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Post new topic Just finished 6 string "Rocket" shape
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Author Topic:  Just finished 6 string "Rocket" shape
Iestyn Lewis


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2012 12:05 pm    
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Here's a custom order I just finished for a local buyer. Dark oil finish, aluminum fretboard with cut fret lines. Hard to give this one up!





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Larry Phleger

 

From:
DuBois, PA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2012 12:08 pm    
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Nice job. What pickup are you using on it?
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Iestyn Lewis


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 20 Sep 2012 12:28 pm    
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I used this pickup:

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Alnico-Fat-Pat-Boutique-Humbucker-Chrome-Neck-Position_p_156.html
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Steve Cunningham


From:
Atlanta, GA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2012 7:31 am    
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Looks cool Iestyn...you built that for a guitar student of mine, who's very much looking forward to getting into lap steel. Another convert! (cue pipe organ and maniacal laughter) Evil Twisted Devil Evil Twisted
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Iestyn Lewis


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2012 7:43 am    
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Hi Steve, yes I did! I sent him home with a couple of C6 tabs. I asked him to let me know if you thought it needed any adjustments for whatever gauges/tuning you're planning on setting him up with. I'll be getting in touch with you to get some lessons myself.
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Andy Henriksen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2012 8:15 am    
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Very nice! Did you buy or make the fretboard? If the former, where'd you get if from? If the latter, can you give me a brief explanation of the process?
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Iestyn Lewis


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2012 8:47 am    
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Hi Andy - I made the fretboard. Process was:

Order a 2.5 inch wide x 18 inch long x 1/8 inch thick piece of 6061 aluminum from metalsupermarkets.com.

Clean the grease off with paint thinner. Sand it down to 400 grit or so.

Use self-etching primer (auto parts store) followed by flat black to paint the front and sides.

Using a printed fret template from
http://www.ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/, saw lines about 1/2 way into the metal to expose bare metal. I used my bandsaw and a jig, you could do the same with a handsaw and miterbox or similar jig.

For the dot markers, I used a Dremel bit with a flat bottom I found at Home Depot, chucked into my drill press. I found a regular drill bit wandered too much. 2 of the dots are countersunk holes for the mounting screws.

I sanded off the edges to get the bare metal back on the sides as well.

That's about it! It took a bit of trial and error, but the result is much more professional looking than printouts and decals.
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Last edited by Iestyn Lewis on 21 Sep 2012 9:25 am; edited 1 time in total
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Andy Henriksen

 

From:
Michigan, USA
Post  Posted 21 Sep 2012 9:05 am    
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That's awesome! If I ever settle my mind between making and buying, and go for ther making option, I might have to steal your technique! Smile
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Randy Reeves


From:
LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA
Post  Posted 22 Sep 2012 7:22 am    
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the bridge looks fantastic. I can see that the nut is hand made, is the bridge purchased or hand made?
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 23 Sep 2012 7:18 pm    
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Nice clean design.
How did you laminate the two peices of wood together?
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Iestyn Lewis


From:
Georgia, USA
Post  Posted 24 Sep 2012 4:28 am    
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Randy - the bridge is a commercial unit from GuitarFetish.com. For 6 string guitars there are so many good inexpensive commercial parts available it just makes sense.

Dom - an even layer of wood glue and clamping overnight for lamination. I use an old putty knife to spread the glue out into an even thin layer.
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Dom Franco


From:
Beaverton, OR, 97007
Post  Posted 24 Sep 2012 5:27 am    
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I always use two 3/4" pieces of hardwood in a similar arrangement, but I have never glued them together. I just might try it this time, though.
Of course that means routing from the top, and using hardware or some sort of pickguard/control plates to cover the spaces. Hmmmm.... Confused
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Peter Jacobs


From:
Northern Virginia
Post  Posted 24 Sep 2012 8:02 am    
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Dom -- instead of routing after you've glued the laminations, you could cut/rout your holes in the top layer first, then glue them up. Might take a little more precision in the alignment, but could make it easier to drill and/or rout.
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Don Barnhardt

 

From:
North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 28 Sep 2012 7:29 pm    
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It's a little hard to describe but i built a laminating press with shop scraps and a couple cheap hydraulic jacks. If anyone is interested I'll try to post a pic.
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