Official Luthiers Forum!

Well to start off m name is Ricky, im 26 years of age. I have played guitar for about 17 years. i had a recent major heart surgery, and im addicted to hobbies. i would like to build a guitar to my specs. and simply have the skill to build what i want, that has to be a great feeling to know you can have any guitar you want. provided the wood and tool are available. and ive deciced against a kit for the simple fact of wood selection. i would like to start off like this:

D-size (i would like a BIG guitar, is it possable to make the body a tad deeper?)
honduras rosewood back and sides,
europe spruce top,
ebony fingerboard
mahogany neck
i would also like to veneer the headstock with honduras rosewood.


i have been reading this forum for about a week working myself up to posting something.
i would to talk to someone maybe that can help me out with cnc contacts? i was thinking if i bend the sides myself it wouldnt be so bad to get the neck machined.

thanks and i cant wait to meet everyone on here seems like a genuine crowd,

Ricky,

Welcome to the OLF, Ricky. Your aspirations are great, and you'll get some good help from these pages. I build classicals, so i won't be of much help in your efforts, but someone who knows more about Dreads will be along.

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Waddy

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Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Welcome Ricky

Welcome Ricky! If you like hobbies and guitars, you can't pick a better hobby than building.

You asked about necks. You can get great necks from one of our sponsors of this site, like LMI and Stew-Mac. Also, John Hall of Blues Creek (also a sponsor and a great guy) has them. Since you are in Illinois, you may already know of CNC guitar parts dot com (put the words together and replace the dot with a .) you'll find what you need. This is John Watkins. He's terrific, too, and makes some really nice guitar necks.

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"Building guitars looks hard, but it's actually much harder than it looks." Tom Buck

Hey Ricky,

Welcome to the forum. Don't write off the kit. LMI and John Hall (Blues Creek Guitars) can both set you up with what your looking for. Getting prebent sides and bindings can save you time, frustration and $$$. If you get an LMI kit you get a CNC Guitar parts neck and block. I'm sure John has pre-carved necks too.

Steve

i guess im honestly probably not read to build everything to start out, i am just serious about getting the honduras back and sides, i guess i would really rather have brazilian but hey we all do right?
anyone know a reliable source/s of thickness cut brazilian rw? how much does an average brazilian rw guitar set(back and sides) cost??

Ricky,

i have noticed the BWR set that olf auctioned went for 450, does a d-size usually cost more?
i really am wanting straight grain brazilian, not "brazilian roots" and i would like enough from the same wood lot to veneer the headstock, so all the rosewood matches back to head. any one know a place besides ebay?

Ricky,

Like most, it looks like you want to make your dream guitar right off the bat. I've been tempted to dive into the expensive woods sooner rather than later as well, but I came to the realization that making a dream guitar will take some practice. HRW isn't cheap. BRW isn't either. Straight grain BRW like you say you want will be ridiculously expensive. $1,000+ I would strongly suggest starting with some less expensive woods and working your way up to your dream guitar. I've been collecting some sweet zoot and don't have plans on using it until I feel my skill as a builder is worthy of that rare and expensive wood. If you find a set you want for your dream guitar, by all means buy it. It wont get any less expensive than it is right now. Just try to respect those premium sets that are expensive and rare, and make the best use of them possibe. Your first few probably aren't that. And remember that its not just building a box with a neck on it. You have to learn the voodoo that makes it sound good. That all takes time, practice and patience...and a bunch of mistakes. Better to make em on the cheap stuff.

Don't rule out the kit like others have said. You can get an LMI kit customized with any wood you want. Others may be able to do so too.

Welcome to the sickness. Have fun.

Ricky,
Listen to the advice you are getting. I am pretty sure that you are not ready to start bending BRW. It is very easy to ruin a side while bending, or make a mistake on a back or top set. Building from scratch takes an incredible amount of tools and jigs and forms. I know, I just set my shop up. If you have lots of money, then go for it. But you also need the skills. If you are independently wealthy, and can afford to equip a shop, then you should go to a school of some sort and learn from a master. There is a lot to know. Otherwise, buy a kit. KMG, Blues Creek, LMI are great sources for kits. You will still need a body mold, and some tools. Ken C. at KMG sells a kit with the mold included and will provide support throughout your build. Take your time and make good decisions. It will save you lots of money. Go to the Kit BUilders forum on this site and check it out. I have been building furniture for 25 years, and I just attended a class on guitar building. And I am still in awe of all you need to know. I am only trying to put this in perspective for you. I would hate to see you make a mistake and ruin some precious tonewoods. Buy them now, and save them for when you get to a level you can handle.
Mike R.