Copperhead soloist build

[macegtr]

Hi guys,

Soloist under construction, here are the wooden parts which I got delivered to Finland in 8 weeks exactly. Quite awesome stuff and supplied as specified, thanks Warmoth  :headbang:

Alder/flame maple laminated carved top body with a birdseye maple/black ebony fretboard. Body is prepared for recessed Schaller Floyd Rose, has 720-mod and contoured heel. Actual bridge will be GraphTech Ghost LB63-BK, to which I need to change shorter string saddle locking screws. Addition to GraphTech piezo-bridge for acoustic sounds I will be mixing passive and active pickups also, two EMG SA-pickups and Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon (TB-12) for bridge position. I will be using EMG PA2 as a buffer (hidden into control cavity)  to change the output of passive TB-12 to low impedance to work with active EMGs. No boosting needed, although that would be also possible.

I want to maintain the magical neck pickup position under second octave but still like to fit as many frets as possible -> this build will be a 23-fret guitar. Therefore before fitting the neck into the body I will need to cut the last fret off from the scalloped 24-fret fretboard  :icon_thumright:

-macegtr

 

[stratamania]

Welcome to the forum.  Its a nice set of parts you have, but...don't shoot the messenger.

The Schaller recessed rout, is shorter than needed for an LB63 from Graphtec hopefully your shorter screws will work.

LB63 Specs

http://graphtech.com/docs/default-document-library/lb63specs.pdf?sfvrsn=0

Schaller specs.

http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/bridges/pdf/Schaller_Floyd_Rose_Diagram.pdf

For the LB63 you need an Original Floyd Rose rout.

Per the 24th fret magical position is more a myth. It only sits on a harmonic node of an open string or one fretted at the twelfth fret. But each to his own...

 

[macegtr]

Thanks Stratamania for feedback and no need to shoot the messenger I'm familiar with the differences of these bridges and therefore I for example ordered the body without stud holes, need to drill them later.

As I have installed these GraphTech-bridges already before, I'm pretty confident that this will work.

 

[stratamania]

Thanks Stratamania for feedback and no need to shoot the messenger I'm familiar with the differences of these bridges and therefore I for example ordered the body without stud holes, need to drill them later.

As I have installed these GraphTech-bridges already before, I'm pretty confident that this will work.

In that case, I wish the build well, but would look forward also to work in progress shots, measurements etc, so we can see how you get on. It may be helpful for others...

I am also interested in the intonation and saddle movement of the LB63 in a Warmoth, as its something I have considered but not checked one out yet.

 

[ghotiphry]

Absolutely beautiful.  The world needs more copperhead.

 

[macegtr]

Thanks Stratamania for feedback and no need to shoot the messenger I'm familiar with the differences of these bridges and therefore I for example ordered the body without stud holes, need to drill them later.

As I have installed these GraphTech-bridges already before, I'm pretty confident that this will work.

In that case, I wish the build well, but would look forward also to work in progress shots, measurements etc, so we can see how you get on. It may be helpful for others...

I am also interested in the intonation and saddle movement of the LB63 in a Warmoth, as its something I have considered but not checked one out yet.

Exactly, the longer piezo saddles is one of the challenges here to get the bridge in proper position for intonation adjustment. I will be reporting my progress during the build.

 

[macegtr]

Absolutely beautiful.  The world needs more copperhead.

Agreed  :icon_thumright:

 

[swarfrat]

I'd like to see copperhead on a nice large pattern quilt, but I'd be afraid to pick it up.

 

[bagman67]

Very handsome parts.  Looks like a hardcore shred machine in the making.  Looking forward to seeing it all come together.

 

[stratamania]

Thanks Stratamania for feedback and no need to shoot the messenger I'm familiar with the differences of these bridges and therefore I for example ordered the body without stud holes, need to drill them later.

As I have installed these GraphTech-bridges already before, I'm pretty confident that this will work.

In that case, I wish the build well, but would look forward also to work in progress shots, measurements etc, so we can see how you get on. It may be helpful for others...

I am also interested in the intonation and saddle movement of the LB63 in a Warmoth, as its something I have considered but not checked one out yet.

Exactly, the longer piezo saddles is one of the challenges here to get the bridge in proper position for intonation adjustment. I will be reporting my progress during the build.

Very good, look forward to it  :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

Darn beautiful body and neck. I like the copperhead a lot. This should be a fine guitar. Looking forward to your progress pics.

 

[macegtr]

Started with the clear satin finished standard thin neck, loaded with 6100 stainless steel frets. I was mentally prepared to do some fretwork, at least dressing the fret ends. But Warmoth has levelled, crowned the neck and even those fret ends are dressed perfectly  :icon_thumright:

Headstock is prepared by Warmoth for Schaller R3 locking nut and Schaller locking tuners. Working great, holes for tuners are tight, as they should be.

Aligned the tuners and marked the places for pilot holes. Pilot holes were drilled with 1.5mm drill bit, for drilling I'm using Wolfcraft 5072 drill press, portable but still sturdy enough. Additionally it has depth control, very useful for this kind of project. Actual drill is an old Bosch, still working great.

 

[stratamania]

Looking good so far  :icon_thumright:

 

[macegtr]

Next step: wood inserts for neck. I will not be using those traditional wood screws for attaching the neck to body, instead M4 bolts will be utilized. Couple of reasons for this: possibility for tighter attachment = hopefully better sounding guitar and easier neck removal (if needed).

10 mm Forstner drill bit used first for minor recess for stainless steel wood inserts.

Minor recess first:

The actual 7mm holes for inserts, depth 12mm.

Inserts will be screwed in with hexdrive. Maple is quite hard wood but with correct pilot hole size, those will go down.

And here are the screws, which will be later used for neck attachment.

 

[macegtr]

Very handsome parts.  Looks like a hardcore shred machine in the making.  Looking forward to seeing it all come together.

Thanks Bagman67 Main idea is to make a versatile instrument, suitable even for shredding  :guitarplayer2:

 

[macegtr]

ccasion14:

Looking good so far  :icon_thumright:

 

[rgand]

Looking good. I just put steel inserts in a neck and like them a lot. I doubt I'll ever install a neck with wood screws again. Nice job on those.

 

[macegtr]

The remaining tasks for neck. Although not absolutely necessary for string locked nut, string tree is installed also.

Tool holder for hexdrives.

Then the most critical operation for this neck, the fretboard cutting. For this a Japanese Dozuki-saw will be used.

Neck is ready  :icon_thumright:

 

[swarfrat]

Did you have a Luthier do that or a Mohel?

 

[macegtr]

Did you have a Luthier do that or a Mohel?

No luthiers were harmed during this, my personal efforts only  :icon_jokercolor: