tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48780955102608356112024-02-19T09:22:25.468-08:00My Junk Guitarbuilding a guitar from junk, scrap and recycled stuff, plus the occasional look at other musical obsessions and diversionsLord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-77539079543366885512019-02-24T14:56:00.003-08:002019-02-24T14:56:38.559-08:00Apologies for the missing photos - they were hosted on Flick'r which now limits the number of images free accounts can have.
If anyone is curious, I can re-upload them and restore the original posts.
In the meantime, I'm hoping to add more builds here - but not guitars...Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-26108808598807346422014-02-20T21:06:00.001-08:002014-02-20T22:00:07.561-08:00Washing Up Bowl Guitar Amp<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's another amp based on runoffgroove's wonderful Ruby -
<a href="http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html">http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html</a>.
<br />
The Ruby amp is great for knocking up cheap and cheerful creations when an idea strikes to build an amp out of something you've got lying around - a washing up bowl in this case - perhaps more accurately described as a tub, given the shape?
<br />
A side benefit of this kind of activity is always discovering something new that can be applied elsewhere. A bit of trial and error with the construction led to a new idea for covering/surfacing things that might be put to good use on other builds - perhaps a guitar or some furniture. Anyway, hopefully the pictures speak for themselves, with a few notes here and there.
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654724134/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="500" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2877/12654724134_62f4b2ff22.jpg" width="375" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654208805/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img src="https://v4s.yimg.com/so/7363/12654208805_7b0d8f499a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Ruby II"></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A washing up bowl on legs with plywood face.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654724134/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"></a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654209305/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="375" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/12654209305_1f543991d5.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Retro style legs from an old clock resembling a TV, drawer handle and 9 volt socket affixed to bowl.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654210785/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="375" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/12654210785_2153c11b9e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ruby circuit and speaker mounted on fabric-wrapped plywood face.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654689854/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="375" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2860/12654689854_413588d433.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The speaker grille is a rigid, fibrous mesh used by gardeners for potting. It's lacquered to the fabric-wrapped wood and the whole thing lacquered some more.
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654208805/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7363/12654208805_7b0d8f499a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The look of yesteryear, the smell of tomorrow (or sometime in the future when the lacquer finally cures for good).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654686654/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3666/12654686654_f51947d723.jpg" width="375" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Turned out looking quite neat. I will use the lacquered fabric technique again.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/12654211925/" title="Ruby II by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Ruby II" height="500" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/12654211925_c4eeb96a23.jpg" width="375" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The control panel. Prepared in <a href="http://www.inkscape.org/en/">Inkscape</a> using dials generated with <a href="http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/fileadmin/pdf/tips_tricks/jskala_english.jar">Scale Generator</a>. Lacquered to a ply panel.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I suppose I should post some audio or video files to demonstrate how it sounds but that will have to wait for now.
</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-1426099926902205782013-02-22T00:34:00.000-08:002019-02-01T15:13:50.293-08:00Tannerin / Electro-Theremin<div style="text-align: left;">
About 3 years ago I began thinking about making an electro-theremin (or Tannerin as some might call it) after Gakken released the SX-150 synthesizer kit. I finally got round to it this year.<br />
<br />
Basically, I've just replaced the original resistor ribbon and touch pen with a multi-turn potentiometer of the same value (100K) and put it all together in a case. I disabled the pitch envelope as that wasn't needed and added a slider pot to the output in order to give volume control. This is sprung so it will always kill the sound unless held open. I wanted to have some kind of soft control over the volume - a bit like the controls on an Ondes Martenot.<br />
<br />
The current set up has a 2 and a half octave range. I've printed out the keys for guidance. It would be nice to have them permanently marked out on the case but I'm finding their position can be prone to wander!<br />
<br />
It sounds pretty awful - check the video below </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/46039024535/in/dateposted-public/" title="tannerin1"><img alt="tannerin1" height="375" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7924/46039024535_9a1da86ab2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
