Love your video and your contour cuts. When I started my parts company I didn’t have a clue how the factories made the bodies like the other company on the west coast. After establishing there was a real demand for replacement bodies I flew out to the west coast and found an open garage door of the music man factory which was at that time right next door to CLF Research, Leo’s office. I stood outside watching the flow of the bodies on the pin router and how they screwed the templates to the body blanks to route them. I didn’t get a chance to watch the contours cut and I missed the opportunity to meet Leo in person, damn it! I had to figure out the contours by myself as I did most of the process. I did have the help of my father who had a lifetime of experience in the building trade with architectural woodworking and custom furniture manufacturing and custom installations. It was an advantage I could get advice from him but only after I screwed the pooch. I used an angled stationary fence for the bandsaw cut for the contours too. I like your idea of a sled better. Thanks. I also used a pneumatic sander similar to the one you had. We had a flap sander on one side and the air filled drum on the other. I loved that machine. What a great day when I discovered that. I used to make more of a sexy cut like yours. It’s a very sensuous transition when done correctly, like a sculpture rather than a machined guitar part. And absolutely it varied by many factors but I always knew when a body had that gradual transition without the hard edge, that’s what I always wanted. I never had a template for the contours. The belly cut I’d pencil in on the edges where to enter and exit. The front arm contour were cut by eye. Sometimes there was very little edge left where belly met arm but that was a rarity. You are right on the money Matt with how there must’ve been variations in the individual bodies before CNC came along. People complain about CNC. I never had them nor have I used them yet, but I always found when I improved my workflow, when I created a systematic process that became more easily replicable, my quality always improved as did my efficiency. Making the time invested in figuring things out and setting things up always a more profitable way to spend time. Thanks Matt, I always enjoy your videos
Turning out absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for sharing this build. Couldn't been a serious challenge as we all know you guys have blown it away at TT for long time.
Hands down your way Matt! Technology is cool, but the hand built mindset is where I live, looking forward to someday getting to TTG. Thanks for the outstanding content!!!
Love the variation achieved when a guitar is hand built. No doubt all of your Challengers would inherently have personalities of their own 💜💜💜💜💜💜 Sarah
Good video. I happen to prefer your thinner edge tummy cut forearm contour. As a matter of fact, I did the same thing on a mahogany body by hand with a sanding block. I actually prefer sanding by hand because it's very therapeutic as well as allows me to put in the details and contours and edges that I prefer. Hopefully you will do a video on how to drill the trem screw holes and post holes on a two-post trem. That part still confuses me. Thanks
🙋I vote for cnc every time. I've never had an opportunity to use a cnc especially a full blown automatic and tool exchange one. But from a standpoint of accuracy, speed and chance of error it can not be beat. A handheld router or table mount will not come out as close no matter how hard I try. Now I got a question on the build, I did not see a mention to the wood used is it ash or spruce? It doesn't look like maple and is it a solid one piece or two or more glued? Same fore the neck hard rock maple? One piece? And lastly will you flame toast the neck?
Great job Matt! That body looks fantastic. I like the more narrow contour that you did. Also, doing the 57 strat sounds like a great video. I just found your channel last week and I love it. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Great video, I think you nailed it and the whole charm of the pre cnc era as well as the pre CBS era.......I would sign up if I were in the states! Would love to see this finished, neck , electrics etc
Hey man, I love your videos. Thank you for making them. I searched through your uploads to find anything on a maxed out truss rod (single action, heel adjust, v. annoying) and wondered if you'd had luck with washers/spacers to get more adjustment. My MIJ Tele neck is permanently upbowed with no more motion in the adjustment nut so I'm a bit stumped on how to get the relief down. Any ideas?
I think you got very close. It was interesting to see how much your physical movements looked like a CNC machine. It convinced me that a CNC should be used, unless someone wants the personal satisfaction of a more hands on approach.
@@TexasToastGuitars Definitely. I watch the Highline Guitars Channel regularly, as he uses a CNC, and has very insightful ways about how to get great results from it. Happy Holidays!
Can someone tell me why vintage strats have a much more ruff finish in the cavities than all the newer strats? Were the router bits just dull from constant use?
I love yours...... Your contour is called a Bob body right...???? I have an 82 goldie strat that has that knife edge. I also have a 76 that has virtually no contours.
