Making one's own Musical Instruments [Archive] - The Project Avalon Community Forum

Bill Ryan

2nd July 2019, 22:49

Long ago, when I was in my early 20s, I had a job offer that I turned down — at a marvelous 'free school' in Scotland, modeled on the famous Summerhill (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summerhill_School), called Kilquhanity House (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kilquhanity_School).

I was more than blown away by the place, but decided instead to take up an enticing job in Canada. (I was young, and wanted to travel.) But I often wonder what alternative Sliding Doors timeline I might be on now if I'd accepted the job.

Anyway, one of the many wonderful things about the school was the music syllabus. The music teacher was one of the players in The Incredible String Band (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_String_Band), and the very first thing the kids had to do was make their own instrument... whatever they chose.

So that had me wondering who here has done that — made their own musical instrument: successfully! :) I do know Dennis Leahy has some experience in this area, and I'd love him to share some of his challenges, learning, triumphs, and photos.

Anyone else? :Music:

avid

2nd July 2019, 23:12

Sorry Bill, as far as instruments are concerned, I’m an absolute ‘plonker’ - according to my piano teacher. My Aunty Mary, aged 83, is a locally famous opera singer, today we had lunch at the Fantails in Wetheral, and she can remember every little thing from the past, but not half an hour ago. Tonight she will be singing with the Abbey Singers beautifully, as her voice is still there, but she won’t remember singing. Dreadfully sad. She said to me today “Your voice is your instrument, you breathe correctly and it will be constant” She still has 2 students. An amazing woman, who after the war promoted new musical ways as stuff had been trashed.

DeDukshyn

2nd July 2019, 23:39

I always wanted to make a fretted stick dulcimer -- something like Seagull's "Merlin" (http://www.seagullguitars.com/en/products/m4) line. Also sometimes called a "Strumstick"

I did some quick googling just now and found a whole playlist dedicated to how to build one! They're a super simple instrument, four strings, and a few frets.

HPIRvOanf4U

Easy to play - you almost can't mess up playing one ... here's how they sound ... (this one is purchased, not DIY):
Dg07hbZHpqE

And I also found this for anyone needing plans for various instruments and is willing to pay for them ... https://www.harpkit.com/ <- they also sell instrument accessories.

I tried to carve a flute once ... didn't work :(

Valerie Villars

2nd July 2019, 23:54

I have an especial love for the violin, as a crafted instrument. I can't say why. I have no skill in this lifetime, just a deep appreciation for the craft. I wandered into a violin repair shop in Hammond, LA and thought I had died and gone to heaven. The man had the most beautiful, handcrafted violins of all different makes and woods hanging on the walls. I was enthralled.

As a bubble burster, the man who lives behind us makes guitars. We thought he would be a lot cooler than he is. Not so much.

3rd July 2019, 00:03

DeDukshyn

3rd July 2019, 00:05

Yup... i built one... 1960's hardtail Strat - my last name is Quinn, so of course she's called "Quinnocaster" - Swamp ash hollow body, Canadian maple neck, Brazilian rosewood fretboard, 60's hardware, Seymour Duncan pickups. I'm delighted with her, took two years to build.

Beautiful!! Nice work! Did it end sounding as good as you hoped? I imagine it sounds, well ... like a typical strat?

3rd July 2019, 00:07

Sounds great, thanks for asking... the sustain is amazing and because it's a hollow body i can enjoy it late at night without an amp, thereby reducing comments from sleeping others...

res cogitans

3rd July 2019, 01:03

In the process of making a guitar now.
I've never done any type of Luthierian projects, nor wood working really.
Figured why make it easy and decided to try what I believed would be the most difficult design I can find and learn from there?

Modeled after my existing Dean Bumblebee.

Body is one piece solid mohagany milled out. Need to route remaining cavities for electronics and neck.

I cut, measured and etched the fretboard mother of pearl inlays with a dremel and magnifying glasses.
So far so good for a first time....

Great source for plans if anyone has an interest.

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxndWl0YXJwbGFuc2NvbGxlY3Rpb258Z3g6NzFkOTk0NjRiYjY0ZTEzZA

https://sites.google.com/site/guitarplanscollection/pdf-files/other-brands

Cara

3rd July 2019, 07:26

There is a fabulous musician / YouTuber - Martin (YouTube channel: Wintergatan https://m.youtube.com/user/wintergatan2000/featured) - who became fascinated with the musical clocks and music boxes of 1700/1800s Europe and decided to build his own modern music box which he calls the Marble Machine.

