This is quite a daunting task, Todd. Like I've said before, everything appears simple until you delve into the details. When a new builder takes your advice, they will save hours of frustration. Really great idea, giving new builders a hand up and wannabes a lot of great insight into the craft.
That was my intention! I really hope this can help a few people. It serves as a great reminder for me as well. I'm glad you are into this idea! Thank you my friend✌️&💙
I’d like to thank you for giving such an amazing video series to reference your knowledge and expertise. This will definitely be very useful to anyone watching.
Thank you Todd. This is the sort of series for me. As a complete noob and a fool to boot, step by step videos are a god send. Thank you again and look forward to the coming episodes.
11:15 right at the start of chapter 3 Todd pushes a second pair of reading glasses onto the top of his head. In a minute he'll be reaching for a 3rd pair so he can look at something. Great info Todd. this sounds like a good series.
You know it's gonna be a fantastic day when Todd blesses us with a video! Extremely helpful information for a new builder, Professor T. I will say that the first neck looks absolutely amazing! Coffee cheers, brother!!!
I'm glad you like it since that's the Kronos neck😂 Thank you so much for all your help brother. All the support, comments, friendship and the time! I really appreciate it all brother!✌️&💙
This is helpful to me. I am mostly a woodturned, but I’m building a 335 outside with a router I borrowed from a friend, a few hand tools and a scroll saw. Not ideal but it is still going well! I want to buy a few more tools and build a strat.
The other great thing about the Shinto saw rasps is you get a rough cut side and a fine cut side in one tool, instead of having to buy 2 different rasps. I absolutely love that tool.
What an awesome video Todd, so much crucial information, the tools, and most importantly, your personal knowledge that you've learned over the last few years, you cannot put a price on that, invaluable! Thank you so much, I can't bookmark this one enough, sent to my phone, multiple emails, favourites, lol. Wherever I can save it I've saved it. Looking forward to the next in this series! Peace and Love brother.
That's a really great compliment my friend. Thank you so much. I know where I was at the beginning and I want to take some of that worry away from anyone that starting out. I love building and it seems to me that if a person can be successful on their first go, I think they'll want to do it again. This has changed my life and I hope to help change a few others!😁✌️&💙
That's so helpful Todd. I'm just gearing up... building jigs, flattening wood and making decisions- trial and error with my first necks. The level of detail and head scratching can get mind boggling - and your channel really makes a difference! Can't wait for part two... thanks so much brother!
You and those who are just beginning are the reason I wanted to do this. I remember when I was first starting, how confusing it was to find everything. Not that I'm the only builder but I've found my own way and I want to help anyone achieve what I've gotten from this. Good luck! Stay tuned✌️&💙
Being a woodworker, I luckily have most of the tools you've gone over in the video. I will need a better set of files/rasps though. Thanks for the reminder. I really enjoy your videos. Very informative and great instruction!
Great video Todd! I shared this with friend out in California who has been building nice parts casters. He mentioned transitioning into scratch building his guitars. This series couldn't have come at a better time! Thanks again for sharing all of the info and links to tools, for us to improve our craft!
Thank you as well my friend. I'm so glad you think it's good enough info to share. I will do my best to keep the whole series as useful as this first video. ✌️&💙
As usual Todd, you hit the spot! Superb video as usual my friend. Just as an aside. I met Mr Crowe today at the Bristol Guitar Show. Lovely guy. Peace and Love.
Todd, I love your videos, attention to detail and never being shy to admit when something hasn’t quite worked out. Keep up the excellent work. I will say though I cannot take my eyes off the fact you are wearing two pairs of glasses, neither of which are on your eyes!
