How To Make a Lion's Claw Cavity

mantaworld13 · #1 10-13-2009, 04:16 AM

Hi, i know there is a lot of expensive machines wich can do that. I suppose that Ibanez, Mr Herc Fede, Sims Custom get automatic one with programms and so one... But ?

Is there any people who ever realized in all the Jemsite Forum a " true lion's claw cavity" in his RG guitar by his own hands with very common gifts that everyone can find in his garage ? i mean, it's very easy to re-create the true monkey grip with the good plan but what about the lion's claw ?

We agree, If there is someone who realized it perfectly and whithout "robot-machine", can he show and explain it ?

thanks for your answers.

manta.

ps : just a little illustartion i found on the website, thanks to the author i forgot the name.

djohns74 · #2 10-13-2009, 10:01 AM

Here's a tutorial that I assume many people have seen and/or used: Project Guitar Tutorial

On a side note, I still don't really understand why someone would do this. The guitar isn't a Jem, why try to make it look like something it's not? It's not as though it provides any functional benefit whatsoever. Ditto for the monkey grip, though I'm among the minority that wishes even REAL Jems didn't have those.

nickcoumbe · #3 10-13-2009, 10:17 AM

I have done it using the projectguitar.com tutorial. The only thing I did different was to glue in a whole block to fill the cavity so it was like carving it from new.

Actually it isn't that hard. I glued some pywood offcuts together first to practice, and then went for it on the body I had. The most important thing is to use a guide to get the lines as straight as you can. Other than that, lots of careful measuring and marking and take your time.

djohns74, the reason I did it and like it is because it is cool.

Rodzo · #4 10-13-2009, 12:56 PM

I don't think there is anything wrong with making it look like a jem even though it's not...it's a personal preferance of a look. How many women die their hair blond? And vice versa? How many have bought a guitar shaped like a LP even though it's something else cheaper...it's just a persaonal preferance. I think it adds more lines to the guitar.

I too have tried the Project Guitar tutorial and did not find it to be all that easy. Maybe I was using the wrong type of router or something, but I just didn't feel the end result was going to be as perfect as something done with a CNC. I tried making a jig of sorts, but then got frustrated and just routed the whole damn thing out...waiting to be filled with another block of wood to correct what I screwed up.

Grab some block of wood and experiment...make jigs...once you get it, throw your guitar under it. The right tools make all the difference!

If anyone does have a nice jig design or something - I too would love to see it!

twin5555 · #5 10-13-2009, 05:57 PM

When I make my guitars I make lion claw with a little dremel tools!!!!

musicdr · #6 10-13-2009, 07:17 PM

I used a plunge router freehand.I call it the bearclaw.It was a little off.

nato101010 · #7 10-13-2009, 10:11 PM

Oooh, cool. I've always wanted to know how to do that.

Now, to get a guitar with a trem cavity!

mantaworld13 · #8 10-14-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohns74

Here's a tutorial that I assume many people have seen and/or used: Project Guitar Tutorial

On a side note, I still don't really understand why someone would do this. The guitar isn't a Jem, why try to make it look like something it's not? It's not as though it provides any functional benefit whatsoever. Ditto for the monkey grip, though I'm among the minority that wishes even REAL Jems didn't have those.

you " don't understand" why some people (like me) would like to realise/make a monkey grip and a lion's claw ?
just because they are jem fans, steve vai fans, etc... but they, i mean "we" don't have the money to buy an original one...

thank you for the link, i already knew it. i would like people talking about experiences.

manta.

mantaworld13 · #9 10-14-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twin5555

When I make my guitars I make lion claw with a little dremel tools!!!!

oh, and did you get good results with it ? do you have a picx ?

manta

mantaworld13 · #10 11-07-2009, 05:29 AM

does anyone can post me the link on "projectguitar website for the monkey grip tutorial please, thanks... i'm bored cause i can't find it arrrrrrgh.

manta

Kurac · #11 11-07-2009, 06:55 AM

2nd Post........

prydogga · #12 11-08-2009, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djohns74

Here's a tutorial that I assume many people have seen and/or used: Project Guitar Tutorial

On a side note, I still don't really understand why someone would do this. The guitar isn't a Jem, why try to make it look like something it's not? It's not as though it provides any functional benefit whatsoever. Ditto for the monkey grip, though I'm among the minority that wishes even REAL Jems didn't have those.

Banned. LOL.