Chris's Bulldog Chopper #0034

[Elizabeth]

So Chris has been around for a few months, but here's a late 'Welcome to the Schroeder club' anyway!! :D

Chris has Schroeder Custom #0049 on order. I will let Chris take it from here...


...E

[WinstaBull]

Here is the low down on the Specs...

1 piece Quilt Top
Mahogany body
Indian Rosewood Neck
Ebony Fretboard
Headstock and FB purfling
24.75 Scale
3 Humbuckers(BG Pups)
3 Volume 1 tone
Each volume knob is a push/push toggle to split the coil
Charcoal burst similar to ChrisG
Ebony Bulldog inlay on the back
Schroeder Bridge :)

Here is a rough pick of the top, far left - Quilt 101

http://www.imagechicken.com/uploads/1229661376059226300.jpg (http://www.imagechicken.com)

He is the idea behind the bulldog inlay

http://www.imagechicken.com/uploads/1229661575024777000.gif (http://www.imagechicken.com)

[WinstaBull]

There are still a couple of maybes on this though...

The inspiration for the charcoal burst is the modern eagle on the first page of this thread http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=318701&highlight=charcoal

The purfling material depends on the color for the top. If I go with the charcoal then I'd like mother of pearl purfling. Judging by the way ChrisG's guitar is turning out, Ill prolly stick with the Charcoal but there is still a long time between now and "its time to apply the stain" time.

The Bulldog inlay may not make the final cut. I may do the initials of my child. Or I may be conservative and not do anything at all...

The pickup configuration is also still TBD. The 3HB with coil taps is me trying to get a do everything in one guitar. I may just go with a traditional 2 pickup les paul setup and then maybe later on do a simplier strat inspired 3 p-90 double cut bolt on ala "The Strat Killer".

[sxracer193]

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj226/bigdave-ryan193/semi_complete.jpg

I haven't gotten my son Ryan to write this up yet but this thing is a weapon. It is sitting in his music room right next to his 63 Strat which hasn't been picked up since this got here. Point is, these pickups and this guitar can go from the stratiest (that a word?) strat tones to pure LP with a flick of a swich (or two). Here is a cut from the specs:

3 Seymour Duncan P-Rails (A true P-90 coupled with a true rail singlecoil). These pickups can be operated in P-90 mode, Single-coil mode or humbucker mode.
Bigby B-12 Vibrato Tailpiece
Gotoh Bridge
Dual Switching System - One 3-way system that operates the neck and bridge pickups; and one 5-way system that operates all 3 pickups.


Love the top you picked. Sounds like it is going to be a killer guitar.

Dave

[WinstaBull]

Yeah, that guitar is one of the masterpieces that led me to choose Schroeder guitars. Since you posted I have listened to the videos of that guitar several times in my search for a pickup config. The closer I get to the build starting, the more gun shy I am getting about the 3 HB setup. Once that 3rd hole is cut in the top, there really isnt any going back, LOL.

I found this video on the net of a farily unique 2 HB setup. I think I like the toggle setup to switch between the coils. Seems like he gets a pretty wide variety of good tones with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVnZLuOTP_0

[goof1073]

Judging by the way ChrisG's guitar is turning out, Ill prolly stick with the Charcoal... It did turn out killer didn't it? Have you checked out the latest picture...really came alive when J buff'd out the top.

About your p'up thoughts...it's really hard to beat the H-S-H combo, think of a PRS Swamp Ash Special.

Then there is your inlay...wait till J puts you in touch with Ath, she will come up with some killer ideas for you.

[guitarnyc]

nice concept for the inlay...something we haven't seen around here yet so that will be cool :)
________
FFM SHOWER (http://www.fucktube.com/categories/553/shower/videos/1)

[WinstaBull]

ITS BEGUN!. BEST.EMAIL.EVAR. This is gonna be a lot of fun!
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/baileybulldog/guitar1.jpg

[vangit]

COOOOL! Enjoy the ride :D

[AK_NorPine]

Yeah Chris, let the games begin. Now, if you can just keep from making changes to your Spec sheet your build should go quickly. Go # 49!

