Updated! OSB guitar body- really with pictures this time.

[Layne Matz]

Since i cant afford to buy my little brother a guitar for his 15th birthday I figured I can at least begin to peice one together for him, besides the shops within range have overpriced offbrand and damaged equipment. Despite my efforts these pawnshop owners wont buckle. Most of the shops carry only guns and tools, maybe a few guitars. There was a first act ME951 but of course it was purchased last week.

Anyways, made a body out of 2 slabs of OSB and a plywood top. I rough cut these with my circular saw as its the only electric saw I have. They are not all the same shape and overlap but itd not too bad and can be managed. I glued the body with a ton of Liquid Nails and then used thin ribbed roofing nails through the top and bottom. The body is under a stack of heavy tote bins until 5pm tomorrow. I should have taken a picture before hand. Im going to wait till the glue is dry to get a picture. I know Titebond is what i should use but i got the LN for free and its what i have to work with. Im going to stain it, a darker shade then coat it with Minwax Clear Brushing Lacquer or Helmsman Spar Urethane. Not sure which would be better at preserving the wood.

After a few drafted designs this is what I have decided on.

He doesnt know what he likes when it comes to electric guitar so im just shooting in the dark but i think that when its done it will be really nice to play. We will have to peice it together here and there so it will be a while before its finished. Im going to take ut to my neighbors shop before putting parts on and gussy it up a bit, trim things maybe, oh and rout the holes for pickups and controls. It would look good in black but i think it has more charachter this way.

If my neighbor has some black lacquer or pily uerthan I may coat it with that. If I do I'll get a different neck, one with a glossy black headstock and rosewood fretboard.
All of the parts will be bought dirt cheap on ebay, except the body and the bridge humbucker. Im going to put the hbucker from my HSS squire strat in the bridge. I have a p90 in that strat now, if you don't already know. Anyways, I think it will play real well when I get through with it. The last thing to buy will be the neck P90.

Id love to hear any feedback you guys have(no pun intended), I'll post pictures as soon as its practical.

 

[Layne Matz]

Update! The glue is curing but the nails keep it together well, plus liquid nails is a strong mix all the same. I was thinking of a Lazer style body when i cut it but I think i mistook how lazers are shaoed so this is a UNIQUE shape and build- one of a kind!


The tape on the right marks the neck pocket.
I intend to rout for 2 pups, P90 in the neck eventually and hbucker I already have in the brdige.

I have to make a small cutaway for upper fret access. Im going to use a saw all when I take it to my neighbors shop.

The tele controls probably wont fit on here, I'll probably out the dials near the back, master tone and volume plus a 3 way selector switch. I put the carrying strap on it to get a better idea of the feel. It's not bad, not too light but not too heavy. I lightly sanded it with some skate board grip tape just for comfort around the edges. Im going to stain and coat it soon. Im thinking of staining the sides a darker color and applying extra heavy coats of spar urethan or clear brushimg lacquer.

QUESTION:Which is more ideal for a body? Clear brushing Lacquer or Spar Urethane???

When i can afford it im going to get a big jug of Titebond and start hording wood materials. Someday I will have the tools to properly make all the cuts for standard and unique guitar bodies. I wonder if there would be a demand for weird but good guitars online... After a while I'll refine things. Remember, all i have is circular saw and a *Handsaw. My drill bits are in storage in Tennessee, I'm in Alabama- it was an accident.

Later this eveneimg i might try to cut a few shapes.
After a few coats of whatever chemicals, i think it will feel great. The weight and shape are pretty good, the dials might be a bit oddly placed.

If my brother doesnt like it, I sure will. If it were for me i would use a Tele pup and control configuration. I'll build my own Tele body aftter i have better woods and some Titebond. Stay tuned for more updates...

Pardon my typos, they're awful.

 

[GrumpyOldDBA]

Interesting project I'm sure you will learn a lot doing it.

Not that I advocate buying used stuff at a Guitar Center etc and having it shipped for delivery but at my local one you can find a used Les Paul Junior in fair condition for under 70 bucks and a Squire Strat "great condition" for under 80 bucks.

Good luck!

 

[Layne Matz]

having it shipped for delivery

Thank you for the feedback!
The nearest one is 79 miles west of here, an hour and a half drive at least. Do they ship to homes? Their shipping is ususally around 20$ correct?

Im going to try to locate free woods near me, after the tornadoes a while ago there has been a ton scrap laying around. I really would like to build a Tele, I dont care what kind of wood it is if its shaped correctly, feels alright, and sounds good.