Build Thread: Building my own Gibson SG Custom from scratch!

[spikerS]

Well, I have wanted one for years, and decided to make it a reality. I remember watching Angus Young with one, and just being in awe, and even today, I still think it is one of the best looking guitars out there. I was going to buy one, but then thought that it would mean even more to me if I made it myself.
Here is my progress thus far.

These are the plans I started with, and as you can tell, not too much in the terms of actual dimentions. Thankfully, the PDF I used was scaled to full size.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/SG-Custom.png

From those plans, I have made a template. In this picture, it is a rough cutout, I will post a picture of the completed template a little later on.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG031.jpg

For the body stock, I found some REALLY nice steamed Beech. After a little cutting, and selecting the best parts of it, and matching the grain as close as possible, I cut 3 biscuit joints, and glued it all together.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG030.jpg

While the body was drying, I started making the neck. The stock is basically just 1x4 maple.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG032.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG033.jpg

So far, this is day 1. I will be posting more pictures and updates as I progress.

What do you all think?

Ok, second day of work on the guitar is as follows:

here is the guitar template finished. It is laminated onto 3/8" MDF and sealed in case we want to use it again.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0221.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0222.jpg

Body Stock after a rough sand with 80 grit sandpaper with a belt sander to get the stock level.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0223.jpg

After another rough sand with 120 grit on the belt sander. Starting to show its natural beauty a lot more.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0224.jpg

Clamped the template down with the center line lining up with the seam in the wood. At this point, i Screwed the template down to keep it from moving while I traced it out. The screw holes line up with screw locations for the bridge, and the other where a tuning knob will be.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0225.jpg

Template traced onto the stock.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0226.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0227.jpg

Because of how dense Beech wood is, I rough cut it on the bandsaw using lots of relief cuts to keep the blade from binding.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0228.jpg

And here is the guitar body after finishing the routing of the body's outside edge with a rough sand to get rid of any of the small burrs.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0229.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0230.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0231.jpg

Showing the size difference between the SG custom and a Double cut Telecaster my buddy is doing.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0232.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0233.jpg

And here is a quick snap of the 3 templates we have so far. (Clockwise) SG Custom, Double cut telecaster, Single cut telecaster.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/IMG_0234.jpg

And that is my progress for day 2!

[spikerS]

Well, here is day 3 work. I am really taking my time on this, wanting to get it all just right.

Had to redo the neck. In an effort to get a perfect joint, i decided to build a custom mitre box.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/acb5b40b.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/eba49ecc.jpg

And no project is complete without spilling a bit of blood...
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/67170d19.jpg

Started shaping the edges of the guitar body. Not quite to spec, but i want to make the project mine, and not do a complete replica.
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/93a57ee2.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/33edabc7.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/044353d1.jpg


Will be going to do some more work on it tonight, including routing the electronics pocket, and make the pocket cover.

*UPDATE*
YAY! New guitar parts arrived today!

Smooth Black Humbucker pickups!
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_102233.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_102243.jpg

Nice little switch selector plate:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_102022.jpg

3-way selector switch:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_101904.jpg

Guitar knobs:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_101801.jpg

Potentiometers of the 500k ohm variety:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_101717.jpg

strap pin and end pin jack:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111124_102420.jpg

Going to look so sick when it is all together!

[spikerS]

place holder #2

[MrSector9]

So awesome, Wish I had wood working tools.... and wood working skills to go along with said tools.

Cannot wait to see more pics/work on this.

Hopefully you don't mind but here is some motivation

2009 LTD Gibson SG Natural Burst with a B5.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/316437_10150855264075707_626225706_20987765_467109868_n.jpg

[D'z Nutz]

That's great! I always wished I had the tools and woodworking skills to do that. More importantly, the room.

Got any ideas for the colour? I've never been a fan of the SG myself, though I almost bought an Epiphone one this weekend in the states since it was so cheap.

[spikerS]

i was thinking staining it a vibrant red, something bright, but still letting the wood show off it's natural beauty. something like this
http://cdn1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/193/268/794/gibson-sg-custom-electric-guitar-61b45.jpg

Basically keeping in the tradition of what Angus Young mostly played. The first one I saw him playing was a nice red as well, but he also played a lot that were black.

[spikerS]

Main post is updated with day 2 progress!

Looking pretty great!

[gretz]

Badass... let me know if you need any "assistance" with anything (although it looks like you have a damn good handle on things) > I've done some pretty interesting pick guards, tail pieces, neck mounting plates etc...

Looking awesome so far...

[spikerS]

updated with new progress so far.

[A790]

Kick ass man! That's going to be awesome, wailing away on a guitar YOU built!

[JMaj7]

I recommend these pick ups

http://www.tonerider.com/pickups/humbuckers.html

you can buy em from rh factor guitars 100 bux a set

[arian_ma]

Nice work! This project is going to reward you for many years!

[zipdoa]

Wow, great project! I didn't know you strummed the ol' 6 string

[spikerS]

Well, major hic-up for me last night. seems my lack of sleep this past while caught up to me. Due to a serious miscalculation in depth with the plunge router, I screwed up the electronics pocket, and cut it way too deep. I basically left a paper thin layer of wood on the body to attach the pots to. Obviously, not enough material to secure them properly. In deciding what to do, I cut out the rest of the material to create an open void. The plan now is, I am going to cut a plug for the back side and seal it up, leaving the front open. I am going to get a custom pick guard made out of stainless steel that will come across under the bridge and tail piece, and cover the electronics pocket as well. The plus side is, less wires to be run as I can just ground the stainless pick guard, and since the pots collars are grounded, no need to run ground wires. :thumbsup:

Still bummed I am not going to have the exact look I wanted, but it will at least have character!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111116_191913.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a334/Snorakk/20111116_191712.jpg

[BerserkerCatSplat]

How did I miss this thread until now? This is such a cool project! I've wanted an SG-style bass for years.