Here he is playing his first marble machine:
IvUU8joBb1Q

Following his experience making and performing live with the one above, he decided to make a new and improved model - Marble Machine X - which he has just completed the prototype for. Here he is testing out the “drums”:
isosWOzmbe0

He has about 150 videos where he shows his stage by stage development and making of the marble machines.

A wonderful part of the story is that he was offered and accepted the help of various interested YouTube subscribers (mostly engineering types) who helped him in the making of this rather complex instrument.

His videos show many of the successes, frustrations, experiments, and trials along the way and are a wonderful journey to follow along with. They show him turning his dreams and inspiration into the reality of this instrument and, to me, are very inspiring :flower:

diteras

3rd July 2019, 22:32

In that case Mr Ryan you may enjoy this -

The Courtyard Music Group formed at school and made one ridiculously rare album. Now they're releasing a replica, and playing their first show in 40 years.

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gdoBaXRWkxYXD24n6WxrkC-650-80.jpg

rest can be found here - https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-band-with-the-thousand-pound-album

I spent a lot of my childhood in that area staying with my aunt and uncle - he was a police inspector in Stranraer - I know - I chose to bat for the opposition, but they would understand - She was a lady golfer, who made fabulous potato salad. Both went through Players No 6 like smarties ( actually got stuff with the coupons!) and retired to own a pub in Port William down the coast - lived into their 80's. I believe they shot the cliff seen (sacrifice) and quite of lot of exteriors from 'The Wicker Man' (The Edward Woodward original not the remake with that balding american) nearby- My cousin Billy who was an inshore fisherman told me the fire ring could be seen on the ground for years. Didn't know about the school but I was a honorary local and very young - so they probably kept me away from 'hippies'for my own good. Didnae work. :),

Bit off topic arent I ....drag it back - does a comb with grease proof paper count??

Axman

4th July 2019, 02:38

I will have to post the 3 that I had made with a builder since I fix amps at the shop on the weekends and used to do a lot of playing out. 1 Strat type 2 flying V's
played the snot of them used to drive him crazy because I would bring them into the shop and they would have wear. I always told him they dont hang on the wall,there are used they are tools. So did a lot of little things after using certain hardware and parts that hold up better. A lot of fun at that point in my life.

Same with amplifiers did a lot of changing little then big things the older you get the lighter you want your gear.

The Axman

Wmel

4th July 2019, 09:44

After learning the sitar, I had been wondering about getting a guitar with more harmonics.
Then I stumbled upon this website http://www.beyondthetrees.com/ by Fred Carlson, making many creative variations of guitars.
Sadly there are many models that do not have audio samples so I have no idea how it actually sound.

Here is one that I can get:

F7fjAGM2cAE

greybeard

4th July 2019, 11:39

I have assembled two Harley Benton kit guitars, one a precision bass copy and the other a telecaster copy.
For the finish I used Tru oil.
Pleased with the play ability and the sound.
I also bought a HB Fretless bass and that has a truly amazing tone--just a quality instrument for not that much money.
Chris

res cogitans

4th July 2019, 11:41

Very beautiful sound with the harp guitar.

Here is another version of guitar that that can achieve different harmonic levels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRsSjh5TTqI

Some additional information over microtonal guitars

http://www.tolgahancogulu.com/en/microtonal-guitar/

"e) Harmonics and Multiphonics: Many harmonics or overtones are not equal tempered sounds. For instance, the harmonic on the 4th fret or the multiphonic on the 6th fret are microtones."

QUOTE=Wmel;1301452]After learning the sitar, I had been wondering about getting a guitar with more harmonics.
Then I stumbled upon this website http://www.beyondthetrees.com/ by Fred Carlson, making many creative variations of guitars.
Sadly there are many models that do not have audio samples so I have no idea how it actually sound.

Here is one that I can get:

F7fjAGM2cAE[/QUOTE]

Tintin

4th July 2019, 11:42

Bit off topic arent I ....drag it back - does a comb with grease proof paper count??

Thank you so much for that :) That's really made my day, and it's still only lunchtime too :ROFL:

Yes, I think that can count.