They're readers😂 I wear multiple pair because sometimes I'll need to look at something really closely and wearing 2 or 3 pair does the trick! Thank you for you kind comment. I do so appreciate it! ✌️&💙
This is so helpful. I’ve been gradually getting my products and watching. Love your passion and approach to your building. I’m ready for the next lesson. Love and Peace brother
Thank you so much for the interest in this idea. I've been thinking about this for quite a long time and I really hope I can keep this informative and relevant! I'm going to do my best!✌️&💙
Just seen the start at the moment, but I hope you will be creating playlist for each process, within an overarching list for the ‘manual’ if that’s possible. It’ll make it easy to find, and also to refer back to. Transcripts would also be useful. P&L ✌🏽
I will be sharing all relevant info in easy to understand lists available to download from a Google drive folder. I will let you know as soon as I open up that link. I'm getting the info together now! That's the plan for this entire series. I want to make it easier to get all the information you need in one place with documents to accompany the videos! I really hope this can help a few people!✌️&💙
Very interesting video, Todd... especially on the grain orientations of the neck laminations. That's a point that I haven't considered up to now, given that tight budgets, and availability limit my stock to what I can get/afford. So far, I've been lucky and not had any problems with my neck blanks. 😉😊. There is one tool you missed out, the most essential - a good shopvac!! 😉🤣 Keep up the good work Todd! P&L ✌
Amen! I also missed the card scrapers! I'll try and make sure to mention anything I forgot in the upcoming episode!! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series brother and I also hope everyone learns something from it including me😁✌️&💙
Thanks Todd, really great crucial information and recommendations. A real head nodder I wrote a list of what tools I need to get. Thanks so much. Peace and love
You don't need them all brother. I'm going to break down a list of bare essentials and share that on a drive folder I mentioned before. I'll let everyone know when I post that info! It shouldn't be too long.✌️&💙
Understood Todd but for getting beyond the bare essentials your recommendations and advice is invaluable and appreciated. I'll kook forward to the break down. Thank you. Peace and love@@SweetTGuitars
I don’t think I will be building my own guitar any time soon (never say never, but for now I want to focus on playing better!) but it would be cool if that LeeValley tools company could assemble the set you recommend (at least up to what they normally carry on the shelf). I just noted while watching how often you mentioned them… If that day ever comes when I decide to build my own guitar I shall return here for the right guidance. 😊
I am planning to make a list available with part numbers, prices and where to get things from. I'm going to share a link to that list soon! I'm working on it now! I'm glad you found this helpful. Lee Valley is one of my favorite tool sites and they have all the best quality tools at fair prices. Check the site out when you get a chance! Thank you for the comment and the view!✌️&💙
Todd, Even after just the first video I can tell this is the best instructional series for guitar building on youtube...you are wonderful for sharing this knowledge and for presenting it in such an interesting and easy to understand format. I can't wait to see all the rest of what you have planned and thank you for taking the time and effort to do this brother! I agree with everything you have said about tools, especially Lee Valley, but want to add another tidbit that may help others. I have struggled to find high quality brad point bits that are sharp and true with zero wobble (runout). Even both sets of Fisch I bought were 50% unusable due to runout issues. I finally found the brad point bits from Lee Valley; these bits are extremely sharp and have zero runout and cut very cleanly. The cost is very resonable, very high quality HSS and made in North America.
I completely agree with you on the drill bit issue brother. I lucked up and got a good set of Fisch but I've heard the runout story on those before. The Lee Valley tools bits manufacturer have been vetted by their staff and are certainly excellent quality. I have a few of those as well. The Famags I mention in the video are also great but I should have mentioned that for precise drilling of tuner holes, fret markers, etc. I actually use the Lee Valley bits. I will make sure to clear that up in the next episode! Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment and for taking the time to watch this video and to comment. I really appreciate it and I'm looking forward to getting the neck video done ASAP! ✌️&💙
Have you used any purple heart in some necks before? Anything you've learned about it? Resting etc? Thanks for taking the time to learn things the right thing the right way #respect
I love purple heart. It's nice and hard and perfect for a neck. As far as resting goes, I always let anything I get rest for a couple of weeks before I do anything with it. If you get purple heart that's figured I would let it rest before and after cutting!! Thank you for checking out the video and for taking the time to comment!✌️&💙
That's not a bad idea. My only issue with that is the neck heel and what guitar I would make the neck for! That would be really hard to try and make a "universal" neck, I may very well give away the tools needed to make a neck! Hopefully with a little guidance from me and others anyone will be able to make their own!! Thank you for the idea!✌️&💙
Ohh this just saved me an unforseen issue. I thought my little pull saw was thin enough for fret slotting. Just measured it at.53 mm. nearly double what you recommend. Will be looking at fret saws soon as this video is over.
