How did you start with tech?

[Kai C]

Hey @Ed Seith I'm linking you in this but I'd like to leave this open to everyone. How did you start learning tech/hardware besides just jumping into it? Anything to practice or be mindful of? I have new pick-ups and tuning pegs coming in to start beefing up my strat with when I get to Japan. Planning on pretty much re doing the entire electronics on it. In another couple months or in a year I want to build a custom from a kit. What should I look up so I don't fuck it up? Thank you

 

[idssdi]

Solding/wiring is a good idea to look up. Also get a solder and like screwdriver and stuff like that. Remember that Google is your best friend if you put in the rate words in the search bar.

 

[Kai C]

@Ids Schiere Sweet. What about electronics capability should I know or is that just something I'll find out when I get to it? My EMGs are going to come in a set with everything in it; pots, switches, wires and all. But I also got Syns passive pickups on black Friday sale for my future kit and those won't come with all of that

 

[idssdi]

@Ids Schiere Sweet. What about electronics capability should I know or is that just something I'll find out when I get to it? My EMGs are going to come in a set with everything in it; pots, switches, wires and all. But I also got Syns passive pickups on black Friday sale for my future kit and those won't come with all of that

Something important to note is that you shouldn't put actives in a guitar made for passive pickups. For actives you need a battery for which you need to drill a hole in the body for a battery. In principle I think you can use existing switches and pots for new pickups but I'm honestly not sure about it. Current, voltage, impedance and all those thing are important too before you connect things.

 

[Kai C]

Ok that makes sense. I hadn't even thought of that. Fortunately my strat already is passive so I'm fine there but I'll need to check in the future for when I start a DIY project.

 

[Kai C]

As a curiosity question, how would you get into the wood work on a guitar? In the event you do need to drill in for actives, or a trem. The body I have picked right now is passive and has a trem cut in already. But it has a bolt on Maple neck and a mahogany body. Can you bond those two together and then sand down to get more intrusive on the high end of the frets?

 

[idssdi]

As a curiosity question, how would you get into the wood work on a guitar? In the event you do need to drill in for actives, or a trem. The body I have picked right now is passive and has a trem cut in already. But it has a bolt on Maple neck and a mahogany body. Can you bond those two together and then sand down to get more intrusive on the high end of the frets?

Personally I would always let a professional do the woodwork.

 

[Kai C]

Personally I would always let a professional do the woodwork.

Lol the professionals have to start somewhere

 

[Kai C]

So the big thing I am hesitant to try and would leave to a professional for a while is the inlays. Does drilling and filling mess with the tone or quality of wood? I mean you're removing wood.

 

[idssdi]

Lol the professionals have to start somewhere

Yeah the right and really.expensive equipment

 

[Lindsey]

So the big thing I am hesitant to try and would leave to a professional for a while is the inlays. Does drilling and filling mess with the tone or quality of wood? I mean you're removing wood.

No. It doesn't. There are many videos on youtube showing it doesn't affect an electric guitar.
There are also many videos on guitar building.
I plan on doing that, someday. Completely from scratch, including the pickups but I might make a bass instead.

 

[Kai C]

@Lindsey Now making your own pickups does sound awesome

 

[Lindsey]

@Lindsey Now making your own pickups does sound awesome

It does but I'm sure the pickups won't sound awesome.

It's all just for fun, but they can easily be replaced with bought pickups it the woodwork turns out to be good enough.
The neck must be the hardest to make.

 

[Ed Seith]

As a curiosity question, how would you get into the wood work on a guitar? In the event you do need to drill in for actives, or a trem. The body I have picked right now is passive and has a trem cut in already. But it has a bolt on Maple neck and a mahogany body. Can you bond those two together and then sand down to get more intrusive on the high end of the frets?

Active require special volume and tone pots and stuff and the battery. I have taped a battery ins did the electronics cavity before,but i wouldn't recommend it.

As for getting started altogether, it's bravery and trial and error,mostly. At least for me. I had my first guitar and i was just fearless with it. It helped that my dad had taught me to work with my hands and tools and stuff, and that he raised me believing you shouldn't pay someone to do something you could do yourself. I am still not very good at solder,but i can get it done. Trial and error. And now YouTube. Good luck!

 

[Ed Seith]

So the big thing I am hesitant to try and would leave to a professional for a while is the inlays. Does drilling and filling mess with the tone or quality of wood? I mean you're removing wood.

There are luthiery classes you can find in major cities that can teach that stuff. I don't get beyond moderately advanced maintenance.