I'm building instruments!

[Her3tiK]

Hey all.
I've probably mentioned this in another thread, but I've spend that last six months taking a class in guitar craft and maintenance. The big part of the class (aside from learning how obscenely high you can mark up the cost of maintaining some schmuck's guitar) has been building playable instruments. And I don't mean pre-made parts that we bolt together, I mean cutting, carving, sanding, and otherwise shaping each chunk of wood, wiring the controls, installing the bridge, tuning keys, and other parts, and even attaching the frets and nuts (we've made every conceivable joke about that last part as is humanly possible, trust me).
To be completely honest, there is no way in hell I will ever make another instrument, barring the likely chance that I fail this class and have to re-take it so I can get my degree.

Anywhoo, here's some links to the process thus far:
Bass #1 & Bass #2

Depending on how interesting anyone gets in this, I'll mention if any new pics are added, but if I don't have these finished by the end of next week (in addition to other work), I'll fail the course and it won't really matter how much gets done. Thank you teachers for ordering the parts we needed 3 weeks late this quarter. That didn't bite us in the ass at all... >.>

[Amaranth]

Mad respect. The only thing that's ever kept me from building a guitar that won't cramp my obscenely large hands is the sheer involvement.

Also, if you haven't seen ads for "Nutbuster" string lube, you haven't made every joke available.

[SimSim]

Some nice work. I love Flying Vs, nice to see a bass version.

[mistermuncher]

Lovely work, sir. I've been making a cigar-box tenor guitar for about 6 years at the moment, so seeing someone actually getting shit done is deeply inspiring.

[Her3tiK]

Thanks. Hopefully the V will be completed on time (really unlikely at this point, but that's not likely to happen (it's due tomorrow).

Amaranth: If you can't find an instrument that's the right size, you can probably find someone who will make one for you. All of my teachers either work for companies like Fender or do custom jobs on the side; I'm sure there's someone closer to... wherever you live, who could give you an estimate on that stuff.

mistermuncher: I envy the amount of time you've had to build yours, and would love to see how for along it is if you can share some pictures. I think that, if this class gave us more time to build these instruments, they wouldn't come out as the rushed messes that they are.

[Armand Tanzarian]

Seriously, make a 4-string semi acoustic bass based around a Lovecraftian design and I'll buy it off you (provided I have the cash).

[Her3tiK]

Well... with how badly I screwed things up in class today, I have severe doubts about passing this course, and have no intention of building an instrument ever again.

I appreciate the offer Armand, but, seeing as I have none of the tools I would need to even do such a thing (much less the space for them), I don't think I'd be able to do that, even if I were confident in my abilities. Maybe you can find a craftsman closer to where you live who can help you out.

[Armand Tanzarian]

Sept 10, 2011 0:28:11 GMT -5 Her3tiK said:

Well... with how badly I screwed things up in class today, I have severe doubts about passing this course, and have no intention of building an instrument ever again.

I appreciate the offer Armand, but, seeing as I have none of the tools I would need to even do such a thing (much less the space for them), I don't think I'd be able to do that, even if I were confident in my abilities. Maybe you can find a craftsman closer to where you live who can help you out.

Well that sucks. Keep trying though, few of us don't even have any idea of where to start.

And in any case I think I'll just return to masturbating to Thunderbirds.

[SimSim]

Mmmmmmmm, Thunderbirds. I saw one in a store once, really made me wish I knew how to play bass.