PART 3

This is the most important part.

At the end of this section you will have completed a Guitar using either the Kit from the previous Parts or making one completely from scratch.

If using the Kit from you will have installed a new Body and Neck. If you decide on this route you may well want to upgrade the hardware and electrics for the build. Either way the Guitar will be judged on your work but remember, you are learning and making a perfect, or near perfect Guitar, can take a lifetime. It is only natural to be critical of your work as this is how you learn and progress.

Before you start it is suggested you will need the following. Power tools are suggested but not necessary as most work can be done by hand. It is not a comprehensive list and other items may be needed as well:

Phillips Screwdrivers
Flat Head Screwdrivers
Tape measure
Metal Ruler
Straight Edge
Scrapers
Forstner Bits
Power Drill
Table Saw - Optional
Jigsaw
Fret Saw (0.22")
Fret Files
Fret Leveler
Fret Wire or Pre made Frets
Fret Rocker
Fret Scale Template
Fret Leveling Files
Fretting Hammer
Fret Marker Rule
Fret Cutter
Router
Router Bits
Shinto Rasp
Wood Rasps
Grain Filler
Sanding Sealer
Sandpaper - Various Grades
Wet and Dry paper - Various Grades
Sanding Blocks
Radius Block for Fretboard
Orbital Sander - Optional
Drill Press - Optional
Thicknesser - Optional
Drill Bits
Rattle Can sprays - if required
Stain and Oil - if required
Rags
Truss Rod
Tuners
Nut
Neck Template
Fretboard Blank
Neck Blank
Mitre Box

Computer
Digital Camera or Smartphone
Word or similar word processing software

You will also need the following:

Frets or Fretwire if cutting your own
Fret Leveller
Fret Dressing
Truss Rod Key

This is the final Part for your work and is the most complex.

In this Part you must make a Neck for your Guitar from scratch.

The neck will be a Bolt On neck.

You can use the Guitar that you have been making in Parts 1 and 2 or build a complete Guitar again from scratch. The only requirement is that you make a Neck and attach to create a complete Guitar.

1.1 Purchase a neck blank or cut from suitable wood from your stock.

1.2 Purchase a Fretboard Blank.

1.3 Purchase a Neck Template or download plan from the internet and create one of your own.

1.4 Start with Fretboard Blank ensuring 3 inches wide, 24 inches long and 1/4 thick.

1.5 Draw centre line along length.

1.6 Transfer Fretboard dimensions from plan to wood using centre line as a guide or use Neck Template.

1.7 Use Bandsaw or Jigsaw to cut out approx 1/16 in outside lines.

1.8 Mark Fret Positions onto Fretboard using Fret Ruler. You can get measurements from the internet and mark by hand but this is not very accurate.

1.9 Using Fretsaw (0.22") and Mitre Box. Mark depth of cut required onto Fretsaw determined by depth of Frets you have purchased with tape then slowly cut the frets - take your time!

1.10 Radius sand the Fretboard surface using Radius sanding Block.

1.11 Check depth of each Fret and re-cut if necessary.

1.12 Using the Wood purchased for the neck cut out the neck using Plan or Template.

1.13 Rout out the Truss Rod cavity and insert Truss Rod

1.14 Glue on Fretboard carefully referring to centre lines.

1.15 Once dry attach Fretboard to Neck Blank.

1.16 Shape neck to desired profile using Rasps, Spoke shave, hand or Power sander etc. checking continually as you progress. BE CAREFUL as too much timber taken away could result in you having to start again. Again take time doing this as this is the Neck you will be playing the Guitar with.

1.17 Fix Frets. (See separate section)

1.18 Level and Dress the Frets

1.19 Sand smooth neck and finish as required.

1.20 Fix Neck to Body

1.21 Adjust Truss Rod

1.22 Finish next by staining' oiling or spraying

1.22 Assemble Guitar using Body and parts from previous build or new body and parts.

If everything is now in place you will need to set up the Guitar.

This in essence completes your first Guitar. Well done.

You should now have a complete Guitar either using the Kit from Part 1 and updating or made from scratch in Part 3.