Acoustasonic Influenced SG Hollow Build

[@00DUCK]

I must admit when I first saw the plywood come out I was skeptical. But it came out brilliantly. Bravo! now you got my brain thinking. Well done! First SG acoustic I've seen.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks! - Main motivation for ply on this one was the look with the side carve. Could exchange for any wood of choice. If I made another I think I'd explore more pickup options, perhaps acoustic electric.

[@stevencochrane115]

Actually, this is exactly how the epiphone violin bass is built, using built up layers of plywood for the frame and results in an incredibly strong and stable structure. It's not about tone because that's fron the pickups. Well done mate!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@CircuitsAndStrings]

That is so awesome. I love how the body looks with the darker stain on the top and back, and the lighter stain on the plywood. Fantastic.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!. Visually I like working with ply for shapes!

[@salmonti9707]

The fingerboard is beautiful ! Love the different plus showing on the sides. Well done..... Good build.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@dashdrum-again]

I was working on a neck yesterday and had the same problem you had. Wood can be so fickle. This turned out quite nice. Good work!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Wood and tools - especially power tools - easy to make a quick mistake or hit a funny grain. Hope your build recovers and goes well!

[@paintbox48]

Interesting build....love the look of the ply. Obviously you could have done a lot differently, but certainly a great prototype.

[@MikeHawkey]

Cheers. Every build has some learning and prototyping for sure.

[@BrencoGuitars]

That depth stop on the fret slot saw is really cool. Great idea

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Plan to make it adjustable eventually.

[@opidonorman8833]

Beautiful build

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@brunomuniz5776]

Love this video! The music on it, not so much... I felt like on a bad acid trip

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. The beauty of music is it never pleases everyone. Sometimes worse! Sorry for the bad trip, but thanks for stopping by!

[@brunomuniz5776]

@@MikeHawkey just as a reminder, I did not mean the music you played! Just the one that seems like arcade games one

[@dextermorgan1757]

@@MikeHawkey would love to hear some Buddy Holly music PLAYED on this or mayhem's freezing Moon

[@MikeHawkey]

@@dextermorgan1757 would love if I practiced enough that I could play that for you!

[@joewalsh6359]

It looks and sounds great. I wish I had your talent but a man has to know his own limitations.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks for the kind comment. We all have our things we do and don’t!

[@jackbraxton8143]

Why does nobody put bracing in these things? I have watched several of these build videos from several different people and have yet to see anyone brace the top properly. It’s not going to last under tension without the right bracing.

[@MikeHawkey]

I have put bracing on some I have made in the past. It certainly is better to do. That said, seem to be a lot that have also survived many years without (same deal with cigar box guitars) On this build the solid sides and solid ‘sound hole’ made the top pretty firm, but your comment is sound. Cheers.

[@ChrisBorgman3686]

Baltic Birch is some really good stuff. I've made hollow bodies with it too,

[@MikeHawkey]

Nice one!

[@samuelzetterman]

Absolute mad man thats a unique idea👍👍

[@MikeHawkey]

Not my original idea, but my take on it. Thanks!

[@randymatheny8621]

Great job but had to turn the sound down on the Miss Pac-Man music

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks and noted!

[@stevensmith3976]

That's awesome, I like that its an sg, probably one of the rarest acoustic shapes Question: Would you put a string retainer behind the nut? And what's the nut width on the neck? I've been wanting to attempt something similar

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Here is a link to my basic plans. Feel free to print off to use some measurements (or adapt for own use). String retainer - yes absolutely if needed www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zq5ldpfpjsjfw6bs275qx/Solid-Acousitc-SG-Custom.pdf?rlkey=pxgx28n0ejl68izfcuasfm160&dl=0

[@grifter77]

Wow! Really nice build! I love it!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@SuzanneKowalski]

I find it especially funny because SG means "solid body guitar". So this one is a hollow body solid body guitar.

