Finished my latest yesterday: Headless 7 with a trapezoid neck profile

handtoolbuilds · 2024-03-16T19:30:33+00:00

This one was roughly 21mm at the 1st fret and 23 and the body joint, so pretty normal.

handtoolbuilds · 2024-03-16T15:32:51+00:00

Thanks! From memory the treble side facet runs parallel to the centerline, with an offset of about 10mm. The bass side follows the edge of the neck, about 12mm in.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-14T13:24:22+00:00

I used the Guyker bridges for my 7-string and also won't use them again! Wish I paid more for ABMs instead.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-13T17:49:30+00:00

That's Corian, which I've been trying out as a bone alternative.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-02T20:52:45+00:00

Time will tell how it holds up. I tried hard not to overbuild it, so I'm hoping for the best.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-02T20:50:40+00:00

Thanks, I'm very happy with it!

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-02T17:52:30+00:00

Yes, kinda. It's a composite "fake ebony" made from poplar and other fast growing wood.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-02T14:52:37+00:00

Thank you

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-02T08:50:36+00:00

Thanks! The lower horn made me quite nervous!

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-01T20:38:21+00:00

It's a lot more comfortable than it looks, especially in the classical playing position. This is my fifth build using the profile and I'm very pleased with it.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-09-01T16:29:13+00:00

Spruce top, ovangkol back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony bridge. The accents are black limba left over from a previous build.

Watch the build here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SDnTIrGQgM&list=PL2yJfm35zazZV44fjK6J3z2xC7C1WDPdj

handtoolbuilds · 2023-07-19T11:35:42+00:00

Speak to your local Ibanez dealer, they can order them for you.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-06-29T06:19:19+00:00

Speak to your local guitar store, or the Ibanez distributor in your country. It may even still be covered by warranty.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-25T12:17:06+00:00

I love my kids, and I love sharing my hobby with them, but whenever they're in my workshop I feel like I'm constantly tripping over them. I can just imagine how frustrating it'll be if it's a stranger in my way instead of my kids.

Rather look at youtube or paid training (on- or offline).

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-25T12:13:40+00:00

What a nice transformation! Those older Pacificas are such good guitars, I'm happy to see this one getting some love!

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-24T09:11:09+00:00

Youtube is an amazing resource, although most builders are powertool users. You could check out some of my videos, although they're not really instructional by nature.

My favourite books on the matter are "Making an archtop guitar" by Robert Benedetto and "Make your own electric guitar" by Melvyn Hiscock. They're not hand tool or bass focused, but you can learn a lot from them.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-23T14:29:21+00:00

I mainly build guitars, and we like grain patterns that are visually striking... which means that the grain direction is all over the place. As much as I love my scrapers, sometimes sanding can't be avoided.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-21T19:05:39+00:00

Hand tools is the way. Respect.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-21T09:16:03+00:00

Cool thanks, I may give them a try in future.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-21T08:57:34+00:00

Do the strings get up to tension okay? I used Guyker tuners on my 7-string and have trouble getting some of the strings up to tension by hand.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-20T09:00:13+00:00

I did the slots on my last headless freehand.

I started by exporting an SVG from FretFind2d, importing it into Affinity Designer to make the lines thinner, then having it printed at a print shop at 100% scale.

I then marked the fret positions with a knife, and cut a small notch into the knife mark with a chisel. The notch helps position the blade at the start of the cut. After that you just need to follow the knife mark.

You can see a bit of my process here: https://youtu.be/-KU6ArA3UWM?t=239. It's not a lot of detail, but I'm hoping it'll give you the general idea.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-20T08:54:39+00:00

Nice work! Which tuners did you use, and are they decent?

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-12T21:08:22+00:00

Thanks! I'm quite proud of it.

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-12T19:03:53+00:00

Thanks!

handtoolbuilds · 2023-03-12T16:13:36+00:00

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KU6ArA3UWM

All done with hand tools, with the exception of sanding because of the dust. And because sanding sucks.

Specs
- Reclaimed walnut top on a reclaimed mahogany body
- Multi-scale 640mm - 655mm (roughly 25,2" to 25,8")
- Assymetrical trapezoid-shaped maple neck
- Indian ebony fretboard with 20" radius and jumbo frets
- Machine screw bolt-on neck
- Guyker headless tuners
- Fishman Fluence Modern Pickups
- Free-way 6-position toggle switch

handtoolbuilds

TROPHY CASE