I have a pretty well equipped workshop and I'm confident I can carry out all the activities except cutting the fretboard, which I will purchase. It's the materials and other details I'm wondering about. Here's my list of considerations:
Haven't decided on single coil or humbuckers, yet. I think that may be influenced by the materials I use.
Going at least 2 pick ups & 3 way selector. Probably single volume & tone. Electronics are not my forte, but maybe I should go for more configurability?
Planning on a through-body neck so I can avoid the bulk around where the neck & body normally join. (Does anybody know a good resource for that type of construction?)
Tentatively planning an exaggerated cutout along with that. (Just an extra finger width or two.)
The neck will be along the lines of my hagstrom: Very thin and narrow, probably with the Gibson scale length. 24 3/4 I think it is.
The body's going to be unique I guess; I'm not trying to make it look like any other guitar. Whatever it becomes after I trace a guitar, shorten this, elongate that, etc. I'm not planning on going far off the beaten track, though.
For wood, I'm hoping to use native species except using Rosewood or Ebony the fingerboard. (I prefer how looks over time, otherwise would just go with Maple and keep with the "locally grown" concept.)
I'm thinking of Rosewood fretboard on a Maple neck and Spruce for the wings.
What does anyone think of these materials? What pick-ups would you recommend on that? I'm assuming one type or another would enhance or compensate for any qualities the wood selection might leave lacking.
I live in Nova Scotia (all the same wood species as would be in Maine, I suppose), so those are what I'm thinking are the available materials. Alder is supposed to be a good all-round material, but what I call "alders" around here would never grow big enough to build anything out of. :)
Any other local type species I could consider?
Etcetera. Once I get my current project done, I'm ready to go, so I have to start making decisions and ordering parts.
Would appreciate any thoughts or opinions. Thanks!
...so ever since then, I always hang on to the buckle.