The two halves joining method is very interesting, simple and efficient - I'm stealing this immediately :)

Thanks....just unsuccessfully tried using my #7 to joint two pieces of quilted maple and this was just what I needed.

I like your work I watch many luthiers on You tube and I cannot stand their attitudes of so many act like some sort of gurus and don`t impress with their work results. You are a true craftsmen and a gentleman. A pleasure to watch work and deliver a excellent result Thank you..

My god, that gluing technique is so genius in its simplicity... Absurd... I love this guy!

I think part of the enjoyment from watching these videos is just seeing the guitar come together. Even if we are watching things you've covered before, it's cool to see the guitar appear from the raw materials. This tutorial style video is cool too!

Absolutely LOVED The Hand Finishing video, showed what a little TLC and elbow grease can do w/ the proper wood. Thanks. Will now enjoy the above vid.

Also, please let us have a look at this beauty when it's done. Gorgeous.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Yeah I will for sure

@WoodesosGuitarMods

10 жыл бұрын

That's awesome. Looks like an Aerodyne..but clearly much prettier:-) Can't wait to see it.

Man, there are endless 'how to' vids on here for guitar making but yours are the best by far, at least in my book. You make it look so easy...a real pro. Thanks for sharing.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

8 жыл бұрын

+Beargrizzly76 Thankyou, glad you enjoyed it

Just wanted to let you know that you're the reason I can build guitars now! Thanks so much for your videos! I've gotta build your scarf joint sanding jig soon! Thanks a million!!!

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Nice !! Thanks :-) Build the jig, it's useful

A sincere thanks for all of your time and effort in sharing your considerable skills and experience. I really enjoyed this and your Strat build videos. Keep em coming.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Keith , glad you enjoyed it

Thanks for sharing another excellent video. Look forward to the video on the string-thru ferrules. Your series on the Strat build gave me the confidence and inspiration to leave the kits behind and build from scratch-- so much more satisfying to build exactly what you want, instead of working around someone else's ideas.

I know this is an older video but it is still pertinent and a great instructional piece!

Discovered your channel last week and watched your entire playlist and bought myself a DIY kit to start out. Just wanted to say thank you for the fantastic videos. Really great work. Cheers from Germany.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Awesome !! Great way to start, good luck

It´s the concrete meaning of "build from scratch"! Pretty nice and very good knowledge transfer, again! Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Brazil.

I subscribed to your channel after seeing what you did at 12:55!! so simple yet efficient!! great work fletcher!!

Love the vacuum bag idea!!! I'll be using that one for sure.

Wow... Getting ahead of myself, but my 4th self made guitar will definitely be a strat with a laminated top... 1. Modified Thinline Tele, 24 frets 4×2 tuners, custom inlays, custom f hole shape, single coil at neck, Humbucker at the bridge, with a potential coil splitting switch 2. Les Paul, Reclaimed wood, vinyl record (with something stronger underneath) as a pickguard, classic LP wiring and layout othewise... 3. Jazzmaster all black, active pickups (HSH), 6 position rotary switch, concentric pot (volume up tone down), a strat audio jack, Floyd Rose tremolo, Iron Age LED killswitch, the neck will be black as well, red or white side dot, no inlays (unless I come up with another custom shape) and a carbon fiber pickguard (tho not from the start... first is gonna be a generic black one with drilled hole gonna make a few attempts with a water cutting machine first and when the pickguard will match at 100%, I'll have it made following the same file as the one cutted with water...) 4. Will be a Beautiful Strat, flame mapple laminated top, beautiful burst (similar to Warmoth's custom bodies "Black Cherry Burst" finish), black pickguard, a tremolo (notnsure which one tho... Would be neat a floyd but already one planned for the jazzmaster maybe Ibanez's Edge?), 3 single coil sized humbuckers, not sure about the wiring... but black knobs, and a cream/parchment knob on the 5 way switch... 1 piece mapple neck, black trapezoid inlays... Man I wish I was rich... I'd just order the strat from Warmoth xD but too rich for my blood... with the change rate, shipping and customs would most likely end up costing me a shit load...

