Albert Lee-Alike: A project that will probably take me a while, but hey

[ragamuffin]

I've been formulating this project in my head for the past couple of months, and I'm finally taking the first steps towards making it happen. I've been gas-ing for a modern H-H strat-type-thing (funny because for a long time I never got along with strats) and I fell in love with the Music Man Albert Lee shape. It's kind of retro, and with the right appointments it will perfectly suit the retro-modern look that I want. That will mean shaping the body myself, which I've never done before.

After months of throwing around different colors and specs I've mostly settled on this:
-Rear routed, burgundy mist metallic alder Albert Lee body (I'll likely get it finished by MJT)
-Warmoth (of course!) warhead neck, wenge with ziricote, no inlays
-Two low/moderate output hb's, I plan to use open face covers and make wenge face inserts, direct mounted
-One volume, one tone, three way switch, push-pull out-of-phase switch
-Hipshot contour trem and locking tuners

Below is a quick and dirty mockup

I'm talking with a guy about making me a CNC'd body template, and I just got a bandsaw in the mail from Amazon! Can't wait to start practicing my body shaping!

 

[mayfly]

This sounds really cool.  Always been a fan of Mr. Lee!

 

[rgand]

This is a cool project! There's nothing more rewarding than making a guitar with your own body shape. Take your time and it'll come out fantastic. This will be fun to follow.

 

[ragamuffin]

I've got wood! I got some 1.75 poplar from a local lumber supplier and glued up a practice blank, the grain looks really nice. Almost too nice... If all goes well maybe it will have to be a guitar itself one day.  :dontknow:

I also ordered my Warmoth blank, maybe I'll get it around Christmas

Unfortunately the guy who's CNC-ing my body template is having trouble with his machine and says that it might be another week or two before I get mine. Poop. I hate waiting, I'm all fired up to start shaping.

 

[rgand]

That's good looking poplar with nice color all the way across. It will make a fine body.

 

[BroccoliRob]

Unfortunately the guy who's CNC-ing my body template is having trouble with his machine and says that it might be another week or two before I get mine.

Are you using the same guy that the dude with the laminated wood is using? #kidding

 

[ragamuffin]

Unfortunately the guy who's CNC-ing my body template is having trouble with his machine and says that it might be another week or two before I get mine.

Are you using the same guy that the dude with the laminated wood is using? #kidding

Lol!

 

[JPOL007]

I've got wood! 

ccasion14: If I looked at the grain on that poplar a couple more seconds; I will too :evil4: That is a nice looking section of poplar. Looking forward to seeing the finished project.

 

[ragamuffin]

My template came in the mail, and I leaped into action!

Band sawed it out (I tried to get a little too close to the lines and made a few small boo boos, lesson learned)

Router-ed it and rounded it over, and did the forearm and belly contour with a shinto saw rasp (great little tool!)

The Warmoth routed blank is coming in the mail later this week  :hello2:

 

[bagman67]

Looking mighty good so far.  Do you mind if I ask where you got your template?  I scored a body blank that I'm considering doing in an Albert Lee shape, if not a Musicmaster with Tele appointments.

 

[ragamuffin]

Looking mighty good so far.  Do you mind if I ask where you got your template?  I scored a body blank that I'm considering doing in an Albert Lee shape, if not a Musicmaster with Tele appointments.

Thanks! I custom ordered it from https://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com
It took a little longer than expected, but otherwise they were very good to work with

 

[bagman67]

Thank you very kindly.

 

[ragamuffin]

What's the best way to fill a spot where I removed a little too much wood? Wood putty, bondo?

 

[Cagey]

What's the damage? Some pics might be helpful.

 

[swarfrat]

Laser cut templates is also an option.

 

[ragamuffin]

What's the damage? Some pics might be helpful.

I'm working long shifts this weekend, but I'll post some pics when I get a chance on Monday. I set my pattern bit a little too high  (I think that's what happened) and damaged the area at the front of the neck pocket on the template and body. Fortunately not a lot of wood was removed, just half a cm or so at the top/front of the neck pocket.

My router is also struggling a bit with the mahogany body, much more so than with the poplar I did my practice on.

 

[mayfly]

hmm  id cut a piece to fit the damaged area. glue in then re- route

 

[Rick]

Use sharp cutters

 

[ragamuffin]

This is the damage... Bad but it could have been a lot worse. I stuffed it with Bondo wood filler and will sand/re-route

 

[ragamuffin]

Lookin' better