browser icon
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Blog Archives

Make-A-Wish Charvel Surfcaster: Starting the Build

This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

In 2014 I had the idea that I could build an electric guitar (my first) and raffle it off for charity through my company’s holiday party band, the LCA. This resulted in the LCA SG Jr. guitar which raised over $2,100 for Make-A-Wish Illinois. Last year this was repeated with a Lospennato-inspired “Radio star” clone, … Continue reading »

Categories: Woodworking, Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Make-A-Wish Surfcaster: Capping the Body

This entry is part 2 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

With the Ash blank shaped, it’s time to prepare the figured top. I made a “top cap” template including holes for the sound hole and electronics pockets. Two of these were cut: one in MDF and another in acrylic. I wanted a clear version to allow me to see the grain pattern I was selecting for the … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Guitar Building | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

The “Wish-caster” Fingerboard

This entry is part 3 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

The Design The first two electrics I built were constructed with factory-made necks. Having never fretted an instrument before, I was apprehensive about taking on that part of the project with a hard deadline. For this design I wanted a custom inlay on the fretboard featuring the primary ‘star’ component of the Make-a-Wish logo. Last … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Carving the Wish-caster Neck

This entry is part 4 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

After a couple weeks away, I was finally able to spend a weekend in the shop. Returning to the fretboard, I gave it a bit of thought and ultimately decided rather than try and fix the bad frets (there were probably 8-10) and paint the fretboard with CA (see the previous post), I would basically … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dyeing the Wishcaster Blue

This entry is part 5 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

With the neck now attached, it was time for a quick trip to quality control – my eldest son Sean – for a check. Thankfully it passed and so the project moved forward to making the pick guard. Pickguard construction began, as usual, with templates. They were prepared from 1/2″ MDF using the full-size drawing. … Continue reading »

Categories: Guitar Building, Luthiery | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Wiring the Wishcaster’s Electronics

This entry is part 6 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

A primary difference between this guitar and the previous two is the electronics wiring and installation. The Surfcaster is wired like a Stratocaster — with the pickups and controls attached to the pickguard instead of directly to the body. This greatly simplifies installation and makes it possible to work on the electronics and the finish … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Final Assembly and Setup

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series Make-A-Wish Surfcaster

Once the finish cured, I sanded with wet/dry paper starting with 400 grit and then working up to 2000. After than, I polished it with brown jeweler’s rougue and buffed it out to a high-gloss near-mirror sheen. I attached the neck, installed the pickguard and bridge, and then attached the strap pins and tuners. For … Continue reading »

Categories: Luthiery, Guitar Building | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment