks this would not cause tuning issues has not thought
it out.Most les pauls go sharp on these 2 strings when you bend them
hard.That is a problem at the nut and is is caused by that drastic angle.

Nope, still laughing at you....

 

[Roguetitan]

Hey now! The original Custom 24's where a legitimate progression of the craft. It's just that they have been sliding backwards ever since.


M.K. Gandhi

You are Right the PRS Custom 24 is a very nice guitar but I can see where they took a little from both Gibson and Fender designs,
Gibson from the body style and humbuckers, PRS calls them the dragon 2, nevertheles they are still humbuckers and Fenders Trem design.
but still it is a nice guitar.

 

[Roguetitan]

Light,you are misunderstanding me.I'm not talking about the tilt of the headstock.I am talking about the angle of the D and G string between
nut and tuner.(Imagine the guitar on a stand facing you.The d string
take a very hard angle to the left from nut to tuner and the G does
the same to the right.
Anyone that thinks this would not cause tuning issues has not thought
it out.Most les pauls go sharp on these 2 strings when you bend them
hard.That is a problem at the nut and is is caused by that drastic angle.

I knew exactly what you were referring to but the geometry of the strings between the D and G string will not and does not cause the strings to come out of tune period.

Light is dead on the money with his comment... "For what it is worth, the main reason most non-trem guitars have tuning problems is simple operator error..."

A PRS custom 24 and other guitars like a Fender Stratocaster with tremelo bridges is more likely to come out of tune due to string stretch from using the tremelo bar.
A Les Paul design is a lot less likeley than the above mentioned to come out of tune under normal playing conditions.

besides that look at all of the guitars on the market (both Acoustic and electric and lets not leave out Bass guitars either) that has the exact same headstock configuration as a Les Paul which do not come out of tune.

sorry dude but the only thing out of tune here is your theroy.

 

[Light]

You are Right the PRS Custom 24 is a very nice guitar but I can see where they took a little from both Gibson and Fender designs,
Gibson from the body style and humbuckers, PRS calls them the dragon 2, nevertheles they are still humbuckers and Fenders Trem design.
but still it is a nice guitar.

Well, that's why I said it was a progressive design, not an innovative design. Very well made guitars.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[AntScars]

does anyone have any ideas/suggestions for a paint design/scheme for when I build my guitar? I'm thinking of going with the Ibanez Art300's brown caiman(I think that's what its called) finish...only I woulfnt even know where to start with that type of a finish...otherwise I'd like to a sunburst finish, possibly a tobacco finish....and not use a pickgaurd on it...anyone else got any ideas? or know how to do the Art300's paintjob effect?(I'm guessing its like a black base, crackle coat, and then a brown laquer....but I'm probably wrong, way wrong)

 

[muttley600]

does anyone have any ideas/suggestions for a paint design/scheme for when I build my guitar? I'm thinking of going with the Ibanez Art300's brown caiman(I think that's what its called) finish...only I woulfnt even know where to start with that type of a finish...otherwise I'd like to a sunburst finish, possibly a tobacco finish....and not use a pickgaurd on it...anyone else got any ideas? or know how to do the Art300's paintjob effect?(I'm guessing its like a black base, crackle coat, and then a brown laquer....but I'm probably wrong, way wrong)

Choose a simple solid colour or a clear coat for you first attempt.

 

[Roguetitan]

Choose a simple solid colour or a clear coat for you first attempt.

+1

or either choose a color scheme and practice the procedure and technique a lot on scrap wood until you feel comfortable attempting it on a guitar body.

however the second option can get expensive....

but, on the other hand learning to paint is just like anything else, practice makes perfect.

 

[SHEPPARDB.]

I knew exactly what you were referring to but the geometry of the strings between the D and G string will not and does not cause the strings to come out of tune period.

Light is dead on the money with his comment... "For what it is worth, the main reason most non-trem guitars have tuning problems is simple operator error..."

A PRS custom 24 and other guitars like a Fender Stratocaster with tremelo bridges is more likely to come out of tune due to string stretch from using the tremelo bar.
A Les Paul design is a lot less likeley than the above mentioned to come out of tune under normal playing conditions.

besides that look at all of the guitars on the market (both Acoustic and electric and lets not leave out Bass guitars either) that has the exact same headstock configuration as a Les Paul which do not come out of tune.

sorry dude but the only thing out of tune here is your theroy.

