How I build a guitar body using hand tools only 1/2 - GGBO 2021 - Part 2

In this second episode of my Great Guitar Build Off 2021 entry, I’m building a guitar body with hand tools, as always. Well, most of a guitar body. The edit was getting too long, so I had to split the video in two parts.
The body build took over 60 hours in total. I’ve been accused of having inefficient processes, and with this footage I will do absolutely nothing to redeem myself. Almost every part of the process could be done faster, even with hand tools. My processes make sense to me though, and I enjoy them, and that’s what counts.
For the body I have some beautifully figured Black Limba. I start by rough dimensioning the body blanks. It makes sense to not have more material than absolutely necessary when you’re planing by hand.
Next I mark out the depth for the body using an engineer's square as a guide for my pencil. I resaw the top using an ECE frame saw with a TurboCut blade. With this saw I was able to do each cut in about 45 minutes. The same cut in the same Black Limba with my Japanese Ryoba took twice as long.
After resawing I plane the blanks down using my number 4 handplane with a rounded scrub blade, as well as a number 6. I want them to be mostly the same thickness before glue-up. Next, I make sure the glue joint is straight and square using my number 6. A good glue joint makes the glue-up much easier.
I glued the body halves together in my vise. This worked really well and felt easier than laying them down. Since I only work at night, I tend to time my glue-ups for the end of the evening, that way they’re ready the next time I get into the workshop - and it doesn’t bother me when they’re in the way.
After the glue-up I planed everything even again. The grain was quite crossed in places, but luckily I recently found a vintage low angle block plane which helped a bit. Next I marked the final body shape from my paper template and starting roughing out the shape with the frame saw and my vintage hand-cranked pillar drill.
Once the rough shape was cut out, I proceeded to refine the shape using my spoke shave, chisels, gouges, rasps, scrapers and even the number 4 hand plane. The spoke shave is a great way to remove the material quickly, but I think using a coping saw would have been the better way to go about it - especially in the tight corners.
After shaping the body, I measure and mark the neck and pickup cavities. The rounded corners for the pickups are created with the pillar drill. I wanted a tight fit because I’m planning on direct mounting the pickups, so I used different sized bits for the corners of the pickup body and the legs. I removed the bulk of the waste with a forstner bit, before moving on to chisels.
Getting the pickup cavities to size with neat sides was a lengthy affair. It took roughly 2 hours per cavity. I used chisels for the sides and a router plane for the bottom, then I finished it all up with small files and a small sanding block.
The neck cavity is actually easier than the pickup cavities. Here I used chisels and gouges to hack away the material, then the router plane to get the bottom flush with the pickup cavity.
To fit the neck, I start with a slightly too small neck pocket, which I then widen slowly to get the position just right. This involves a lot of measuring, sanding and scraping, but the end result is a tightly fitting neck pocket and a well aligned neck.
Next you’ll see me taking a perfectly fine guitar body and drill holes through it. This felt very, very wrong, but since I wanted to build a thinline style guitar it had to be done. After drilling I cut the cavities with the frame saw before refining the shapes with the usual tools.
I spent a lot of time getting the cavities shaped nicely, even though they won’t really be visible. I’ll know that they’re good though and that’ll help me sleep at night.
The big benefit of glueing a top onto the body is that it makes the control cavity work much easier. Instead of using a router plane and working inside a cavity, you can work through the cavity. That’s a big difference.
Stay tuned for the next part where I’ll bend the top using an iron and get the body completed.
Timestamps:
0:15 - Marking and rough-cutting the body blanks
1:10 - Resawing the guitar top with a frame saw
3:22 - Glueing the body blanks together
5:02 - marking and rough cutting the body shape
7:07 - Shaping the guitar body with hand tools
11:13 - Measuring and marking the pickup cavities
11:45 - Cutting pickup cavities with hand tools
15:37 - Cutting a neck pocket with hand tools
17:10 - Adding comfort carves
18:50 - Fitting the guitar neck
20:50 - Chambering the guitar body
24:55 - Pickup cavity using hand tools
26:40 - Final reveal
If you have any question about the process, the press itself or the materials used, please leave a comment. Also please add any suggestions on improvements or better workflows!
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#greatguitarbuildoff #greatguitarbuildoff2021#ggbo2021 #handtoolsonly

[@rauschguitars]

Turn on subtitles (closed captioning) for info on the process!

[@ShawnHeath]

THIS is what would make this hobby more enjoyable and less stressful for me. Slowing down and enjoying the woodworking. Very inspiring.

[@rauschguitars]

If your hobbies are causing you stress, you're probably doing them wrong. Being alone with my tools in my workshop brings me down after a stressful workday. I don't care about how many guitars I build or how long any task takes, I just enjoy the process.

