I’m in the planning stage of my next guitar project. In truth, I almost enjoy planning as much as actually building. However, for this project, I have to approach the planning a bit different than usual. Why? Because I intend to photograph and video the whole project. It’ll take some time, but when it’s done, I’ll add it to my web site and youtube.com. 

The specific design will be taken from one of my plans available on my order page. I also hope to get ahold of some unique wood for the body and neck. Check out this site for details on the various woods available: http://www.fbbcustom.com/woodstar/woods.html.

It’s alive!. My “How To Build An Electric Guitar” podcast is now available on iTunes. Here’s the link:

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=303331840

Be aware that I’ve only produced the intro episode, but more will follow and I’ve already finished the script for the second.

It seems that when we decide to build a new guitar, many of us choose to build copies of existing guitars. I find that to be rather strange since guitar building takes so much work. If you’re going to make the effort and invest in the expense, shouldn’t you at least create something different than what you can buy in the marketplace?

That’s why I started eGuitar Plans. I wanted to give builders both experienced and novice some new design ideas to work from. If you’re looking for a Less Paul or a Strat, you’ll have to go elsewhere. In fact, I would recommend just buying one ready made. After all, you probably won’t save much money anyway. And, if you take a look at the Gibson and Fender tour videos on youtube, you’ll find it a stretch to do a better job.

If you absolutely need to make a copy, at least tweak the design to fit your required ergonomics (more on that in my next posting) and visual tastes.

Actually, I plan to add several more to the order page in the next few weeks. Right now, I’m putting the finishing touches on a design inspired by the Flying V which will be named the Incubus. Also in the works is a plan for a southern rock inspired design. I have a few others on the table, which should keep me busy.

Also, I recorded a podcast, which I submitted to iTunes yesterday. It’ll be a multi episode series detailing how to build an electric guitar. I’ll post a link as soon as it becomes available.

Ok, so after watching youtube videos depicting various fret dressing techniques, I wanted to write something about how this dark art relates to building guitars. As I watched the videos, I wondered if guitar builders would see them and think, “Man, I gotta do a lot work after installing the frets.” In truth, I believe such extensive work should only be done if you’re doing repair work on an existing guitar. In other words, if you’re replacing a few frets and need to match the ones already on the fretboard. If you’re building a brand new guitar, you should only have to address the ends of the fret wire. Now some of you will cry foul at my declaration, but I stand by it, and here’s why; if you build the neck and fretboard correctly and install the frets with uniform consistency, there shouldn’t have to be a need to level and crown. I hate to see or hear about someone who took perfectly good fret wire and spent hours reshaping it. After all, I buy fret wire specifically for its shape. I really don’t want to mess it up. I’ve learned that if you radius the fretboard accurately and you install the frets tightly to the curve, you should be good to go on with cleaning up the ends. You can tell by holding up the fretboard to your eye and aiming it  toward a bright light. Adjust the angle until the frets blend together and reflect the light. It should look like you’re crouched down and looking down a long, straight road. If you’ve succeeded, the light reflected will be uniform from side to side and nut to heel. If there are any patches that are slightly less reflective or darker, the fret wire in that spot will probably be uneven. Look at where the frets meet the board around that spot. You may notice the fret wire isn’t flat against the board. Also, if you pre-curved wire before installing, there may have been some flat spots introduced. Consistence is the name of the game. Make sure the fretboard radius is consistent, even if you’re doing a conical shape. Next pay careful attention to pre-curving your fret wire. watch for and correct any flat spots. And finally, when you install the frets, be sure to press or hammer them flush to the board’s surface from one side to the other. It takes some practice, but once you’ve learned how to avoid these potential problems, you shouldn’t have any trouble quickly fretting your instrument.

I’ve had an idea for a new design which I may explore. It would center around a neck through approach with removable wings that could be swapped out for different designs. The neck would support the pickups, controls, bridge and strings. I’ve seen similar designs in the past, but mine would make use of a quick change latching mechanism. Of course whatever method is used would have to be evaluated for its impact on tone.

Thought for today: The guitar industry as a whole has very little impact on the world’s precious lumber resources. And at least from my own experiences, most guitar builders tend to hold onto even the smallest scraps from their efforts. After all, it seems like a travesty to throw away unused pieces cut from a slab of 5A quilted maple.

Is anyone one else getting tired of the same old marketing catch phrases used in the electric guitar industry? I’m talking about terms like “vintage tone.” Does anyone even know what that means anymore? This industry is in dire need of a visionary who’ll break new ground and give us something new to get excited about. I mean come on, it’s not 1958! When I play, I don’t want to sound like a throwback to an era before my time. It seems like the last great innovation was the active pickup. And how long ago were they introduced! I know there have been some new ideas over the years, but they seem do get drowned out by the endless stream of Les Pauls and Stratocasters. It’s getting to the point where words like “reissue” mean nothing more than “I can’t think of something original.” It’s like the American auto industry which keeps feeding us 40+ year old muscle car concepts! And we know where they’re headed.