Thanks for sharing this. I love watching you work!

That neck looks incredible, it's going to be awesome when it's finished

You are a true craftsman. Ppl like me can only admire your work and know that we are better off buying the finished product. Ha.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Nah, you'd be surprised at how easy it is. Thanks for watching !

Hi Mr Fletcher!! So amazing!!! This one is gonna be wonderful! The neck is very interesting and beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing! Cheers from Sweden!

You are an amazing builder. I enjoy learning from you.

I love how much time you have spent adding pretty bird sounds in order to elevate the whole experience :)

Wow that is going to be amazing when finished. So much detail.

This will be a beauty when it's done! Nice to see a video from you again. Looking forward to see some images of the end result.

Hey man, great to see you posting again :) Looking forward for more videos

Squaring up the board with the mdf sheet was clever. I'll have to try remember that one.

Another great video!!!

Never thought of using vacuum before, that's brilliant. You make me miss working so much. Cancer sucks.

awesome work

Great video. I'm looking at making a similar type of body with a laminate top and you have answered quite a few questions and helped on ways to do things without big power tools, oh and the vacuum bag is a great idea. Thanks.

Wealth of knowledge you have sir! I've been taking notes

Great video, still :D amazingly simple method to join the tops halves, gonna do the same soon. Thx!

Love the black veneer, maple in the scarf, and the headstock shape. I know the neck was supposed to just be an add on to the video, but it stole the show for me :) great piece !

just beautiful David!

Brilliant video as usual...;-)

I would love to see a detailed video of the painting of a quitar, not just laquering it. Also would not mind seeing general build video's of your regular builds. Love the work your doing keep it up!

Very nice work you have done. Congratulaions to you. That will be a very unique guitar...

I'm thinking about capping my basswood Squier Strat. Love that bag technique. great video!

Always great vids, mate!

Thank you, you addressed one of the things I was most worried about.

I'll say it again... You're a true artist! Great work and keep those vids coming if you have the time! :) All the best...

dude this is a great video, lots of cool tricks. awesome work my friend!

Thank you for the video sir. Beautiful work

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Thankyou

looks bloody awesome mate!

Those birds in the background are soo relaxing! I would love to work in there!

Thanks for videos you make some great guitar

That neck is gorgous!

B. E. A. Utiful. Amazing guitar

Thanks a lot for the instructional vid. Well done.

fantastic video thank you!

One of the nicest strats I've ever seen and it's not even complete!

Fantastic idea getting the thin book matched top square using the level, genius. Will be stealing that idea mate, had murders in the past with thin tops !!! Awesome vid too Dave, hope you upload the finished result. All the best.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Cheers Rufus !

great video! i would have really loved to see the build of the neck too, it's lovely

gracias por enseñarnos saludos desde Ecuador

Thanks for sharing it, very usefull.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Your welcome :-)

Thank you!

very informative video, thank you.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

warren buitandag Your welcome Warren

what a top! I want that guitar... :P

Beautiful top I definitely want to see the finished results.

wow ingenious! saw this done at usacg, nothing beats the bag!

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Yeah they are handy to have around the shop !

Yes i have, i think the lacewood is just a harder wood, because even flexing it by hand it felt much tougher. I have a cousin who wants to make a crossbow and mentioned there there is another method using high pressure air. Maybe next time ill look into that. Im still happy with the vacuum bag but it didnt provide the pressure i was hoping for. Thanks for the video though, i like how you glued your book match that was nicely done and it worked like a charm for me too, i used gorilla glue for the book match seam though..

ABSOLUTELY , ONE OF THE TOP GUITAR BUILDERS IN THE WORLD. THANKS FOR TEACHING UR ANCIENT SECRETS OF MASTERING THIS FINE CRAFT! IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOUID LOVE TO COME DOWN UNDER FOR TRAINING. DO U HAVE A WAITING LIST ?///? PLEASE!

