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2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=34604
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Author:  Bluestribute [ Sat Dec 17, 2011 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

So yes, after my first I really wanted to make a second (also helps the piece of Limba we bought was big enough for two builds). It's a 7-string guitar I'm calling the "Raptor7". Falcön is just the "company" name, instead of using my name on it. Make it a bit different =)

DiMarzio Activator 7- Bridge
DiMarzio Blaze- Neck
Flat Mount Bridge
26.5" scale length

Gonna be my first attempt also at making a neck. Luckily, besides the internet, I have my own 7-string for reference. But I'm gonna give it an infinite radius because it's easier for me and from what I've read, easier for leads as well. Though I know it's preference, I'm kinda trying to flatten the learning curve a little. If I can make an infinite (flat) fingerboard, then a 12" or 10" or whatever should be easier to do than going straight for it (and it costs less money with the tools and whatnot).

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Laid out on the wood. Has the small little cutaway at the bottom, and the "wing" at the top, which I really like. Makes it look different from other guitars on the market =)

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Cut it out. Some chipping happened, but that's O.K. with me because A) there is no set "shape" yet, so if I have to go inside the lines, I will, and B) that's what makes handmade guitars so unique- each one is different. One might be a tad bigger than another, maybe it's curves are different, anything!

So yeah, there is my Raptor7. Probably won't be another update for a while though (waiting for after Christmas sales to buy a table sander and stuff). And hopefully gonna get a nice green or blue overlay on it, so it has that tint, but you can still see the grain and whatnot.

Author:  Chameleon [ Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

I like flat fretboards. Guitarists that have played my guitars don't typically notice it unless I point it out. They do however compliment that the intonation and action are superb, and I think those two things are easier (at least simpler) to achieve with a flat fretboard. I like Dimarzios too. I've had longer scale guitars on my mind lately, thank you for the reiteration. That may be what I do next unless I do a bass first.

Author:  Bluestribute [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:46 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Lol, no problem.

I was also reading up on zero frets. I might try one on this guitar . . . I'm thinking that combined with this fretboard, it should be a pretty well rounded guitar not only for leads, but also for power chords (it's probably easier to do barre chords on fretboards with a larger radius). Also, how would I go about getting a finish like this:
http://www.sevenstring.org/forum/2592059-post39.html

I looked at dying, burning, everything. I really enjoy that finish and wanna see how it would turn out with this wood (and if it turns out bad, I'll just paint an overlay on it).

Author:  nyazzip [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 2:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Quote:
Also, how would I go about getting a finish like this:

thats ash. its only going to work on ash, or oak. just paint the bare wood black, then sand it; the porous in-between grain(xylem or phloem? i can't recall) will stay black, while the harder/denser grain gets sanded back clean. dye would seep into the wood too much and the effect wouldn't be near as dramatic, i suspect
also, huge overkill on those six neck bolts in that link, by the way....and he's got 3 of them directly in line, so he's asking for a split in that area....

Author:  Bluestribute [ Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

So it's the wood? Oh well, I'll go with my original tint idea I guess. Thanks!

Author:  Bluestribute [ Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Here it is after being sanded to shape.

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Still a lot more to do to get it to the final shape but it looks like a guitar, and I enjoy that . . .

Author:  Bluestribute [ Sun Dec 25, 2011 5:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

I haven't done much more (waiting for my gear to arrive, plus it snowed like 2 feet a few days ago so it's been a bit chilly) so no new pictures, but I was looking online and *** I'm thinking about making this one a 19 tone equal temperament guitar. Just to make it as unique as possible- infinite radius for accurate bends and easier leads, 0 fret to keep it accurately in tune, and 19 frets/octave so you can play over perfect minor chords. So it'll be an awesome lead metal guitar basically (I'm hoping [xx(] ). And if not, well, it's mine so it won't matter, and my third one (which hopefully I'll be able to sell =D) will note include the 19tet fretboard.

Though also a removable fretboard seems cool, and if this company ships me 3 necks, I might just do that . . . a 19tet fretboard and a 12tet fretboard

Author:  Bluestribute [ Tue Dec 27, 2011 6:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Done a little sanding and tried to do a contour and stuff. Actually turned out better than I thought, but still not completely done. Luckily I have a lot of time to finish this . . . also, my DiMarzio came and I realized that, while I bought a 7 string pickup and bridge, I only bought 6 tuners and ferrules [xx(] so I'm gonna making another order lol.

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With the bridge and pickup. I'm only puttiing one on it- saves money and I never really use my tone controls on my guitar anyways, so just one should work fine.

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A body shot of it.

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The lower contour.

So yeah, while I wait for all my gear to arrive, I'm just sanding it down, rounding the edges, making it smooth, before I cut out the cavities and stuff

Author:  Bluestribute [ Wed Dec 28, 2011 6:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Was a good day. Sanded the edges down so they weren't so sharp and routed the cavity. Unfortunately, A) I don't have a template, and B) the way my router is, the best view is the one where it sprays dust in your eyes, so I "freehanded" it. And had to dig out the volume cavity separately basically, otherwise it would have poked through.

Also found some unused wood in the garage, so decided to build a 1x12 cabinet with a 100W Carvin in it =)

Author:  Bluestribute [ Fri Dec 30, 2011 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 2nd build- "Falcön Raptor7"

Had a little setback (the wood cracked, almost chipping off a huge piece. Gonna hope the glue holds well enough . . . ) but the neck wood came, so any tips on that? Shaping the neck, measuring it, etc.

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