.53mm isn't too far off. I tried to mention both imperial and metric measurements in this video so in imperial a fret saw needs to be .023-.025 and in metric .45mm-.52mm! I should have made that more clear!😂✌️&💙 my brother.
@@SweetTGuitars ahh maybe I just heard wrong. I will measure it again then check what the fret wire tangs are. Any idea how much difference there should be between gripping and falling out? I went with the Simtoms like you use. the wider taller ones.
@@borgonianevolution I would say you run the risk if you go over .52mm. I think that has quite a bit to do with the wood you're using for the fretboard and if you use glue under the tang! You know what's up. Measure the tang, which on Sintoms I think all their tangs are .5mm unless you buy their repair frets, they're wider. Steve from Maximum Guitar Works says .025 or .62mm is the perfect slot but I disagree. I like it a little tighter! I like to use .5mm or .023"! It ends up a little wider due to the fact that I use a fret saw and he uses CNC so that's a consideration!
@@SweetTGuitars I have a lightly curled Sapele fretboard so I think the wood is solid enough. I also think glue is a must no matter what frets are used to fill in any voids. It just makes sense to me that it be as solid as possible to help resonance. I found a fret saw on amazon that isnt the cheapest but not top of the line so I will order that soon. My grandfather would strike me down if I cut corners after all that time with him in his basement shop as a kid.
I’ve been waiting for this Todd. Thank you so much. Suggestion- I think you might be in a high humid area. I’m in Houston. My shop is a metal building with no insulation or dehumidifiers. Do you struggle with fighting humidity on your tools and also stock? If so, how to you overcome it?
That's a very good point and yes, it's very humid here for sure. I'll give my planes a spray with silicone every so often and I coat my chisels with hard wax oil. That seems to do the trick. I clean and wax the metal bed surfaces too from time to time. I use the some of the tools enough that it's not an issue and the ones that don't see that much use I make sure I take care of! Thank you for the great comment! ✌️&💙
@@Souldoubtrocks I have started using this eco friendly rust spray that is water based from Evaporust. has no oils or silicone in it. I was skeptical at first but it seems to be working! Time will tell.
@@SweetTGuitars very cool Todd. Thanks again. I have a playlist saved on guitar building with tons of saved videos. However, I have created a separate one for sweet T guitars because I find yours are the best. And this new series is fantastic.
I would say when it comes to pinch harmonics, I defer to Scott Lepage! He's got that technique down for sure and he uses an Ibanez 25.5" scale! I think it's a combination of string tension, action and setup that make a guitar suitable for that style of playing. While I think it's certainly possible to play them on a 24.75" scale, I really believe a 25.5" scale is the scale of choice for most players who play not just pinch, but sweeps, skipping, alternate picking, etc. There's a recipe I'm sure and I'll do some more research on this subject and try and remember to talk about it! Thank you for sparking thought!✌️&💙
Woooowww, So much valuable information in just 30mns! Similar inlay approach as @nsj guitars - I love this (using it myself after seeing both of you). Add to these tools a sharp pencil and clean glasses to make sure you are 100% on top of your marks! Thanks!!!!
This is quite a daunting task, Todd. Like I've said before, everything appears simple until you delve into the details. When a new builder takes your advice, they will save hours of frustration. Really great idea, giving new builders a hand up and wannabes a lot of great insight into the craft.
That was my intention! I really hope this can help a few people. It serves as a great reminder for me as well. I'm glad you are into this idea! Thank you my friend✌️&💙
I’d like to thank you for giving such an amazing video series to reference your knowledge and expertise. This will definitely be very useful to anyone watching.
Hi Todd! This video is awesome and will be very useful, thanks a lot. Can't wait to watch the next one.
Peace and long life! 🖖
Thank you Todd. This is the sort of series for me. As a complete noob and a fool to boot, step by step videos are a god send.
Thank you again and look forward to the coming episodes.
Thank you for saying brother. I'm really excited to get this series out there! I hope you get what you need from it. I'll do all I can!✌️&💙
Great information and tutorial Todd. Lots of things to save up for. Excellent series. Look forward to the next one. 👍🎸👍🎸👍🎸👍🎸
Thanks brother. I figured it was time to really dig deep into how I do this! I hope it helps!✌️&💙
Ya make it look easy.
Wow! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and passion ! You Rock!!