[@MikeHawkey]

Absolutely. Perhaps the Les Paul hollow would have worked better - but being LP disliked and had his name removed from all but the early runs of the SG I was stuck haha

[@aronc1177]

Beautiful, love it 👌

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@WillVagabond]

Cool Guitar Great job .

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@perrykeeley665]

Very nice, I want to make one

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. My best suggestion is get the components right. I might go back and work on the piezo and add a preamp at some stage.

[@andyage7666]

Was worried about your fingers sometimes during the routing. Nice build, but I think an angle for the neck would have caused better string action. It also looks like the fretboard is too narrow for the strings from about 12.-15. fret. Did this too on my first build, but maybe it´s just the camera?

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Probably a bit of camera angle on both parts re strings and routing (and table saw work). I don’t always get each bit of footage in the clip, but usually have a small wedge for neck angle when I use. But that said, don’t always angle. Thanks for the comments!

[@robinleebraun7739]

First. Awesome build. Questions. Glued neck? I just hope you have the angle right. No truss rod. Flat fretboard.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. Yes you do want to be sure angles ok on a set neck - test before glue up! No truss. Lots of vintage stuff did without - keep neck carve fat and run light strings - but a truss is better piece of mind for sure. Fretboard- yep, this one is flat. Thanks for watching!

[@RileyPorter]

Do you have the plans for this. Would love to make one too. Get guitar !

[@MikeHawkey]

Won't have them in dropbox forever, but here you go. Good luck with a build: www.dropbox.com/sh/7vkhkadgoj15hzb/AAA-0YLgCv66dC1-iSdtATYTa?dl=0

[@tylertatman925]

I was thinking about making one just like this! Where did you get all the metal parts?

[@MikeHawkey]

Hi. A mix of places- but you should be able to get most from a local music shop - or online suppliers be they music specific or ebay. Good luck with build!

[@tylertatman925]

Ok, thanks for getting back so quick!

[@PERRYS_PROPS]

Great video, thanks. not too enamored with the stain choice

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. All experiments. In person stain was a nice effect - though a green might have been more interesting.

[@goodtimefolkrock]

love the fact that youre building a guitar in your driveway with barefeet

[@MikeHawkey]

Ha, thanks! (Not a guide how to of course!)

[@morfina3027]

Fuckin' awesomee Would you build an acoustasonic inspired Les Paul?

[@MikeHawkey]

Cheers. Sounds fun. A few other things in the works for now however.

[@speedyrik]

beautiful.

[@MikeHawkey]

Thank you!

[@FlipGuitarist80]

I want one but with steel strings

[@MikeHawkey]

Add a option for magnetic as well as piezo pickup then too!

[@jahyeet1137]

Where do people buy guitar router templates

[@MikeHawkey]

I know you can get them from various guitar parts suppliers. I make all of my own generally. If making a ‘clone’ model, with online available plans, but often a customised one using design software. Cheers.

[@jahyeet1137]

@@MikeHawkey cool iv always been into woodworking but never used a router what are the templates made of because I’d imagine they’d have to be hard to not get destroyed by the router

[@MikeHawkey]

@@jahyeet1137 I mostly use MDF for templates. I be also used ply and old shelving chipboard (but that wasn’t good for my blade). I then seal it in with clear coat or plain white wood glue. Most of the router bits have a bearing that runs on the template, but for a one off template you may get away with the non blade shaft of the router bit for a one off (I have for a few pickup cavities before). Good luck with some router building!

[@jahyeet1137]

@@MikeHawkey ok nice one question was this a nylon string guitar? Because I didn’t see you use a truss rod and also I wanted to make my own version of this because iv always loved the idea of a acoustic sg

[@MikeHawkey]

@@jahyeet1137 I’ve made both with and without. Generally if without I make the neck a little fatter. I think it’s good piece of mind to have one however. I’ll need to re watch the video to see if I did here - the world markets been a bit challenging with covid and getting supplies or not getting them directed some truss rod builds.