:focus:

Deux Corbeaux

4th July 2019, 12:37

About 15 years ago I made two `basic` instruments. A drum + stick and a rattle...... the shaman way.

The fact that I made them with my own hands, made them almost part of my body.

They are very dear to me and I use them before meditation, to get into a certain state of energy, which helps me emptying my mind and become still.

https://cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2019/9/16/d82115bc218df172fe37c664c73dbbd6-full.jpg (https:///) [/URL]

the back of the drum.

https://cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2019/9/16/4e1235a49fdb64748fe8cca89f004ec1-full.jpg (https://imggmi.com)

The rattle, my own special design, LOL

https://cdn1.imggmi.com/uploads/2019/9/16/6b20935bcca17e08b2a4d5527308ae70-full.jpg (https://imggmi.com) [URL=https://imggmi.com]

Dennis Leahy

4th July 2019, 21:21

One of the great things about the Internet is that it provides access to so much "how to" information. In keeping with the "teach a man to fish..." tradition, we all have access to a massive amount of shared information on everything from replacing a headlamp on a 1968 Volkswagen Beetle to how to grow tomatoes to how to build a musical instrument. I have paid the most attention to acoustic guitars, and so I'm most familiar with those online resources, but I have searched for information on making wooden flutes and a couple of types of drums and found that as well. I'd guess that you could find 'how-to make' info on most any stringed instrument. If you have the desire, and some basic hand skills, you can make your own musical instrument.

One particularly inspiring guy that I know in Spain, I met on a luthier's forum. Besides the fact that he also makes handmade shoes and boots (that I guess would fall under the umbrella of prosthetics, as they are custom made for people with foot/leg deformities), he also decided one day to make a violin, which he started by making violin-maker curved hand planes. He made them from scrap steel, and nails. Then he made a violin. I mention this because the first objection I usually hear about someone making their own guitar is that they don't have the proper tools. You could spend several thousand dollars on specialty tools for luthiers, or buy just a handful of (instrument family specific) specialty tools and use standard woodworking tools for the rest... or be like that guy in Spain (Manuel is his name) and make any specialty tools you need.
http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh294/manubes_2008/violonchelo124.jpg
Several years have elapsed, and he has now built several violins and a cello... and still makes custom/prosthetic shoes.

Hym

4th July 2019, 21:48

To add a little healing energy to playing the guitar, I've inserted carnelian cabochons in the back of my son's electric guitar and connected them all internally with copper wire, now hidden from view. When I finish the new paint work he will again get the healing energy, as the carnelians are rounded outwards and touch the player as he plays.

Last year I was given a beautiful acoustic/electric guitar that I'm lowering the action on and switching out to a lighter gauge set of strings. The young lady who gave it to me wanted to give it to someone who would use it, after repairing it, to continue the good energy she had for the years she learned to play on it. I feel the same about some things I've had.

This guitar had been damaged by the lady's boyfriend, but the areas affected are areas that do not affect the structural integrity of the guitar, even as they look bad. When I get to repairing the holes and damage to the guitar, I will only focus on healing the areas as close to the original acoustic intent as possible. I will not attempt to recreate the same surface look, as I believe the scars are how I was gifted the guitar in the first place.

Hym

4th July 2019, 22:10

Been invited to an indigenous/native corn dance ceremony and feast by a drummer who makes his own instruments. I've got some corn to share with his family from the Taos pueblo musician Robert Mirabal that I've been saving for times like this.

Our, my sons and my own, experience at a pow-wow was influential and energetic, the affect lasting for days. We were there as honored guests, our small support group, to experience a heartfelt and very powerful thank you from the tribal members we served in the Longest Walk 5. I had made my efforts in support of the Walk against drug and sexual abuse as a tangible gratitude for a space they held for me some 30 years earlier, a space that allowed me to successfully serve someone else.

I had no idea how powerful being in the energetic of those hours of drumming and chants would be. The affect was still strong many days later. If you have never been there in person you would do your spirit a great boost by being in the sound current and love of their healing intentions.

Wmel

5th July 2019, 09:59

greybeard

5th July 2019, 10:30

This might not be appropriate in this thread but i'll still post anyway.

There are quite a number of theories out there related about music and healing, one being the 432Hz frequency. There are others that claim it is a matter of tuning the instrument in more pure intonation, not the pitch itself.

