I've been doing woodworking for a long time, and I've been playing guitar almost as long. My first electric was a Telecaster that I lost in a burglary, and while I love my MIM Strat, I've always wanted another Tele. I started a Telecaster copy a few years ago. I got as far as shaping and routing the body (alder), cutting the outline of the (maple) neck, laminating and radiusing the (rosewood) fingerboard, and cutting the fret slots. That project had to go on the shelf as I've been completely remodeling my workshop in preparation for my retirement at the end of this year, and I'm looking forward to getting the shop back into operation this fall and getting back to work on this project.
I've already started collecting materials and parts for my NEXT guitar, so the intent is to keep building guitars as long as I can afford to do it. I'm hoping that at some point I can start selling some of these guitars for enough money to keep me in materials, parts, and supplies, but we'll see... The LOML bought me a short-scale bass (actually a Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI) for Christmas last year, and I've been having a blast with it. One of the things I'd like to do down the road is to build a short-scale 4-string bass (I have little hands and a 34" scale length is a bit awkward for me). I bought some cheap "OEM" Tele pickups that were on clearance from GFS so I'd have something to put in this axe when it's done, but I also bought some bobbins and wire and have plans to build a winder so I can wind my own pickups. I built my own bike a few years ago, and figured that I shouldn't build a bike and buy wheels, so I learned how to build wheels. I figure if I'm going to build a guitar, I might as well learn to build the pickups too!!
Anyway, this forum looks like a nice, friendly place to hang out, with plenty of folks to learn from, and with opportunities to return the favor by passing along what I learn.
