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).

 

[stratamania]

Take a look also at the Welcome to the Forum thread linked in my signature, that in turn has lots of links to build threads, threads with useful information etc.

 

[NedRyerson]

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.

It's good to know yourself.

With this level of honesty, do you have a friend who has more experience with soldering, even if not guitar electronics specifically? That could help you get an idea of heat, application method, timing, and just the physical aspects of soldering that aren't easily gleaned from YT and the like.

The impatience and imprecision will bite you when it comes to soldering. I speak from personal experience

 

[PFDarkside]

Using Warmoth parts will guarantee a good “starting point”. For most people that are coming to Warmoth after 5+ years of playing and not being able to find exactly what they want, Warmoth lets you nail it exactly.

With only 2 months of experience playing, you might not yet understand what takes an instrument from good to great yet. Things like nut height, relief, action, polished frets and fret ends, a centered neck in the pocket with aligned pickups are things you might unknowingly feel are better on a better instrument but might not be able to know they need to be changed to get an instrument to that level.

I think most people with a little patience are able to do these things and assemble and setup an amazing guitar/bass. I think for you I’d watch a bunch of Aaron’s assembly videos, then go slowly from there. Then I’d watch Music Nomad’s bass setup video for final setup. Finally I’d get one of those pre wired harnesses available to have to solder as little as possible. Those things will give you the highest chance for success. Best of luck and enjoy it!

 

[Spud]

Throw it together and cross yer fingers

 

[Don O]

So, serious question; you’re just starting to learn to play guitar at 64, why do you think you have to do it left handed ? I assume you write and throw left handed. But playing guitar requires both hands to coordinate together. Being a retired engineer it seems to me like you could train yourself from the start to try right handed.

Of course it’s easy for me to say that as I’ve been playing for 50 years, all right handed.

Reminds me of an old movie title that I’ve quoted many times in my career:

Don’t raise the bridge, lower the water.

 

[stollie]

Somebody was bound to suggest that I play right handed. I won't hold that against you. Playing an instrument is hard enough even going with one's natural inclination. Fighting that inclination could be the difference between keep trying and quitting. Please don't ever suggest that to somebody. Thanks

 

[Hodgo]

So, serious question; you’re just starting to learn to play guitar at 64, why do you think you have to do it left handed ? I assume you write and throw left handed. But playing guitar requires both hands to coordinate together. Being a retired engineer it seems to me like you could train yourself from the start to try right handed.

Of course it’s easy for me to say that as I’ve been playing for 50 years, all right handed.

Reminds me of an old movie title that I’ve quoted many times in my career:

Don’t raise the bridge, lower the water.

Could also do it Hendrix style. Buy a Fender/Squier, tap the nut out and flip it around, reintonate and restring. You don’t really need the fret access.

 

[teleme01]

I find that whatever I do, such as hang a door, I have to hang a 100 before I learned the tricks. Same. Good parts are better than shiny paint

 

[stratamania]

Somebody was bound to suggest that I play right handed. I won't hold that against you. Playing an instrument is hard enough even going with one's natural inclination. Fighting that inclination could be the difference between keep trying and quitting. Please don't ever suggest that to somebody. Thanks

You should definitely go with which way round feels right for you. I am left-handed, but actually play guitar “right handed” which seemed more natural to me and was a personal choice.