Dangerously close to another addiction

[germdoc]

Talk me out of it guys...

I built my first guitar from a kit--courtesy of Grizzly. Easy to put together, so far a PITA to finish. I'm learning a lot about lacquer, in particular how to fix mistakes. Hopefully by the end of the week the lacquer will have cured so that I can finish polishing it, install the tuning machines, string it and play it!

So I think I'm hooked. I've joined a luthier's forum, gotten a Stew Mac catalog which I look at EVERY time I sit on the throne in the "reading room", even before I go to bed!

I am learning about the difference between purfling and binding, Gotoh and Waverly tuners, nitrocellulose vs. KTM-9, etc. I'm even planning the inlay on my "next" guitar.

I don't have a wife anymore to pull me back from the brink, to say rather firmly, "If I see another FedEx package with a tool or piece of wood in it, I'm calling a lawyer." (She already pulled that trick over my handplane addiction, it only works once...)

So, you're my last hope. Otherwise I may be found in a gutter someplace high off my a** on lacquer fumes, mumbling about "dovetail neck--needs more tension on the truss rod--had to hock my stove to get enough money to buy Waverly's--I can stop anytime I want"...

[cgallery]

I think its kewl, especially if you can play. I can't play, so have little interest in making one. But the thing about instruments is they seem so unforgiving when it comes to hiding mistakes. And the ones I look at in stores (the more expensive ones, of course) look like individual works of art.

Go to the light.

[germdoc]

I do play, not especially well, but I amuse myself. One of these days I will actually get up the nerve to play with other people.

My current guitars (factory made) are really beautiful, pretty much flawless fit and finish. I have an Alvarez classical acoustic/electric and an Epiphone Joe Pass jazz guitar. In fact they're so pretty I hang 'em on the wall of the living room as decoration.

So, I've got a long way to go before I hang mine on the wall, but it gives me something to work toward.

[cabinetman]

I say go for it...jump in with both feet. You'll never know if you don't try.
.

[Mr__Bill]

The surest way to cure yourself is to sell them.... after a few and the dismal amount you get for them you will never enjoy making another. You can then move on to whirly-jigs for the lawn.

Bill, who plays a mean guitar on his stereo and wishes he could play one for real.

[gsmittle]

Jeff, I might be joining you soon.... One of my guitar-addicted students found out I do woodworking and wants me to build him a guitar.

Maybe we can form a support group.

g.

[cabinetman]

So, I've got a long way to go before I hang mine on the wall, but it gives me something to work toward.

Jeff

I just had this vision of the near future. Not so long away is the possibility of you're having a true sideline income.
.

.

[Rand]

Here's a local (to me) guy who builds guitars. He sells everything he makes as far as I know. Check out the prices. Maybe if you get good enough....

http://www.steinyguitars.com/

[BadeMillsap]

Oh the stories I could tell you .... it's been about 20+ yrs ...

since I built my first stringed instrument ... remember the "little guitar" in "Back To The Future"? That was a "Chaquita" ... one of my workmates bought his young daughter one shortly after the film came out ... when I asked him how much it cost and he told me (and I don't remember) ... I said "...shoot for that price I could build one ..." ... naturally I had to build a shop, stock it with tools, find out about things like neck shaping, dovetail joints, tension rod, binding, bridge height, neck relief ... all requiring books and videos (Stewart MacDonald became my "dealer" I was their junkie) ... and ultimately I built my version of a "Chaquita" sized Les Paul ... it was/is terrible ... but ... I was proud ... since then over the course of 22 years or so .. I have built a banjo (from StewMac kit), several solid body electrics including one solid mesquite that is really sweet, 4 or 5 Dreadnaught style acoustic hollow bodies and now two mandolins both from StewMac kits (an "A" style and an "F" style I play every day) ... and I can assure you that IF you catch the bug ... you will get more pleasure and more frustration from the affliction than marriage (and I've been happily married for going on 35 years so I know whereof I speak).

Go for it ... if you have questions about sources email me or PM me via this forum and I'll do my best to be an enabler ... it's the least I can do ...

BTW ... I came to more "general woodworking" from the luthiery path rather than the more traditional path you might be on of general woodworking to luthiery.

Enjoy!!

[germdoc]

Mr. Millsap, it looks like you live dangerously close to Camp Bullis, where I spent many an interesting hour building shelters and searching for grub, courtesy of Uncle Sam.

[Ed62]

I think that would be a great addiction. Go for it. Trying to make a guitar is something I had in the back of my mind for some time. Never tried it, but it still has some glamour associated with it, even though I can't play.

Ed

[BadeMillsap]

Yep .. Camp Bullis is my next door neighbor ...

We regularly hear and FEEL the big guns when they practice ...

[Anna]

You're seriously asking the same people who can't say no to a tool bargain, live and breathe woodworking, and spend an awful lot of time hanging out on a woodworking forum for an intervention? I think we all need an intervention.

Speaking as someone who is head over heels into a new hobby myself, I say go for it. It's great that at our age we find something new we can be passionate about.

[MilDoc]

Thanks for the warning! I've been looking at guitar kits for a year or so. Thought about trying one. If LOML sees your post I'm sunk!!!!!

[luteman]

Been building instruments for over 35 years(harpsichords, balalaikas,dulcimers,psalteries,and a hurdy-gurdy). The real fun for me was acquiring the tools,wood, books,and knowledge! Dive right in....you won't bee sorry! E-mail me if you run into any problems.