Make
Your Own Electric Guitar & Bass
by Dennis Waring &
David Raymond
Softcover
215 x 255mm
96pp
Published by Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., New York USA
R.R.P.$29.90
ISBN 1-895569-70-2
As reviewed in The Australian Woodworker Issue 102
Make Your Own Electric Guitar and Bass fills an important niche in our book list. We now carry several books on instrument making, including one on acoustic steel string and classical guitar construction (Guitarmaking Tradition and Technology, by Cumpiano and Natelson), and now this one on making an electric guitar and bass.
It contains plans and instructions for making guitars based on the classic Fender Stratocaster and the Fender Precision Bass. These plans are sure to satisfy the requirements of anyone wanting to re-create either of these two classics. Also, the book is a good starting point for anyone wanting to build another style of guitar, as the machining and manufacturing details could be adapted for any solid body guitar style. The instructions on installing electronics will cover any makes of pick-up and adjustment hardware.
Instructions for selecting timber, and design considerations for both guitar styles focus on the importance of the neck, neck and body join, and bridge.
Both plans cover the construction of the body and neck from the ground up, with excellent step by step instructions and colour photographs. All the fine details such as installing the frets and other hardware are included. Patterns and templates are provided for all vital parts such as the body, pickup routing and the headstock. Wiring diagrams and extensive detail on pickup options are provided.
Anyone wanting to make their own solid body electric guitars, will find all the necessary information they need in this book. The only shortcoming is in the finishing section, but since this is open to so much personal selection and choice, it's really up to you to make it your own!
Photos: Colour
Units of Measurement: Imperial
Contents
Introduction
Guitars Through the Ages
Constructing
a Six-String Guitar
Tools and Materials
Explanation of Tools
Jigs, Templates, and the Router
Wood Lore and Selection
Design
Considerations and Preparation
Body Shape
Parts of the Guitar
Headstock Design
Neck Considerations
Neck/Body Connection Options
Neck/Body Angle
Bridge Types
Creating a Full-Size Pattern
The
Guitar Body
Preparing Wood Stock
Making the Pickup/Neck Pocket Master
Template
Routing Process for Pickups and Neck Pocket
Cutting and Shaping
the Body
Routing the Electronics Compartment
Bridge Placement
Neck
Screw, Ferrule Holes, and Truss Rod Nut Channel
Carving the Body Contours
Neck Pickup Wiring Holes
Neck and Headstock
Wood Preparation
The Neck
The Headstock
The Fingerboard
Preparation
Cutting
Fret Slots
Fingerboard Inlays
Gluing Fingerboard to Neck
Fingerboard
Arching
InstaIling Frets
Finishing Frets
Fingerboard Side Dots
Assemblage
Fitting Neck to Body
Tuning Mechanisms
The
Nut
Installing Pickups
Electronics Compartment Cover
Strings and
Setup
Finishing
Sanding
Staining
Sealing Woods
Grain Filler
Topcoats
Rubbing Out and Polishing
Finishing the Fingerboard
Wax
Constructing
a Bass Guitar
The Neck
Truss Rod and Headstock
Fingerboard
and Inlays
Installing Frets
The Body
Assembling the Body and Routing
for Electronics
Pickup Cavities
Body Roundover and Body Contours
Fretting
Prefinishing
Preassembly
Setup
Appendix
Master Drawings for Guitar and Bass Guitar Patterns
Bass Patterns
Playing the Electric Guitar and Bass Electronics
Wood and Tone
Finishing
Options
Tool Sharpening
lndex