Most acoustics dont get the strings yanked on like an electric and are strung
with heavier gage strings.As for guitars fashioned exactly like an L.P., I've had the same probs with those as well.
I got rid of my last L.P. pronto because it was useless on stage.Looked good
and sounded fantastic but the G and D would go sharp everytime they were
bent.
BTW,my strat has a stock tremelo(floating) and a stock nut.I can dive bomb
that fucker to the body and still play 2 sets w/o having to tune it.
Go to any L.P. forum and "tuning problems" will be the title of more than a few threads.
Anyone that would argue that having more friction at the nut is a good thing
is not thinking it thru.

 

[Milnoque]

Most acoustics dont get the strings yanked on like an electric and are strung
with heavier gage strings.As for guitars fashioned exactly like an L.P., I've had the same probs with those as well.
I got rid of my last L.P. pronto because it was useless on stage.Looked good
and sounded fantastic but the G and D would go sharp everytime they were
bent.
BTW,my strat has a stock tremelo(floating) and a stock nut.I can dive bomb
that fucker to the body and still play 2 sets w/o having to tune it.
Go to any L.P. forum and "tuning problems" will be the title of more than a few threads.
Anyone that would argue that having more friction at the nut is a good thing
is not thinking it thru.

I hate to perpetuate the thread highjacking but,

Think about what you're saying. If your diagnosis of the problem were true, how did Chuck Berry stand it? Your argument would say that the 335, SG, Les Paul, and many other Gibson models, as well as a host of others based on them, have a basic design flaw that makes them unusable for stage work. Do you really buy that?

I suspect that you're problem was at the nut. This is especially true if your experience was with '70s instruments with that micarta nut material they often used at the time. But either way, those angles aren't sufficient by themselves to cause the string to bind.

By the way, how is it that you go sharp after a bend if something is binding?

 

[AntScars]

so my guitar is supposed to be coming in tomorrow, supposedly...i think i might go about doing a Paramore style design on my axe... Probably going to make it like their cd, "RIOT!" only with my name instead....and uhh just not install a pickguard...not really a fan of them, plus it'll ruin my layout scheme... is there a way to go on about my design thats easier then like my way of how im thinking of doing(or correct, i might be totally wrong):
1.sand it with 100, 300, 500, 800 grits
2.primer
3.white paint, let dry
4.black paint over stencil(still need to figure out what material to use for stencil), let dry
5.orange paint, let dry
6.apply lacquer coats

 

[Roguetitan]

so my guitar is supposed to be coming in tomorrow, supposedly...i think i might go about doing a Paramore style design on my axe... Probably going to make it like their cd, "RIOT!" only with my name instead....and uhh just not install a pickguard...not really a fan of them, plus it'll ruin my layout scheme... is there a way to go on about my design thats easier then like my way of how im thinking of doing(or correct, i might be totally wrong):
1.sand it with 100, 300, 500, 800 grits
2.primer
3.white paint, let dry
4.black paint over stencil(still need to figure out what material to use for stencil), let dry
5.orange paint, let dry
6.apply lacquer coats

Congrats on getting your first kit.
what kit did you go with? if you bought the strat kit you will have to use the pickguard because the electronics are mounted to the pickguard.

if you bought one of the kits I suggested you will not have to do any sanding to the body because they come already sanded and sealed and ready for finishing you may however want to buy another pickguard that will compliment your paint job or you can even etch the pick guard and paint it if you want.

I am not sure what you are wanting to stencil unless you are talking about a logo on your headstock
if so use Inkjet water slide decal paper you can make really nice professional looking decals like this....

here is where to buy the Testors water slide decal Paper and bonder

http://www.decalgear.com/DG/Product.asp?ProdCode=62201
you can make a lot of decals with this kit
this website sells a cool decal maker software but you can make your design in MS Pant or MS home publishing. or Design your decals using any graphic software program
Print Resolution = Best, Paper = Photo or Text, Print
Cut Decal to size
Apply your water slide decal coating evenly
- coat lightly 3 or 4 times until the sheet and decal have a shine
Allow your decal to dry for 2 to 12 hours
Soak the decal in water and remove the backing
Apply The water slip adhesive side of you decal to your clean surface dob decal with dry sponge then allow to dry then clear coat the headstock.

when painting your body make sure to use a laquer based paint if you intend on using a clear laquer finish coat for best results.

get some 1200 grit emory paper to water/color sand between coats with light overlapping circular motions. with laquer paint use at least 3 good paint coats then color sand to remove all imperfections then apply 1 clear coat let dry wet sand out any imperfections then reapply another clear coat.
when wet sanding use a dab of dish washing liquid.

