tribute guitar - First build

[kendog]

So about a year ago I posted that I was about to pull the trigger on a strat build I was planning. Unfortunately the unthinkable happened and my dad was diagnosed with cancer and the guitar was put on hold, he past in September.

Over the years my dad and I became close friends. He was a drummer and we talked about music all the time, we probably went to about 25 concerts together and I also had the pleasure of jamming with him a few times. We also went fishing together religiously every Sunday.

So as I think everybody does after losing a loved one we do things to remember them. My two brothers got tattoos, tattoos aren't my thing ... but guitars are! And being that dad was also a carpenter I think a tribute guitar is the perfect thing for me to do.

The plan all revolves around "the tribute" and that will be a wood inlay on the back of the guitar - so it will need to be front routed

But what guitar?
Over the last few months I have talked to my brothers and uncles about dads favorite guitars. I got answers like Gibson SG, Les Paul, ES335 and Firebird. Also Gretch Anniversary and Country Gentleman and the Guild Starfire 3. So my Dad was definitely a Gibson type of person, he also like hollow bodies, humbuckers and P90s.

But this won't work with the plan because all of these guitars require a rear route. So I'll have to work with what I can get and make it sound like "his music"

That's another problem because he was all over the map. He liked southern rock, his favorite band was Poco (most have probably never heard of them) followed by the Eagle, Skynard and the Allmans. He like "Classic rock" Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Cream, The Doors, etc ... He also liked Hard rock Van Halen, AC/DC, Bon Jovi


So here is the plan so far ....

Body:

• Thinline Tele (been on the forum long enouph to know I just made many people happy), will have an F-hole, but also have a crazy Idea of it being a "fish hole" but not sure yet
• Body wood - will most likely be White Korina as I think it will give a nice canvas for the inlays
• Top wood - conflicted between quilt maple with blue die finish or Black Korina with a clear finish (blue would look like water and fit the fishing motif, clear BK I think lends to him being a cartpenter)

Neck:

• Indian Rosewood back/pau ferro fret baord
• Warmoth headstock shape
• 24 3/4 length
• SRV back contour
• Compound radius

Hardware:

• bridge TOM/Stop tail
• pickups - SD p-rails (choosen to get both the p90 and humbucker sounds but open to suggestions)
• Schaller mini locking tuners
• 3 - way toggle (pickup selector)
• single mini toggle (to switch the p-rail)
• 2 concentric pots (each being vol/tone)
• And of course I'll have to contact doug for a neck plate!

Finish is still up in the air. If I do a BK top I might use tru oil, if I do the quilt top and blue dye I will probably spray nitro.
I could also use some advise here. the inlay on the back will be different types of wood (shell too expensive). I am concerned specifically about lettering as I was planning on using ebony. will I have problems with finishing over ebony? Are there woods you would recommend staying away from and/or different finishing options to deal with different woods.

Here is a mock up I've been working on, pardon my lack of graphic arts skill. If anyone has suggestions or ideas feel free to speak up. I'm definitely not an artist either so any help would be appreciated

Here is a mock up of "fish hole" idea:

Also thinking about a headstock inlay similar to this:

 

[kricha6431]

I'll be a TINY bit off subject of guitars for a second, but I have heard poco, don't know a lot of their songs, but anyways, that is a VERY Sweet thing that you are doing for your Dad!  :rock-on:

 

[stubhead]

I'll get back to this, but my first thought is that those fish "bones" as drawn are going to be dangerous to both cut, and even play over. You'd be cutting across the grain, and each little tab is going to have the grain running perpendicular through it - right where your arm is going to pressing? It's a great idea in general, but, I don't like that part. I've seen a lot of art-y guitars I would be afraid to sweat all over, so I may just be a crank.* I would definitely go all clear woody, myself.

*(where's my dam halo emoty-con... :icon_scratch

 

[bagman67]

I'll get back to this, but my first thought is that those fish "bones" as drawn are going to be dangerous to both cut, and even play over. You'd be cutting across the grain, and each little tab is going to have the grain running perpendicular through it - right where your arm is going to pressing? It's a great idea in general, but, I don't like that part. I've seen a lot of art-y guitars I would be afraid to sweat all over, so I may just be a crank.* I would definitely go all clear woody, myself.

*(where's my dam halo emoty-con... :icon_scratch: )

I agree about the fish-bone F-hole.  I'd do an inlay or a decal or a stencil or a laser-cut etching on a solid piece of wood instead.


Logistics aside, I'm sorry you lost your dad.  I lost my stepdad last year (the only real dad I've known since I was about 14, so that's over 30 years), and it still hits me.  Father's day kinda sucked this year.  I think your proposed tribute to your father is a fine expression of your love for him, and a worthy move.  I'm sure he'd have admired your impulse to commemorate him.


Peace


Bagman

 

[Jumble Jumble]

I'm really sorry to hear about your dad. It's a great thing you're doing!

Firstly, I absolutely agree on the p-rails. I thought of them even before you mentioned them.

Secondly, the f-hole. There's a compromise I thought of - does it have to be a fish skeleton? This guy did a shark f-hole:

[Image deleted by Admin]Sorry all.  Chrome is reporting a possible malware infection on the linked image and reporting OrmsbyGuitars.com as a known malware site.

I reckon you could do a lovely "jumping fish" thing as the hole, and then perhaps inlay some water splashes around the tail?

And my vote is for a blue or turquoise dyed quilt top, because as you say it'll look like water. If Warmoth won't do you exactly what you want then Tonar will. I love the oceanic burst on the shark guitar:

Link edited www[dot]ormsbyguitars.com/galleries/gallerypics/shark.html

But I think maybe a turquoise and blue burst would be even nicer. Come to think of it, Warmoth's blue burst might be just right.

