Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to zetaboards. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
My handbuilt Explorer; The shape everyone wants...
Topic Started: January 1, 2007, 4:48 pm (2,193 Views)
Metfuk
Member Avatar
Don't Tread On Me
[ * ]
In the entire month of December I have worked daily on my own Explorer guitar, at the guitarshop.
Because I was/am low on money, I tried to build one as cheap as possible.
The idea was to make an Explorer that looked close to James' ones but smaller. I'm not the biggest guy myself so I used the Gibson Explorer PRO as an example. They are 90% of the original Explorers size. For the headstock I wanted to try the more modern ESP style.

To all you people who want to build a guitar themselves: It's a big fun but don't push yourself. IMO, when building an instrument, pressure is never a good thing. You will fuck it up or you just don't feel comfortable.
The neck is definitely the most work. It takes ages to get the rounded profile right.
Then, after all was done, I had to spray paint it. It took me 2 weeks. It wasn't very fun to do. But it was either this (a 40 euro job myself) or a 300+ euro professional job. Well, and since I wanted the project to stay cheap I wanted to do it myself. The results are fine.

Here are the specs:

Colour: Classic White
Neck: 2 piece Mahogany with angled headstock
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Body: Plywood :blush: (but I got it for free!)
22 standard sized Frets
Black hardware by Boston
Duncan SH-10 Full Shred humbucker
1 Volume
Bolt-on construction

Costs:
Whole guitar WITHOUT humbucker and WITHOUT finish: € 175 ($ 230)
Colour and Finish: € 40 ($ 52)
Humbucker: € 78 ($ 102)

I pulled the humbucker out of an other guitar so I shouldn't count it in the costs since I already had it. so the total costs are:
€ 215 ($ 283)

It plays absolutely great! And it sounds quite loud when unplugged. Although through an amp, it lacks low end (which is to be expected from plywood).
But it is still an interesting CHEAP guitar!

PICS!!

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

The headstock with my own 'Van Hanegem Guitars' logo! :D (it's my last name)
Posted Image

Together with my Gibson EX...
Posted Image

Feel free to give your opinion!! :tu:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
St.Anne
No Avatar
Lady Writer
[ * ]
jesus max! You worked on that? it looks amazing! I alrady love explorers so every time I see one it's 'drool' already :biggrin :P

I love it...great job!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
R@quel
Member Avatar
I <3 Mike Holmes

Super nice! You did a great job!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Metfuk
Member Avatar
Don't Tread On Me
[ * ]
Thanks girls! :cool
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
!AintMyBitch!
Member Avatar
Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
Wow, nice job! And classic white just makes it look fantastic. :drool :drool
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HammerofJustice
Member Avatar
Bad Religion
[ * ]
Make me one please :biggrin
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
!AintMyBitch!
Member Avatar
Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
HammerofJustice
Jan 1 2007, 11:45 PM
Make me one please :biggrin

Haha yeah me too! :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
TakeNoPrisoners
Member Avatar
Metal Crüe- Evil Thrill
[ * ]
Awesome job man. It looks great.

You should think about the advertisement idea. :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Dominique
No Avatar
...and Domi for all
[ * ]
The Unforgiven One
Jan 1 2007, 09:52 PM
jesus max! You worked on that? it looks amazing! I alrady love explorers so every time I see one it's 'drool' already :biggrin :P

I love it...great job!

Hahah, exactly the same reaction here :D I'm totally impressed, you did great job!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Metfuk
Member Avatar
Don't Tread On Me
[ * ]
Thanks all of you! :)

Of course I can make one for you if you want one. If you PAY me, haha! :nanner:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
HammerofJustice
Member Avatar
Bad Religion
[ * ]
Metfuk
Jan 2 2007, 01:46 PM
Thanks all of you! :)

Of course I can make one for you if you want one. If you PAY me, haha! :nanner:

:lol: Sounds good to me,

So how much do you want for it, just the price you said or something else?

:horns: :nanner: :horns2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Simone
Member Avatar
Mistress of Puppets
[ * ]
WO!!!!!! great job,Max!!!! I'm...*drool* it's awesome!!!!!!


You should open your own guitar shop!!!
Max VanHanegem's "Reparing Guitars Shop" :lol: :lol: :lol:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Krik
Member Avatar
Poor Twisted Me
[ * ]
GREAAAAAAT
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
The Philosopher
Member Avatar
Bad Seed
[ * ]
Cool explorers :horns2
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
PapaHet_Addict
Member Avatar
Frantic
[ * ]
That is nice!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Musicians Forum · Next Topic »
Add Reply