11:15 right at the start of chapter 3 Todd pushes a second pair of reading glasses onto the top of his head. In a minute he'll be reaching for a 3rd pair so he can look at something.
Great info Todd. this sounds like a good series.
You know I feel naked if I don't have at least 2 pair up there😂 Thank you brother. I'm really glad you like this idea!✌️&💙
You know it's gonna be a fantastic day when Todd blesses us with a video! Extremely helpful information for a new builder, Professor T. I will say that the first neck looks absolutely amazing! Coffee cheers, brother!!!
I'm glad you like it since that's the Kronos neck😂 Thank you so much for all your help brother. All the support, comments, friendship and the time! I really appreciate it all brother!✌️&💙
Thank for sharing this information with all of us. It's really interesting to know all the things necessary to build a guitar.
This is helpful to me. I am mostly a woodturned, but I’m building a 335 outside with a router I borrowed from a friend, a few hand tools and a scroll saw. Not ideal but it is still going well! I want to buy a few more tools and build a strat.
Some super useful info here my friend, and yes don’t let anyone tell you that you have to use a bandsaw!😀👍
Tru Dat! Thank you for all the help my brother. ✌️&💙
The other great thing about the Shinto saw rasps is you get a rough cut side and a fine cut side in one tool, instead of having to buy 2 different rasps. I absolutely love that tool.
As do I brother. One of my favorites for sure. The new tapered Iwasaki file is absolutely killer too!
What an awesome video Todd, so much crucial information, the tools, and most importantly, your personal knowledge that you've learned over the last few years, you cannot put a price on that, invaluable! Thank you so much, I can't bookmark this one enough, sent to my phone, multiple emails, favourites, lol. Wherever I can save it I've saved it. Looking forward to the next in this series! Peace and Love brother.
That's a really great compliment my friend. Thank you so much. I know where I was at the beginning and I want to take some of that worry away from anyone that starting out. I love building and it seems to me that if a person can be successful on their first go, I think they'll want to do it again. This has changed my life and I hope to help change a few others!😁✌️&💙
That's so helpful Todd. I'm just gearing up... building jigs, flattening wood and making decisions- trial and error with my first necks. The level of detail and head scratching can get mind boggling - and your channel really makes a difference! Can't wait for part two... thanks so much brother!
You and those who are just beginning are the reason I wanted to do this. I remember when I was first starting, how confusing it was to find everything. Not that I'm the only builder but I've found my own way and I want to help anyone achieve what I've gotten from this. Good luck! Stay tuned✌️&💙
Thanks a lot Todd! Very instructive !
Being a woodworker, I luckily have most of the tools you've gone over in the video. I will need a better set of files/rasps though. Thanks for the reminder. I really enjoy your videos. Very informative and great instruction!
Great video Todd!
I shared this with friend out in California who has been building nice parts casters.
He mentioned transitioning into scratch building his guitars.
This series couldn't have come at a better time!
Thanks again for sharing all of the info and links to tools, for us to improve our craft!
Thank you as well my friend. I'm so glad you think it's good enough info to share. I will do my best to keep the whole series as useful as this first video. ✌️&💙
Awesome video Todd ✌️&💙
Thanks for the info !! 👍
As usual Todd, you hit the spot! Superb video as usual my friend. Just as an aside. I met Mr Crowe today at the Bristol Guitar Show. Lovely guy. Peace and Love.
Nice brother. I'm glad you got to meet him and I hope the show was awesome. I'm sure it was! I also hope you enjoy this series I'm doing now! ✌️&💙
Very cool Todd, just what I have found to expect from you, cheers!
Thanks for the information.
You are so welcome. Thank you for saying!✌️&💙
Todd, I love your videos, attention to detail and never being shy to admit when something hasn’t quite worked out. Keep up the excellent work. I will say though I cannot take my eyes off the fact you are wearing two pairs of glasses, neither of which are on your eyes!
They're readers😂 I wear multiple pair because sometimes I'll need to look at something really closely and wearing 2 or 3 pair does the trick! Thank you for you kind comment. I do so appreciate it! ✌️&💙
Great video Todd! Great choices of wood too!
