Building my own guitar! Need tips! - Guitars101

ownagesbot · 10-01-2007, 12:59 PM

Hi, im about to start work on my guitar.
I just need to clear some things up, firstly, I am gonna cut the body out of mahogany, im then going to buy a neck with head attached (Vai replica with scallopped frets).
Really, I have 2 questions:
1. When painting the back of the neck, whats the best way of doing it without getting any paint on the finger board?
2. I am building a strat shape guitar, does anyone have any dimensions/templates for a strat shape guitar? Ive searched high and low, I just can't find them!

Thanks.

guitarkirkster · 10-01-2007, 02:06 PM

Can't really help with question #1 except maybe just using painter's paint and tape the edge with newspaper.

Question #2: try www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com. They seem to have a motherload of them. Good luck and hope it all comes out well.

ownagesbot · 10-01-2007, 02:46 PM

Thanks, its just a shame they're so pricey (about $100 to get one here to the UK) and all I need is the body template.

Anyone know any free sites / just the dimension? (Id print it out on paper and transfer it to cardboard)

I guess I could draw around my squire strat and then make some fine adjustments

rob_tart · 10-01-2007, 03:35 PM

check out www.projectguitar.com .... there are some helpful bods on there

I have also seen some plans on ebay

Joe King · 10-03-2007, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownagesbot

I guess I could draw around my squire strat and then make some fine adjustments

Now yer thinkin'!

mike _0u812 · 10-01-2007, 07:20 PM

I just went to a music shop with some paper and a pencil and traced one of the guitars off the rack. Worked Great for me!

ownagesbot · 10-02-2007, 02:17 PM

Lol, they let you do that? Cool.

ownagesbot · 10-03-2007, 12:29 AM

Yup done that

just working out all the dimensions for the pickups (gonna have 2 humbuckers) etc.

**VHF** · 10-03-2007, 01:30 PM

As far as the neck goes...I would not paint it other than the headstock.

ownagesbot · 10-03-2007, 02:30 PM

Really? I dont think itd suit the guitar though (all black with a gold mirrored pickguard and head)
Im pretty sure I could do it if I maskin taped the side of the finger board and then covered up the front of the fingerboard (id just have to get the masking _very_ straight and precise

rob_tart · 10-04-2007, 08:55 AM

i would still suggest going to www.projectguitar.com ... poeple will be able to tell you what to not do and and what to do!

**VHF** · 10-04-2007, 05:43 PM

You might try PMing D.I.N.O. here. He has painted loads of guitars over the years.

His site is www.dinosguitarworks.com