[@Yosser70]

Cool idea, really like the body, not sure about the flat fretboard though. Gibson actually made a SG out of ply, funky looking things! lol

[@MikeHawkey]

Fretboard certainly something that differs to taste. Thanks for watching

[@Fernando.Canal2]

Awesome

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks!

[@PERRYS_PROPS]

During that body sanding it almost looks like you're playing it. LOL!

[@MikeHawkey]

With my playing probably not too indifferent haha!

[@JASA18]

Great Job. Whats That Color you out on the Body? Maybe got a Link? Best regards

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. So the darker is wood stain ‘black coal’ applied and rubbed down with a scourer pad with the grain. After that clear coated in satin. Wood was only lightly figured- results may vary depending on wood. Cheers

[@rebeccaabraham8652]

I've been thinking of making a hollow-body 'Breadwinner' using these techniques - so that was quite interesting. However - that saddle belongs on something with a radiused fretboard - and you put it in reversed; the compensation is absolutely wrong!

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks for the comments. Dont recall now if the board was radiused or not (50/50 with builds in that regard)- im sure I showed in the video which way I went on this…, but replacement saddle and easy sort - i would have thrown on what i had in parts bin - good spot re which way. My preference is simpler traditional non compensated ones usually vs these small compensation ones.

[@michaelburian719]

nice build. where did you get the pickup?

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks. 90% sure I grabbed the pickup from EBay, but have seen similar at local music store for amplifying a classical/acoustic.

[@upside-down6211]

What guitar finish do you use?

[@MikeHawkey]

Hi. For this one it was a thinned down polyurethane.

[@upside-down6211]

@@MikeHawkey should i use poly water- based or oil based? and what is the paint ? Can i use leather dye or artist paint( acrylic/oil based)?

[@MikeHawkey]

The grey colour is wood stain - but if you wanted to see the grain still thinned down colour could work- try on scrap wood first as it might be too blotchy. Ive used water and oil based on various things. Water can take a little longer to set if you want to lightly sand for a great finish and oil based tends to just often have slight more golden tinge to it. Often i lean towards water based as its easier clean up and slightly less chemically.

[@trueevilturtle]

How loud is the guitar unplugged?

[@MikeHawkey]

About as loud as a travel guitar- roughly half the depth of a full bodied acoustic.

[@trueevilturtle]

@@MikeHawkey cool is the body thickness the same as an sg?

[@MikeHawkey]

@@trueevilturtle internal cavity space is ~36mm deep. Outer body thickness ~46mm

[@МихаилМосквин-з8д]

I'm sorry, but is it a wood? Cause there are so much of layers

[@MikeHawkey]

Михаил Москвин it’s wood. Many many electric brands have been using plywood for electric guitars since the 60’s. Absolutely not everyone’s picking though.

[@МихаилМосквин-з8д]

@@MikeHawkey Ok, thank you very much for your awnser)

[@MikMech]

Nylon Strings ? Nice : )

[@MikeHawkey]

Yes - the type from smaller classical non steel acoustics. the larger 3 I think were nylon centre, light steel wound. Cheers!

[@stevepethel6843]

Liked the determination you have...love the way you by hand rounded over the edges of the ply and left that clear finish. Also learned some PIEZOS wire will Snap into the Endpin jack Cool talent and. Build.thanks for this I may try to follow your lead and maybe try a shortcut with a. Electric neck. Thanks for your video and it is a source of great inspiration ...

[@jahyeet1137]

Would you sell one of these?

[@MikeHawkey]

Sorry, this one has gone to a new home and I’ve got a bit of a backlog of projects on the go. With a bit of time and limited tools it could be a project for a local woodworker if you can find one.

[@jahyeet1137]

@@MikeHawkey ok thanks

[@richardmoore2003]

Very nice job and thanks for sharing. I’ve been planning to do something similar with a Tele body. Monterey area?