Thank you Chef!✌️&💙
This is so helpful. I’ve been gradually getting my products and watching. Love your passion and approach to your building. I’m ready for the next lesson. Love and Peace brother
Thank you so much for the interest in this idea. I've been thinking about this for quite a long time and I really hope I can keep this informative and relevant! I'm going to do my best!✌️&💙
Just seen the start at the moment, but I hope you will be creating playlist for each process, within an overarching list for the ‘manual’ if that’s possible. It’ll make it easy to find, and also to refer back to.
Transcripts would also be useful.
P&L ✌🏽
I will be sharing all relevant info in easy to understand lists available to download from a Google drive folder. I will let you know as soon as I open up that link. I'm getting the info together now! That's the plan for this entire series. I want to make it easier to get all the information you need in one place with documents to accompany the videos! I really hope this can help a few people!✌️&💙
Very interesting video, Todd... especially on the grain orientations of the neck laminations. That's a point that I haven't considered up to now, given that tight budgets, and availability limit my stock to what I can get/afford. So far, I've been lucky and not had any problems with my neck blanks. 😉😊. There is one tool you missed out, the most essential - a good shopvac!! 😉🤣
Keep up the good work Todd! P&L ✌
Amen! I also missed the card scrapers! I'll try and make sure to mention anything I forgot in the upcoming episode!! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series brother and I also hope everyone learns something from it including me😁✌️&💙
Thanks Todd, really great crucial information and recommendations. A real head nodder I wrote a list of what tools I need to get. Thanks so much. Peace and love
You don't need them all brother. I'm going to break down a list of bare essentials and share that on a drive folder I mentioned before. I'll let everyone know when I post that info! It shouldn't be too long.✌️&💙
Understood Todd but for getting beyond the bare essentials your recommendations and advice is invaluable and appreciated. I'll kook forward to the break down. Thank you. Peace and love@@SweetTGuitars
I don’t think I will be building my own guitar any time soon (never say never, but for now I want to focus on playing better!) but it would be cool if that LeeValley tools company could assemble the set you recommend (at least up to what they normally carry on the shelf). I just noted while watching how often you mentioned them…
If that day ever comes when I decide to build my own guitar I shall return here for the right guidance. 😊
I am planning to make a list available with part numbers, prices and where to get things from. I'm going to share a link to that list soon! I'm working on it now! I'm glad you found this helpful. Lee Valley is one of my favorite tool sites and they have all the best quality tools at fair prices. Check the site out when you get a chance! Thank you for the comment and the view!✌️&💙
Todd,
Even after just the first video I can tell this is the best instructional series for guitar building on youtube...you are wonderful for sharing this knowledge and for presenting it in such an interesting and easy to understand format. I can't wait to see all the rest of what you have planned and thank you for taking the time and effort to do this brother!
I agree with everything you have said about tools, especially Lee Valley, but want to add another tidbit that may help others. I have struggled to find high quality brad point bits that are sharp and true with zero wobble (runout). Even both sets of Fisch I bought were 50% unusable due to runout issues. I finally found the brad point bits from Lee Valley; these bits are extremely sharp and have zero runout and cut very cleanly. The cost is very resonable, very high quality HSS and made in North America.
I completely agree with you on the drill bit issue brother. I lucked up and got a good set of Fisch but I've heard the runout story on those before. The Lee Valley tools bits manufacturer have been vetted by their staff and are certainly excellent quality. I have a few of those as well. The Famags I mention in the video are also great but I should have mentioned that for precise drilling of tuner holes, fret markers, etc. I actually use the Lee Valley bits. I will make sure to clear that up in the next episode!
Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment and for taking the time to watch this video and to comment. I really appreciate it and I'm looking forward to getting the neck video done ASAP! ✌️&💙
Toddopedia episode 1 👍
Explained in a Toddologue😂✌️&💙
Finally catching up on your vids!!! Great info brother, love all the details and info on what you use. P&L 🖤
Have you used any purple heart in some necks before? Anything you've learned about it? Resting etc? Thanks for taking the time to learn things the right thing the right way #respect
I love purple heart. It's nice and hard and perfect for a neck. As far as resting goes, I always let anything I get rest for a couple of weeks before I do anything with it. If you get purple heart that's figured I would let it rest before and after cutting!! Thank you for checking out the video and for taking the time to comment!✌️&💙
How awesome it would be if you gave away a custom neck in your montly giveaway !!