A cord from an old radio turns the potentiometer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/46039024655/in/dateposted-public/" title="pot"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7856/46039024655_6782470c1b.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="pot"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The cord wraps around pulleys and the tension is maintained by a spring.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/33077519568/in/dateposted-public/" title="spring"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7893/33077519568_5e660a5f95.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="spring"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The handle and slider - this runs up and down an aluminium runner and pulls the cord to turn the potentiometer.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/46228317244/in/dateposted-public/" title="slider1"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7832/46228317244_781831c4e5.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="slider1"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Placing the thumb and forefinger on each side allows you to see which note you are 'hitting' in the space between.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/33077519798/in/dateposted-public/" title="handle"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7860/33077519798_b369e057a0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="handle"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The slider on the runner protrudes through a slot in the case.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/33077519618/in/dateposted-public/" title="slider2"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7860/33077519618_d1a590bccc.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="slider2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is the volume control - a lever is connected to a nylon line that wraps around the slider pot and then to a spring. Holding the lever open controls the volume accordingly.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/33077519878/in/dateposted-public/" title="vol_con"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7907/33077519878_90bb0b5cc4.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="vol_con"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The controls.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/46228317124/in/dateposted-public/" title="tannerin2"><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4834/46228317124_6fbe0a2c98.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="tannerin2"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Here's a video of it in action - I'm trying to play along to some simple backing. It sounds truly awful but some delay and a little overdrive helps..<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IIilWmBmSAs" width="560"></iframe>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-9574467063071691782013-02-21T23:53:00.001-08:002013-02-22T00:01:12.027-08:00Rotary Speaker mkII<div style="text-align: left;">
This is my new improved rotary speaker - with foot pedal speed control. The foot control simply turns a potentiometer that's connected to a PWM circuit driving the motor speed.<br />
<br />
This approach is similar to the treble horn of a Leslie speaker.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8223800528/" title="Rotary Speaker mkII by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Rotary Speaker mkII" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8223800528_72daf84b21.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
A piece of PVC duct pipe bend is rotated above the speaker. There's a paper cup (with bottom removed) wedged into the pipe to give more 'fling' to the sound.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8223801652/" title="early test by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="early test" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8223801652_c594679473.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's what's inside - a motor and belt which are enclosed in the box. You can see the speaker below.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8223801740/" title="Rotary Speaker motor box by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="Rotary Speaker motor box" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8223801740_13a44576be.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Foot Controller.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8222726343/" title="foot controller mechanism by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="foot controller mechanism" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8222726343_a8f174dac1.jpg" width="375" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is the mechanism in prototype.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8222725937/" title="foot control construction by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="foot control construction" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8222725937_b84f9c160b.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
And the finished pedal.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30078266@N06/8223800916/" title="foot controller by Matt Lowerson, on Flickr"><img alt="foot controller" height="375" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8223800916_12ea98d213.jpg" width="500" /></a>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
As usual I'm using a Ruby amp to drive the speaker: <a href="http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html">http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's a video of it in action with guitar and then keyboards -no other effects.<br />
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T3Bv2cE_5Xo" width="560"></iframe>
Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-8495541899287639322012-05-03T15:19:00.000-07:002012-05-03T15:24:13.537-07:00Bass Guitar and Amp<div style="text-align: left;">