[flipstah]

Subscribed! Great progress so far! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[JMaj7]

i know a guy that makes and sells etched aluminum and stainless steel pickguards, builds guitars and does electronics etc. his company is called 'Bobkat Customs'. He's from BC but he's out here for work. You want his contact info?

[spikerS]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
How did I miss this thread until now? This is such a cool project! I've wanted an SG-style bass for years.

Hey Splat, when I am done this one, if you like it, I will make you a bass using the same template, just pay for the materials. The awesome amounts of karma you earned helping me move when I had my accident last year, well lets just say I would be happy to pay it back.

All said and done, when I am finished this guitar, I will be into it for about ~$200-$250.

[CUG]

That is bad ass dude. Wanna make me a snare drum? :poosie:

[spikerS]

Originally posted by CUG
That is bad ass dude. Wanna make me a snare drum? :poosie:

Well, I could try. building a drum has never even crossed my mind before. I would have to see what kind of plans I could find.

[bourge73]

This is awesome! I love that style of guitar and have wanted one for years! I learned guitar playing to Angus Young rocking his SG. If you start to make and sell put me down for one.

[D'z Nutz]

Nice job! Keep it coming, I can't want to see more :thumbsup:


Originally posted by spikers


Well, I could try. building a drum has never even crossed my mind before. I would have to see what kind of plans I could find.

Haha spikers is putting together a band soon enough... quite literally.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Originally posted by spikers


Hey Splat, when I am done this one, if you like it, I will make you a bass using the same template, just pay for the materials. The awesome amounts of karma you earned helping me move when I had my accident last year, well lets just say I would be happy to pay it back.

All said and done, when I am finished this guitar, I will be into it for about ~$200-$250.

Oh man, that would be amazing! :eek: Time to start looking into wood selection and hardware, haha! :D

[kvg]

Great Idea! It will be so cool to play your own guitar :thumbsup:

[pea_soup]

That's is some cool stuff.

[spikerS]

updated pics of the new arrival of the hardware!

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Good looking hardware, who makes those pickups?

[spikerS]

Originally posted by BerserkerCatSplat
Good looking hardware, who makes those pickups?

Honestly, I have no idea, and i suspect they are chinese specials LOL

I really don't care right now, I can't afford to get some real nice ones right now, so for now they will do and allow me to mock the guitar up until I can afford to buy some nice electronics.

[umberto33]

hi Spikers,
I really would like to see you work about this guitar, becouse I'm gonna do to build one my own like you. Could you post some new picture please. It will be much appreciate from me!
I wish you all the best and send greatings from Italy!

By Umberto

[AndyL]

Your psuedo mistake... want me to cut ya a acrylic sheet to fit - throw some LED edge lighting in maybe burn in a logo/design... then it can be awesome sauce instead of looking like an outta place hunk of steel?

[spikerS]

Originally posted by umberto33
hi Spikers,
I really would like to see you work about this guitar, becouse I'm gonna do to build one my own like you. Could you post some new picture please. It will be much appreciate from me!
I wish you all the best and send greatings from Italy!

By Umberto

yeah, I have no issues with posting some new pics, as soon as I get back to working on this. Since I am building this at my buddys place, our times have not been lining up, so I have not had the chance to do much more on it yet.



Originally posted by AndyL
Your psuedo mistake... want me to cut ya a acrylic sheet to fit - throw some LED edge lighting in maybe burn in a logo/design... then it can be awesome sauce instead of looking like an outta place hunk of steel?

and andy, that could be pretty awesome!

[AndyL]

Just need a dxf drawing of the hole to fill (AutoCAD 2000 format - in mm's not inches) 2bit bmp of what you want etched...and we can run it through the laser...

Was just pondering... rather than edge lit, perhaps an ardweenie to a series of LEDs in there to kick out colors for chords? It'd be very KISS/ J.E robison...

[umberto33]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by spikers
[B]

yeah, I have no issues with posting some new pics, as soon as I get back to working on this. Since I am building this at my buddys place, our times have not been lining up, so I have not had the chance to do much more on it yet.




Hi Spikers,

first of all thank you for your reply; in fact I would like to ask you if will be the same to work with the plan that you are follow, building an sg standard with two hum; I also have another plan by Benjamin Stouff! I thing that you already know, but between the two plans, every of those, are with 2° and 3° of the inclination of the mortise of the body with tenon neck: I know that the angle is about 4°; how is possible? Than where the neck joins the body with 2°, the inclination of the headstock is 13°, while with neck angle with 3° the same inclination is about 14°. That's strange for me!! Wich plan do you me advice please without make mistake? bye Umberto

[Graham_A_M]

^ wtf?

[umberto33]

hi guys,

please some answer to my recently reply?

[noma1]

^ here's an answer.. Please buy a rosetta stone program. That is all

[dewytrain]

bhahahahaha

[umberto33]

Originally posted by noma1
^ here's an answer.. Please buy a rosetta stone program. That is all

very honesty from you, tank you!:)