Stratocaster part 1. Drop top style guitar building documentary.
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- Опубликовано: 14 ноя 2019
- M I Tarr Guitars. PART 1 Documentary building of a Super Strat drop top style guitar in Orange sunburst.
This documentary is a fly on the wall, day to day working life of Luthier, Guitar Tech and Music tutor, Michael Tarr
The Ex British Steel Electrical Engineer, working from his home base Studio and Workshop, in South Wales. United Kingdom
No explanation or narration is needed. Just watch and I hope you enjoy the film.
I film my guitar building progress to give enjoyment to other's with an interest in the guitar making process. And for my Children and Grandchildren.
PLEASE NOTE, There is more than one way to do any of the processes in building a guitar. Do what works best for you and the tools/equipment you have. Also all health and safety equipment were in place and used. And only removed for filming purpose.
Music track.. Wild Turkey
Many thanks Mike 
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I got so enthralled watching you do the fretwork I forgot to drink me coffee...
What an awesome Grandpa!!
Thank you Sir for your comment. Mike
I love everything about this video! Very informative, very skilled, great attention to detail, didn't
leaving out crucial steps others do. And if that's not enough, the grandkids
(I'm assuming) Are helping and learning from the best teacher they could hope for!
Very heartwarming.
Many thanks for your comment it is very much appreciated. So please you enjoyed the film. Best wishes Mike
After watching about 75 different videos I think this is the clearest and methodical winner. I've subscribed and will repeatedly watch your build videos. I'm a 30 plus furniture hobbyist and going for my first guitar build.
Hello William. Many thanks for your comment it is very much appreciated. Pleased you enjoyed the films and all the very best with your guitar build. My next two films, I will do some talking to give some explanation of what I’m doing. Thank you for subscribing. Best wishes from Wales. Mike
Michael, I just LOVE watching you build guitars! Such perfection and attention to detail!
I'll head over and watch part two now, and enjoy it!
Hopefully there'll be some new build videos again, at some point, that would be sweet!
Best regards.
GuitarNTabs. Thanks you for that Comment, not sure what to build next, and to film.
The Stratocaster was demanding to build, because of the 6mm Maple Cap, .I Never done that before, on a contorted body. And the Mahogany was took some filling of the grain. Enjoyable to build but a lot of Filming. Glad you enjoyed it. Mike
@@mitarrguitars - Thanks for the reply, Michael. I appreciate it 😊
Haha, I can easily see that - there are many possibilities, when it comes to building guitars!
Well, I'm sure you'll come up with something! The footage and filming is great - quality!
I can see how the Maple Cap was demanding - especially when having to carve in the contour...
Thanks for doing the videos.
Have a great day - best regards.
Steve, I may do a single cut Les Paul junior or a PRS single cut carved top type guitar. Mike
Gosh, you make me wanna wish I was kid again! This was very pleasing to watch. Thank you for allowing us to be there with you!!
A Master craftsman Luthier with a big heart!!!
Hi Omax fe357. That is a wonderful comment, thank you very much. It is very much appreciated. Stay safe.... Mike
Mike, you're truly a multi-genre artist of the best quality... and your stuff's a joy to watch.
Could you list the types of wood in this build? Thanx in advance and... cheers
Hi Jonny. Neck is top grade flame maple with a rosewood finger board. Body is Mahogany with a 6mm flame maple cap. Mike
Very nice build, well done.
Thank you. Mike.
I love you men, thanks for sharing !!! You are The King🎸👍
Hi Nelson. Many thanks for you comment it is very much appreciated. And I’m pleased you enjoyed the film. Best Wishes from South Wales. Mike
Nice to see the young masters being able to take time out of their busy day to show tips and trick on guitar building! ;)
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the film. Mike
Another work of art! Of course with helpers it becomes easy to create such masterpieces :-)
Many Thanks Marco....Mike
Passing on the luthier's legacy :) Another great build and video!
NeoGeoEch13 Many thanks for your comment. Stay safe Mike.
Lovely craftsmanship 👍🇬🇧
Watched this again....Amazing every time !!
