Building from scratch

benhal9 · #1 01-31-2009, 10:45 PM

Hi gang. I am getting started a list of stuff. I am going to build from scratch my first guitar and I am goin to do it with my 9 year old son. I have chosen to do a Vai style jem and know the basics. What I don't know is best hardware, pots, wiring, and assembly... OK, I know nothing and need a ton of help! Anyone else do a top to bottom like this, and have you saved your parts list and diagrams? Also, anyone looking to unload good parts cheap, I am on a very small budget.
Thanks,
Ben

nickcoumbe · #2 02-02-2009, 09:25 AM

Well I don't know about a full parts list but the most important tool for any gutiar builder is Titebond glue.

warren · #3 02-02-2009, 09:50 AM

if youre usin humbuckers, you will need 500k pots.
single coils you can use 250k pots.
22awg wire or silver braided wire,
and caps. . t depends what sound youre after, the stronger the cap the more bassier it will be.

benhal9 · #4 02-05-2009, 06:55 AM

I will be using vai's evolutions. I will be replicating evo except for the paint. I got a something special for that.

stratoskier · #5 02-05-2009, 08:11 AM

For clarification-- When you say "build" do you mean you're starting from neck and body blanks (big chunks of wood) and carving everything yourself? Or do you mean that you plan to purchase a neck, body, etc and then assemble it yourself? People use the term "build" both ways.

If the first -- there are blueprints (templates and AutoCad diagrams) for the Jem floating around that would be invaluable for you. Also, check out all the tutorials in the Project Guitar forums.

benhal9 · #6 02-05-2009, 08:58 AM

No, I will be ordering a cut body and neck. I am looking to recreate as close as possible. My 9 year old son knows nothing, and the only thing I got going for me is 20 years of playing, but I have never built a guitar. And the last thing I want to do is pop a $1,000 or more on parts and get the wrong thing or assemble somethings wrong or come up with a steaming dog rocket because I did not do the research. What I have found is off of the ibanez site, but the specs they show are for current, sold to the masses. And they don't list things like preffered hardware and things like that. My son really loves Vai (I tought my boy well) and I realy want this to be something we can brag about when complete.

andrewgosline · #7 02-05-2009, 10:08 AM

that courtney person wants to start making custom bodies and necks. Perhaps you should contact him for pricing and options. user ID: courtney2018.

"Bluilding" from parts is quite fun, good luck!

ps (I think you're on target by saying you'll be paying around $1000. neck and body are ~200 each, then pickups, bridge, tuners, electronics can easily eat up $400-600 depending on your tastes).

j.arledge · #8 02-05-2009, 11:22 AM

warmoth.com

they make some of the best stuff out there, yeah it is a little higher but it is top quality.

andrewgosline · #9 02-05-2009, 01:55 PM

I must say that it's too bad that warmoth doesn't offer replacement and/or custom ibanez style guitars. I quite like AANJ, and it's unfortunate that warmoth doesn't just license it and sell it. They only do strat and tele neck pockets

Their contoured heel is nowhere near as comfortable as the a AANJ. Too bad.

I don't think you can get a jem replica from warmoth (depending on how much work/routing/drilling/profile sawing you want to do). They don't have ibanez headstock shapes, nor do they have monkey grips, nor do they have lion claws.

JEMShredder · #10 02-05-2009, 03:26 PM

I found a bunch of bodies and necks on E-Bay.
I tried posting links for you, but apparently I haven't posted enough to be allowed to attach links.

benhal9 · #11 02-06-2009, 12:03 PM

I saw those bodies and necks too. If the people don't answer the phone they don't get my money! Checked out Warmoth, and if I ever make another style I will deffinately go see them. That is some sickstuff they have. I decided on Legacy One Guitars for the body and neck. I went with the ebony DNA neck for it. I found a guy localy to do my paint. So now I need tuners trem, pots and switch.

andrewgosline · #12 02-06-2009, 01:14 PM

please let us know how your dealings with legacy one go. I don't know why, but Legacy one has not received high praise on this board.

benhal9 · #13 02-06-2009, 10:33 PM

First impresions of Chris at Legacy One over the phone was that was knowledgeable curtious and understood what I wanted. He set everything up for quick delivery. And hopefuly by this time next week I will be looking at my neck and body. Total cost for them is $465. So far so good.

benhal9 · #14 02-15-2009, 06:25 PM

Ok... So i am getting ready to order pots and 5 way.... but I got problems. I can not find a vlx91 5 way anywhere. So, what is the recommended 5 way and pots seeing as though I will be using an HSH set up with evolution DP159, DPS1, and DP158 pickups.

ryanb · #15 02-15-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhal9

First impresions of Chris at Legacy One over the phone was that was knowledgeable curtious and understood what I wanted. He set everything up for quick delivery. And hopefuly by this time next week I will be looking at my neck and body. Total cost for them is $465. So far so good.

Go read the official Legacy One thread in the vendor section -- something you should have done first. Good luck with your order.