Thread: First guitar build

Hi Dizza, There is a few timber shops around melbourne, where you should be able to buy what you require, go for blackwood,or myrtle also some of the queensland species are suitable, a few of the guys in this forum that live around melbourne I am sure will steer you in the right direction.
Cheers Bob

Originally Posted by Dizza212

Hey guys, Ive decided i am going to build a solid body electric guitar as a bit of a long term project to keep me occupied. Ive done heaps of research and believe i have the necessary skills and equipment available to me to build one. but i dont know what wood to use for the body. I plan on using a pre made guitar neck.
I want a relatively inexpensive wood but i want it to look good stained as i like the natural finish.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions. and if so where could i get the wood? If any of you guys have any spare i might be willing to purchase enough to build a single cutaway solid body electric guitar.

Thanks in advance

Hey Dizza212 welcome to the forum, I'm still plodding along with my first build and if I may say, one of the most rewarding parts of my build so far has been making my own neck. I figured that if it's gonna be a long term project I'm probably gonna have to work it out eventually anyway and it will pre-pair me for my next build, apparently it's addictive .

regards to all

Wal

Originally Posted by Dizza212

Hey guys, Ive decided i am going to build a solid body electric guitar as a bit of a long term project to keep me occupied. Ive done heaps of research and believe i have the necessary skills and equipment available to me to build one. but i dont know what wood to use for the body. I plan on using a pre made guitar neck.
I want a relatively inexpensive wood but i want it to look good stained as i like the natural finish.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions. and if so where could i get the wood? If any of you guys have any spare i might be willing to purchase enough to build a single cutaway solid body electric guitar.

Thanks in advance

welcome to the forum
single cut solid body you say.... lespaul?

looking forward to seeing the progress

have fun

Originally Posted by walcen

Hey Dizza212 welcome to the forum, I'm still plodding along with my first build and if I may say, one of the most rewarding parts of my build so far has been making my own neck. I figured that if it's gonna be a long term project I'm probably gonna have to work it out eventually anyway and it will pre-pair me for my next build, apparently it's addictive .

regards to all

Wal

wally old chap
where have you been....
i forgot about your build lol
i think you need to update us on it soon?

good to see your thinking about your next build... thats what i like to hear

Yep im looking at a les paul sorta thing. i enjoy lots of electronics work so i will probably put a usb interface inside.
ill probably be modifying the les paul 'look' slightly by tapering the top corner like a strat. ill be putting a pair of humbuckers in there 'duh' aswell.
i might stain it with a charchoal stain so i can see the wood grain aswell.

the biggest constraint will be money as i owe my grandparents lots of money for my latest 335 copy and i dont have a job (hopefully will have one soon)

So if you can help me with cheap spare stuff it would be much appreciated

Yeh sorry guys I've been in hospital having my sinuses drilled out, I'll probably be coughing up and spiting out lumps of brain matter for about a month LOL
regards to all

Wal

Hey thanks for that visual wal...Prob too much information..My missus might have to get that done soon....back on topic now lol....

Dizza, check ebay for cheap parts..Lots of parts on there...I picked up a set of buckers for $50 i think..They are actually really good too lol.. And make sure you ask questions if you get stuck..Lots of helpful people around here! Im only on my 2nd build now and if it wasnt for the people around here, Id be screwed....

Just watch that AndrewB.....hes a bit weird!!

ive looked on ebay for cheap parts and that definitely where ill be getting the majority of the parts. but i still have the issue of the timber. can anyone tell me where i can find a timber yard near me?

im having trouble finding tonewood. does anyone have any in my area they no longer want? i would be willing to pay a reasonable price for it

gilet guitars have a few options..There student grade blanks are good for starters..I think about $55 with postage..Worth a try

i looked at those blanks has anyone used them? are they any good?

Britton Timbers down in Dandenong should have something that you can use. Might be a bit pricey, just depends on your budget. They have all the common timbers for solidbody, ash, maple, blackwood.

Originally Posted by Dizza212

i looked at those blanks has anyone used them? are they any good?

Yea ive used them twice now.Obviously theyre not as good as mahogany or anything but for a first time theyre great..I'll prob use them again for my third

thanks i might get one of those