That's not a bad idea. My only issue with that is the neck heel and what guitar I would make the neck for! That would be really hard to try and make a "universal" neck, I may very well give away the tools needed to make a neck! Hopefully with a little guidance from me and others anyone will be able to make their own!! Thank you for the idea!✌️&💙
Ohh this just saved me an unforseen issue. I thought my little pull saw was thin enough for fret slotting. Just measured it at.53 mm. nearly double what you recommend. Will be looking at fret saws soon as this video is over.
.53mm isn't too far off. I tried to mention both imperial and metric measurements in this video so in imperial a fret saw needs to be .023-.025 and in metric .45mm-.52mm! I should have made that more clear!😂✌️&💙 my brother.
@@SweetTGuitars ahh maybe I just heard wrong. I will measure it again then check what the fret wire tangs are. Any idea how much difference there should be between gripping and falling out? I went with the Simtoms like you use. the wider taller ones.
@@borgonianevolution I would say you run the risk if you go over .52mm. I think that has quite a bit to do with the wood you're using for the fretboard and if you use glue under the tang! You know what's up. Measure the tang, which on Sintoms I think all their tangs are .5mm unless you buy their repair frets, they're wider. Steve from Maximum Guitar Works says .025 or .62mm is the perfect slot but I disagree. I like it a little tighter! I like to use .5mm or .023"! It ends up a little wider due to the fact that I use a fret saw and he uses CNC so that's a consideration!
@@SweetTGuitars I have a lightly curled Sapele fretboard so I think the wood is solid enough. I also think glue is a must no matter what frets are used to fill in any voids. It just makes sense to me that it be as solid as possible to help resonance.
I found a fret saw on amazon that isnt the cheapest but not top of the line so I will order that soon. My grandfather would strike me down if I cut corners after all that time with him in his basement shop as a kid.
I’ve been waiting for this Todd. Thank you so much.
Suggestion- I think you might be in a high humid area. I’m in Houston. My shop is a metal building with no insulation or dehumidifiers. Do you struggle with fighting humidity on your tools and also stock? If so, how to you overcome it?
That's a very good point and yes, it's very humid here for sure. I'll give my planes a spray with silicone every so often and I coat my chisels with hard wax oil. That seems to do the trick. I clean and wax the metal bed surfaces too from time to time. I use the some of the tools enough that it's not an issue and the ones that don't see that much use I make sure I take care of!
Thank you for the great comment! ✌️&💙
@@SweetTGuitars do you worry about the silicone transferring to your wood and screw up your finishing?
@@Souldoubtrocks I wipe them off with iso alcohol before use!
@@Souldoubtrocks I have started using this eco friendly rust spray that is water based from Evaporust. has no oils or silicone in it. I was skeptical at first but it seems to be working! Time will tell.
@@SweetTGuitars very cool Todd. Thanks again. I have a playlist saved on guitar building with tons of saved videos. However, I have created a separate one for sweet T guitars because I find yours are the best. And this new series is fantastic.
Can you tell does increasing the scale length of the neck increase string tension ?
It does indeed. If you want to feel that example. Play a strat and immediately play a Les Paul, you'll feel the difference right away. ✌️&💙
Some people say some guitars are easy to do pinch harmonics on while others are not, why is that so ?
I would say when it comes to pinch harmonics, I defer to Scott Lepage! He's got that technique down for sure and he uses an Ibanez 25.5" scale! I think it's a combination of string tension, action and setup that make a guitar suitable for that style of playing. While I think it's certainly possible to play them on a 24.75" scale, I really believe a 25.5" scale is the scale of choice for most players who play not just pinch, but sweeps, skipping, alternate picking, etc. There's a recipe I'm sure and I'll do some more research on this subject and try and remember to talk about it! Thank you for sparking thought!✌️&💙
I find that my Ibanez RG550 is perfect for pinch harmonics which of course has a scale length of 25.5. Great video as usual Todd.😊
Woooowww, So much valuable information in just 30mns! Similar inlay approach as @nsj guitars - I love this (using it myself after seeing both of you). Add to these tools a sharp pencil and clean glasses to make sure you are 100% on top of your marks! Thanks!!!!