1st Build: Carl Thompson inspired walnut 4 string

[JAKeverline]

Greetings! I have been GASing for a Carl Thompson ever since becoming a Claypool fan in high school. Unfortunately but understandably, Carl is not doing custom builds anymore. Not to mention there is no way I could afford one any time soon. Being an experienced woodworker and also having spent several years as a machinist, I figured, "Why not build my own?" So here goes!

Specs:

34" scale
22 frets
5 piece maple/padauk set-neck with padauk heel block
Claro walnut body with 2 flame maple stripes bordered by padauk
Pau-ferro fingerboard
Claro walnut veneers on headstock
Flame maple with charred logo on headstock
Dual action truss rod
Hipshot hardware
Aguilar MM pickup W/OBP II preamp

 

[JAKeverline]

Raw materials:

 

[Manticore]

Best wishes on the first build!!!

 

[JAKeverline]

This router table was my last project and works fantastic. Here are the neck laminates ready to glue after jointing and sanding.

 

[JAKeverline]

Here is the body, also ready for glue-up.

 

[JAKeverline]

These were clamped this morning using Titebond III wood glue.

 

[JAKeverline]

Glue up went spectacular!! The top of the body will get glued up after the other section gets planed down to thickness, as the whole thing would be too wide for my planar. I drilled holes and used toothpicks to align everything and keep things from sliding around while clamping.

 

[IconBasser]

That's some gorgeous walnut! Good luck with the build

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Very nice, always liked that body shape, dances right up to the "over the top" line without going over. Your experience with woodworking and dealing with measurements in the .001" will serve you well.

 

[kaoskater08]

This router table was my last project and works fantastic. Here are the neck laminates ready to glue after jointing and sanding.

That router table looks awesome. I need to re-engineer/rebuild mine so I can have a fence with dust collection and fit my new router on it. I just bolted my old Ryobi router to the table instead of having an insert, but I now have a Dewalt with a 1/2" collet and variable speed motor that would work much better .

 

[charlie monroe]

This is off to a great beginning.

Lovely wood

 

[Matteo Marziali]

Sub'd

 

[JAKeverline]

Body is rough cut and sanded flat on both sides. It's just a smidgen over 1 3/16" thick. This claro walnut is turning out nice!

 

[kkaarrll]

I already want one!

 

[yoshi]

Wow, stunning selection of wood. Can't wait to see this one pan out. Maybe you could alter the head a bit to make it more yrs and less CT's?!

 

[JAKeverline]

Wow, stunning selection of wood. Can't wait to see this one pan out. Maybe you could alter the head a bit to make it more yrs and less CT's?!

Excellent question! I have given this some thought but really like the look of the rounded CT headstock. Since this is my CT tribute, I plan on using that design. With my next build, however, I want to create something more original and unique. I love the look of a scroll on the upper horn so I will likely incorporate that but give it my own twist. I have also been working on an original headstock design.

 

[yeelaberbin]

Really nice project. Good luck !

 

[JAKeverline]

Routed body outline with a pattern bit, then drilled and cut out the notch for the scroll.

 

[JAKeverline]

Scarf cut and truss channel routed out. Perfect, slightly snug fit!

To the right is what will be the core of the headstock. This will get matched up and glued to the back side of the scarf on the neck. The core will eventually get sandwiched between 1/8" thick walnut. Behind is the padauk heel block (6 inches long, tapered from 1/4" on one end to 1/16") that will get glued to the back of the neck.

 

[JAKeverline]

Fingerboard is now ready to glue.