[@ShawnHeath]

@@rauschguitars yeah, my whole process is stressful. Sag mal, wohnst du auch in Deutschland?

[@rauschguitars]

@@ShawnHeath Ist Bayern noch Teil von Deutschland? Dann ja.

[@ShawnHeath]

@@rauschguitars Wenn ich den Radio höre, nein, weil ich nur Nachrichten von Bayern höre. ;-) Ich wohne in Eggolsheim. Du?

[@ShawnHeath]

@@rauschguitars It's starting to be a bit more therapeutic since I'm not as concerned with actually making the deadline.

[@NoeHervas]

Building an electric guitar only with hand tools? I only can find a word to describe it: EPIC. You are awesome! Best Luck for you Mate

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you! I like a challenge

[@MrAntisound]

I also build solely by hand, not in it for the money, but more for the craftmanship, and to play a guitar i made completely with only hand tools, the way i learned to use them on carpenter school when i was younger.

[@mefirstandthegimmiegimmies5160]

Why the heck is it so satisfying to watch these videos. I could spend all day watching hand tooling woodworking videos. Especially ones like this that are about guitar building. Great job showing the detail and precision it takes to operate these tools.

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jurgenzoller4407]

Thoroughly engaging, the most enjoyable GGBO video I have watched. You are one of two types of builders I fully respect, the ones that build acoustics and those that use just hand tools. I also want your drill press!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you, Jurgen. I'm definitely keen to build an acoustic in future as well, so stay tuned! While you can't have mine, the drill press was made by a German company Ixion. They're quite rare, but I've seen them pop up used in here in Germany as well as in the Netherlands from time to time. They're great tools if you can find one!

[@barklordofthesith2997]

@@rauschguitars I was about to comment on the manual drill press. I don't think i've ever seen one in person.

[@rauschguitars]

@@barklordofthesith2997 they're quite rare. I've seen a few pop up on the used market in Germany, not sure how many ever made it out of Europe though.

[@theelectricsexmachine7502]

This was both inspirational and depressing at the same time. I am in awe at your skill. I’ve been without power the last couple of days and decided to push on with my build. I wish the process was as smooth and effortless as you made this look 👍

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you for the complement! It's not always easy though, there's a lot of planning and testing off camera. Not to mention editing 2 hours of work down to 30 seconds.

[@adavies3]

Watching those lovely sharp chisels just peeling the wood away is so satisfying, especially the sound they make! Great job

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you very much!

[@adairguitars]

This is so satisfying to watch. Can’t wait to see it all finished.

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you! I can't wait to see it as well!

[@stevebrusseau3301]

Don't have to go to the jym this week ! I try and do alot by hand being a retired body man I don't want listen to any noisy tools and it's relaxfull and rewarding doing everything by hand. Nice work!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you! I also build to relax, hence the hand tools. It's the best!

[@irfanprima5167]

You are the real luthier ,no machine no cnc ..great man

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@timhallas4275]

It's good to know that if the world ever ends up without electric service, we can still get a new, hand made, electric guitar.

[@rauschguitars]

Think I'll need to practise building a few acoustics next, just in case.

[@timhallas4275]

@@rauschguitars Yep.

[@simonhenriksson27]

Looks really good! Very inspiring to see someone use hand tools and I love the drill press!

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks! The drill is so much fun to use.

[@gitbox]

This is the kind of asmr i can get into

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@fatpotanga]

That was so satisfying to watch, I’m really looking forward to how this turns out. Love the hand pillar drill, never seen one of those before.

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks! The drill is a pleasure to use, but they're quite rare. I was watching ebay and the local classifieds for months before I found a nice one.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I used to build with mostly hand tools. It was a lot of fun and very rewarding. However, I sell my guitars and have to keep labor costs in check. These days if I want to do a hand tool build, I'll make an acoustic guitar or a violin as they are old-school instruments. That being said, I still like to watch hand-building videos.

[@rauschguitars]

Oh definitely! If I ever get myself in a position where I'm selling guitars, I would invest in a CNC. Building with hand tools is about relaxing, and it would make very little business sense to do it on a larger scale.

[@xenobarbital]

I'm taking notes while watching :)

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you!

[@Nutamago]

This video makes me inspired. Now I want to buy hand tools like yours

[@rauschguitars]

Always happy to inspire someone! A great place to start is a Japanese saw and a number 4 hand plane.

[@NeoGeoEch13]

Great skills man, amazing to watch you build, thanks for sharing.

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you for watching! I build to relax, but it's great to know others enjoy it as well.

[@ynschannel_]

I would like to make my own guitar but all videos are made with advanced tools, this give a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

[@rauschguitars]

You don't even need most of the tools I have! Just figure out a process that works with what you have already, or what you can get your hands on.

[@Jenisonc]

Stunning video! Great work.

