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Going to the dark side, electric.
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Author:  Steve Saville [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Going to the dark side, electric.
I'm going to try building a couple of electric 6 strings this summer.
What book(s) or DVD(s) website(s) do you guys recommend I review before I start?
Thanks!
Author:  SniderMike [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Good for you, Steve. bliss

"Building Electric Guitars" by Martin Koch is a great book, although the pictures leave a lot to be desired. Melvyn Hiscock's "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" is also great, but not all that cohesive, imho.

Robbie O'Brien and I have an electric building dvd out as well. It is geared towards a more basic, strat-ish guitar. We are also in the process of making a more advanced dvd which will cover carved tops, different neck joints, chambering, etc.. Should be done this summer.

Have fun!
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
What Mike says...I have read the Hyscock book. Robbie & Mike's DVD sounds interesting.

Also, check out MIMF's electric section and library and also Project Guitar Forum.

Maybe some day we'll even have an electric section here!

What are you planning to build, Steve?
Author:  Wayne Clark [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
SniderMike wrote:
Robbie O'Brien and I have an electric building dvd out as well. It is geared towards a more basic, strat-ish guitar. We are also in the process of making a more advanced dvd which will cover carved tops, different neck joints, chambering, etc.. Should be done this summer.


I'd be interested in getting that dvd. Do you have a link?
Author:  SniderMike [ Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
WayneC wrote:
I'd be interested in getting that dvd. Do you have a link?


http://www.apprenticepublishing.com/
Author:  Steve Saville [ Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Thank you all for the tips. I'll get the books and the DVD.


JJ Donohue wrote:
......What are you planning to build, Steve?

I'm not sure. My son is a junior in high school. He plays electric and I want a way to spend some good time with him.
I think it will be some kind of Strat copy.
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:09 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
It really isn't too dark, you know :) I just started a new tele using a Spruce body that Rick Turner suggested a few months back. It will be finished in black with a tortoise shell thinline style pickguard, maple neck w/ziricote fingerboard.

Electrics are a lot of fun to play and build. When you have the guitar and neck done, if you call the guys at acmeguitarworks.com with the weight of your guitar, they can really help you pick out some great pickups to pair with it. They inventory just about every good strat pickup made and know their in's and outs.

Steve, honestly, if you're thinking about a strat, les paul, or tele, I would just get a plan from Stew Mac and go from there. They're very straightforward guitars to build and Stew Mac plans are fantastic. With your experience, you'll be just fine. I just finished a strat in January and have built a handful of other Fender type guitars. Brock has built his fair share. Kevin Gallagher has made thousands. Bruce and JJ I know have made a handful of them. Mattia. Others, too, I know. If you have any questions I'm sure we'll all be able to help you find a solution.
Author:  martinedwards [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
theyre a LOT more forgiving than an acoustic.

all those little allen screws to adjust action etc!!

a router for the pikups holes and a bandsaw for the body.

EASY!!

I've made two guitars and a bass and there are FAR fewer pitfalls than an acoustic
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Maybe I'm the resident klutz here but I would never call anything about building any guitar ..."easy"!

The same level and attention to detail is required and the same fit and finish issues will conspire to rise up and kick your ass at a moment's notice if you are not paying attention. Of particular note is the attention to neck stability and the need to make sure that it won't move on you. Because electric necks are longer, skinnier and take a lot more punishment in use, IMO this part of the build is more critical than an acoustic. Think about laminating and/or using CF rods for stiffness and stability. I actually do find the setup easier since it's all a matter of adjusting the right screws. The PUP issue is one that seems to engender a different opinion for every player you talk to. PUPs are a forum unto themselves and the nice thing about it is you can always change them out down the road.

Steve...this is a great project for you and your son. Most youngsters seem to relate far more to the shredder types than to the more traditional acoustics. I've made 4 now and find it an enjoyable and challenging break from just doing acoustics. The nice thing about electrics also is that it opens up more creative possibilities. Here is where your son can contribute right away by making the body and headstock a lot more personal during the design stage. It's not necessary to make it look exactly like a Strat...just keep the neck to body geometry as specified in the plans.

Let us know what you're planning and you'll be sure to get any help you ask for...and probably some you never would have even thought to ask. Good luck!
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
JJ Donohue wrote:
Maybe I'm the resident klutz here but I would never call anything about building any guitar ..."easy"!

The same level and attention to detail is required and the same fit and finish issues will conspire to rise up and kick your ass at a moment's notice if you are not paying attention.


I agree with JJ completely. 100% right.
Author:  rjcguitar [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
James Orr wrote:
It really isn't too dark, you know :) I just started a new tele using a Spruce body that Rick Turner suggested a few months back. It will be finished in black with a tortoise shell thinline style pickguard, maple neck w/ziricote fingerboard.

Electrics are a lot of fun to play and build. When you have the guitar and neck done, if you call the guys at acmeguitarworks.com with the weight of your guitar, they can really help you pick out some great pickups to pair with it. They inventory just about every good strat pickup made and know their in's and outs.

Steve, honestly, if you're thinking about a strat, les paul, or tele, I would just get a plan from Stew Mac and go from there. They're very straightforward guitars to build and Stew Mac plans are fantastic. With your experience, you'll be just fine. I just finished a strat in January and have built a handful of other Fender type guitars. Brock has built his fair share. Kevin Gallagher has made thousands. Bruce and JJ I know have made a handful of them. Mattia. Others, too, I know. If you have any questions I'm sure we'll all be able to help you find a solution.


You may find that this is a "tough crowd" for the "electric guitar" talk! I myself am more "into" the solid bodies as this it what I played most my life. I have built both solid bodies AND acoustics and repair and customize both. To me they are really 2 different types of "luthiery". I don't think you can call either one "more forgiving" than the other nor is one "easier" to build. It's like the difference of building a wood frame house compared to a brick house, they are both construction but very different!!. My experience with this board is that most[i][i][/i][/i] members are more into acoustic building. There are many different aspects to consider building a solid body such as neck angles, scale length, pickup placement and type etc... If this is your first build a "strat" type bolt on neck would be the one to chose. My first solid was a carved top-set in neck style and dealing with tenon length, heel angle, neck angle and the carved top was pretty intense!! but turned out to be my "perfect" player that I still use as my #1 while performing in my band ( it is a "carved top" tele style-Mahogany\flame maple, maple neck,ebony board with custom inlays and "Les Paul" electronics\pickup configuration) Like others have stated, there are many different plans and materials out there as well as MANY "pre-made" parts ie: necks-bodies. But is is MUCH more rewarding to start from "raw" IMO.

Good luck and if there is anything I can help you with PLEASE feel free to contact me or post!!!

Have fun!! bliss bliss bliss

-Rick
Author:  JJ Donohue [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Keep The Faith, Rick! We may have a separate section here as well some day.

The more members who come out of the closet, the more influence it will have on L&B to carve out The Electric Guitar Section.

Right now I believe there is some reluctance to promote electric building here in that it will "attract the wrong crowd" wow7-eyes . Too late...we already have Hesh, Billy and a particularly shady character I see every day in the mirror laughing6-hehe...and a few more that will remain nameless.
Author:  rjcguitar [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
JJ Donohue wrote:
Keep The Faith, Rick! We may have a separate section here as well some day.

The more members who come out of the closet, the more influence it will have on L&B to carve out The Electric Guitar Section.

Right now I believe there is some reluctance to promote electric building here in that it will "attract the wrong crowd" wow7-eyes . Too late...we already have Hesh, Billy and a particularly shady character I see every day in the mirror laughing6-hehe...and a few more that will remain nameless.


That would be nice. But I have to ask you what you mean by "the wrong crowd"? Am I in a "crowd" of luthiers that don't belong here? even though I build both idunno

I do not want to start a big issue about anything as I enjoy this forum and the people in it but it seems there is less "respect" for the solid body makers. Guitars should be consider all the same whether "electified" or not. You play them just the same and to me it is the "music" you produce and the art of playing that matters most.

I have the upmost respect for ALL of you regardless of "what" you build [:Y:] . I loved building my first acoustic! it really made me respect the talent, patience and work involved (work that i had no idea of before) in making the acoustic guitar. I strongly suggest anyone who makes only acoustics to someday make an electric and you will find the same respect for detail, patience and craftsmanship involved as well.

I am glad I have the experience on both sides. As a full time luthier\repairman my work is pretty much divided between the 2 and enjoy both equally, from top cracks to electronic diagnosing. Keeps the job interesting!!