I re-tuned my sitar in pythagorean tuning (as a result get a scolding from my teacher as it sounded "weird"), I tune my tanbur in the so-called gandharva grama tuning calculated by Mitzi DeWhitt (https://www.amazon.com/Nearly-All-Almost-Everything-Gurdjieff/dp/1413482821) to experience the power of the sound. And there are various books talking about music, tuning and its influence to human being, such as:

Alain Danielou's Music and the Power of Sound: The Influence of Tuning and Interval on Consciousness
Ernest G. McClain's The Myth of Invariance
Richard Heath's The Harmonic Origin of the World
Ted Gioia's Healing Songs
Hazrat Inayat Khan's music essays
Joselyn Godwin's Harmonies of Heaven and Earth
Robert John Stewart's The Spiritual Dimension of Music

So, could it be that music is one of the best practice to just BE (therefore the tuning and theories are just aesthetics and secondary, the intention being the primary) and when the mind is powerful enough, the music might bridge between the metaphysical and the material world.
On the other hand, music serves as a hidden symbol/code for the ancient to teach about the law of the world, together with science and philosophy, like DeWhitt's claim about G.I.Gurdjieff's theory making much more sense when using music as analogy.

I would like to read and discuss more about the power of music as an agent of healing...
One more rare instrument to share before closing the post: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5VSt3jj0c&t=336s

For me its a question of feeling rather than musical knowledge--sometimes I wonder if the bass is playing me rather than the other way about.
Depends on the music played and the instrument.
My guitarist friend whom I record with, counts all the beats and is a brilliant guitarist but some songs particularly the blues he is not quite in the essence of it, so to speak, technically correct but!!!
Music is alive and playing an instrument lifts one to a better place--mind set.
Im prone to mild depression but the moment I start playing its gone.
I dont thing the tuning really is an issue--I use standard.
Lets face it lead guitarists pull the string to get notes a tone above fretted.

Playing requires single minded ness till one gets in the zone then its like meditation--Im aware of the fingers moving the notes produced the tone--the other playing but it does not feel like im doing it--if that makes sense.
Playing the bass that I put together, even more so--its a part of me.
Obviously hours were spent learning in my youth but now its as natural as breathing.
Can anyone identify with that?

Chris

Did You See Them

5th July 2019, 11:55

I've built a "Fender" Stratocaster in the Past - a long time hunt finding all the correct hardwear for a 78 neck I had ( would never attempt to make a neck !! ) - but I loved the one piece Body that I crafted and finished with a walnut venner - and finally a layer of nitrocellulose.
I hope I can find the pics !

On the subject of guitars I'm in the market for one now !

I want a Gibson SG but I need to justify the price to myself ! - so I'm trying to decide whether to go cheaper and am looking at the high end Epiphone G-400 pro (about £350 ) in comparison to the almost entry Gibson SG Tribute 2019 (£699 )
Does anyone have any input ?

Edit - I'm actually going to guitar shop tomorrow to try them out but does anyone have any experience of either models ?

greybeard

5th July 2019, 12:18

Did You See Them I would suggest having a look at Harley Benton guitars.
There are loads of u tube videos of satisfied guitarists--some have even sold their Gibsons to get a HB
There is an enormous mark up on the price of Fender and Gibson.
Anyway the build, quality, sound and play-ability would seem to match the market leaders at a fraction of the price.
Three year guarantee.
You wont find them in a guitar shop--hence cutting out middle man profit.
They are designed in Germany and made in Asia--
Who actually builds the Gibson and Fender guitars--made in USA? I doubt it.

Chris

Ps here's one £222

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_sc_550_faded_tobacco_f_b_stock.htm

Did You See Them

5th July 2019, 12:24

Did You See Them I would suggest having a look at Harley Benton guitars.
There are loads of u tube videos of satisfied guitarists--some have even sold their Gibsons to get a HB
There is an enormous mark up on the price of Fender and Gibson.
Anyway the build, quality, sound and play-ability would seem to match the market leaders at a fraction of the price.
Three year guarantee.

Chris

Thanks Chris I will check them out now.
I know Gibson have been having problems recently so I am bit wary ( Would love to be able to solve the problem by just buying an original 60's one - but the wife wont let me sell the house !

