I can’t remember exactly when I last blogged about making a guitar but I do recall (probably last year, when I purchased two sets of plans – or was that 2011?!) stating my intention here on at least one prior occasion. it’s been an ambition for the last, say, three-years and it’s only really in the last year that I’ve been able to build my confidence up to a level at where I feel fairly competent in having a go.
I would like to reiterate that I do not currently play a guitar; I have never played a guitar and I really don’t know much about them… From the three sets of plans I’ve now purchased (from JAGuitars), I’ve chosen to go with the Gibson SG style (my latest buy) simply because, to my eye, it has the most attractive and appealing aesthetics! Plus, while Googling for user-made replicas a while back, I came across some walnut SGs that looked quite stunning… And I still have more than enough walnut left over from a near-£300 purchase back in April.
This is my first video in what is going to end up a series of indefinite length. There are questions over whether or not I’ll be able to finish this before November comes – I mean, it’s taken me about two months to complete the templates, to upload this video and now, I still haven’t ordered the necessary hardware or figured out exactly what I need to buy!
My current plan is to get the ‘workshop stuff’ (machining and hand tool work) complete before the inevitable cold snap arrives; regardless of where I’m living and where my tools are likely to end up at that time. I can imagine myself French polishing on a kitchen table if I have to (I dislike ‘plastic’ lacquers and, well… I made that table!!)… If it comes to it. To my mind; strings, straps and even scratchboards [if that's what they're called] can be fitted afterwards. I could even do that sat on a living room sofa with 8in of snow underfoot outside!
I’m hoping mine ends up something like this. [Photo taken from: dawsons.co.uk]
veryThank you all.