 

[greywolf]

My condolences , I think it's a noble project .  I'm just finishing a tribute guitar to my brother who was taken by cancer last year . 

Good luck with the  build

 

[Updown]

I bought a Gibson LP, for my memories of my Dad. Thats because I didn't know about Warmoth then  :doh:

Tis a very nice memory / tribute you are planning. Full marks to you  :headbang:

I got a set of P-Rails using a Hot one in the bridge, using mini switches to get to each pickup ie Hum / P90 / Single.
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17680.0
I would have used SD Triple Shots on that, But needed the chrome mount rings.

So you can use P-Rails with SD Triple Shots, saves mini switches etc etc.
Very versatile pickups.

Go the Raw neck as the part belonging to your dads carpentry skills.

1) SS Frets  :icon_thumright: ....... Just do it !!

All the best to ya.
Plus keep us posted on your build.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

When I do my p-rails guitar I'm going to use a single toggle switch to set both pickups to p-90/HB/single coil simultaneously. I just don't see myself wanting to mix and match.

 

[Eric Banjitar]

I lost my Dad just a few months ago. It is a great idea to build this guitar as a tribute. I like the fact that the "memorial" section is on the back, it makes it more personal.  The design and construction time will give you time to think and process your loss.  It has helped me to keep busy when I feel down. I am currently re-building doors and windows from my house damaged by time and weather.  We all grieve a little differently, you and I may have a lot in common.  Take special care of yourself. I love POCO.

I, for whatever it is worth, offer another vote for a fish-shaped "f-hole". Fish hole?

ps. Poco is mentioned in Zappa's "Joe's Garage"

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The blue dye on the guitar for water is a very cool idea.  The Fender Custom shop did a dandy with this one.  My condolences about your Dad, and I like your tribute idea.

Patrick

 

[Cagey]

Wow. I take back everything I ever said about Fender's Custom Shop. That'd be a tough act to follow.

 

[kendog]

I'll be a TINY bit off subject of guitars for a second, but I have heard poco, don't know a lot of their songs, but anyways, that is a VERY Sweet thing that you are doing for your Dad!  :rock-on:

Thanks, poco is not really my cup of tea but I do appreciate their music and like some of it as it was frequently playing at the house growing up. I did take my dad to see them a few years back at a tiny place called the sellersville theater (about 500 seats) and I have to say it is in my top 5 shows of all time ... it was very cool. I also inherited his CD collection and all 25 or so poco CDs, I have a feeling I'll be listening to a lot of them as I work on the build.

I'll get back to this, but my first thought is that those fish "bones" as drawn are going to be dangerous to both cut, and even play over. You'd be cutting across the grain, and each little tab is going to have the grain running perpendicular through it - right where your arm is going to pressing? It's a great idea in general, but, I don't like that part. I've seen a lot of art-y guitars I would be afraid to sweat all over, so I may just be a crank.* I would definitely go all clear woody, myself.

The fish bone was some I quickly threw together as an idea, for one it's not to scale but I do see what your saying. I'll have to put some more thought into it. Jumble posted about the same thing and I do like his idea, I'll have to see if I can find a trout or bass pic somewhere I can use as a template, preferably a trout.

When I do my p-rails guitar I'm going to use a single toggle switch to set both pickups to p-90/HB/single coil simultaneously. I just don't see myself wanting to mix and match.

My thought exactly.

That fender Custom Shop is awesome, but sadly well beyond my skill set.

I'm guessing I'm probably going to have to wait until Toner pass by this thread but I'm really hoping somebody has something to
say about finishing over the inlays, honestly I think my only worry will be ebony, I think most of the other woods will be something that is generally finished.

Also, thanks for all the kind words

 

[HeyItsColin]

First of all I'd like to say sorry about your loss and I think the tribute guitar is an awesome idea.

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone else who's been to the sellersville theater, its a pretty cool little place. Would you happen to be a fellow PA native?

 

[kendog]

Yes I am, I grew up in Philly and now live in Abington.
The Sellersville theater is really cool, I've only been there that one time but hope to catch others shows there sometime

 

[HeyItsColin]

That's cool, I live in broomall out in delco. I've only been there once as well to see the pat travers band, great show. I rarely see bands I've heard of play that venue though.

 

[stubhead]

dammit, you guys MAKE me do this... i used to be a mentally-healthy, rosey-cheeked promising young... well you know, the ones with the cheeks. And now look at me.... :sad1:

 

[mullyman]

Really sorry to hear about your dad. Cancer is one f'd up b1tch. I lost my dad 22 years ago, he was only 49 when he died. dropped dead from a heart attack while he was at work. In some weird way I think he was lucky. Granted, he was way too young to go, but at least he never had to spend a second in the hospital. I'm really sorry about your dad, man. I can tell you that 22 years down the line it's a lot easier to deal with but the feelings are still there.
MULLY

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I understand that the custom shop example is out of most peoples ability to produce, but it does show how well quilt can be used to look like water.  The water looking part is well within most peoples ability to produce.
Patrick

 

[Danuda]

I think blue dye is definitely the way to go.  Here is one from the showcase that looks a lot like water to me.

 

[swarfrat]

If you really wanted the f-hole, and not just a decal, you could cut a smooth slot for the spine, then do all the jaggies with woodburning. I can picture it in my head, but not totally sure how it would work out - but at least mechanically it would be more sound. Or simply clean up most of the rib jaggies, and just do head/spine/fins/tail in a simpler outline.