Did You See Them

5th July 2019, 12:39

I'm impressed with what I've quickly read and seen Chris - Thanks for that.
Now you've really dropped the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons !!
Time for a bit MORE research :confused:

greybeard

5th July 2019, 12:47

I'm impressed with what I've quickly read and seen Chris - Thanks for that.
Now you've really dropped the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons !!
Time for a bit MORE research :confused:

Please let me know how you get on.
U tube is awash with HB guitar demos by unbiased guitarists.
Some are really good players.
There will be a copy close to the Gibson of your preference.

Chris

Did You See Them

5th July 2019, 13:06

Just to add Chris - I feel your description above about playing/feeling and musical knowledge is spot on.
Playing puts me in a different place - somewhere I can go anytime I need to change my mood or just forget the world ( oil painting does the same - almost - but I can get exasperated when things take a wrong turn ).

Ernie Nemeth

5th July 2019, 15:49

This was one of dad's greatest mistakes and illustrates the generational divide...

My dad asked me what instrument I wanted to learn how to play (the fact that I was going to learn how to play an instrument was not up for discussion). I said I would love to learn how to play the guitar. My dad decided that was not going to fly - so I was told I would learn the accordion.

Fast-forward three years...my accordion has tape on the bellows and chunks missing from the corners from being thrown against the wall countless times - I hated that instrument but had to go to class every week.

Then for my birthday I was given three music books with all rock songs! I tried playing the first one - stairway to heaven, and played it through and sounded pretty good. Then I tried the next and the next. I had learned to play any song I wanted! But still I hated that instrument.

Now many moons later, I wish I had learned another instrument for a completely new reason - accordions are very expensive and I cannot afford one. I wish I could afford it because I miss playing music.

If I could I would build one - but I have neither the time nor the inclination.

Beautiful instruments folks! Quite the latent talent around here...

Rawhide68

5th July 2019, 18:36

Good question Ryan

I have always had a fascination for instruments, why are some recognized by whoever to be a "proper" instrument ?

As child I loved André Franquin's comic books about Gaston.
Gaston invented a new instrument once, called in swedish translation Elefantofon, (Elephantophon in Eng) , If my memmory serves me .

It looked like a harp with drumbs built in a tree trunk, and it made an awfull racket, made everyone flee from Gaston while he was playing, but Gaston had his eyes shut and enjoyed the music he produced from this instrument. (couldnt find pic from internet, searched but no luck.)

Several years late I stumbeled on a clip on internet about the Theremin, (The only electronical instrument allowed in a Symphony orchestra) and I ordered one of thoose from "Moog"
https://www.moogmusic.com/synthesizers?type=52, Then I realized I need a I an amplifier, and my friend Magnus had one I could have for free. Yippie aye ! only problem was it was HUGE, LOUD, and made crackling noises.

Living in a small flat with not so tollerent neighbours, Trying to play it, was hard enough.

As a last step bought a silly puny amplifier ( with 4 Batterys in it) that hardly gives out any sound at all

It then went to be boring, so I put it on a shelf.

To conclude what this topic was about, is that I still had a sparcle of hope in my mind to be creative enough to either get this instrument, The Theremin to a new step, or from the Theremin giving me ideas to invent other musical instruments.

PS: A Theremin is played by just using hand movements in the air beside it, which makes it the only instrument you dont touch while playing it.

PS S The Theremin was invented 1919 av Léon Theremin

Check this out!
ajM4vYCZMZk

DaveToo

6th July 2019, 04:24

I suppose if I wasn't so busy playing my instruments I might attempt to make some. But there are only so many hours in the day!

greybeard

6th July 2019, 07:54

If music be the food of love play on. etc
Every culture has music and dance--no one is immune to it--smiling
Its a good feeling to play an instrument that one had a hand in the making of.
I have some expensive bases, second hand, but I am aware that they were made with love by a crafts man
Chris

Akasha

8th July 2019, 12:58

About 12 years ago, I had the fortune of undergoing an impromptu apprenticeship with none other than Bernie Goodfellow (http://www.gbguitars.co.uk/gb_instruments.asp) - those who know their basses well will appreciate the scenario.

I worked beside him for around six months, visiting the timber merchant he sourced his exotic materials from, as well as learning many of the basics of bass luthiering. It was a real eye-opener to work with a master even if only for a short period of time and gave me insights into routing, rasping, sanding and finishing as well as fundamentals of design in general.