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@Ekonobel]

They are tools I've never seen before.

[@Furtheronmusic]

Your skills put all those of us who "pretend" to make guitars to shame. Super to watch someone with real talent

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you Graham.

[@rokinrandy]

Heck make the videos in many parts as you want.I'm still learning,lol

[@TornelliGuitars]

Looks great! Good work 👍

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you!

[@CMRWoodworks]

Good stuff!

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks!

[@oneeyemonster3262]

i remember building from only what I had...A 99 cent saw, chizzle. wood from the side of the road....I used 3/4 ply wood for the bottom layer....3/4 sticks from garden and 5mm for the deck..i just screw and glue a block where the bridge would be and between the pickup..and neck pockets. The plywood was a pain to work with...but it;s a semi hollow body. Alot of it was for WEIGHT reduction. It looks just like a gibson flying V..The measurements....bridge..ect..not the wacky off brand shape. I made the cut away more accessible. I also shave the tennon to the 17th fret The neck is bolted and GLUED..with proper neck tilt..Which was hardest/longest part of the build..I also made the jack on the back..so it'll loop around the strap OUT of the WAY...not just slapped together like gibson..lol I also recess the upper back of the body so it wont dig into my ribs. White refrigerator paint for daily use and abuse. The guitar was built to be PLAYED not as wall deco.lol i had what I had..I didnt even had a hand plainner. Holy wow..you thin down those pieces and plain it by hand

[@rauschguitars]

Yes! It's about using what's accessible to you. I made excuses for years because I didn't have a router or a band saw, then one day I just decided build with what I had!

[@oneeyemonster3262]

@@rauschguitars I glad I built those guitars. I cant build anymore due to my eyesite and hands. I miss building guitars becuase it's relaxing and peaceful. Build them while you can....

[@anuallaf]

Great job 👌

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@tarZenization]

No one mentioned how satisfying the sounds are?

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you, and yes, the sounds are super satisfying!

[@bartpotters4496]

I can hear how sharp your tools ate

[@rauschguitars]

Sharp tools are safe tools!

[@jimyjoegingerale]

only one thing i'd say is when u pull back the plane on the wood surface,that's not too good for the edge of the blade,makes it blunt much quicker than otherwise would go!but if u like sharpening the plane blade,then this could be the way!Other than that is pretty cool stuff!!!

[@rauschguitars]

That's a good tip, thanks! I'll try it in future and see if I notice a difference.

[@duxxck]

Nice!

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks man!

[@titmusspaultpaul5]

Amazing work. Love this video and have subscribed.... cheers.

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you! New videos will be added soon.

[@danfrost2076]

Wow

[@juanokita4401]

Haaaaaa Ya hacabastes??? Empesastes en el año1990 ya estamos en el 2021.ya mero???

[@rauschguitars]

😂

[@jayden-jsjincorporated5089]

What is the tool at 16:31 called? Looks very useful. Great job with this build!

[@rauschguitars]

Hi Jayden, it's called a router plane. They're a bit rare and can be expensive, but you can also make your own using a chisel. Look up Paul Sellers "poor man's router" for an easy method to make one.

[@jayden-jsjincorporated5089]

@@rauschguitars interesting. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks!

[@bhartissimo]

Incredible work! I loved watching it. Although I have to admit I envy how neat your pick-up cavities look compared to mine (I started work on them this afternoon). I don't have a router plane... and I realised today, after hogging out most of the material with a forstner bit, that I don't have a router bit with a bearing on top (first time I'm attempting this at home), so I can't really use the template I have. I ended up using chisels. I'll need to continue working on them to try to get them looking as neat as possible.

[@rauschguitars]

You can make a router plane using a chisel. I think Paul Sellers has a video on that. Also, go SLOW, take very light shavings and keep your tools sharp. Those cavities took about 2 hours each, so don't rush it!

[@bhartissimo]

@@rauschguitars Thanks. I spent about two hours today on both neck and bridge cavities. I'll sharpen my chisels before I continue tomorrow.

[@bhartissimo]

@@rauschguitars Thanks. I'll sharpen my chisels before I resume working on them today. And I'll try to be patient and go slow.

[@Liam-jl4xj]

Hey what kind of saw is that you use to rough cut the body blank and where can I get one of these? The saw you first use at 1:15?

[@rauschguitars]

Hi Liam, that's a frame saw with a TurboCut blade, made by ECE. I got it from www.fine-tools.com/gestell.html If you can get your hands on one, I highly recommend it. If you add a narrow blade you can even do bandsaw-style curved cuts.

[@denismendes2121]

Could you share the body size (width, height and depth)? Is there a body size default?

[@rauschguitars]

There's no rules for body sizes. As long as the bridge is in the right position, anything goes. This body is about 445mm long, 320mm wide and 45mm thick.

[@denismendes2121]

@@rauschguitars thank you for share that information! I watched many KZbin videos but no one spoke about there is no rules for body size haha. Maybe I should know that though but I don’t have a electric guitar here and I’m looking for starting build one, I do not have many knowledges about electric guitar as you can see.

[@ahsjsjsdhrhjrjrii911]

Wow. This is amazing. Excuse my ignorance as I'm not a woodworker but does it take a lot of time and effort to keep your tools Sharp?

[@rauschguitars]

It takes a bit of time, but nothing extreme. Once you have sharpening as part of your routine, it's just part of the hobby.

[@MindRelaxingWorld]

Very Nice 👍❣️🔥🎵🎼🎧🎶 Friend🎶🎧

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you

[@nowherebrain]

I love that drill press! what are those called? I can never use a spoke shave on the push stroke..unless it is set super shallow :)

[@rauschguitars]

The drill was made by a German company, Ixion, presumably somewhere in the 40's or 50's. They're quite rare.

[@nowherebrain]

@@rauschguitars That's convenient, I live in germany :)..I need to start looking around...

[@jlrespicio]

Hi, nice work on the cavities. What tool did you use for the cavities, the one that you use with both hands?

[@rauschguitars]

Thanks for the compliments! The tool is called a router plane. They're quite rare, but Paul Sellers did some video recently on how to make your own.

[@jlrespicio]

@@rauschguitars Thanks. Please make more videos on musical instruments wood works since they require more skills using hand tools.

[@rauschguitars]

@@jlrespicio I'll start my next build very soon! My new workshop is almost ready!

[@maxmustardman298]

@@rauschguitars is there a brand that you would recommend for the plane ? Im looking to get one, realising that the poor mans alternative is just not good enough

[@rauschguitars]

@@maxmustardman298 If you can afford it, the Veritas router planes are excellent. Unfortunately the market for vintage planes has gone a bit wild. Unless you find a really good deal, it doesn't make sense to buy and restore a vintage Stanley or Record.

[@TheJaimzz]

Totally awesome man! How long did it take to do it? btw where did you get the wood from? Thank you!

[@rauschguitars]

Thank you for the compliment. The complete build took over 120 hours, although I'll be able to speed that up by relying on the frame saw some more. The wood came from a local supplier.

[@scify6278]

what is the drill tool used a 12:22 to drill out the bulk?

[@rauschguitars]

That's an antique Ixion hand cranked pillar drill. Unfortunately they're extremely rare.

[@nguyennambinhguitarchannel3467]

Should i build the guitar neck before build the body?

[@rauschguitars]

Yes, I think it's easier to do the neck first.

[@evalonious]

7:17 Hey bud. Just wondering is that tool a cabinet scraper like a Stanley 80?

[@rauschguitars]

That's a no. 151 spokeshave, which works more like a plane than a scraper. They're awesome tools!

[@evalonious]

@@rauschguitars Thanks for your response. Great video series it's been so helpful. I just took the plunge on my first telecaster carve. At least so far, all the chip out has only happened on the back of the body 😅😪... The slab I chose was big enough for a practice piece.

[@ratnodadhi4878]

No description about size of wood or cutting measurements

[@rauschguitars]

I don't really plan my builds to the last millimeter. As long as the frets and bridge are accurate, and guitar is roughly guitar sized, I'm happy! 😂

[@j.lietka9406]

Have you built a non traditional (in the sense of the shape of the main body) guitar? Thank you 🤓

[@rauschguitars]

There's a headless electric build on my channel, and I'm currently building an acoustic.

[@j.lietka9406]

@@rauschguitars ok thank you 🤓

[@Davi546]

6:20 hand tool?

[@rauschguitars]

That's an antique Ixion drill press, they're very rare.

[@lyssanch3096]

Are there tool sets one can buy for this type of thing?

[@rauschguitars]

Not really. The only tools I bought as a set were my chisels. The rest was collected over time depending on what I needed.

[@lyssanch3096]

@@rauschguitars in that case what are some basic hand tools one would need to build a guitar ?

[@rauschguitars]

​@@lyssanch3096 There's too much to list in a comment here, but you'll need saws, chisels, handplanes, rasps, a drill, as well as specialised tools for fretwork, fretboard radiusing and creating the trussrod channel. What you get depends on what's available and what you're comfortable working with.

[@jerrybot7321]

Honestly I'd probably use hand tools too due to my fear of accidentally cutting off my limbs with motorized cutting tools.

[@rauschguitars]

That's partly my reasoning as well. Hand tools are much safer and a lot less stressful!

[@fabianolins]

Next post. "HOW TO PLAY AN ELECTRIC GUITAR WITHOUT ELECTRICITY"

[@fabianolins]

👍🏻🤣