rascalguitars

[rascalguitars]

I must admit I delayed putting this up because I wasn’t sure how to say ‘I love what I’ve done here’ without sounding like I’ve got my head shoved in the shade. But hey I love what’s come out of my most recent session with this most beautiful guitar. To be fair it might not float everyone’s boat as much as it does mine, but the way the body’s top edge snakes from top to bottom, especially now the edges are chamfered, is something that really tickles my hot spots. A conflation of curvature that’s so easy on the eye it makes me ache. There’s still sanding to do mind, when you’re working wood like this there’s always the feeling you’re not quite there yet, it’s a kind of unsatisfactory tingle that’s not always obvious but is always present up until the point that it’s not, and then you stop. The outcome should be beautiful and usually has an organic feel to it, body lines familiar from muses past and present, which is probably why I like this shape so much. Anyway ... mines a scotch, what can I get for you https://ift.tt/2Uj0uTg

[rascalguitars]

Now I don’t want to go in all heavy or anything but after the trauma associated with working the Mother of Pearl to shape, routing the holes with the dremel (a fine detail kind of routing tool) and then heading in with a seriously sharp 2mm chisel, all the while determined not to leave any rough edges. After all that, and after leaving those rough edges - although thanks to Rolf’s guidance I did discover that it’s far easier to work the hole the Mother of Pearl will sit in to a little smaller than required and then ease the Mother of Pearl down to fit using sand paper - anyway after all that I’m left thinking only one thing; outsourcing. Maybe it’s just a reflex reaction to the trials of production associated with this particular part of the build, but I’ve seen some seriously beautiful headstocks worked over by an inlay expert, and looking movingly beautiful as a result. Anyway I now shift pace via the recovery ward of rubbing this now glued-in pearl to finish, thence to the final shaping of the body this neck will attach to, the consequent routing of pickup and electronics recesses, and finally meet with satisfaction via a damn good spray and polish. Onwards and upwards, we strive as ever for the reflection of perfection. https://ift.tt/2OrU684

[rascalguitars]

Is it possible to say anything new about Nacre? The irregular composite flaunting itself about as Mother of Pearl. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with anyone - or any thing - flaunting themselves about. Life is indeed short, you don’t need to tell me that, and I’m no flauntless angel, I was young once, younger than you might imagine ... at one point anyway. Still am, depending on who you talk to. But is what hasn’t already been said about this milky solid worth dragging up now? I won’t delve into it here, and we all know what happened that time at the old folks home ... #disgraceful ... which leaves little room for manoeuvre. Still, as ever, I’m sure something will come up. Until it does; here’s looking at you Mother o’ P https://ift.tt/2OGk6l4

[rascalguitars]

I can assure you this picture is far less rock and roll than it looks. Just a couple of strokes with the file was all that was recommended, and yet as usual I go in heavy and take out way too much. This is the nut that I mentioned a couple of weeks back. String height at this end of the neck is set by pressing down on the relevant string on the bridge side of the third fret, the distance between the it and the first fret can then be judged by running a folded piece of paper between them, offering at ideal just a little resistance as it passes betwixt fret and steel. In this case strings 4 & 5 sit flush with the fret and don’t allow so much as a breath of wind between them, let alone a folded piece of paper. Just a couple of strokes of the file was indeed all that was needed; 20 years of experience vs 4. Still all is not lost, as Rolf is keen to recount there isn’t much that can’t be fixed with more wood and some glue, or in this case more bone - the sanding dust from the leg bone of a moose since we’re digging the specifics here, which is what can be found in the little baggy up there - and a drop or two of runny superglue. Rock and roll? I guess that can be left to your discretion. Either way I’ll leave it, the glue rather than your discretion, to harden properly overnight and then file it back to just shy of flush at the first possibly tomorrow, leaving one finished guitar ... almost. More of that later. Until then 😎 https://ift.tt/2yiloIb

[rascalguitars]

Brass glorious brass, I mean it really takes my breath away when it’s freshly polished, there’s a depth to it - possibly from the way it’s machined - not to mention that glorious colour. Still it’s a demanding mistress and no mistake, miss a polish and you’re in trouble. This neck plate is a solid lump of the stuff roughly 3mm thick - actually it’s from the states so maybe 1/8th inch is a better measure, polished up just right. It matches the bridge plate and the pickup surround at the neck, both of which also really catch the eye. To be fair if you don’t touch them you’re good, however any contact transfers acid from the skin (amino acids as it goes, from the protein that we’re made from - I think anyway, although admittedly I’m no expert) which discolours the metal - or maybe that should be discolors since were stateside right now. Whatever, ultimately the juggling required in polishing these parts is worth it, the brass metal, white lacquered body and maple neck looks hot, and I for one am in. https://ift.tt/2xyyilF

[rascalguitars]

Setting the string height to match the curve of 10” diameter fretboard ... before realising the intonation (whether you’re exactly an octave higher at the 12th fret) was considerably flatter than it should be. You can see the saddles (the brass cylinders the strings sit on) are far too close to the back of the bridge plate. Easing the three spring wrapped screws moves the saddles towards the nut, in this case by about 6 or 7mm, shortening the string and raising the intonation from flat to spot on. I’ve also been working the headstock end, filing the string guides on the nut to leave a gap between string and first fret - when the string is held down at the third - that accommodates the thickness of a folded piece of paper and no more. As always I’m not quite there yet but once done the action (or experience) of playing this guitar should be just so. Guitar number two, and first Rascal Tele, nearly done? Sure is 😎 https://ift.tt/2x3LYnz

[rascalguitars]