A couple of recent projects - a bass guitar conversion and another Ruby amp.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Bass</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/zobass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/zobass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Above is the finished bass - it started out as a Fernandes Pie-Zo (called a Nomad Bass outside Japan, I believe).</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/pie-zo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/pie-zo.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Usually looks like the above - this was not the one I messed about with! The one I got was trashed - it came from a junk shop. There was a piezo pickup in the bridge with a built in amp and speaker. On my junk acquisition, these were sort of working but very temperamental and, when they did work, I couldn't get along with the sound. I decided to rip it all out and install a magnetic pickup. I used an old Schaller humbucker. (I hope to use the piezo for something else if it does work OK). The neck was also a bit off but luckily it could be adjusted. The new bridge also allows the action to be set - the old one was fixed.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/filling_front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/filling_front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Filling the body.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/body1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/body1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Respray, red oak veneer and lacquered.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/bridge1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/bridge1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
New bridge.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/zobass2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/zobass/zobass2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Done.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
2. Amp.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This one turned out pretty decent sounding when hooked up to an old Hi-Fi speaker. Even with the gain cranked up it remains fairly clean and this particular speaker/cab gives a warm tone, so it became my bass amp.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/ruby/ruby_top.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/ruby/ruby_top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/ruby/ruby_zo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/ruby/ruby_zo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Build your own amp, check out the Ruby page here: <a href="http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html">http://www.runoffgroove.com/ruby.html</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Guess I should post some audio & video</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-29968477986439962732011-12-05T16:59:00.000-08:002012-01-31T20:46:27.452-08:00Rotary Speaker - update<div style="text-align: left;">Some update on the rotary speaker project.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I finished the enclosure and decided it needed covering.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/covering1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/covering1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Blue vinyl table cloth.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/control_panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/control_panel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">Control panel - photoshop, printed on paper and laquered onto box.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I need to clean up the front a little. I have a temporary plastic grill in there until some wire mesh comes my way.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">It's looking a bit 'Toys 'R' Us'.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/rear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/rear.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">I need to wire a socket for the power supply. The pot on the back sort of fine tunes the speed. One control would be better, but until I can build a proper speed control, this allows slower speeds. I did build a very simple PWM circuit but the motor actually makes too much noise as it pulses on and off. so either I need a more sophisticated circuit, or an enclosure to silence the motor? Anyway, at this stage it works as required, so aside from a few cosmetic jobs, it's more or less finished.<br />
<br />
Audio/video to follow</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-36112825770389724662011-11-12T19:17:00.000-08:002011-11-12T19:47:01.788-08:00rotary speaker<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Been working on a rotary speaker project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span>I spent a while experimenting with drive bands and pulleys before settling on a coffee cone/dripper attached directly to the shaft of an old motor from a tape deck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box_open1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/box_open1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/cone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/cone.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A paper cone sticks out the side of the coffee dripper</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/speaker2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/speaker2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A sawn-off funnel over the speaker channels sound into the coffee cone spinning above.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/speaker1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/rotary/speaker1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Using an old Fostex speaker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm now thinking about how to finish the enclosure and mount the controls. I have a PC fan controller to adjust speed but it only has an affect from 12V down to about 6V - it needs to go down to about 3V for slow rotation. I might build a PWM circuit to control the motor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a video test drive:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5xdKnkzzNLQ" width="560"></iframe></div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-70292185435247420722011-09-17T16:55:00.000-07:002011-09-17T16:55:33.932-07:00My Junk Guitar - bake 1 - paint job<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Been lacquering and waiting for it to cure.<br />
<br />