Wow, what a great result. Nice and very well pronounced contours, those are hard to find. Question, did you use a 1/2” round over bit or 7/16”? I want to emulate your results. Thanks
Thank you so much we always use the half inch round over I don't think that anyone has ever used the 7/16 round over but it looks like it sometimes after you sand that the contour is less than a half but you would have a hard time convincing me that back in the 50s they saw it out a specialty bit to do the roundover.
I think your arm contouring is closer to original spec, how thin it is at the top edge, lots extend past the halfway point too. The contouring on the old Strats really is beautiful, its a very elegant design.
Yeah, they were really going for those sleek swoopy body contours. It probably shaved off a couple more ounces while they were at it. There's a 1950s Fender factory tour on YT that shows a guy at a bandsaw (George Fullerton's dad?) taking huge gouges out of Strat bodies. The rumor is that on the 57 V neck, the production manager went on vacation only to find that all the necks were way off spec due to a new employee, and he was pissed. I don't know if that's true but just some more Fender lore, I guess. Leo Fender is my spirit animal.
I have one of those bladder sanding thingies for my lathe. Never thought to use it like that. How much do you inflate it when doing that? Would you say that it is aired up kind of hard like a football? Or kind of medium like a Tom Brady football? Or kind of soft like a Yoga ball?
@@TexasToastGuitars check price, not cheap but noticeably better than your DeWalt(i have same sander) way less vibration and cuts faster. Truly a pro tool. Best I ever owned. DC
So Steve's templates use a jack that is a Chinese replica instead of Fender sized? I would probably modify the template too. I don't like the metal that those Chinese replicas use. I love using hand tools for a lot of it myself, especially rasps for the contouring, my band saw isn't big enough to do the cutting how you guys do it on the sled - but again, I enjoy it!! Getting down and dirty. :)
The strat you did is killer. It's much more relaxing watching you sand then me doing it 😂. Love the idea of doing JJJs 57 pretty sure it would be a hit. Wonder who's initials are on the neck?? Just taking that guitar apart for the measurements would be worth the price of admission.
57 Strat replica reminds me of a story I heard on Tone-Talk TH-cam channel recently. Paul Reed Smith was in Motor City Guitar and they had a 55 strat. PRS convinced the owner to allow him to take the guitar and create a replica. Listen to the story at th-cam.com/video/WCH4toH0_is/w-d-xo.html .
@@Peter64AD Well... A pre CBS contour would be the contour found on a pre CBS instrument. Just like a CBS erra contour would be the contour found on a guitar make in that erra. Same for the headstocks, there are notable differences between the two. That is not too say that one is better or worse... Just different. I guess language and reading comprehension have fallen to the wayside and been replaced by acting out on the computer.
@@TexasToastGuitars Look there's no difference between pre CBS or CBS Stratocaster contoured bodies not to mention it depended also on the finisher who sanded in the final stage before painting. As far as the headstock is concerned yes there's a difference one smaller...CBS is larger but we're not talking about headstocks. You really don't know what you're talkin about just apologize and stop making an ass of yourself.
@@Peter64AD I think we got off on the wrong foot. Clearly, I have upset or offended you. That's the way life is sometimes. I'd urge you to try to not get so bent out of shape about a TH-cam video... You will encounter much worse in your life than someone who says something you disagree with. I hope you can move past this and have a great day. As for apologizing to you, I have no intention of doing that. I have done nothing wrong, certainly nothing that would deserve such a response. That is another thing you should try and get used to. People don't owe you anything... even if you think they do. As for me making an ass of myself, I get paid by TH-cam to do exactly that. You can choose to not watch but that is really your only recourse.
Love your video and your contour cuts. When I started my parts company I didn’t have a clue how the factories made the bodies like the other company on the west coast. After establishing there was a real demand for replacement bodies I flew out to the west coast and found an open garage door of the music man factory which was at that time right next door to CLF Research, Leo’s office. I stood outside watching the flow of the bodies on the pin router and how they screwed the templates to the body blanks to route them. I didn’t get a chance to watch the contours cut and I missed the opportunity to meet Leo in person, damn it!
I had to figure out the contours by myself as I did most of the process. I did have the help of my father who had a lifetime of experience in the building trade with architectural woodworking and custom furniture manufacturing and custom installations. It was an advantage I could get advice from him but only after I screwed the pooch.
