How to Build a Stratocaster Body
The classic Strat body is a relatively complex piece of timber. With an asymmetrical body, both front and back cavities, rounded corners and reliefs for comfort. I’ll break it up into a few steps:
• Create your templates
• Prepare the timber
• Glue the body parts
• Rout the front cavities and neck pocket
• Cut the outline shape and Sand it
• Rout the back, tremolo cavity
• Cut/ grind the arm and belly relief
• Round the corners
• Drilling
• Sand and sand.
Which Glues are Right for Electric Guitar Building and Repair
What glue do luthiers use?
• There are four types of glues commonly used by Luthiers:
• Hide Glue- Animal Based Glue
• Carpenters Glue – PVA Glue
• CA glue – Cyano-Acrilate (Superglue)
• Epoxy glue – Two part
Let’s take a look at each of these types to better understand which ones are designed for which task and all the ways we may want to use them. We’ll go through the pros and cons as well as examples and tips for specific glues
Your Guide to Build and Shape a Stratocaster Body
So how do you shape a Stratocaster style body?
1. Choose your timber and Prepare it for gluing
2. Glue the wood to achieve a large enough piece
3. Cut the rough shape
4. Smooth the shape outline
5. Rout the Pick-ups , Bridge, Tremolo (in the back) and Control Cavities
6. Round the edge
7. Sculpt the body contours for arm and body
8. Rout the Neck Pocket
9. Sand
What is a Scalloped Fretboard and how to DIY
A Scalloped Fretboard or Fingerboard is one where the material of the fingerboard between the frets is filed and removed to create a concave surface and large space beneath the strings. With light to medium pressure on the strings the player can play a clean note without ever touching the fretboard.
What is a Neck Through Guitar?
Neck Through or ‘Neck Thru’ guitars are said to be stiffer and more warp resistant than other types of necks and have better sustain. They will also allow for designs which allow easier access to the very high note frets. We’ll take a look at all these claims and try and understand the pros and cons of having a through neck in your guitar. Are these claims true or just subjective impressions? Is it harder to construct or would actually make life easier for the aspiring guitar builder?
Understanding Truss Rods and How to Adjust Them
Truss rod adjustment is really not that scary or dangerous to your guitar if you understand how it works and how to be careful with it. In this article I will try to answer all the questions you may have concerning truss rods. I will also cover the principles of both truss rod installation and adjustment