I LOVE the guitar....PERIOD! electric-acoustic-semi hollow-6,5,4 string-banjo-whatever!!!!

So please, please try not to shun us electric guys or put us in a "unwanted crowd"! !!!! [uncle]
Author:  Mattia Valente [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
I strongly reccomend Melvyn's 'Make Your Own Electric Guitar', and have disagree with the lack of cohesion; it's well-written (better than the Koch), quite funny, has a great chapter on what to keep in mind when designing a guitar, and goes through three basic 'traditional' styles of construction, consecutively, in a reasonable amount of detail.

With that as a solid basis, and the MIMF.com library for alternative ways to do things (and/or ProjectGuitar, although the experience levels there are far more all over the map, and the archives aren't what I'd call organized or terribly easy to search, so caveat emptor and all that...), building a solidbody should be no problem.

And you're free to poke me with messages if you want to.
Author:  Steve Saville [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Thank you all for your offer to help. I really appreciate it.
I'll keep you guys posted and start reading.
Thanks!
Author:  Steve Walden [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Mattia Valente wrote:
I strongly reccomend Melvyn's 'Make Your Own Electric Guitar', and have disagree with the lack of cohesion; it's well-written (better than the Koch), quite funny, has a great chapter on what to keep in mind when designing a guitar, and goes through three basic 'traditional' styles of construction, consecutively, in a reasonable amount of detail.

With that as a solid basis, and the MIMF.com library for alternative ways to do things (and/or ProjectGuitar, although the experience levels there are far more all over the map, and the archives aren't what I'd call organized or terribly easy to search, so caveat emptor and all that...), building a solidbody should be no problem.

And you're free to poke me with messages if you want to.


After reading reccommendations on the OLF about Hiscock's book I bought one. He is quite funny! He has a great approach. Mattia, I, too, will be seeking help with a couple of builds.

Thanks,
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
And don't forget, why stop at the guitar when the amp is as much a part of an instrument? Next we can get you into building an amp. :D

But more seriously, I wish I would've thought of this last night when I posted. Dave Hunter has a few books out that come with CD's. He writes about classic amps, effects, and guitar/amp setups. "Classic Guitar and Amp Combinations" is a really nice book that showcases famous pairings in all styles if anyone's trying to choose a direction to go in with their guitar.

http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Rigs-Class ... 244&sr=8-4
Author:  Brock Poling [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
James Orr wrote:
And don't forget, why stop at the guitar when the amp is as much a part of an instrument? Next we can get you into building an amp. :D


THAT's what I am jonesing to do... but I am so backlogged in work that I don't see that happening any time soon.

JJ, you know I am cool to open an electric discussion. Lance and I just want to make sure it will be active... we don't want a discussion that is hardly visited. I see no reason not to put this stuff in the main discussion for now, and if there is enough of it we can split off a group. But if there is enough interest now I am ok with it.
Author:  James Orr [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Brock Poling wrote:
James Orr wrote:
And don't forget, why stop at the guitar when the amp is as much a part of an instrument? Next we can get you into building an amp. :D


THAT's what I am jonesing to do... but I am so backlogged in work that I don't see that happening any time soon.


Brock, I just had a few blank chassis's fabricated for me that are much stiffer than the Hammond boxes you can find commercially available. They really hold up to the heavy transformers you'll be stacking on top. If you're interested in one or two, I wouldn't mind.
Author:  Jonas [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
I primarily build electrics and i love it. Melvyn Hiscock's "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" is basically the bible of all solid body books. It covers bolt, set and through neck guitars/bass and it covers a lot of other areas in great detail too. If you're more visual like me then you'll get more out of "Make Your Own Electric Guitar & Bass" by Dennis Waring and David Raymond. This shows you how to build a strat copy and neck through bass. It's really simple and dumbed down to the absolute basics. If you need any additional help you can also check out projectguitar.com and it's forum ( http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/ ). They're more electric oriented. Or you could ask around here, i know we have some very talented electric builders. Good luck, and don't forget to post pics here ;)
Author:  Parser [ Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
Go for it and be sure to post some pics. Nothing is easy to do well...!

I'm sure you will get plenty of advice if you run into any questions down the road...
Author:  Brett L Faust [ Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Going to the dark side, electric.
You ever notice that every great electric guitar is a great acoustic ,just quieter until you plug it in?
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