I used an angled stationary fence for the bandsaw cut for the contours too. I like your idea of a sled better. Thanks.
I also used a pneumatic sander similar to the one you had. We had a flap sander on one side and the air filled drum on the other. I loved that machine. What a great day when I discovered that.
I used to make more of a sexy cut like yours. It’s a very sensuous transition when done correctly, like a sculpture rather than a machined guitar part. And absolutely it varied by many factors but I always knew when a body had that gradual transition without the hard edge, that’s what I always wanted.
I never had a template for the contours. The belly cut I’d pencil in on the edges where to enter and exit. The front arm contour were cut by eye. Sometimes there was very little edge left where belly met arm but that was a rarity.
You are right on the money Matt with how there must’ve been variations in the individual bodies before CNC came along.
People complain about CNC. I never had them nor have I used them yet, but I always found when I improved my workflow, when I created a systematic process that became more easily replicable, my quality always improved as did my efficiency. Making the time invested in figuring things out and setting things up always a more profitable way to spend time.
Thanks Matt, I always enjoy your videos
I would love to see this 1957 strat body made from old 2x4's glued up in white knotty PINE.
Do it man... That would be cool!
Awesome results, not that I doubted you could do it. I think making a replica JJJ 57 would be killer.
I think you might see something like that soon my friend
Turning out absolutely beautiful!! Thanks for sharing this build. Couldn't been a serious challenge as we all know you guys have blown it away at TT for long time.
Thanks my friend we try to keep it 100 😃
Hands down your way Matt! Technology is cool, but the hand built mindset is where I live, looking forward to someday getting to TTG. Thanks for the outstanding content!!!
Thanks so much for watching my friend
Love the variation achieved when a guitar is hand built. No doubt all of your Challengers would inherently have personalities of their own 💜💜💜💜💜💜 Sarah
The Challengers certainly have a personality. There was a time when building guitars was in our heritage. We try to keep that alive.
Sure enjoy your show and I’m going to order one of your guitars after the holidays.
That is awesome Thomas, we would love to have you
I really dig that contour on your strat body. I think both of them will make someone very very happy
Good video. I happen to prefer your thinner edge tummy cut forearm contour. As a matter of fact, I did the same thing on a mahogany body by hand with a sanding block. I actually prefer sanding by hand because it's very therapeutic as well as allows me to put in the details and contours and edges that I prefer. Hopefully you will do a video on how to drill the trem screw holes and post holes on a two-post trem. That part still confuses me. Thanks
I do forearm and belly contours on Teles with a 4.5" angle grinder, oscillating microtool and Random orbital sander, and finishing by hand with 220.
Sounds like a good way to go
@@TexasToastGuitars Especially if your dining table doubles as your workshop.
Darn you guys! 😉 now I think I need to build one ! Great idea Doug! Great job Matt and Chris !
Go for it man!
I think you will have as much fun as I did.
🙋I vote for cnc every time. I've never had an opportunity to use a cnc especially a full blown automatic and tool exchange one. But from a standpoint of accuracy, speed and chance of error it can not be beat. A handheld router or table mount will not come out as close no matter how hard I try.
Now I got a question on the build, I did not see a mention to the wood used is it ash or spruce? It doesn't look like maple and is it a solid one piece or two or more glued? Same fore the neck hard rock maple? One piece? And lastly will you flame toast the neck?
Great job Matt! That body looks fantastic. I like the more narrow contour that you did. Also, doing the 57 strat sounds like a great video.
I just found your channel last week and I love it. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Thanks for watching my friend
Great video, I think you nailed it and the whole charm of the pre cnc era as well as the pre CBS era.......I would sign up if I were in the states! Would love to see this finished, neck , electrics etc
Right on
Hey man, I love your videos. Thank you for making them. I searched through your uploads to find anything on a maxed out truss rod (single action, heel adjust, v. annoying) and wondered if you'd had luck with washers/spacers to get more adjustment. My MIJ Tele neck is permanently upbowed with no more motion in the adjustment nut so I'm a bit stumped on how to get the relief down. Any ideas?
Thanks Matt and Chris!
You are very welcome my friend
hadn't seen the dead head sander in a while. glad it's back
Lord knows I love that tool
Nice job. Fantastic work my friend. Also like the new show and play of videos that you put out. Great job TTG
Pretty close!! So cool body Mat!!
