Dylan Posted December 17, 2004 Share Posted December 17, 2004 Ive always thought it would be cool to buy a pre-made body and neck and try to create my own Frankenstein guitar. Ive had a thing for Firebirds for sometime now and there is a nice body up for sale on e-bay that would make a cool project. I think I could figure out how to do the wiring myself, but the paint job, setting the neck, and installing the bridge scare the piss out of me. I just wouldnt want to screw anything up. Has anyone ever built a guitar from a kit like this before? Any tips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug osborne Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Go to Warmoth for a start, and Stewart McDonald while you're at it. The consensus will be that this guitar probably won't be cheaper than a good factory guitar, and probably can't be counted on to have resale value, but it will be yours . Doug Osborne Music on Bandcamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 18, 2004 Author Share Posted December 18, 2004 From what I've seen for far I should be able to outfit this thing for about $600. Most of the Firebirds that I've seen used sell for over $1000. I see what you mean by resale value, but I don't ever see myself selling this. Hopefully, I'll win the bid on this body tomorrow as it's going for really cheap and looks quite nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Go for it; there's no shortage of free or cheap info on what 'n' how to DIY these days, whether in print or on the 'net. Take it one step at a time, and you'll have a very cool axe all of your own! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Post us a picture when the auction's over. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjmclane Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 "Git' Fiddle"??????!!!!!! I haven't heard that for over 20 years. My grandfather called it a git' fiddle and we lost him 20+ years ago. Thanks for reminding me of him. He was a gift to the world. Warmoth makes GREAT stuff. I've been building git' fiddles from there stuff since the 80's and have never been disappointed with their quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave da Dude Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Originally posted by mjmclane: "Git' Fiddle"??????!!!!!! I haven't heard that for over 20 years. My grandfather called it a git' fiddle and we lost him 20+ years ago. Thanks for reminding me of him. He was a gift to the world. Warmoth makes GREAT stuff. I've been building git' fiddles from there stuff since the 80's and have never been disappointed with their quality.been a while since I've heard it too Gotta' geetar... got the amp. There must be SOMEthing else I... "need". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricochet Posted December 18, 2004 Share Posted December 18, 2004 Around here it's a common phrase and I hear it all the time. "Didja bring your git fiddle?" Hmmm, just occurred to me they might be using "git" the way the English do... "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 Good news! I won the auction . Here's some pics from ebay. http://i8.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/05/a4/1f_1_b.JPG http://i7.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/05/d5/66_1_b.JPG http://i9.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/04/55/3c_1_b.JPG Now I just need to decide if I want him to route out a pickup for the neck position. If I do, then I think I'll try a P-90. I'm all ready planning on using a Gibson Angus Young humbucker in the bridge. Part of me likes the idea of having only 1 pickup. Very simplistic. Hmmm.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted December 20, 2004 Share Posted December 20, 2004 but then you miss out on those groovy neck pickup tones. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 20, 2004 Author Share Posted December 20, 2004 OK, so Ive decided to go with a P-90 in the neck and the Angus Young humbucker in the bridge. Can anyone direct me to a good site that goes over wiring diagrams? I imagine that it shouldnt be too difficult to have a single coil and a humbucker wired together. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 Wow, that's a gorgeous guit-body there! But... "dillholio"? How about a Gibson-style "Mini-Humbucker", a la the original Firebirds, in the neck-position? You could even go with the P-90 sized 'n' shaped mounting bezel and route. I would think that would go very nicely with that "Angus Young" humbucker at the bridge... I bet that'd sound bitchin'! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 HOw much did you end up paying for the body, if you don't mind saying? Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Wow, that's a gorgeous guit-body there! But... "dillholio"? Huh huh. What can I say, I was younger when I first signed up for e-bay . Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: How about a Gibson-style "Mini-Humbucker", a la the original Firebirds, in the neck-position? You could even go with the P-90 sized 'n' shaped mounting bezel and route. Ya know, a mini-Humbucker that was nickel plated like the Angus PU would look rather kick-ass. Hmmm... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 Originally posted by The picker who stole Christmas: HOw much did you end up paying for the body, if you don't mind saying?The body was about $88 plus $20 for shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 What sort of stain/color/finish do you think you'll go with there? Sure is a nicely figured top! I don't imagine you're going to spray it in eighteen coats of purple metalflake polyester! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: What sort of stain/color/finish do you think you'll go with there? Sure is a nicely figured top!Yeah, it sure is pretty! I haven't decided how I'm going to finish it yet. The flame is so nice that I don't see going with a solid color. Actually, finishing the body is what I'm most concerned about doing myself, although, it doesn't seem like it should be too difficult. I'm thinking that I'd like to go with a nice blue color for the body. Nothing to fancy, however. I'm open to suggestions though, so please feel free to chime in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squ Posted December 21, 2004 Share Posted December 21, 2004 When I build my custom guitar, I want to have a humbucker at the bridge, a P-90 in the middle, and a single coil strat-like pickup next to the neck. What do you guys think? I think that'd be wacky. Possibly have the ability for any combination, including the single coil and humbucker, without the P-90 outputting. Red Red Rockit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted December 21, 2004 Author Share Posted December 21, 2004 Sounds cool, Squ. Go for it! I should have the body this Friday at the latest! The guy who sold this to me has routed out a P-90 sized pickup in the neck, so I guess that's the route I'll be going. Any recommendations for P-90's? Lee, anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 I just thought that I'd post an update as I've picked up a few more items since getting the body recently. The most recent is a custom made chrome P-90 that only set me back $26: http://imagehost.vendio.com/bin/imageserver.x/00000000/customshopparts/pup90ch5.jpg The second part is a Warmoth Explorer style neck that I was able to grab for only $100. The neck feels great from what I can tell. I missed out on buying a Warmoth from Funkjazz that also looked great (no money at the time), but hopefully this one will suit me well. http://i15.ebayimg.com/03/i/03/68/e2/d1_1_b.JPG Lastly, I picked up some banjo style tuners like these but mine are nickel: http://i16.ebayimg.com/02/i/02/f6/71/c0_2.JPG The next thing I'll get is a chrome Angus Young Gibson HB. There's one on e-bay that I'm watching that I might snag. Now I just need to get the rest and figure out how I'm going to finish the body. I imagine that I should do all of the drilling first before finishing the body. Anyone? Also, I'm looking for any net resources or books that talk about setup. I'm mostly a bit scared of setting the neck and drilling the bridge in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Strat Posted March 10, 2005 Share Posted March 10, 2005 Do you have a drill press handy? Or better still, a milling machine? If not, I'd take it to a pro for getting the bridge and neck drilled. I think I'll make a new body for my El-Cheapo Rogue Strat copy. Plywood doesn't sound all that good, ya know? I think I'll get some poplar and go for it! Like this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/bluestrat28056/Silvertone.jpg or this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/bluestrat28056/dano1.jpg BlueStrat a.k.a. "El Guapo" ...Better fuzz through science... http://geocities.com/teleman28056/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted March 10, 2005 Author Share Posted March 10, 2005 Originally posted by bluestrat: Do you have a drill press handy? Or better still, a milling machine? If not, I'd take it to a pro for getting the bridge and neck drilled. That's good advice, thanks! I don't have the tools, but a buddy of mine that works in construction has a boatload. I considered having the neck and drilling setup professionally, but at the same time, I'm hoping to do/learn as much as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Yeah, blue's right; proper locating on a mill or at least a drill-press will be best, going free-style with a drill is very apt to result in nasty mishaps... they chatter, drift, walk, and wander all too easily. Anyways, cool neck! Tell us more about that sharp lookin' custom P-90 stylee there, too! Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basshappi Posted March 11, 2005 Share Posted March 11, 2005 Cool project! You should be able to find templates for routing the pickup cavity. As for finishing supplies and advice try here; Guitar ReRanch Nothing is as it seems but everything is exactly what it is - B. Banzai Life is what happens while you are busy playing in bands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Originally posted by Caevan O'Shite: Tell us more about that sharp lookin' custom P-90 stylee there, too! Here\'s a link to another P-90 like the one I bought. I was searching for days trying to find a P-90 in chrome and I came across this guy. None of the big cats make em in chrome for some reason. I guess this model is designed by a guy named T. Rockfield. I looked him up on Harmony Central and the one review for a different pickup was pretty favorable. I figured it was worth a shot as it only set me back a few clams. I don't know why some pickups cost as much as they do as it seems that they don't have a whole lot in them (wire, magents, maybe some wax?). Hopefully this will sound nice, otherwise, I can invest in a more expensive model from Gibson or Seymour Duncan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted March 11, 2005 Author Share Posted March 11, 2005 Originally posted by basshappi: Cool project! You should be able to find templates for routing the pickup cavity.The ebay pic for the body doesn't show the routing for the P-90 that was done after I had bought the body, so I'm all set for the neck PU. Originally posted by basshappi: As for finishing supplies and advice try here; Guitar ReRanch Thanks for the link. There is some great stuff there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted May 13, 2005 Author Share Posted May 13, 2005 I just thought that I'd post an updated photo of the guitar loosely assembled with what I've got so far. I haven't put in my banjo-style tuners in this photo. Now I just need to get the body stained, tuners installed, electronics, and the bridge setup! http://www.dylanwalters.com/images/firebird.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guitarzan Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 lookin real cool. i bet you are excited. http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=193274 rock it, i will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Posted May 13, 2005 Author Share Posted May 13, 2005 Thanks! Yes, I'm 'very' excited to get this bad boy up and running. It's been a long process trying to find everything but I should hopefully be done within the next month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caevan O’Shite Posted May 13, 2005 Share Posted May 13, 2005 Beautiful! I'm torn between wanting a calibrated trio of gold-plated, metal covered P-90s, and going with the traditional "soapbar" look for my Les Paul "Gem"... By the way, I thought you might find the following to be interesting; here's a link for ya... Steinberger 40:1 Locking Gearless Tuners http://www.stewmac.com/catalog/images_1lg/5460_1lg.jpg Ask yourself- What Would Ren and Stimpy Do? ~ Caevan James-Michael Miller-O'Shite ~ _ ___ _ Leprechaun, Esquire _ ___ _ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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