[Whitestrat]

YES!!!! In this case, mine is going to start soon! Hope it hasn't been forgotten yet... Heheh...

[Elizabeth]

YES!!!! In this case, mine is going to start soon! Hope it hasn't been forgotten yet... Heheh...
Not forgotten at all... we are getting closer!
E

[goof1073]

Now, if you can just keep from making changes to your Spec sheet your build should go quickly. What fun would that be? :rolleyes:

[Whitestrat]

Now, if you can just keep from making changes to your Spec sheet your build should go quickly.

i'm guilty of that too. Thing is, since this is a one-off, and a custom build, shouldn't you go nuts and have something built that you've always wanted but couldn't get? I kept changing my spec that I think Elizabeth isn't surprised anymore when I send her an updated specs list... Hahahhaa...

But i've sort of settled into ONE final spec now... Just awaiting some final questions to be answered. Hopefully before the build starts...

[WinstaBull]

My specs are rock solid now. I did second guess just about everything at some point though. It is really hard not to. I had been researching getting a guitar built for over a year before I even spoke with Jason so I already had a solid idea of what I wanted.

The early decision I made was the rosewood neck. I was still 60/40 on it until I got the Tour guitar in my hands. The feel was so smooth and it sounded pretty sweet too.

The late game decision I made was on pickup config. I originally wanted a 3 hb, split coil ultra versatile setup. I then paired it down to a standard LP config. That decision was made easy considering the following.

/epic plot twist

I am having a second Schroeder built... A couple of months ago slot #34 came up for sale and, well, I pounced on it. This custom build is now actually number #34.

My next guitar will be a super strat inspired builders choice loosely based on the black mamba. 25.5in scale lenght with a maple neck and limba body. Everything else is up to jason.

[AK_NorPine]

Which one is gonna be built first #34 or #49? Anybody have a clue about where we are in the queue??

[WinstaBull]

This custom is now #34. I moved this one up.

[Elizabeth]

Here is Chris' inlay for the back of his guitar, still in progress, but looking great!
You aren't going to believe that this is done by hand, but, I swear it is! Another incredible inlay by Athena. (Maybe she'll let me post photos of her cutting...) ;)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2448/3941904310_ba3fc90596.jpg

The entire dog is about 2 1/2" wide, and it will be similar to the "Monk" in size and placement. The holes in the black ebony will be filled with the small pieces of Mother of Pearl that are cut on the left of the dog.

Here is the Monk, so you get an idea...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3558/3314484062_03b87563ab.jpg

Photos of the glued up body to come!
E

[WinstaBull]

Wow, that looks freaking tight!!! Very pleased!

[Elizabeth]

Chris' top ready for the band saw...
You can see the quilt nicely even though the board is rough and dry!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3945589839_934d5ded3c.jpg

[WinstaBull]

lets cut this sucka up :D

[WinstaBull]

Here is the finished inlay...
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/baileybulldog/bulldog.jpg

And a picture of the neck next to the body...

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/baileybulldog/IndianRWNeck.jpg

[sparky_8]

http://wevegotideas.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/jawdrop.jpg
Holy crap that inlay is amazing!

[WinstaBull]

It's starting to look like a guitar!

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/baileybulldog/Guitarbody.jpg

http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll181/baileybulldog/BindingRouted.jpg

[Vinni Smith]

That is one GREAT looking pieces of quilt!

[Elizabeth]

Inlay ready to go:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1184/4733232633_9b485d2ca5.jpg

Routing:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/4733232681_dae209c0db.jpg

Glued:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1017/4733232745_eba224f781.jpg

[r9player]

Very cool!

[Elizabeth]

Completed back inlay:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4797875288_ae86dbd279.jpg

Athena checking out her work:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4797247711_72f89b0456.jpg

[Whitestrat]

What's that inlay made of? Why do I see some "wood grains" on it?

[guitarnyc]

inlay work looks amazing Athena !

[WinstaBull]

What's that inlay made of? Why do I see some "wood grains" on it?

Good Eye. The inlay is MOP on Ebony.

