My First Guitar Body

An area to upload images of pieces cut using VCarve Pro
Post Reply
User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

1963 Stratocaster carved out of White Oak

Thought I would give it a go!!! Another interesting/challenging project!

SHARKCUTUP
Attachments
20210521_151445.jpg
20210521_151623.jpg
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
Rcnewcomb
Vectric Archimage
Posts: 5886
Joined: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:54 am
Model of CNC Machine: 24x36 GCnC/WinCNC with ATC
Location: San Jose, California, USA
Contact:

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by Rcnewcomb »

It looks great. What size ballnose bit did you use for the finish pass?

(Long, long ago I had a '56 Strat which I sold for $250 in my foolish youth.)
- Randall Newcomb
10 fingers in, 10 fingers out, another good day in the shop

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

It looks great. What size ballnose bit did you use for the finish pass?
Thank you!!!🙂

This build was drawn from a paper drawing.

Most complicated Toolpaths used were Moulding toolpaths cleared with 1/4" flat end mill and finished with a 1/4" ballnose.

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
TomWS
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 350
Joined: Sat Mar 06, 2021 11:06 pm
Model of CNC Machine: OB Lead 1010, Mach3; OB C-Beam 1060 grbl

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by TomWS »

Very nice two sided carving! The pockets look very deep. What was the cutting length on the bit?

User avatar
scotttarnor
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 941
Joined: Fri Aug 30, 2019 11:40 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Piranha XL , Shark HD520
Location: La Crosse WI

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by scotttarnor »

Dam Dude you do everything from rifle stocks to guitar’s ! I want to come hang out in garage for a day!
Scott T

@scottscnc

User avatar
scottp55
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 4713
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:30 am
Model of CNC Machine: ShopbotDesktop 5.5"Z/spindle/VCP11.5
Location: Kennebunkport, Maine, US

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by scottp55 »

Sweet and clean cut Shark!! :)
Well Done!
I've learned my lesson well. You can't please everyone,so you have to please yourself
R.N.

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

Thank you everyone!

I Enjoy Challenges!!! Two-Side Projects are even more Interesting and Challenging too!

2 1/4" stock material - White Oak planed to 2" for project. Required project completed thickness - 1 3/4"
Pockets - .563" and 1.5" deep and one through pocket using a 1/4" Flat End Mill 3" Overall length - 1" cutting length

It was definitely a challenge and that first guitar body is not perfect by any means (note the contour face side).

This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups. In that instance I had used the wrong Z-Zero at the startup of that particular moulding toolpath which regrettably started .25" deep which caused a surmountable amout of sanding to blend/smooth surface to machined contour. Other than that I believe the First go was proven a success!

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

I think I will have a go at the Fender Telecaster Thinline Guitar Body in White Oak. It will be a lot lighter due to the Thinline's hollow design feature. It will be even more challenging because not only is it two-sided, it is made up of two mating parts - the hollowed body and a matching cover.

Hmmm where did I put that drawing?

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
rink
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 188
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 3:45 pm
Model of CNC Machine: OpenBuilds LEAD 1510 / VCarve Pro
Location: USA
Contact:

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by rink »

sharkcutup wrote:
Sat May 22, 2021 3:18 pm
This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups.
Good evening.
What are virtual z-zero setups?
Thx, rink.
I want to be unique like everyone else.

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

sharkcutup wrote: ↑Sat May 22, 2021 9:18 am
This project for me required two z-zero locations because I am very partial to using Virtual Z-Zero setups.
Good evening.
What are virtual z-zero setups?
Thx, rink.
I was a little hesitant mentioning Virtual Z-Zero Setups because of this.

Virtual Zero is a program that had come with my Shark CNC Control Software which I have grown accustomed to using most often.
Reference this link - https://www.nextwavecnc.com/shop/hex:73 ... 205a65726f
for more information on what it is and its capabilities.

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
rink
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 188
Joined: Tue Jul 07, 2020 3:45 pm
Model of CNC Machine: OpenBuilds LEAD 1510 / VCarve Pro
Location: USA
Contact:

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by rink »

Thank you.
I want to be unique like everyone else.

WMS
Posts: 16
Joined: Thu Jul 23, 2020 1:36 pm
Model of CNC Machine: SS23

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by WMS »

Great project, I am considering taking this on myself. How did you take on the neck?

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

Have not tackled the Guitar neck yet. Debating on whether I should carve it or just buy a pre-made neck to install. Not exactly sure how to go about the frets. Need to research it in more detail.

But in the meantime, I have made another Guitar Body which is the Telecaster Thinline Body. This body is a lot lighter than the Stratocaster body I had carved. They are both carved out of White Oak.
20210611_172749.jpg
Telecaster Thinline Body
Guitar Bodies.jpg
Both Guitar Bodies Side by side (Stratocaster and Telecaster Thinline)

I have been doing construction on a homemade sawmill for cutting table top stock down to size (2 1/2" -4" thick) rather than planning it to size and loosing/wasting all that wood in chips/dust. I have been constructing a sawmill bandsaw to cut the stock to size. This has been consuming the majority of my time lately.

I will eventually get back to the guitar necks after I do more research into the fret layout.

Thank you for your Interest!!!

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

Got my first guitar neck carved and the first fret board too.

Body and neck - white oak
Fret Board - Mahogany
20221002_143947.jpg
Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

User avatar
sharkcutup
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2885
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:48 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shark HD3 Pro Extended Bed with Spindle
Location: U.S.A.

Re: My First Guitar Body

Post by sharkcutup »

An photo of my guitar with parts laid out
20221002_150002.jpg
Complete the fret board and then put a finish on body, neck, and fret board then assemble.

Sharkcutup
V-Carve Pro Tips, Gadget Tips & Videos
YouTube Channel - Sharkcutup CNC
V-Carve Pro 11.554

Post Reply