Hey David. Beautiful job. The neck is gorgeous. I was thinking that, if you notched the inside corners of the two cap pieces before you glue them together you would end up with the center being perfectly notched after gluing. You mentioned that it can be tough to find the centerline, but with this technique you could easily see it and even use a snap line to mark it.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jamie, that's a great idea

@jmiewlsn

10 жыл бұрын

Glad to help. Really enjoy watching you build these beautiful instruments. Do you build semi-hollow or hollow bodied guitars as well?

I'm glad i found your video,as this is what i want to do,i've rebuilt and refreted two junk guitars,they have plywood bodies,but now play really great,they were an excersise in case i could get a decent strat or LP,one is a kay LP,i doweled the bolt on neck with 6 hardwood dowels,fitted stainless jumbo frets,fitted a cheap bigsby from china,chigsby?,reworked its mechanics,used bearings,it works great,the usual LP headstock tuning problems are there,but plays great,the strat is a kimaxe strat copy,same deal,only a floyd rose copy,again reworked and stiffened some parts,mostly due to ply not being great to rout,or much strength,fitted a proper locking nut,hendrix dive bombs 'till the strings waggle being so slack,it returns to perfect tune,also no damage to LP neck binding. So i bought two necks from china,the uncut paddle headstocks,so i can position the tuners in line with the string grooves on the nut. I have been looking for maple and mahogany to do what you did here,though i may have to make a two piece body and the same with the cap. The method of vacuum clamping is just superb mate,can you tell me where you got that vac bag,it looks pretty hefty,most i see are for pork chops or laundry,i'm in the UK(SCOTLAND),but if i need to get one from the antipodes "no worries". I want the LP tone but not the crappy headstock design,at least fender got that right. Such a nice look,and the natural edge bind look is so nice. I think i'll be watching how to make the neck now,after seeing what you made for this body. Really great finish,without a finish coat yet. But then with your name,woodwork should be in the genes,without to fine a point. johnamptech.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

6 жыл бұрын

Hi John, the vacuum bag comes from Roarockit. Search on google and you will find them, cheers

Fantastic work once again - on the guitar *and* the video ;) Thank you! Question: The grain on the fretboard is beautiful. It almost looks like marble. Are you keeping it as bright as it is in this video? What kind of wood is it?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

the fretboard is birdseye maple as are the headstock veneers - I will be oiling and clear coating only I think. I'll let the wood darken naturally over time

Hi Fletcher! I still learning with your vídeos.. and thank you so much for the support as well... my dought is about the finish of the corners of the frets... Can You Tell me How you preffer to do It?

awesome ! one question though: before the vacuum bag don’t you get the wood wet and hot to avoid it splintering ? I’ve seen that somewhere. I think the guy was using a simple iron like what you do to do the ironing :) Also love that headstock, looks a bit like what Vik guitars do with veneers on each side, beautiful work man !

Excellent videos mate. Very helpful and informative. Where do you get your Maple billets from?

very interesting way to clamp the 2 pieces together. ive usually used sash clamps, but I think yours is very secure

Nice way to clamp.

Hi David. Did you use a strat template to create this guitar and just let the top flat or is it a totally different design? Thanks for uploading your work and explaining it in such detail. You make an impressive job. Regards from Argentina.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

8 жыл бұрын

+Pablo Santomé Hi Pablo, Yes it is a Strat template

Great video, and techniques. Can you tell us where to get that bag and pump system?

Bravo......

Is the vacuum bag a regular bag that people use for clothes storage or is it a special one for doing things like this? Loving the new videos.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Hi Lee, No its a proper woodworking vacuum bag. I got it from Roarocket.

Gorgeous instrument! The end with the neck had me very intrigued! All the laminates and the fretboard were absolutely amazing. Where did you acquire your vacuum bag? Is that a just the typical bag you see on infomercials for clothing and blankets and what not, or is it from a luthier site? Thanks so much for this video and the helpful narration.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Hi, the bag is readily available from Roarocket - the bags are marketed towards skateboard builders but they are perfect for general woodworking too. You do not need the huge bag I have, get one more suited to a guitar body size ( assuming your only using it for guitars of course ;-) )

Do u have a video on how u route the binding channel on a sloped body like this?

