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One of my sons' has been an avid Guitar player since his early high school days.
He graduated in 1971.

I always told him, that I'd build him a guitar someday. So in 2003, I finally came through with the promise.

I had a lot of left over wood from various projects,

so I decided to make a laminated body of the wood I had in my shop.

It has Black Walnut, Ash, Mahogany, Red Oak, White Oak, & Birch.

It turned out to be a beautiful blend of woods.

The neck was purchased from Stewart-MacDonald, a guitar parts supplier.

The tuning head is my design. I finished it with about 10 coats of Satin lacquer.

You may notice it has no pick guard, because I hated to cover up such beautiful wood.

My son installed the electronics to his liking.

I took a gamble on using all these wood species, because you don't know what affect it will have on

the sound. My son said this instrument will stand up to any Guitar he's played.

So that made me plenty proud.


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Watch, & listen to this live slide guitar performance of "Sleep Walk" by Steve Cain.

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Also check out this slideshow of Steve playing with a different group in My Blog.

Gallery

Comments

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I have a Yamaha Bass that I want to make a replica of … Any advice? Also, what advice does your son have for the electronics?
 

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Hi Obi,
I think your best bet for information about electronics, would be "The instrument makers forum" http://www.mimf.com/ You can get various wiring diagrams from the forum members. This forum is by Stewart Macdonald, the Guitar supply company.
 

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As a guitar player myself, WOW, I loved my old tele…I think I'm gonna have to do this…when I finish the stuff for my wife and gifts… I may be your age when I finish, but one day I'm gonna build myself a guitar. Nice work Mr. Cain
 

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Looks great!

Got a buddy at work that plays Bass and keeps saying we should build something. Probably when I get my Bandsaw and Jointer in a few months I will look into.
 

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I got plans to build an electric guitar here

Also if you go to my site and click on Global Wood Sourse they have a guitar gallery with "Through Body" necks, the best and strongest way to make a guitar. Also, I have a diagram for "scalloping" the neck so you don't have to put metal frets.
 

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Dick, this is beautiful, not just the guitar itself (which is amazing) but the gift you have given your son.

The bonus touch was the name. He must brag about it to everyone he knows.

Stunning!!!
 

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Dick, your talents continue to amaze and impress me. One of my treasures is piece my Dad mad for me before I took up woodworking. I probably didn't appreciate it as much as I should have at the time, but now that I know a little more about the thought and effort that goes into a project, and now that my Dad is no longer with us, you can imagine how I treasure this gift from my father.

I'm sure your son already had come to the same conclusion judging from what you have told us.

Lovely work, Dick.
 

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That's amazing, Dick. If it hadn't sounded good, you could have always used it in the kitchen as a cutting board. :)
 

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Nice Charlie. ;) .... nothing like doing a little food prep, while your pickin'
 

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I just read about another use for a Guitar. They're holding the annual Last Chance Curling Bonspiel, in Hibbing this week.
There's a Curler that usually comes with a curling broom attached to a Guitar, & he serenades the audience from down on the ice. Cool !!
 

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pretty guitar … excellent work
 

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I think that it plays well is just an added benefit to great craftsmanship! Amazing work!
 

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Thanks Guys,
My Son just made a video from a dance he recently played. When I get a copy I may try , & embed some of it on Lumberjocks.
 

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Dick! This is awesome! I'm a stratocaster collector. I just love guitars but have never taken the challenge of making one. Really nice!
 

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Thanks Mott,
You must be a Guitar picker also.
 

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Absolutely beautiful! I love the stripey body And I just enjoyed Sleep Walk too. Thank you.
 

· In Loving Memory
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I missed this one the first time. Great job Dick! Always wanted en electric.
 

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Thanks Gary, & eViolinist!

I have so many projects on here, every once in awhile they come back to life. LOL

I have to thank eVioinist for this.
 

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Dick,

I have a beautiful Korean built Tele style guitar with a spalted maple top. What they did was install a clear plexi pickguard for protection that still allowed the wood to show through.

What a great project for your son!
 
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