He was also a right good laugh!

Since then I’ve assembled a couple of my own P. Basses with bodies, necks and other components sourced from Ebay all for a fraction of the price of one of those more “familiar” guitar brands.

greybeard

8th July 2019, 13:08

That must have been an amazing experience Akasha.
I was an apprentice boat builder--Sailing Dinghys and love the smell of fresh cut wood.
I have a Warwick bass and it is unbelievably heavy.
The wood gives the tone even though it has pickups.

I still have the same enthusiasm for playing and the different tones of the instruments that I had as a teen learning to play bass.

Chris

Did You See Them

27th September 2019, 08:41

Having in the past put together a few "Stratocaster" style parts casters and having enjoyed the hunt, build and eventual finished product and now having read of Greybeard's experience with a Harley Benton Telescaster kit, I decided to see what was on offer.
I looked through the Harley Benton range and was quiet impressed.
I decided that I would get around to trying one out when the time was right.
The kits I was looking at ranged in price from just shy of £100 upwards.
A couple of days ago whilst browsing amazon for some chrome pickup covers for my Gibson I came across another kit brand on Amazon - "Beaton" ( very little info - if any, to be found on the net )
The Beaton Telecaster was priced at £58.02 inc delivery !!
The kit was not much more than a couple of pounds dearer than two genuine Gibson covers !!!
Surely this has got to be .. well .... crap ! , but at the price I decided to see what you could actually get for so little money so I clicked the "Buy" button, after all my Gibson can wait for it's bling !!

Here is the standard kit picture from the net.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61bVUyjm2ML._SL1170_.jpg

The Kit arrived the yesterday. ( I still cant get used to the speed of deliveries these days !)

After a cursory look last night I am quiet impressed !
The body is made of "paulownia" a wood I've never heard of but a quick search says it to be very light, good for tone but with a downside of it being very easily bruised and dented. I can live with that for £58.02 !!
I quick weigh showed body to be 1.25kg - so very light.
All supplied hardware seems (as expected) to be on the cheapside .. but it should be at that price !

I will update this over the weekend with pics and observations whilst I decide how to proceed with the build.

greybeard

27th September 2019, 12:04

Did You See Them.
Let us know how it goes.
Best wishes
Chris

Did You See Them

27th September 2019, 13:42

Thanks Chris,

What were your experiences of using Tru-oil for a finish ?
Did you use liquid wipe on or spray ?

I am hoping to make this a "stock" build without deviating from the supplied hardware etc but I have already decided that before proceeding I am going to drill ferrule holes for a through the body stringing finish ( the supplied bridge is for both back or through configuration for the strings ) but the body is undrilled as supplied.

Tomorrow I will cut and shape the headstock, 50's Telecaster/Broadcaster style - something to do on a rainy Saturday stuck indoors !!

greybeard

27th September 2019, 15:39

Hi Aidan
Tru oil I would use again but that is mainly because im not happy with my ability to spray without runs.
I put the oil on with t shirt like material. The HB comes with sealed finish ideal for spray but you have to sand first to use Tru oil Loads of u tube videos on how to use.
Its important after putting the oil on to remove any excess with a clean cloth.
Its a learning curve.
I put on about 10 coats sanding lightly every third one --the last coat I thinned with white spirit which gave a nice shine.
Chris

petra

27th September 2019, 18:13

Now many moons later, I wish I had learned another instrument for a completely new reason - accordions are very expensive and I cannot afford one. I wish I could afford it because I miss playing music.

Harmonica perhaps? Kind of similar, suck and blow vs push and pull - maybe the accordion music can be converted to harmonica music
Just don't leave it where bugs can crawl into there ;-)

Did You See Them

30th September 2019, 09:23

Well as forecast we had non stop rain this weekend !! so ... Lets make a guitar !

https://i.imgur.com/lYJonBo.jpg

I stated earlier that the body of my £58.02 telecaster guitar was not drilled for ferrules.
I started looking for a set of ferrules on ebay on Friday night ( only 99p from China ) when my wife reminded me that the reason for me buying this guitar was to see what a stock cheap guitar was like without spending extra or going off plan so I shelved the idea ( for now !)

Saturday morning came as did the rain and so having let the chickens out I found myself sitting in kitchen at 7 am looking at the kit contents.
OK - with my wife's words ringing in my ears, a no frills approach took over my mind.