In the end I went with a chocolate brown and sealed the gold flakes with clear overcoat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/paint1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/paint1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">not a great shot - i hoped the flash would make the gold sparkle more.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span>I gave the pick up shell, volume knob, bridge screws and tuners an ivory coat - the pure white was too harsh. The ply body has been bound with a few layers of wood banding tape and sealed with more clear lacquer.</div><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/daizo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/daizo2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">first assemble</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Though part of me thinks the natural wood had its charms, I'm quite pleased with the results - just the right amount of cheese. I'm happy how the logo turned out - bent from wire and sealed into lacquer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/daizo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/daizo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The name is "Daizo". The "zo" coming from Z0-3 - the source of the neck, and the "dai" meaning big. However combined this way, they sound like "Daiso" which happens to be the name of a very well known 100yen store (dollar/under a pound store). A fiiting tribute to the 'build it cheap'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/knob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/knob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The volume knob came from a tube of toothpaste. It has a nice 'tri-star' thing in the center.<br />
<br />
Finally, here's a shot of the horrors lurking beneath the facade. I still need to make a cover to go over the electronics.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/back.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've discovered the lacquer could have done with more curing as it's rippled in a couple of places under pressure from attaching things. I'll likely take it apart and touch it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully I can post some sound or video files shortly.</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-53217176753121489682011-08-29T00:39:00.000-07:002011-08-29T01:05:35.024-07:00Junk guitar - bridge and pickup<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few small jobs done.<br />
<br />
Reinforced the tail-piece with an aluminium blank. this should make it more rigid and prevent any give under string tension:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/new_tail_piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/new_tail_piece.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">much better now !</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span>I also routed out the hole and cavity for the pickup. Not the most precise cut - I hoped to get the edge much flusher with just a hair's width of space between the pickup cover and the body. Unfortunately the rounded corners came out a little wider. Still, maybe when I lacquer it, the space will be filled slightly?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">You can just see the wider margin at the corners from this angle:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/pickup_view1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/pickup_view1.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The grain looks nice from here!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I also cut and filed a new saddle. I used aluminium, but maybe I'll try some steel or brass later on and see if there is any discernable difference to the sound.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I wired the pickup to a lead and plugged it in. It works and sounds promising. I'm still wondering about electronics, but I think it's just going to be a single volume pot and no onboard tone control - that will keep the design simple and spare and save me from lapsing into buying any new parts. That would defeat the object since this project's about re-fried scrap all the way!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a view of the whole thing as it stands. Hopefully the onlooker will note that the horn of the body echoes the shape of the headstock...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/outline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/outline.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Starting to think about the finish. The grain on the front is quite pleasing. I think the patterns work well with the shape of the body. I could try staining it to bring that out more, but being ply, the edges will need some treatment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the other hand, I'd like to try some new lacquering techniques and this would make a good practice piece. Recently, in my rummaging, I came across some small sachets of gold flakes. This is real gold that, I kid you not, came free with beer. In less austere times, there was trend here in Japan to decorate food and drink with gold flakes. Perhaps it still goes on? Not being one for ostentation, I put them aside and forgot about them. They must have been sitting in the kitchen draw for over 10 years. I'm now thinking these could be employed for a sparkle effect over dark blue, brown or black.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-27337031512262975232011-08-27T16:19:00.000-07:002011-08-27T16:19:32.556-07:00Junk guitar - checking the bridge<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">I fitted the bridge earlier in the week and strung the guitar up. I thought I should leave it for a while to see how it behaves under tension. So far all is well on the wood front but I think some attention is needed for the tail-piece - a lot of re-tuning was needed at first and I suspect it wasn't just the new strings. I believe the tail-piece has too much give in it. After about three days it seemed to settle more, but I've decided to insert an extra piece of metal to provide more support. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">before stringing. the ply facade sits over the bridge so it's slightly recessed. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">strung. the black marker pen is just to see if anything drifted</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/bridge_install4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">so far, so good</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While the guitar was settling under string tension, I began work on the pickup, or pickup housing to be precise. One thing that I will have to buy is wire for winding the pickup but so far I haven't found a ready supply. I will have to either order some on line or take a trip across town to Akihabara, and hope to find some in a shop there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, I've begun construction on what will house the pickup and allow height adjustment. This is a actually half of a plastic pill box with a hole cut out. A sheet of aluminium mesh sits inside and acts as a cover. You can just fit a humbucker in there and I used an old one for guidance when making the housing. I expect to make a single coil for this guitar but it's good to know a humbucker will fit in there should the need arise. I should get some more photos of the construction, but here's one for now:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/pickup_cover1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="http://wildchurch.com/guitar_build/daizo/pickup_cover1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I think it looks like some bizarre cross between a transistor radio and an electric shaver circa 1963 - very Pifco!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(that's good)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-18396668235565648402011-08-20T05:25:00.000-07:002011-08-20T05:29:28.057-07:00Junk guitar - progress - adjustable bridgeI've been working on the bridge. I wanted something adjustable in order to set the action and intonation. As I don't have many tools for metal work (no milling machines here!) it has to be a wood job. Fortunately, I found an old box made from something that seems hard and tropical and decided to use that.<br />
<br />
My initial idea was to construct something akin to the bridges found on archtops. After a rummage through my nuts and bolts I realised I didn't have anything that was really suitable, but it then dawned on me that I could use a couple of the saddles fom the ZO-3's original bridge. These are the regular sort with worm-screws for height adjustment that are found on strat-type bridges. There were six on the original bridge, one for each string, but three of them were so badly rusted up that their worm screw couldn't be removed. My idea however only requires two - one at either end of the bridge. I'm not sure if it really provides sufficient strength, but the bridges on a couple of my old Japanese twangers are similarly raised by just two, not so heavy-duty, bolts.<br />
<br />
I found some bolts with grippable heads to replace the worm-screws.<br />
<br />
Hopefully these photos show how it all works:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD1WQu8wTLyvBdQrMv4HKAv0v5iVLHtXUUXDYvjAiA-o8ghfDyhetO7lshvwiRpUvdgWGjZH5ims__XuYUWAcNJfn4hecCVj1aVw_MluCBT1I7c9CkmcnjyWU_5W0a9yC_NKTsktTMAjn/s1600/bridge+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWD1WQu8wTLyvBdQrMv4HKAv0v5iVLHtXUUXDYvjAiA-o8ghfDyhetO7lshvwiRpUvdgWGjZH5ims__XuYUWAcNJfn4hecCVj1aVw_MluCBT1I7c9CkmcnjyWU_5W0a9yC_NKTsktTMAjn/s320/bridge+side.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">side view - the saddles from the original bridge are now upside-down</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqmL4vcW3glGD5nVNBY5AOKgxGadtr8Q8CFI7MCvAsxuNMDpGyiUNACEl_NCeDjbrAIFD8hbKeUdwCRCbeTgRf1mFEIaFM6MjkBJ5S-AqpDQNaZp2XNXgam0OW14vlWDHnKMb0NkfYxrD/s1600/bridge+blank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqmL4vcW3glGD5nVNBY5AOKgxGadtr8Q8CFI7MCvAsxuNMDpGyiUNACEl_NCeDjbrAIFD8hbKeUdwCRCbeTgRf1mFEIaFM6MjkBJ5S-AqpDQNaZp2XNXgam0OW14vlWDHnKMb0NkfYxrD/s320/bridge+blank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">the wooden blank</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzDlQlRt3EQGj2vJ_oJ4vm6vpVNPUresHWQFQ3oNJ1xkNiS1DtSc42bbO_PGULNFRkhN4pfg6Kr1QOhT4BkzNpAsdDep0pCuvVjVXtB_JlQ1-0k3rZQsh7sJMBKOy92asjPFRjQmgmMZm/s1600/bridge+below.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZzDlQlRt3EQGj2vJ_oJ4vm6vpVNPUresHWQFQ3oNJ1xkNiS1DtSc42bbO_PGULNFRkhN4pfg6Kr1QOhT4BkzNpAsdDep0pCuvVjVXtB_JlQ1-0k3rZQsh7sJMBKOy92asjPFRjQmgmMZm/s320/bridge+below.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">as seen from below - two of the original saddles - one at each end</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MJunAZ2AXn6_D8KYj4q01srLWdlJecjC4kvIOK3VywmV4csup1oeTRIpxMriTPHfgzlNyDyYMOJpldZfbA573egZxiZBDOKW3hiVvJQLzV5T-Wso2yTZyhuQo7VhastuXHvtQ7JJDwNy/s1600/bridge+front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MJunAZ2AXn6_D8KYj4q01srLWdlJecjC4kvIOK3VywmV4csup1oeTRIpxMriTPHfgzlNyDyYMOJpldZfbA573egZxiZBDOKW3hiVvJQLzV5T-Wso2yTZyhuQo7VhastuXHvtQ7JJDwNy/s320/bridge+front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">from the front</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnA0W-u0cqcJBbJ7NCosKsq16u2-lhAxYnNnVZ50_relcuCSrLhkQ9sTHMj7EEKzBEZrSzQOnwiaRQBvrVYfkhWqT_3VMKimU64jhLavHrStYLCuvxb-Sh6VuPzapiuHM0oChOWtxHhyc/s1600/bridge+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnA0W-u0cqcJBbJ7NCosKsq16u2-lhAxYnNnVZ50_relcuCSrLhkQ9sTHMj7EEKzBEZrSzQOnwiaRQBvrVYfkhWqT_3VMKimU64jhLavHrStYLCuvxb-Sh6VuPzapiuHM0oChOWtxHhyc/s320/bridge+top.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">and from above - the plastic saddle is temporary and will probably be replaced with something like brass. there is still some shaping to do once I see how it works with the body </span><br />
<br />