It was really fun too my friend
I think you got very close. It was interesting to see how much your physical movements looked like a CNC machine. It convinced me that a CNC should be used, unless someone wants the personal satisfaction of a more hands on approach.
The CNC is truly a marvelous approach.
Keep in mind that there are CNC machines and them there are CNC machines.
@@TexasToastGuitars Definitely. I watch the Highline Guitars Channel regularly, as he uses a CNC, and has very insightful ways about how to get great results from it. Happy Holidays!
Can someone tell me why vintage strats have a much more ruff finish in the cavities than all the newer strats?
Were the router bits just dull from constant use?
I love yours...... Your contour is called a Bob body right...????
I have an 82 goldie strat that has that knife edge. I also have a 76 that has virtually no contours.
Sre strat diffrent sizes ...or are they all the same ...I have noticed that they look bigger some times is it the burst on them
I think the copy to Steve's guitar you did is darn Good
Came out great, very nice looking piece of ash! 😋
Hahahaha I love that one
Wow, what a great result. Nice and very well pronounced contours, those are hard to find. Question, did you use a 1/2” round over bit or 7/16”? I want to emulate your results. Thanks
Thank you so much we always use the half inch round over I don't think that anyone has ever used the 7/16 round over but it looks like it sometimes after you sand that the contour is less than a half but you would have a hard time convincing me that back in the 50s they saw it out a specialty bit to do the roundover.
Awesome!
Awesome replica, Matt. I think the only fair judgement is you each owe the other lunch. And a beer.
You are probably right Pete... Much as it pains me to say it
I think your arm contouring is closer to original spec, how thin it is at the top edge, lots extend past the halfway point too. The contouring on the old Strats really is beautiful, its a very elegant design.
Yeah, they were really going for those sleek swoopy body contours. It probably shaved off a couple more ounces while they were at it. There's a 1950s Fender factory tour on YT that shows a guy at a bandsaw (George Fullerton's dad?) taking huge gouges out of Strat bodies. The rumor is that on the 57 V neck, the production manager went on vacation only to find that all the necks were way off spec due to a new employee, and he was pissed. I don't know if that's true but just some more Fender lore, I guess. Leo Fender is my spirit animal.
To a 56-58 yes, but not to a 60 onwards, which would look more like the alder one (or thicker on that area).
REALLY DIG THE GENEROUS ARM CONTOUR
Cool video! I’d definitely like to see the actual 57 replication! Eventually I’d like to get out for one of your classes!
That would be cool Dale
Commented before the end so just to add, pleasssssssssseeee pleassssseede do that 57 project. Would so love to see that
I think we will be doing that
What would that cost to buy and the cost of the wood if you dont mind. You do awsome work!
nice one! :)
Can i ask, what is the angle on that gig you made to cut the arm rest and belly cut parts?
You can ask but I don't really know
We used an actual body and just eyeballed it
Smasing video. i really like the excessive knife edge of the early 50's bodies. Sleek and swoopy.
Wish I had access to all those machines. Lol!
I have one of those bladder sanding thingies for my lathe. Never thought to use it like that.
How much do you inflate it when doing that? Would you say that it is aired up kind of hard like a football? Or kind of medium like a Tom Brady football? Or kind of soft like a Yoga ball?
The ones inb the video are Def. Brady.
@@texastoastchris Thanks Matt. 😎
Great job, Matt! just a quick question, how much time involved for each of you to make the body to that point of completion?
Better question:
How much enjoyment was involved?
I know my enjoyment level begins to fall off relative to time.
I had a job using chop saws, table saws, compound radial arm saws (Satan!), etc. and it gets old really quick. Production gets old real fast.
Hmmmm
I'm not really sure.
Adding the camera makes things more difficult and takes more time
If I just did stuff it would be considerably faster
@@TexasToastGuitars Thanks, Matt. My builds probably take 3 or 4 times longer than yours due to simple tools.
how many degrees is that sled you use for the arm rest ?
I really don't know... We just sorry of did that
Do you use the red or gray scotch bright?
Yes
I’ve got one I need to get shaped
I always thought it was weird that the tummy cuts were so much bigger in the 50's and 60's when people were skinnier. lol
If you haven't, try the new 3M RA sander. Quieter and much faster due to design. It's a pro tool so more expensive.
