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I'm working on a new body style.
It is similar to a LP, but where it sits on the leg, the nut will be out about 2" further.
When I play LPs, the nut end of the neck seems too close to me and I'm always pulling the guitar past the leg curve.
It's a tad longer and wider than a LP.
I'll make an MDF template, screw on my neck template, and then refine for fit.
I got rid of the sharp horn to make binding easier, or I can cut a large fillet around the edge for fat look.
There will be a lot of blank space past the bridge, maybe I'll stick a cowboy decal in that area.
Comments?
Thanks,
Dan

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Comments? Yeah, Dan. Get at it! I'm looking forward to seeing something different. Are you going to use that pretty burl that you got recently?

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

It looks good Dan. Give it a try.

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Ken

Somewhat similar to a jet earlewood. Looks good.


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I like it a lot for the same reasons that I like L-OOs

Maybe name it the Kim K?

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Ann Arbor Guitars

Thanks for the positive feedback!
My burl wood is still green, so I can't use it.
I may do some Mesquite on Maple.
Dan

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Got the body and neck blank glued up, and cut the top/back plates.
I'm going to cut most of the inside of the body away.
Look's like this sucker will be about 2-1/4" thick.
The neck blank is flat sawn with a Mesquite stringer. After I rip it to width, I'll test it for stiffness.
Kinda just making it up as I go.
Dan

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Almost ready to close the box.
At 2-1/2" thick, it is very light weight.
Dan

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Box closed.

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I'm liking it, Dan!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

This is a very nice looking project. Similar to something I am working on. (Mostly hollow, thicker than some, f-hole, custom shape.) Was this finished? How did it come out? I'd love to see it and hear it.

Hal

Thanks Hal!
It is ready to be finished, just waiting for a free day.
Dan

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Just about ready for finish.
The body edges will be red, everything else will be clear.
Dan

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Looks great Dan.

I know you have your reasons/vision for what you wanted but since you asked for comments I'll give it go with no offense intended.

You didn't mention scale length so I questioned; why not just a longer scale length? Then I just figured you wanted to stretch the whole guitar out.

I didn't understand not having a solid block - thought even if you were trying to get as light as you could the benefit of a solid center block would be hard to leave out. Couldn't help but wonder; with time and tension that design might lead to some issues- showing stress in top and back and possibly some tuning issues. Probably not but still I would have been more comfortable with a block to the end.

The neck heel looks good but "traditional" just isn't a good reason for me anymore. I have an older model of the Carvin http://www.carvinguitars.com/catalog/guitars/ac375 and it not only looks great but the feel/playing is the winner.

No side markers? I like not having fret markers when it's beautiful fretboard wood but I sure wouldn't like not having side dots. (at least I didn't see them)

The wholes? Reminded me of Ovation for some reason and I've never cared much for them.

Really liked the added piece to the head (nut brace) and wondered if it would look better matching the fretboard.
Also liked the inlay truss cover.

Great craftsmanship Dan...just a few design choice differences for what that's worth and I sure enjoy seeing your project to completion.

Mike

Thanks Mike, you make some good points!
I forgot to install the side markers once again.
Yes, I should have used a solid block through the body length.
Turns out the guitar weighs less than the hardware.
I like the heel.
The fretboard and head veneer are both Mesquite. My first veneer was from the same piece as the fretboard, but I boogered it up, so I had to use a different chunk.
Dan

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Id buy that for a dollar… plus a few thousand more…

very cool shape … I really think that would fly with customers too… I would consider it if I were buying one…
I like the S hole too.
cheers
charliewood

The S hole idea is great. Can't wait to hear a clip of it acoustically.

Cutting various holes.
I have a Seymour Duncan P-rail for the neck, and a Lace deathbucker for the bridge.
Two-way pickup switch, two volumes, a three-way switch for the P-rail to switch between rail, p90, or both in series. A two-way switch for the deathbucker coil tap sound.
I need to make some slanted pickup spacers and draw Quetzalcoatl on the snake body (holes).
Hope to spend lots of time on it this weekend if I can take the heat.
Dan

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Well crap, with all that wiring this thing is already smarter than me.

Shot the first coat of vinyl sealer.
I applied the serpent using ball point pen and watercolor.
I experimented and both held up to the sealer.
Staying within the Aztec theme, the body side will be dark red.
I'm looking forward to hours of sanding and polishing in my 100F shop.
At least the lacquer should cure quickly.

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Finally got it done. I was interrupted with four other builds.
Plays pretty good. The P90 mode on the P-Rail pickup sounds great.
Dan

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Very nice guitar Dan. Looking forward to the finished guitar


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Excellent work Dan!

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Mitch

Looks super, Dan, as usual!

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Congrats on getting it done! I like the body shape a lot and the the s-holes with Quetzalcoatl's head a the end is very cool. I put a couple P-rails in a guitar a while back and liked them. What do you think of the Lace pickup?

A couple questions about some details. Are the pickups and the bridge mounted on the wood blocks for aesthetic/design reasons or is there a functional reason? The small wood piece north of the nut: is that just there to help retain the nut? I noticed that you put the binding on the sides of the heel instead of on the body at the neck/body joint. I haven't seen that done before. Curious why you did that.

Well done.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter