Tenor Guitar Conversion

[bea]

Another DIY project. A friend of mine would like to have a tenor guitar. She asked me if i could convert something existing. We decided to start from the cheapest SG kit on the market - 79 EUROs.

I fitted pieces of wood the channels for the pickup leads with wood (rests of the lader from the bass) and started sanding off the finish. Improved the neck joint a bit. Also started with the main task of this project - reshaping the neck for just four strings.

Just some pictures of the ongoing work - and let's continue with the saw...

 

[shreddy bender]

This looks like it could be interesting.

 

[bea]

The next steps... the raw shaping of the neck joint has been done. There are a lot of errors to be compensated, especially on the neck, but fortunately nothing that can't be done.

 

[bea]

A little bit of progress:

I think i should try to optically reduce the size of the body. Maybe widen the bevels?

 

[SG John]

Cool build. I've always loved the idea of a tenor SG since I saw that Nico Case plays this beautiful example.

Is the scale the same length?

 

[SG Lou]

Sweet !

 

[bea]

Cool build. I've always loved the idea of a tenor SG since I saw that Nico Case plays this beautiful example.

Nico's SG is actually my inspiration to do such a project.

Is the scale the same length?

I do not know the scale length of the old Gibsons. I am using a modified guitar neck (remember, this one is based on the 79 $ kit...) which means normal scale of 62.8 cm.

 

[MaceRider]

I do not know the scale length of the old Gibsons. I am using a modified guitar neck (remember, this one is based on the 79 $ kit...) which means normal scale of 62.8 cm.

SG scale length is 24.75 inches, which is very close to 62.8 cm, so it's the same scale, just 2 less strings.

 

[bea]

SG scale length is 24.75 inches, which is very close to 62.8 cm, so it's the same scale, just 2 less strings.

Of course. Quite naturally if a standard neck is simply cut narrower, isn't it ?

Anyway: this night was the final marriage of neck and body. Final because i decided to both glue the neck and fix it with screws (originally it was bolt on).

That double fixation allows me to shape the neck joint more thorouhgly and to hide the screws under a wooden cover.

Finally we decided on the color: Deep Purple.

 

[bea]

A lot of sanding later. I thought i was done - but the photo shows that there is still a lot to do :-(

And a closeup to the headstock

 

[shreddy bender]

That's coming along nicely! I see your point about optically reducing the body size with carving the bevels a bit more. It does look a bit chunky.
It really looks cool and that seems like a pretty good deal on the kit. What all came with the kit if I may ask?

 

[bea]

It really looks cool and that seems like a pretty good deal on the kit. What all came with the kit if I may ask?

Everything is there to build up a guitar. Entry level quality, of course - but i have seen worse. The most interesting part will be the pickups - if they are usable or sound like crap. We'll see.

A few holes are in the wrong place - apparently randomly, at least if i judge from the few pictures of builds of that kit in the net. But that is frequently reported from the more expensive kits as well. The most annoying feature of the kit is the "finish" - it more or less needs to be ripped off. And thats a hard job on the end-grain sections, especially in the cutaways. I doubt it is possible to a degree allowing the use of stain again.

 

[bea]

A few layers of clear PU-Acrylic laquer as a foundation of the actual finish, which as mentioned, will be "deep purple" (whatever color will be the exact outcome). That is almost the surface quality of Gibsons worn finish, and already more robust.

Already dry enough to be sanded to grit 1200 - but the laquer will need its time to fully harden.

 

[bea]

Just signed the headstock. I am using a silver edding pencil. This can safely be covered with the water PU-acrylic laquer i am using. Test was successful.

Now i understand why the commercial headstock logos always point upward...

Mixed a few color probes and sent them to my friend (for whom the guitar will be...) Idea is to used laquer tinted with water stain. I cannot spray in my appartment.

 

[bea]

... Idea is to used laquer tinted with water stain. I cannot spray in my appartment.

And that technique turns out to be a lot more difficult, actually frustrating on the complex shape of an SG than on a loudspeaker cabinet (with the same laquer).

First of all the tinted (water soluable) laquer behaved like a thick stain which was hard to control. The wood took it quite uneven, but luckily a fairly evenly figured uneven color pattern evolved. The first layes of clear laquer are drying. I applied it with a wet sponge. Not nice, but in the end it will give a surface which looks good from a distance.

I need a better technique for the SG bass which will be continued after the Tenor.

 

[Biddlin]

Tough problem, if you can't spray. Do you know an artist or automotive painter that might let you use space?

 

[bea]

No, i do not have any connections.

I'll do a few more coatings and then we will decide if we might leave it or if i try something new. Please keep in mind that it was an intentionally low budget experiment - i actually opted for a more expensive kit which would result in less effort for me. On such a kit, also stain + oil could have been used - and that's working very well in my bathroom.

There is, BTW, a second difficulty: i was using a laquer pencil to sign the head plate. Its color is resists the water based colors i am using. It does not resist Nitro and it does not resist the Oil i am using. Unfortunately the water based laquer also gets damaged by Nitro. That's why d i did not try a finish with colored violin laquer (http://www.joha.eu/shop/en/index.htm).

 

[shreddy bender]

No, i do not have any connections.

Are there any furniture manufacturers or trade schools in your area? A good way to make connections is to approach people in the trades with your problem and the offer of a case of beer to help you out! Beer goes a long way in this world!
I hope you can get your problem sorted out! I really like this project.

 

[bea]

We decided to leave it as is and simply to continue.

After a few more layers of clear laquer and some micromeshing it looks like this (remember, i do not take any money from my friend, it is just a fun project interrupting my SG bass build). Some of the problem spots will be covered by the pickguard.

I already started to mount some of the hardware. On monday i will hopefully continue with refretting and maybe making a new saddle.

 

[shreddy bender]

That looks very sharp! Looks like a nice glossy finish your were able to achieve.
Very nice job. May I ask you what is "micromeshing"?