First the neck.

Not a bad piece of wood - nice grain, and the fit to the neck pocket very tight and smooth.
Cutting the headstock was not easy with the tools available ( I had a lot of tools and things stolen last year - still finding things that have gone missing !! ) I left plenty excess to sand down ( I still have a lot of tidying up on the headstock to do - I ran out of sand paper !! )

https://i.imgur.com/etuMlrE.jpg

I also gave the neck a few coats of nitro laquer through Saturday ( I had one tin spare from a previous partscaster guitar build. )

Next the Body

A quick light sand ( was quiet smooth anyway ) and then the problem of painting.
I have 2 partial tins of White car spray but no sanding sealer or primer so decide not to go down that route.

I had some Ronseal wood stain !! but that was set when I eventually got the lid off - straight into the bin !!
The wife suggested I try one of her craft hacks - and showed me a youtube vid of staining wood with acrylic paint and baby wipes !!
She did not have many acrylic colours left in a suitable colour but she did have Liquitex inks !!

https://imgur.com/etuMlrE

So with baby wipes in hand and a promise not to use to much I set about staining the wood.

I used copper first followed immediately by yellow. - I think this stuff and method needs more exploring - very impressed with what you can achieve with so little product.

Body dried in an hour and within two had had a few thin coats of nitro ( end of tin ! )

https://imgur.com/70u8uwe

Next came the fittings - all went without problems.
All screw holes aligned, although scratch plate and control plate were a little awkward to align - but they did eventually.

Electrics - well not much problem there ( no wiring diagrams supplied - but easily found on net ) even comes with enough solder to do the job.

https://i.imgur.com/DWxvkoi.jpg

First impressions

Sounds quiet Tele like - VERY surprised with sound from the supplied pickups !!

https://i.imgur.com/70u8uwe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/F9dQIpk.jpg

All in all a GOOD guitar for the money - I've heard worse sounding from the real Real Mccoy !!

I will update this next weekend with a few sound clips.

https://imgur.com/F9dQIpk
https://imgur.com/VjnCAAy

¤=[Post Update]=¤

Do Imgur links not work in posts now ??

Cara

30th September 2019, 09:35

Moderator note:

...Do Imgur links not work in posts now ??

Hi Did You See Them,

I did a brief test to see what might be the problem and found that I could get an image to load when I used a longer version of the same link.

So on the first image, you had: https://imgur.com/lYJonBo

When I followed that link and copied from the image itself, I got this one: https://i.imgur.com/lYJonBo_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

And when I used that one, the image appeared.

Have you been able to use links of the first type from imgur previously? (I’ve not used imgur)

Update:

I’ve made a copy of the post to the Sandbox thread so that it can be more easily tested and edited.

That copy is here: http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14962-Sandbox-thread-OK-to-practice-posting-here&p=1316322&viewfull=1#post1316322

Update 2:

I removed from your post here any edits I made in my first test.

The first test (above) was on my ipad. I have now done a test on all the images on my laptop computer - I did this in the Sandbox thread (here (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?14962-Sandbox-thread-OK-to-practice-posting-here&p=1316322&viewfull=1#post1316322)).

From what I could see in my test:

Images from imgur do indeed work
What seemed to be missing was the file extension .jpg (or other image type)
When the [IMG] insert tags are used, they seem to require that an image file extension is included.

So, I think the same change can now be made in this original post.

:focus:

greybeard

30th September 2019, 10:15

Wow that looks real good Aidan.
Thanks to Cara for the links.
Its amazing that copy pick ups produce such a good sound.
I suppose they are exact copy of the real thing with cheaper materials.
Chris

Did You See Them

30th September 2019, 10:22

Yes it was the [IMG] insert tags that were messing up - thanks Cara

Did You See Them

30th September 2019, 10:39

Pics are now showing on previous ost - thanks Cara for pointing error out.

Overall I am VERY IMPRESSED with what was after all "Hacked" together over the course of a weekend !!
With more time, effort and attention to detail you could have a serious instrument.
Time will tell how the hardware holds up over it's expensive counterparts but for the price !!

I did exactly what I set out to do in the very begining - and spent not one single penny extra on the build.

I am going to redo the headstock logo and guitar will now be named: T58:02

and Thanks Greybeard to for you input both on and off forum