Hey Fletcher. I finished my first build last month. Thanks in large part to your LP jr videos. I'm starting a strat build and want to cap it. Would the cap take a round over equal to the back round over.....or would it tear out? Thanks for documenting and posting your videos. They've been a great help to me.

Nice shop!! Do you build anything other than guitars? Drum sander is very expensive and usually found in cabinet shops. Would like to see the finished guitar... It is looking great!

You're awesome! everything you do looks so easy :D Love all your videos, keep on the good work :) which bandsaw are you using there? i'm choosing one to buy but i don't wanna waste my money on a "too big" one or into a cheap one that will not last. Do you use that also for bookmatch guitar tops? How much resaw height does it has? Greets from Italy :)

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Hi, this is the bandsaw I have - www.machineryhouse.com.au/W4224 14" would be a good size for guitars. I have the capacity to resaw that billet but I actually get it done elsewhere on a large bandsaw set up perfectly for resawing.

Awesome! Just a note on the binding. In previous videos, you did binding on flat-topped guitars. I would have loved to see how you routed around the arm contour for the binding on this one.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

check this out - Binding An Arm Contour

@jbealsmusic

10 жыл бұрын

I've been through your videos like a dozen times now. lol How did I miss that one? Thanks! Great stuff as always!

how can I get the top flat and sanded to the right grit for gluing without a drum sander guys ?

Is there any particular hp power recommend for using on laminate tops?

Hi, this idea using a vacuum bag is absolutely ingenious!!! Is there a certain vacuum bag you would recommend? Also, what was the purpose of the black mesh?

So how much does a vacuum bag, like the one you used in this video, cost? I don't want to buy something inferior and get bad results. That's an amazing glue up!

nice

Amazing video. Quick question...if you don't have the arm contour...Can you glue the square top to the square body blank and then route the shape?

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

7 жыл бұрын

Yes you can

Whats the best glue for doing this...

Hey what grit did you use on the top halves? I've read conflicting reports on the smoothness of the joint - should it be smooth (200+) or more coarse?

Hi, I love your videos, and even for pure entertainment. Thanks. I was wondering whether you have tried this process to put a cap over the body contour side of the guitar - that is carving the body contour and then putting a cap over top of it. I'm guessing it wouldn't work due to the complex nature of that curve.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

9 жыл бұрын

Mark Inman Hi Mark, I've never seen that done and I don't think it would work to be honest.

I'm your 1k like man!!!

how much would something like this cost when fully completed?

Hi, I see you used the titebond glue, was it the white or the tan kind. I was told to use the white. I had done my first build last year and had a problem with joint where the cap met the body, of course I just used wood clamps and not a vacuum bag. I really appreciate the videos just an extraordinary job.

@FletcherHandcraftedGuitars

10 жыл бұрын

Hi, I always use Titebond Original

How much would it be (about) for a sunburst tele with humbuckers and a quilt maple top

I like the idea or thining the top at the bending location, but I'm not sure why you remove material on the "inner face" of the top. Doesn't it affect the evenness of the gluing surface? Why not removing material on the "outer face" were it would only have a little affect on the figure/look? Thanks for this great video!

I understand that this is custom so there is no right or wrong, but did you undersize the body to compensate for the extra 3-4 mm or just let it be a little fatter than usual. Did you have to extend the arm contour more so that the result would be a bit closer to original strat dimensions?

where can i have a template paper for that bass

where can i buy a bag like that ???

what is a tible sar?

Hi, Nice video!! Please, what is the kind of web inside the vacuum pump over the guitar top? Did you get it togheter with the Roarockit vacuum system?

@StephaneCrash

7 жыл бұрын

Henry Canteri It's so you dont block the airflow so you can get an better vacuum