Official Luthiers Forum!

hi guys (and gals) im getting ready to build my first guitar with my dad this summer. just a couple of quick questions have recently arose, some out of general curiosity some out of a real need.

What is the difference between an OM body guitar and a 000 guitar? is it just scale length or am i missing something?

Also is Sapele a suitable wood for the first time builder? are there any special things i need to take care with when using it for instance during bending etc?
What woods would you recommend to and inexperienced builder? low grade maple? also would getting a serviced kit from lmi where they do some of the tricky bit for you, ie side bending, be a worth while investment?


thanks for your time

jonny

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"Anything that happens, happens. Anything that in happening causes something else to happen, causes something else to happen. Anything that in happening happens again, happens again. Though not necessarily in that order." Douglas Adams

Hi Jonny,

Sounds like a great project. Essentially, the OM is a 14 frets to the body instrument with a 25.4" scale. The OOO originally had a 24.9" scale, and was 12 frets to the body. The body was also longer, but when it was converted to a 14 fret instrument, they shortened the upper bout and increased the scale length a bit. I think their may be a difference in the nut width too, but I'm not sure on that. Check the Martin site for original specs. I think they're on there somewhere. The UMGF might also have the original dimensions listed somewhere as well.
Sapele is a fine wood for a first guitar. Kits from LMI or StewMac, or any of the other kit vendors here will be a great way to start. LMI certainly has a really nice kit Wizard which allows you to pick almost any combination of woods and appointments.

Best of luck on your project! Keep us updated with pictures of your guitar in progress and also of you and your dad working on it if you're comfortable with that (personally, I hate having my picture taken at all, let alone posting it on the internet where it gives guys like our friends Hesh and Billy opportunity to work their *magic* on it. Stick around, you'll see what I mean at some point on this web site...).

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Jonny,

I am just finishing up a sapelle guitar, and I really like the wood- it bent really well, and the ribbon stripe is beautiful in my eyes. It's also
one of the least expensive woods, so I think it'd be great for a first guitar. If you want to keep your tool/jig expenses down for this first
one, getting a partly serviced kit with the sides already bent is a very good way to go. Also, don't feel you have to spend a lot on AAAA
grade wood for your top. Lower grade wood usually makes just as good sounding an instrument, it just won't have beautiful silking or
bearclaw figure.




Good luck with your build, but be careful, it's addictive...

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Gene

Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason- Mark Twain

Is this the point Don?

BTW How's your cats?





Welcome to the forum Jonny! Pay no attention to this Don Williams guy!
He's....... EVIL!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

ROFLM_O

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

Billy....HOW do you DO it?!?!

Look at the radius on THAT dome............ Man Don you could put two of those heads together and have a butt.....wedge.........

Funny eh? Even my wife cracked up over that one.
Great one Billy !

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"I want to know what kind of pickups Vince Gill uses in his Tele, because if I had those, as good of a player as I am, I'm sure I could make it sound like that.
Only badly."

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Aoibeann

HAHAHAHA. I love these. It looks fantastic too.

Lets give Billy a hand.

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-Rob Eckert
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thanks guys! With Don and Dr Evil both being cat lovers(.... Huhm...I wonder why that is ).... the choice was obvious!!!!

Special thanks to Don for being so cool!!

Huhm! Don E. Williams What does that E stand for Don?

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)