 

[AntScars]

Congrats on getting your first kit.
what kit did you go with? if you bought the strat kit you will have to use the pickguard because the electronics are mounted to the pickguard.

if you bought one of the kits I suggested you will not have to do any sanding to the body because they come already sanded and sealed and ready for finishing you may however want to buy another pickguard that will compliment your paint job or you can even etch the pick guard and paint it if you want.

I am not sure what you are wanting to stencil unless you are talking about a logo on your headstock
if so use Inkjet water slide decal paper you can make really nice professional looking decals like this....

here is where to buy the Testors water slide decal Paper and bonder

http://www.decalgear.com/DG/Product.asp?ProdCode=62201
you can make a lot of decals with this kit
this website sells a cool decal maker software but you can make your design in MS Pant or MS home publishing. or Design your decals using any graphic software program
Print Resolution = Best, Paper = Photo or Text, Print
Cut Decal to size
Apply your water slide decal coating evenly
- coat lightly 3 or 4 times until the sheet and decal have a shine
Allow your decal to dry for 2 to 12 hours
Soak the decal in water and remove the backing
Apply The water slip adhesive side of you decal to your clean surface dob decal with dry sponge then allow to dry then clear coat the headstock.

when painting your body make sure to use a laquer based paint if you intend on using a clear laquer finish coat for best results.

get some 1200 grit emory paper to water/color sand between coats with light overlapping circular motions. with laquer paint use at least 3 good paint coats then color sand to remove all imperfections then apply 1 clear coat let dry wet sand out any imperfections then reapply another clear coat.
when wet sanding use a dab of dish washing liquid.

oh, yea i got a strat...well sucks for me, i didn't want a pickguard....now i'm going to have to see if its easy/worth it to paint over the guard...or just leave it as is...thanks

 

[AntScars]

well I've finally cut the headstock into the classic Fender shape, and I'm still thinking on a color scheme...or just a solid color...not sure on what color(s) I really want...but i'm thinking either a Blue(not sure on shade) a red(dark cherry-like shade) or a black...

 

[Roguetitan]

well I've finally cut the headstock into the classic Fender shape, and I'm still thinking on a color scheme...or just a solid color...not sure on what color(s) I really want...but i'm thinking either a Blue(not sure on shade) a red(dark cherry-like shade) or a black...

At this point...

 

[JasonBird]

Go For It!!

I built my first guitar from scratch, and it was a 59 les paul copy that i modified to my liking at the time. i bought all the wood from E-bay, and salvaged a little bit of it from the trash can at work. the wood , parts from stew mac, all totalled around 900 bucks. it took me about three months. I had a set of plans, and a book, that i can't remember the title...it was a lot of fun, and it turned out awesome. I'll keep it forever. It even plays well. there is a lot of planning that need to be done...especially with a set neck styled guitar. You'll need access to a small shop that has a good assortment of power and hand tools. I'd post a picture of it if anyone was intersted in it.

JasonBird

 

[Roguetitan]

I built my first guitar from scratch, and it was a 59 les paul copy that i modified to my liking at the time. i bought all the wood from E-bay, and salvaged a little bit of it from the trash can at work. the wood , parts from stew mac, all totalled around 900 bucks. it took me about three months. I had a set of plans, and a book, that i can't remember the title...it was a lot of fun, and it turned out awesome. I'll keep it forever. It even plays well. there is a lot of planning that need to be done...especially with a set neck styled guitar. You'll need access to a small shop that has a good assortment of power and hand tools. I'd post a picture of it if anyone was intersted in it.

JasonBird

YA, Lets see it!

 

[AntScars]

At this point...

I didn't take any. xD
since my cousin's came from Chicago, I was busy with them...and I won't be at my dad's till friday(maybe thursday) and I'll come back to my mom's on sunday? I guess...and uhh then upload my camera. ;]

uhhh all you guys might hate me for saying what I'm about to say but I kind of just put my video game control(guitar from Rock Band) and mesured the neck with like a 1/3 inch thick or a 1/2 inch something around there...crayon....mapped out the figure from that Strat and then started hacking away...I must say, for bs'ing that process the guitar looks decent....well the headstock at least...I had no other clue as to how to shape the the head...so I thought I might as well try out what I did. so hopefully pics will be up next week if my cousins don't need me to help them get around NYC...

 

[AntScars]