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Strat-ish chambered electric
http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=40145		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Dekka [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 1:57 am ]
Post subject:  Strat-ish chambered electric
I bought a Asian Strat type neck on eBay for less than $14.00 and decided to have a go at making a body to go with it.
Needless to say that the neck was sub-standard but after a re-fret/re-radius/reshape and plugging and re-drilling the tuner holes(Phew!) it'll do OK. [:Y:]
With next to no budget, I sandwiched a body out of odds and sods:-
-American White Oak back
-four scrap bits of knotty Fijian Mahogany
- a top cap of Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta)

Being an amateur builder, I don't have bucks for tonewoods but I'm hoping to end up with a nice axe for not much money, (But I did buy a Schaller hardtail bridge for this one mainly because I wanted something 'beefy' for such a light-weight body as this.)
I don't get much time to spend at the workbench. I just sneak out and do a bit from time to time. I'll post more pics as it progresses.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Neat soundhole.
Keep us informed - looks like a worthy project.
Author:  Chameleon [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Keep an eye out on ebay for some used gotoh or schaller tuners. If you can't get a used set at a deal, I'd still get some quality tuners. Make sure you know what you need for the size holes in your headstock.
Author:  dzsmith [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 5:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
That looks really cool Derek!
Author:  Dekka [ Sat May 11, 2013 12:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Got some binding on. Ivory ABS. Originally wanted maple binding but I kept snapping it [headinwall]
Still gonna look sweet though, I reckon.
Author:  Mike Baker [ Sat May 11, 2013 3:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Sweet! Love the sound port.
Author:  Dekka [ Sat May 11, 2013 10:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
I've been brain-storming for quite a while over a circuit for this guitar. One volume, one tone and one mini-toggle switch(on/on/on).
I wanted a minimalist way to get the most selections out of three pickups and arrived at nine different tones.
I considered adding an out-of-phase option but as the pickups are lipsticks, I think the sound would be too thin to be very useable for me. I think I'd prefer to throw in a selectable Arlo-Woodman mod on a separate toggle if I need some 'honk'. (I am mindful that my last electric has 23 different tones and I probably use about five of them.) :roll:
There are a few duplications but from a playing point of view I can see this setup working well in performance.
Author:  Mike Baker [ Sun May 12, 2013 7:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
My favorite electronics layouts are simple. In the heat of the moment, too many options either confuse me, or just get ignored. A volume, tone, and 3 way work well for me.
Your proposed layout looks like it will work well.
Author:  Dekka [ Wed May 22, 2013 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
I got some colour on the top. The photo doesn't really show it but it looks like an opal or peacock feather and changes colour depending which way the light hits it. I think the Silky Oak will really pop when it gets some lacquer.
Very happy thus far.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Wed May 22, 2013 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Kewlish!
Author:  Dekka [ Sat May 25, 2013 7:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
A couple of coats of lacquer on and starting to look like something. Almost looks like bronze.
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat May 25, 2013 8:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Hey Derek,
Is Silky Oak the same stuff we call Lacewood in the States?
Love the killer color finish. I'd like some details on how you did it.
-I'm guessing green and yellow dye?
Thanks,
DZ
Author:  Dekka [ Sat May 25, 2013 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Hi Dan,

We have two Silky Oaks in Australia. Both are often referred to as Lacewood. Both trees, However are different species but from the same family Proteaceae. One is Cardwellia sublimis which I think is the one more commonly known in the USA. The one I have used is Grevillea robusta. The wood I have is from a street tree that was destined for the chipper. I scored a huge quartersawn slab of it for free. I currently have an acoustic back on my bench from the same tree that has even better figure.

I use water based dyes in four colours:- black, red, yellow, and blue.
I mixed a very dark brown and wiped it on with a flat sponge. Then I immediately wipe it of again with a wet sponge. This leaves colour in only the most porous parts of the grain.
After that has dried, I sponge on some watered-down red along the edge-route and let it dry.
Then I sponge on diluted yellow from the centre out, wash out my sponge and then sponge diluted blue from the binding in towards the centre.
There was a little bit of blending here and there with just a damp sponge. The main trick with it is knowing when to stop.
Author:  Dekka [ Mon May 27, 2013 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Neck is finished. This was my first crack at inlay. I didn't trust myself with the Dremel so I used a scalpel. Bad decision in the end because I stuffed up the edge and had to keep expanding it and filling with ebony dust and epoxy to balance the look of it. I might stick a rhinestone at both of the D's pointy bits to soften the look...not sure.
It is what it is, I guess.
Tuners are el-cheapo Chinese knock-offs that will be replaced when finances allow but they actually seem pretty good for $13.95
Author:  Dekka [ Sun Jun 09, 2013 1:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Finished today (apart from some tweaking). Definitely needs a black switch tip!
Not too pleased with the pickups but other than that I'm as happy as a pig in proverbial.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Sun Jun 09, 2013 5:23 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Neat! The color is definitely unusual.
Author:  nickinbruns [ Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Dennis, struth mate. nice bit o' clobber that....noice....

Got a slab of Silky earmarked for a thinline top. Thinking spotted gum for the rest of the body, given that it'll be chambered....and a silky neck....Not sure I'll go your staining route, but man, it pops for real, hey.....

I also have a length of cardwellia....seems a bit soft, but I thought I might have a go at the fretboard with it, what do you think?
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Author:  Dekka [ Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Strat-ish chambered electric
Hi Nick

I'm not sure about using it for a fret board. Some beautiful big rays on that board.
If you're using Spotted gum for a Thinline you ought to consider making it with bent and kerfed sides. Spotted gum bends really well.
I made this chambered guitar out of Bunya but used 4mm thick book-matched spotted gum on the back and bent the sides on a hot-pipe. I know it's not a traditional Thinline approach but it's worth considering.
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