Esoterics of building quality musical instruments

[stollie]

I'm about to embark on building a Warmoth SSB and thought I'd start a thread about craftsmanship and such.

Like everyone else, I'd like to be able to assemble/build a fine instrument. But fine instruments are more than simply assembling some parts. Without the specialized knowledge that comes from years of luthier craftsmanship, how does a rookie such as myself increase the odds in my favor of building something that really sizzles and sings?

 

[Mitch]

I've built two Warmoth guitars. The skills that you need are the ability to accurately drill small holes, basic soldering and patience. There are many ways to make the process easier. First, seriously consider getting a finished body. Warmoth finished bodies are equal in quality to any of even the most high end brand name guitars. Second, for a first attempt keep it simple. The easiest build IMHO is a top route Stratocaster because all of the pickups and controls are fitted to the pickguard. You can buy some really great fully loaded pickguards with all kinds of pickup and wiring options already installed such as coil splitting or 5 way "Super Strat" wiring. Third, get the body, neck, bridge, neck bolts, neck plate, jack plate and jack from Warmoth. This guarantees that everything will fit together perfectly. Be sure to get the body routed to the specs of the bridge your choose. Lastly, take your time with the build. Test fit everything before you drill any holes making sure each component is properly centered. Be certain that you use the right size drill bit and lubricate all screws with beeswax. I prefer HipShot tuners with the Universal Mounting Plates which are the best and easiest to install tuners out there. No holes needed to be drilled. As far as "sizzle and sing" there are thousands of opinions about tone and wood choices for the body and neck. However I have modest guitars skills and I accept the fact that tone is really generated by the fingers of the guitarist.

 

[Hodgo]

There’s a lot of good videos from @aarontunes on the Warmoth channel, this one is probably of particular interest

Warmoth handles most of the craftsmanship. I highly recommend using their finishing service (seems expensive but is really quite a value). That’s half the battle.

What Warmoth doesn’t do, that you should pay careful attention on, is the setup. That includes finishing the fretwork. Warmoth necks are certainly playable out of the box, but great fretwork, accurately and smoothly finished nut and saddle slots will push your build to “Custom Shop” quality.

Mock up everything before drilling pickguard / pickup ring / control plate holes. Use Warmoth sourced pickguards or be prepared for minor adjustments to third party ones.

Shielding paint or tape and braiding your leads as well as clean soldering ensures your electronics will be gig worthy. Use shims or playing cards to center the pickups in their cavities and use foam or springs to keep them parallel to the strings and body centerline.

Wax all screws and use the right size driver to avoid stripping them out. Nothing says hastily slapped together than a bunch of stripped screw heads.

If your neck is lacquered, consider burnishing it with steel wool. Honestly Warmoths satin lacquer is quite nice! Use a razor blade to scrape a subtle round over to the fretboard edges if it’s not finished. If it’s a hardwood that requires no finish, consider burnishing and waxing it for a buttery smooth feeling.

Read @stratamania’s build threads like they are the Bible.

 

[aarontunes]

I've built two Warmoth guitars. The skills that you need are the ability to accurately drill small holes, basic soldering and patience. There are many ways to make the process easier. First, seriously consider getting a finished body. Warmoth finished bodies are equal in quality to any of even the most high end brand name guitars. Second, for a first attempt keep it simple. The easiest build IMHO is a top route Stratocaster because all of the pickups and controls are fitted to the pickguard. You can buy some really great fully loaded pickguards with all kinds of pickup and wiring options already installed such as coil splitting or 5 way "Super Strat" wiring. Third, get the body, neck, bridge, neck bolts, neck plate, jack plate and jack from Warmoth. This guarantees that everything will fit together perfectly. Be sure to get the body routed to the specs of the bridge your choose. Lastly, take your time with the build. Test fit everything before you drill any holes making sure each component is properly centered. Be certain that you use the right size drill bit and lubricate all screws with beeswax. I prefer HipShot tuners with the Universal Mounting Plates which are the best and easiest to install tuners out there. No holes needed to be drilled. As far as "sizzle and sing" there are thousands of opinions about tone and wood choices for the body and neck. However I have modest guitars skills and I accept the fact that tone is really generated by the fingers of the guitarist.

This is good advice.

Your first time out, don't drain the bank account on crazy-expensive options throughout. I'm talking things like AAA flame maple neck and body with binding on both, plus expensive inlays, etc. Instead keep those things simple or forego them entirely. Just get a solid color, no binding, no figured woods. Keep the frills to a minimum. Or, if you absolutely want that stuff, buy the parts and let someone with more experience build it.

The truth is, most of the things that make a guitar or bass perfect for you are "invisible". Those are the things to focus on:

 

[Spud]

This is good advice.

Your first time out, don't drain the bank account on crazy-expensive options throughout. I'm talking things like AAA flame maple neck and body with binding on both, plus expensive inlays, etc. Instead keep those things simple or forego them entirely. Just get a solid color, no binding, no figured woods. Keep the frills to a minimum. Or, if you absolutely want that stuff, buy the parts and let someone with more experience build it.

The truth is, most of the things that make a guitar or bass perfect for you are "invisible". Those are the things to focus on:

Yep all that flame and quilt is a bit embarrassing IMO.






I kid mostly...............

 

[TBurst Std]

get Dan Erlewine’s book. Or ask here.

 

[Hodgo]

Yep all that flame and quilt is a bit embarrassing IMO.






I kid mostly...............

I think the same way and then folks like @Hagwood go and make my jaw fall to the floor and my solid colors look pedestrian in contrast

 

[stollie]

Thanks all for the great advice.

Frankly, I won't be considering building an instrument if I played right-handed, I'd just plunk down the $$ for a Fender Mustang, Jag, or Bronco. Except that I'm left-handed, period; and the pickins' are few.

My Warmoth wish list cart contains a fully finished and routed J-style SSB body and neck, plus bridge, neck bolts, neck plate, jack plate and jack, per recommendations.

I'm debating whether to get these parts and:
1. DIY and hope for the best? While not ham-handed, I've never soldered, somewhat impatient, and tend toward imprecision. Know thyself.
2. have a local luthier take it from there?
3. get a custom build?

A bit self-indulgent for a 64+ guy who's 2 months into learning to play? I'm newly retired and learning to play guitar & bass is my retirement hobby of choice. So I'm trying to spend as much time as I can on the instrument (lost time, inglorious result of mis-spent youth, etc.) rather than building instrument, being on the internet, etc..

Hmmmm.

 

[rockandroller]

Get some EMG pickups and your build becomes basically solderless... I just completed a very simple SSB project on my kitchen table and it turned out amazing... [PS: my build also included an ancient NOS EMG module that actually did require a bit of soldering , but if you use the modern stuff it should be painless for you]

 

[TBurst Std]

If you’re not ham handed, expect to be able to do everything except soldering.

For that, grab a scrap piece of wood and drive 2 nails I into it. Now solder wire between them practice. Good soldering is an art.

Think more heat, less time applying heat. Also do yourself a favor and skip 60/40 for 63/37.

Actually I haven’t pulled my soldering station out since I moved. I just take that work to the luthier (as honestly I forgot what box the station is in and I don’t have the space for it).