The line up so far! The two fender inspired guitars on the left are complete, and the two Rascals on the right have just been started. I’m thinking the guitar on the far right (physically rather than politically) - The Rascal Wraith - would make a great bass guitar shape. Body and neck both scaled up from what you see here. Each of finish, bodywork, and pickup types are also as yet undecided on the two pure Rascals, although I’m leaning towards P90s on the guitar just to the right of the tele - A Rascal Ghost. Anyway I’d be interested to hear what you think so let me know in the comments below. Until the next time ... 😎 J https://ift.tt/2vKztgZ

[rascalguitars]

Wow it’s been a while, but then to be honest I’m struggling a little with the entire idea of using social media, for my well being and yours. Still everything in moderation including moderation itself, at least that’s what my mum used to say, and I can certainly drink to that ... So I’m going to spend more time on the guitars and a little less on this, and other platforms, which means these posts will come a little slower than before. Anyway enough of all that and since I’ve just finished the Tele I’ve been banging on about for months now here it is. More detail on the spec can, of course, be found amongst other things on the website. See you there. https://ift.tt/2u5xC4r

[rascalguitars]

Today I worked backwards. I undid much of the learning, at least that which was possible, Gathered and reapplied the filth I had removed through cleaning, I collected my waste and reformed much of what I'd eaten and drunk. I returned from work early and went to work late, replacing the pastry on route. I even attempted to unspeak much of what had been said, but managed only to confuse those I encountered further. I handed back my rest and returned the oxygen, planting a tree to reabsorb what gases nature won't allow me to recoup. I gathered back the time, the memories and thoughts and stored them for a rainy day, filling one of the draws. I reversed the kindness, withdrew the support and pulled back the advice, at least that which I can remember, for later use. It was good work but hard. I'm not sure if it was productive. Wishing you the best for 2018 🎉 http://ift.tt/2zSLHn2

[rascalguitars]

The many colours of mother of pearl. On closer inspection you can see that the edges of the frets have been filed to roughly 30 degrees, although in this image they’re not quite finished - additional filing will take just a fraction of a millimetre off the edge of the maple fret board. After that the frets are levelled by abrasion against a flat surface with a 10” diameter curve perpendicular to the flat (to match the neck radius), before starting the job of filling each fret to replace the ‘natural’ curve that’s taken off during the levelling process - which basically leaves each fret, especially those that stick up quite high, flat on top. Elbow grease and patience is required. An exercise that reinforces the idea that when making something beautiful care is preferable to speed. Phew. http://ift.tt/2CopwaL

[rascalguitars]

Through the desolation of fixation, a desecration of elation enflames the enlightenment of creation, on which we affix our liberation. No honestly. http://ift.tt/2A15cKR

[rascalguitars]

Congratulations, it’s twins! On the right we have a plain maple neck, 12” diameter flame maple fretboard with geometric mother of pearl inlay, which now sports 2.5mm frets. This one’s destined for the white tele. And on the left a flame maple neck that’s been lying in waterlogged soil on a US farmstead for 20 years, 10” diameter birdseye maple fretboard with curvilinear mother of pearl inlay, which now sports 2.4mm fretwork ... but which guitar could this be destined for? Well that’s for you to wonder with casual disinterest at, and for me to know 😎 http://ift.tt/2BBqNtM

[rascalguitars]

Congratulations, it’s twins! On the right we have a plain maple neck, 12” diameter flame maple fretboard with geometric mother of pearl inlay, which now sports 2.5mm frets. This one’s destined for the white tele. And on the left a flame maple neck that’s been lying in waterlogged soil on a US farmstead for 20 years, 10” diameter birdseye maple fretboard with curvilinear mother of pearl inlay, which now sports 2.4mm fretwork ... but which guitar could this be destined for? Well that’s for you to wonder with casual disinterest at, and for me to know 😎 http://ift.tt/2nsbYr8

[rascalguitars]

Mother of Pearl fretboard inlays ... check. Pure white lacquer final coat ... check. Vintage ‘64 tele pickups ... check. 360 brass alloy bodywork ... check. Oh mama we’re nearly there! Still to go is the lacquer coat for the neck, polishing the bodywork and wiring up those electronics. It feels like I’m nearly there but the smaller jobs sure take their time. I’d say this Rascal will be ready for Christmas but I’ve found putting a time limit on these things can lead to disappointment. Mine anyway. I have something a little special running in the background also. More on that in the new year 😎 http://ift.tt/2zyDRPT

[rascalguitars]

You never quite know what you’ll learn, or where you’ll learn it. In this case it’s clear a green towel provides a far superior backdrop than washed out white. Perhaps I should have known that, going forward it’s not something I’ll forget I can tell you. Fast forward a week and you can see that the glue has set hard and, now that it’s been rubbed down, the mother of pearl inlays look awesome. This is a 12” radius, more on which can be found in a previous post. Enough to say my unique and somewhat eccentric soloing style will enjoy the wider radius of this neck. The Rascaled Telecaster body is looking better for a new coat of white lacquer also and all in all the finished guitar is drawing ever closer. http://ift.tt/2z075Ll

[rascalguitars]

One of two ... neck(s) with mother of pearl inlay, packed for the journey home and wrapped to protect it in anticipation of the glue drying. Strong epoxy if you must know, takes a good 24 hours to go off but it’s stronger than the quick drying stuff. Proof, if proof were needed, that there are no quick jobs. The sinking, finishing and gluing here took a full two hours, rather than the half an hour I’d hoped for #suchislife http://ift.tt/2iWsaeD

[rascalguitars]

You know how it is when all you want is a 50p piece for scale. Instead of that I’d like to introduce the 5th fret, and the rather filtered milky white slice of mother of pearl that’s going to occupy it. Geometrically speaking I’m feeling real irregular about this one. http://ift.tt/2llBaPe