I had though about doing stone or some other material but I really wanted to have a white mother of pearl on ebony look going. This guitar will also have ebony FB and Peghead veneer with white mother of pearl purfling so it will be a very consistant look.

[WinstaBull]

Also - the inlay was supposed to be lower at the same position as the inlay on the monk guitar but when we reviewed it, it just seemed too crammed in next to the electronics cavity so we moved it up to the waist. I think it looks great there. Very pleased overall. The inlay looks fantastic!

[Elizabeth]

Binding preparation-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4971644351_5f07491b80_z.jpg

Black strip-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4972257086_f455bc7700_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4972257194_32922d5c24_z.jpg

Bending the maple binding-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4972257272_53ffae882a_z.jpg

[Elizabeth]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4971644673_854cb2ede4_z.jpg

Binding the body-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4971644727_e20373ccd6_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4971644873_b5a8e84700_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4971645025_4c4fbdb70d_z.jpg

[Elizabeth]

Gluing/Clamping the bottom joint-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4971645225_0f1c2fd855_z.jpg

Binding done-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4971644955_dacdb94db3_z.jpg

[WinstaBull]

The binding looks sharp! Talking about staining now so we should see that top start to come to life shortly.

Moving the ball down the field, just in time for Football season.

[AK_NorPine]

Looking good Chris, love the binding and the top looks pretty damned sweet too.
I think I hear the opening strains of a nice Scarlet......

[Schroeder]

Here is my jig for cutting the purfling channel with the Dremel. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4977245752_99e6c58c12_z.jpg

Here are the white MOP purfling strips being fitted and the body ready for the belly carve. Elizabeth is almost done fitting the curved strips around the headplate.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4977245710_048ebbd38b_z.jpg

[Shadscbr]

Very nice! I like the contrast of the purfling and the dark fretboard :)

Shad

[WinstaBull]

Looking good Chris, love the binding and the top looks pretty damned sweet too.
I think I hear the opening strains of a nice Scarlet......

Thanks Man!

Defintely gonna be playing dead on this beast! And I am stoked cause I just decided to get 'truckin' to vegas on the 22nd to meet some of my old friends for the Furthur show that night. Saw the dead in Vegas in 95 on the last tour with these guys so it is a bit of a memory lane trip. Fun fun.

[WinstaBull]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4977245710_048ebbd38b_z.jpg

This picture gets me very excited in ways I shall not mention. j/k :)

[AK_NorPine]

This picture gets me very excited in ways I shall not mention. j/k :)

Me too Chris. N/k

The closest I'm gonna get to a Furthur show is electric Hot Tuna is playin up here in October.
I get pretty excited to see Jack and Jorma as I've been seeing them for like over 25 yrs now and havent seen Jorma play electric since the last Airplane Tour in '89 I think it was. I guess they'll be playing their signature Epiphones. WOuldn't it be cool if they played Schroeders?

[Elizabeth]

Fitting and gluing the purfling-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5018880954_79822e002e.jpg

Glued-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5018274803_e4b8a84b97.jpg

Sanded-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/5018985336_a0b329059d.jpg

Quite a pair-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5018274933_73d9a26692.jpg

[Elizabeth]

Fingerboard gluing-
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5019001610_68590fcc14.jpg

[WinstaBull]

My name is Chris Harmon and I approve of this message!

[guitarnyc]

Nice work E ! I do love the binding there on the neck and headstock :)

[Vinni Smith]

After having gone thru the process of watching my guitar being built/created, I now enjoy threads and pictures of other guitars being built even more!

I love the quilt top and headstock on this.

Great job Liz!

Vinni

[Schroeder]

Here is Chris' 12th fret S. Ready for frets!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1430/5103303001_a224c81c21_z.jpg

[WinstaBull]

I miss the smell of a wood shop of a wood shop in the morning.

[Elizabeth]

I miss the smell of a wood shop of a wood shop in the morning.