There was also a tail piece to make, plus a bracket for the scale length adjustment. For these I used some sheet steel from the casing of an old Technics hi-fi amp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5TXDfdM1a-uOpTKwVK_2N_nq7Jp7nm-096xIx84f3eaDm7ZXi-dK7O6B7kRIYmqUw1TmvFRgBvVBPRqK9fa-bctSXi7nmvVoVhT5q9u9ANYSA1U-qD4ABviubn8taMMjpK2Rmm3sbl0P/s1600/tail+piece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5TXDfdM1a-uOpTKwVK_2N_nq7Jp7nm-096xIx84f3eaDm7ZXi-dK7O6B7kRIYmqUw1TmvFRgBvVBPRqK9fa-bctSXi7nmvVoVhT5q9u9ANYSA1U-qD4ABviubn8taMMjpK2Rmm3sbl0P/s320/tail+piece1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">cutting and bending the tail piece</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9hDtPcKCxZsh8DnBW85k4jrCC5QL7RfzM7NkL-q-h2rSKxRcTBdGTbMA_fZu8jP2VkEEmxDLGlbT5cf2rFFSCCHLU-_N1K-H6AZBBycIRlXjZ3WA5XbLlNyCWpDIR2QbaQIux4R4xpJY/s1600/tail+piece2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif9hDtPcKCxZsh8DnBW85k4jrCC5QL7RfzM7NkL-q-h2rSKxRcTBdGTbMA_fZu8jP2VkEEmxDLGlbT5cf2rFFSCCHLU-_N1K-H6AZBBycIRlXjZ3WA5XbLlNyCWpDIR2QbaQIux4R4xpJY/s320/tail+piece2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">slots for strings</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZixRrlfIS6j-_xCZwEsox-Pa1q9jaI-OPpID2Z_EiuSoWAez014apPKE8rRqgvsAK6QIy8PBVAQQ39kaTQR8M8_mHM0KP7cO0-8fL4BzZ1L7xKPQH9taQUCcvIUTiPFgwA5mS2X0SQhS/s1600/tail+piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZixRrlfIS6j-_xCZwEsox-Pa1q9jaI-OPpID2Z_EiuSoWAez014apPKE8rRqgvsAK6QIy8PBVAQQ39kaTQR8M8_mHM0KP7cO0-8fL4BzZ1L7xKPQH9taQUCcvIUTiPFgwA5mS2X0SQhS/s320/tail+piece.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">still needs a lot of polishing</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrAIGW6J_0rPgkozLL9OvmUoT0A8B5p-YNOGbcg50sDqEBKWzDa7SYxSLIcRrOXuj-SwEMznPbUp2XRfrrGHgafu3EsqgMee3jrz79FiCuV59LERLoVuxr3qjXPwcnHbEdO3nlzewYAaj/s1600/bridge+test1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrAIGW6J_0rPgkozLL9OvmUoT0A8B5p-YNOGbcg50sDqEBKWzDa7SYxSLIcRrOXuj-SwEMznPbUp2XRfrrGHgafu3EsqgMee3jrz79FiCuV59LERLoVuxr3qjXPwcnHbEdO3nlzewYAaj/s320/bridge+test1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">testing the bridge</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzUz78BJjCKt13DfRp8VJIy1V8n0VuFER4m68uGBClWpt7RYSOACv2pRf6Q3gLBgG5K4hER6zeiBpoRpl7R4a7dPSpYogACpqNrms0txqScLHXYS1xOlvHEzchEBuD4ggvdUPzgRQcnOv/s1600/bridge+test2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzUz78BJjCKt13DfRp8VJIy1V8n0VuFER4m68uGBClWpt7RYSOACv2pRf6Q3gLBgG5K4hER6zeiBpoRpl7R4a7dPSpYogACpqNrms0txqScLHXYS1xOlvHEzchEBuD4ggvdUPzgRQcnOv/s320/bridge+test2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">the bridge and tail piece are fitted to a block of cherry wood</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFKo8UYoir7TWZfH5slaXwdQ1GiAw8X38L-AlPOfqLkhq9LJi6hOoNQRFj8ca2du_OUnhEzBTI0tV09fuDdN_fI2_hUfX-c5w-iukYjosJb-Yf8IIftEykahOL2FYBtlcV6hWmwLY17PY/s1600/action+check.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFKo8UYoir7TWZfH5slaXwdQ1GiAw8X38L-AlPOfqLkhq9LJi6hOoNQRFj8ca2du_OUnhEzBTI0tV09fuDdN_fI2_hUfX-c5w-iukYjosJb-Yf8IIftEykahOL2FYBtlcV6hWmwLY17PY/s320/action+check.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">there's about 3-4 mm of vertical play at the bridge which means I can get an acceptable action at the 12th fret - hope that's still the case when it's fully strung and up to tension! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdMmlyilmW9epmtbw2Rm8pczGZsKUqo3psn2HV9fKjkwooeYGAhp6TLU3hxjEpJaGdGSzJmT31C30ZR2qtI-X-Vqqt61ANA5NYqKVoDEGj07pOTO9l09CyvO6chpPkaK5bmeCU9m8WHAJ/s1600/alignment1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdMmlyilmW9epmtbw2Rm8pczGZsKUqo3psn2HV9fKjkwooeYGAhp6TLU3hxjEpJaGdGSzJmT31C30ZR2qtI-X-Vqqt61ANA5NYqKVoDEGj07pOTO9l09CyvO6chpPkaK5bmeCU9m8WHAJ/s320/alignment1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">checking the alignment down the neck</span><br />
<br />
Next step is to glue the bridge block to the body block, I'll probably add some dowels for extra strength. After that, I'll be routing cavaties in the plywood facade to sit over the bridge. I'm thinking the electroncis will be entirely mounted into the facade - that way it can all be removed as one unit which may make maintenance easier.<br />
<br />
<div></div>Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-41189125178487761092011-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:002011-08-18T23:35:50.156-07:00Junk guitar build - progress reportI spent a while deciding what to make the body from. As I intend to avoid purchasing any materials there are going to be some restrictions on what I can do.
<br />
<br />I'd already conceded that the body would somehow be composite and expected to make a blank out of several sheets of ply. However, I found I didn't have enough offcuts of sufficient size to do this as expected. What I did find though, was a nice piece of cherry - very hard and solid but still too small - it was the end of a plank.
<br />
<br />However, I then got the notion to build the resonating structure of the guitar by mounting the neck and bridge to the cherry wood and fitting a facade on top. I did a google search to find out if, a) cherry was ever used for guitars, and b) whether anyone else had built a similar instrument of plywood facade over a solid block. I knew a little of the Danelectro construction with masonite and suspected that some archtops/semi-acoustics may have been similarly comprised, albeit with a full structure encasing the inner block. My idea though, was simply to have the solid block fronted with a facade.
<br />
<br />Here's something I found on the net - Eric Mecum's plywood guitar
<br />
<br /><a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/eric" target="_blank" o="'0"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/turquoisemoleeater/guitars/EricMecumplywoodguitar.jpg" /></a>
<br />nice!
<br />
<br /><a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/turquoisemoleeater/guitars/EricMecumplywoodguitar.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v118/turquoisemoleeater/guitars/EricMecumplywoodguitar.jpg</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">
<br />
<br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;">The above guitar is pretty much along the lines of what I was envisaging and I was enboldened to continue. By the way, you can check out more of Eric Mecum's guitar builds here: </span><a href="http://www.ericmecum.com/?page=guitars">http://www.ericmecum.com/?page=guitars</a>
<br />
<br />I also found cherry has been used but not widely - it seems that the standard mahogany, ash and alder being known quantities has led to folk having little desire to stray from the norm - the builder/player knows what they're getting with these. Still, no problem for my project - I barely have a clue how it'll end up and I'm trying to use whatever's to hand, so cherry it is..
<br />
<br />I went ahead and cut some parts...
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVYVv0FwDAe9cdYytZIqCCSs7NySZA01W-ruJFAzD5PRd2DjZH_o-s8F19cUYI4xyo0Yn5HJSvJ6qxu_E0NS2KV0MADGC-VIMJ86lQzhSePmyRjvAqLAE3BU_nfqonWdWmeU2HNVTn4M4/s1600/rough+cutting+body.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642348490120833234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuVYVv0FwDAe9cdYytZIqCCSs7NySZA01W-ruJFAzD5PRd2DjZH_o-s8F19cUYI4xyo0Yn5HJSvJ6qxu_E0NS2KV0MADGC-VIMJ86lQzhSePmyRjvAqLAE3BU_nfqonWdWmeU2HNVTn4M4/s320/rough+cutting+body.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">rough cutting the plywood facade
<br /></span>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZmYWlbxl9yzoABX8wS46l-_V87ur5TpDQb7q2B5MM7STBwwiepeu-HaX866io5ZmKsP2DDyX7xjcDs0lDqlyrIk_fMqbB0SjOEEosOgAvbVAAwXBKl28XXUpVav0PCVN6Wpv1EUrpr4e/s1600/hardboard+template1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642348486154484338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZmYWlbxl9yzoABX8wS46l-_V87ur5TpDQb7q2B5MM7STBwwiepeu-HaX866io5ZmKsP2DDyX7xjcDs0lDqlyrIk_fMqbB0SjOEEosOgAvbVAAwXBKl28XXUpVav0PCVN6Wpv1EUrpr4e/s320/hardboard+template1.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the hardboard template and the plywood facade</span>
<br />
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10lPfo_pm1pmHrPOl9sbYKGhQBKyna71obUi0G_BZ_ooiEv_CuHd8YifxkDLnkUmFG2tmeDZJ7dL2LtUKqEW7Ixy3ucRDBzWZt1EHeiUwyfSGVIH6Dxfo7Pdd4KY-4_Q_NrLfPwaTPb3B/s1600/hardboard+template2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642348488648976546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10lPfo_pm1pmHrPOl9sbYKGhQBKyna71obUi0G_BZ_ooiEv_CuHd8YifxkDLnkUmFG2tmeDZJ7dL2LtUKqEW7Ixy3ucRDBzWZt1EHeiUwyfSGVIH6Dxfo7Pdd4KY-4_Q_NrLfPwaTPb3B/s320/hardboard+template2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">lined up ready for routing
<br />
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQq7N67n_pLRjvGSos39cMSwsyC6Qjyq1-gvcOp933EhYMrNUifnUj9Efyk4MCFvSYlrj5gvHP-YnnYoFWyK0PMrjmJ7HkfpDaVQPQ3BY5BPGv6ZpHE6aOi4Sjt1e_7M0mc51u05KescZ/s1600/parts+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642348495489447554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQq7N67n_pLRjvGSos39cMSwsyC6Qjyq1-gvcOp933EhYMrNUifnUj9Efyk4MCFvSYlrj5gvHP-YnnYoFWyK0PMrjmJ7HkfpDaVQPQ3BY5BPGv6ZpHE6aOi4Sjt1e_7M0mc51u05KescZ/s320/parts+1.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">the parts - neck attached to cherry wood base</span>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>
<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n3QtWrHPHJecLgk86X3Kf6Xujbq5An4cdd3tG-m6j8D4RcUSDYw9xG-sjSF-eRAWZG7QBuf1VEQxZdkzrJPQCtz4julGNG9p2Gcrx_87ILXuJZcricIXePsgARZbeDowcbGboyrezrCA/s1600/design+try-out+1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642348500027225570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8n3QtWrHPHJecLgk86X3Kf6Xujbq5An4cdd3tG-m6j8D4RcUSDYw9xG-sjSF-eRAWZG7QBuf1VEQxZdkzrJPQCtz4julGNG9p2Gcrx_87ILXuJZcricIXePsgARZbeDowcbGboyrezrCA/s320/design+try-out+1.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">a design tryout with paper and toothpaste cap</span>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RKVGFIN7hwZqpIdDGJdCI9wgvpb22jb4wQbCbS1CQr6kF0yQyR8qDxBdpqQK1drrRdjsvHVv9Po-qvLNWH0IigRt9DTo_L_T9esTDcUl6zNPgEormUna5jd9tYRFutimYCHSICCExfbO/s1600/by+products.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642351466089252098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9RKVGFIN7hwZqpIdDGJdCI9wgvpb22jb4wQbCbS1CQr6kF0yQyR8qDxBdpqQK1drrRdjsvHVv9Po-qvLNWH0IigRt9DTo_L_T9esTDcUl6zNPgEormUna5jd9tYRFutimYCHSICCExfbO/s320/by+products.jpg" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">by products - the kids get involved
<br />
<br />
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span>
<br />Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878095510260835611.post-51566224692679444312011-08-15T13:49:00.000-07:002011-08-15T16:40:36.840-07:00Build a Guitar from JunkI finally have something to document on this blog - a 'build it as cheaply as possible' guitar inspired by a neck I already had lying about waiting for a home. The neck came from a Fernandes "Zo-3" that I originally picked up from the junk corner of the local Hard-off store.
