first build

[Alex Shroyer]

This is supposed to be a testbed for a bunch of ideas I want to try, so I'm using primarily pine. Headless, multi-scale, 8-string, trapezoid/asymmetric neck profile, handmade pickups and tuners. Mostly hand tools.

Here's a video of me testing a tuner prototype with an 0.018 string.

I like to do things the hard way; I feel like that way I can make a bunch of mistakes really quickly and then learn from them for the next try.

Some lessons learned so far:

• Don't buy fretwire in short lengths unless those lengths evenly divide by your fretboard width.

• Pipe clamps or bar clamps are overrated; it's not hard to make a long-reach clamp for body glue up with some scrap wood and wedges.

• A face vise on a proper workbench is not overrated. It's a toss-up between this or a bandsaw when it comes to "most desperately desired tool".

• Shape the back of the neck after getting the neck pocket and tenon sorted.

[JC Whitney]

Enjoyed your tuner test video - am I guessing right that your long term plan is to have lever(s) perpendicular to the body top?

[Jarno Verhoeven]

Interesting testbed!

• I do not mind short lengths of fretwire if it is not too expensive

• Pipe clamps are really helpful! A big piece of plywood and some wedges can be used as well, but I definitely like my pipe clamps (I also make furniture, so I sometimes have glue-ups of longer panels).

• +1 on the face vise, such an enabler, but I am also looking to add an end vise to my bench, as that is helpful when planning small stock
  +1 on the band saw as well, it is a huge asset to the shop, mine is a small but high quality one (Inca 260) which I bought for really little money (50 euros), in super nice condition.

• Yes