AH HA!! A new idea... "Shop Smell" room fragrance. Or we could just send you a bag of sawdust. :D

[sparky_8]

AH HA!! A new idea... "Shop Smell" room fragrance. Or we could just send you a bag of sawdust. :D

I can see it now... "Quilted Maple sawdust air freshener" for your car. I'll take 1.

[Elizabeth]

Fretted:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1387/5140472047_d02df8c203_z.jpg

Marking headstock for thickness:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/5140472179_8cc3d9b012_z.jpg

Ready for neck carve:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1118/5141076902_c53b54de0f_z.jpg

[WinstaBull]

Order guitar #1 - check
Order baby #1 - check
Order guitar #2 - check
Order baby #2 - check

I am starting to see a pattern here. hehe


Neck looking slick. My reason for wanting the neck purfling is goes back to looking at the presentation series Taylor's rolling thru the factory. Those were a little too gaudy for me but I always though the neck purfling added a nice visual element to the neck, framing the notes where the magic happens.

[Vinni Smith]

I wouldn't say it's gaudy. I like it.

[Elizabeth]

Progress...

Ready for stain:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1421/5167074527_6805c6eeff_z.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/5167674442_f3f6ce8a74_z.jpg

Black:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/5167674396_9444d22572_z.jpg

Sanded back:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/5167074627_224f4a4822_z.jpg

[Elizabeth]

Sprayed:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1377/5167074685_33c77b994c_z.jpg

With a slight burst:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/5167674796_c0d2e8ef2e_z.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1396/5167074737_020400851a_z.jpg

[Elizabeth]

Pore filling the back:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5170848916_dcf748b514_z.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/5170248301_957cab5b1f_z.jpg

[Vinni Smith]

Absolutely stunning!!!

I love the sanded back look.

[WinstaBull]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5281460255_7a4717377a_m.jpg

Good times around the bend! Can't wait to see a pic of this beast finally becoming a guitar (neck+body). So close.

[Whitestrat]

That's sweet indeed!!!

[r9player]

That looks killer beautiful burst!

[goof1073]

Ah man...another charcoal burst, gotta love that!!

[AK_NorPine]

Looking good, Chris!

[Schroeder]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/5437684018_280907db98.jpg

[WinstaBull]

It's officially a guitar. Looks awesome!

[Whitestrat]

Whoa! That's nice!!!

[WinstaBull]

New and improved with strings :)

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5172/5448730463_2bebe40e28.jpg

[guitarnyc]

Really love the look of this one finished in that last picture !

[Shadscbr]

WOW, looks fantastic!! :)

Shad

[WinstaBull]

Glamour Shots

http://www.schroederguitars.com/sites/default/files/images/IMG_3166.jpg
http://www.schroederguitars.com/sites/default/files/images/IMG_3171.jpg
http://www.schroederguitars.com/sites/default/files/images/IMG_3146.jpg
http://www.schroederguitars.com/sites/default/files/images/IMG_3113.jpg

[AK_NorPine]

SICK sick sick

[francric]

Wow! That looks great...................

[WinstaBull]

Im about 20 hours into this beast. Love it. My time has been very limited lately due to work and kids but I have managed to carve out a couple of multi hour blocks. i'll quickly share my thoughts.

Neck Carve - just right carve is just right :) I have averaged sized hands and am used to playing the smaller 70's gibson carve and Schroeder neck is a huge improvement.

Indian rosewood neck - Silky smooth. Love it.

SS Frets - Just like I remembered the Tour guitar. Effortless bends.

Playability as a whole - fantastic. Action was set perfectly for me and the whole thing just plays like a dream. Such an improvement from my 72 es-335. I didnt know what I was missing!

Tone as a whole - I havent looked at under a microscope but it seems to have a pretty flat EQ response which I love. Other guitars I have played have been too bassy or had too much mid range which you would then fix by adjust the EQ on your amp. With my 335 everything had to be scooped because it was just too mid rangy. Plugging in my Schroeder, those previous settings became obsolete and everything I plug into sounds awesome with everything at noon. No need to go tweaking on the amp to fix the sound, every setting sounds really good. Maybe my 335 needs new pickups (15 plus year old duncan antiquities)??? who knows....