Cool man I'll buy a couple
Have you used them a bunch yet
@@TexasToastGuitars check price, not cheap but noticeably better than your DeWalt(i have same sander) way less vibration and cuts faster. Truly a pro tool. Best I ever owned. DC
Waiting to see how Matt does these contours and round overs, and maybe how we can do them without A Beloved pin router??
its all teeth, and fingernails!
I hope you liked the video ksharpe10, it was a super fun little guitar to build
@@TexasToastGuitars It was great thanks.
Of course, just put the neck in the pocket and route the body to fit. It hurts to think how many of those I’ve free handed or orbital sanded. Gosh!
I wish I could say I thought of that myself but I actually got that from a guy on TH-cam
So Steve's templates use a jack that is a Chinese replica instead of Fender sized? I would probably modify the template too. I don't like the metal that those Chinese replicas use.
I love using hand tools for a lot of it myself, especially rasps for the contouring, my band saw isn't big enough to do the cutting how you guys do it on the sled - but again, I enjoy it!! Getting down and dirty. :)
No
Steve's templates fit the American strat jacks
You make a pretty darn nice Strat when you have to 🤘
Thanks Eric
We might just make a few more
The strat you did is killer. It's much more relaxing watching you sand then me doing it 😂. Love the idea of doing JJJs 57 pretty sure it would be a hit. Wonder who's initials are on the neck?? Just taking that guitar apart for the measurements would be worth the price of admission.
We'll have to see amigo
Great video one again
Thanks brother man
I have a 2012 Fender Classic Series 60s strat and it's body is thick and the contours are crude, not deep and well done like you did them.😢
Not a replica to me ,but just as good looking, and the thinner edge of the curved part on top looks real cool/beautifule.
Dream . . . . . . . Reality
Its our conclusive opinion that TTG has, in fact, connected those dots. Next!
Love that Swamp Ash - hope you don't paint over it...
I think see through white
Awesome....!!!
What would a replica like this cost.....???
@@jamesthaxton4411 please send us an email as we do not discuss prices on social media.
Matt - You are a human CNC machine! HNC….
You know it.
I love the old school stuff
57 Strat replica reminds me of a story I heard on Tone-Talk TH-cam channel recently. Paul Reed Smith was in Motor City Guitar and they had a 55 strat. PRS convinced the owner to allow him to take the guitar and create a replica. Listen to the story at th-cam.com/video/WCH4toH0_is/w-d-xo.html .
Oh cool I'll check that out
The flattery is still severe.
It should be
MATT !! at 16.30 ..... take care of your hair !! ! ! ! ! uuuhhhhh. 😧😳
I know right 👍
Pre CBS contour? What...so CBS didn't use a contoured body? Wow LOL! I guess the Jimi Hendrix Woodstock Strat didn't have a contoured body LOL!
Are you okay?
You sound upset...
@@TexasToastGuitars Are you ok? Seriously what exactly is a "pre CBS contoured body"? You sound stupid.
@@Peter64AD Well... A pre CBS contour would be the contour found on a pre CBS instrument. Just like a CBS erra contour would be the contour found on a guitar make in that erra. Same for the headstocks, there are notable differences between the two. That is not too say that one is better or worse... Just different.
I guess language and reading comprehension have fallen to the wayside and been replaced by acting out on the computer.
@@TexasToastGuitars Look there's no difference between pre CBS or CBS Stratocaster contoured bodies not to mention it depended also on the finisher who sanded in the final stage before painting. As far as the headstock is concerned yes there's a difference one smaller...CBS is larger but we're not talking about headstocks. You really don't know what you're talkin about just apologize and stop making an ass of yourself.
@@Peter64AD I think we got off on the wrong foot. Clearly, I have upset or offended you. That's the way life is sometimes. I'd urge you to try to not get so bent out of shape about a TH-cam video... You will encounter much worse in your life than someone who says something you disagree with. I hope you can move past this and have a great day. As for apologizing to you, I have no intention of doing that. I have done nothing wrong, certainly nothing that would deserve such a response. That is another thing you should try and get used to. People don't owe you anything... even if you think they do.
As for me making an ass of myself, I get paid by TH-cam to do exactly that. You can choose to not watch but that is really your only recourse.