<br />
<br />The body and many of the fittings (bridge, tuners, etc) have degraded somewhat, probably as a result of storage in humid conditions, but the neck seems surprisingly intact. Here's a photo of an intact ZO-3 <span style="font-size:78%;">(not mine)</span><span style="font-size:100%;">:</span>
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MyAMvOd8KEzHCiokva0W9X1r5UU58X6fxHHo4ZwsUMW-7-OEgkDcHHkJmdwyEhdEnGgGpmWBR3ATosWhyphenhyphen_tjZ7Z3gx9jKzDMOnDzpk0XgOZe_XOwtv7ns91exZB7JWQDw6-xJa2T8NR6/s1600/Z0-3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 114px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641203939211410898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MyAMvOd8KEzHCiokva0W9X1r5UU58X6fxHHo4ZwsUMW-7-OEgkDcHHkJmdwyEhdEnGgGpmWBR3ATosWhyphenhyphen_tjZ7Z3gx9jKzDMOnDzpk0XgOZe_XOwtv7ns91exZB7JWQDw6-xJa2T8NR6/s320/Z0-3.jpg" /></a>
<br /><a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fernandes_ZO-3.jpg"><span style="font-size:78%;">http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fernandes_ZO-3.jpg</span></a>
<br />
<br />When spoken, Zo-3 becomes "zou-san" and is Japanese for elephant. Perhaps you can see the resemblance in the design? <em><span style="font-size:78%;">(picture the guitar in playing position).
<br /></span>
<br /></em>The following principles will apply:
<br />
<br />- Use existing scrap, junk, parts, bits and bobs, etc that I have lying around the house
<br />- Allow aesthetics to dictate the flow of project <em>(more below)</em>
<br />- Learn something new - in this case that'll probably be winding my own pickups
<br />- Have fun
<br />
<br /><strong>My Yes/No of Aesthetics</strong>
<br />
<br /><strong>Yes</strong> - the guitar should appear to be:
<br />- Space junk mated with agricultural machinery
<br />- Earth bound but beaming out to cosmos
<br />- Transmitting the unknown
<br />
<br /><strong>No</strong> - the guitar should not embody:
<br />- Machismo
<br />- Death
<br />- Auto-industry(?)
<br />- Rock without any roll
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>(will probably add more to the above as the project progresses)
<br /></em>
<br /></span>I sketched out a few shapes and used photoshop to get a full-size template:
<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbe_q4gMD9YAK7v6o9paGSO6y5HGmzFQkUZaBIsUMTdaeiT7III4JnR0mvOICBE1-6m_dKNZ87DWKBgh6sNUiaG7FGWTfS9L0EgDBHR25kpXCqG1NVc649uaKuGliMK1QtiKEjasixRsB/s1600/shapes.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 227px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641209229315515618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbe_q4gMD9YAK7v6o9paGSO6y5HGmzFQkUZaBIsUMTdaeiT7III4JnR0mvOICBE1-6m_dKNZ87DWKBgh6sNUiaG7FGWTfS9L0EgDBHR25kpXCqG1NVc649uaKuGliMK1QtiKEjasixRsB/s320/shapes.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiQ9kQcghCDth0uiUY-83e27dbo9zkmkMvM02qICQkTmdw8MGlFu6sW4yuGO3W5wpDvgjxac18pYeFTe8BCbIrEP17a4NE6SXGi6mdHjf8gUc0c_mZx6CHXzxCEpsjz2B0XH68CEUOK4L/s1600/template1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 147px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641209226889598578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiQ9kQcghCDth0uiUY-83e27dbo9zkmkMvM02qICQkTmdw8MGlFu6sW4yuGO3W5wpDvgjxac18pYeFTe8BCbIrEP17a4NE6SXGi6mdHjf8gUc0c_mZx6CHXzxCEpsjz2B0XH68CEUOK4L/s320/template1.jpg" /></a>
<br />
<br />Next step is to make a proper template out of ply or hardboard. This will be used for routing the body.
<br />Lord of the Hertzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01837927859627978467noreply@blogger.com0