[@MikeHawkey]

Thanks and good luck hope it goes well. Would love to visit Monterey area one day but no, down south in New Zealand.

[@richardmoore2003]

@@MikeHawkey Ha! That background while you were playing looked just like the Monterey Bay coastline. Take care

[@BaltoRiveraplaysguitar701]

Gibson and Epiphone should make Acoustasonic SGs and Les Pauls

[@MikeHawkey]

Im sure there is a market!

[@leonardobatistarocha7956]

Essa é o que eu quero ver você faz um belíssimo violão 🎸 pra tocar no coração sertanejo.

[@MikeHawkey]

Obrigado!

[@clifisboring]

It is now dubbed the HG

[@MikeHawkey]

HG. That just might start something

[@JCavLP]

That freboard lookin thicc

[@MikeHawkey]

Its certainly on that side of it. No truss rod, so adding some strength.

[@pablocouvlaert4614]

Hola soy de argentina me.encanta la sg y me.encanta tu guitarra sg de nylon podrias pasar los links de planos para construir exelente guitarra me encanto

[@MikeHawkey]

Hola. Gracias por el comentario. No tengo grandes planes, pero esto es lo que tengo (no mantendré el enlace vivo para siempre): www.dropbox.com/sh/7vkhkadgoj15hzb/AAA-0YLgCv66dC1-iSdtATYTa?dl=0

[@pablocouvlaert4614]

Me quede enamorado de tu modelo sg pronto empezare mi propia guitarra muy buena

[@MikeHawkey]

@@pablocouvlaert4614 ¡Buena suerte, diviértete!

[@hermantotanata9641]

Neck n body like for metal string guitar,but u used nylon string 😅

[@MikeHawkey]

If one wished could swap to steel and put in a magnetic pickup. Really this is also similar to a travel acoustic (being thinner to a regular acoustic)

[@normladuke8462]

Nice job...but the bridge saddle is on the wrong way.

[@MikeHawkey]

Good spotting! - oddly, didn't seem to affect intonation when tuning up at the time.

[@mashilmy]

14:31 nice vodka 🤣

[@MikeHawkey]

Only if the cheap stuff is all gone!

[@kevalwagher996]

I imagine the neck dive is horrendous lol

[@MikeHawkey]

Not bad, but obviously more slimline acoustic balance than hard body.

[@ToolsAreToys]

I was behind this 100% until you put nylon strings on it.

[@MikeHawkey]

Ha, yeah. If I had put a truss in could have run steel and put in a mag pickup too. Another build one day!

[@wearytraveler3524]

I might have gone a different way! You've got one hell of a string buzz coming through your midrange! All that work only to find out that Mikey can't play worth a fudge!

[@MikeHawkey]

Oh I like building more than learning to play. Was a build video not a play video :) sorted string buzz a bit later down line with some nut/saddle work.

[@wearytraveler3524]

@@MikeHawkey No disrespect on your build Mike! I've got a similar project going on myself! Just jealousy rearing it's ugly head! Thought I was the only one with this idea! Glad to see it was a good one! Kudo's to your ingenuity!

[@MikeHawkey]

@@wearytraveler3524 nice one. Hope the project goes well!

[@Beatypatrockks]

you couldnt have picked worse music if you tried..

[@MikeHawkey]

Hahaha. Don’t forget you can mute your end if just wanting to see the build. All have different tastes, but thanks for stopping by!

[@metalbornmetalbred]

Looks like someone needs a saw safety lesson...

[@MikeHawkey]

At which timing point do you see the danger? Not to suggest I’m by the book but been ok for decades thus far. Thanks for watching!

[@metalbornmetalbred]

@@MikeHawkey 2:03

[@MikeHawkey]

@@metalbornmetalbred how I had my sawing arm braced I would have been ok with a blade break/ slip- but yep - a catch and jump could have been bad with limb in front of cutter, good call!