Hi Darrin. Many thanks..Mike
So cool that you’re involving and teaching the kids about guitar making. It’ll have a lasting effect on them for sure! My grandpa used to make banjos and it inspired me to make guitars. Now I’m just about to start my third build. Thanks for the video my friend!
Hi ande047. Many thanks for your comment it is very much appreciated. I'm involving the children more on the next build, which is a Les Paul. That should be published very soon. All the best with your builds. Best wishes from a very wet South Wales Mike
You better watch out... I've heard of that tech with the blue sweater
and I understand he accepts nothing less than 100% perfect
I enjoy your work /videos very much.
Also, making those childhood memories is what it's all about!
Tulk, thank you for the comment, so glad you understood about the memories..Mike
IMO, of course, the drop-top bevel is at an angle that fit players when the Stratocaster was developed. Back then players held their guitars higher than today. With the guitar held lower the angle of the bevel should be changed to fit a lower-held guitar. Pretty amazing even Fender can't figure that out.
Very impressive. High standard build in all that you make.
Thank you David for your comment. Mike
Yes, you do have adorable grandkids.
Thank you Mr Waffles, it’s all done for them. Mike.
Great to watch your videos Michael, two eager apprentices you have there. 👍👍
Cheers Gerry, thank you for the comment. mike
Great trick with the fretboard powder on the fret-ends.
Thanks for your comment, yes the saw dust makes a big difference to the finish. Mike
Okay, I wuz just gonna set back and watch your amazing build (Best on the web IMHO)
when you set off my 'nifty' alarm... That weeny little belt sander... Too Much!!
You are THE tool man Michael! Cheers
Cheers Jonny..Mike
Absolutely incredible! Inspiring stuff there Mike, you make it look easy! A joy to watch
Hi Ben. Thank you for your comment, glad you enjoyed the film. Mike
Great build!! The trick of the holes under the flamed maple top to make the elbow ramp is perfect (6:44). Assuming that the flamed maple top thickness is around 7mm, what would be the depth of that holes? Do you remember which bit diameter did you use with the dremel for that? I would bet that the wood should broke with this technique but it prooved to be flexible enought and worked like a charm. Congrats!
Hi tjcsantos. Thank you for your comment, and I’m so please you enjoyed the build. It was a tricky job which I had not done before. So learning on the job so to speak. The flame maple was 6mm thick and the cuts was 50% of the depth. The bit i used was a straight cutter about 3 mm in diameter. The total amount of wood removed was about 50% in depth and 50% across the elbow ramp, 3 mm cut 3mm gap. The big thing about doing this job was the top MDF templates used to clamp and pull the maple down to the body. It needs to be 20mm plus in thickness. I didn’t but you could wet or soak the section in hot water which will be bent. Hope the is was some help. Best wishes Mike
Thank you mitarrguitars! I will try that myself in my next build. ✌️
Your grand child looks like a mini Nigel Tuffnail or Jeff Beck!!!!
@ 6:15...(?) PRICELESS
Jonny, Ive had my grandson in the workshop with me, since he could walk. thanks for the comment.. Mike
@@mitarrguitars Thanx so very much for your replies... they mean a lot to me. I just turned 70, my oldest sez he'll not bring any kids into this world (?) Pretty sure my younger will give me some diaper duty (doodee?) I just hope I live that long!... cheers mate
The Best Part of these video is that you are teaching the kids I really love it .Mike just another question ,Could you please explain The distance from the nut slot to tele bridge screw mount position .My next attempt is Telecaster. Thanks so Much
Hi John. Reset the bridge saddle so they are all in a line, somewhere in the middle of the intonation adjust screws travel. So you have maximum adjustment when you come to setting up the guitar for flat or sharp. The distance then from the bridge position is.
From the string take off side of the Nut, (Finger Board side of the slot) to the body position is 25.5 inch or 650mm. You can double check this by measuring from the 12th fret to the bridge, which should be exactly half way. ie 12.75 inch or 325mm. Its not a big problem on a Telecaster (which is my favourite guitar to make) because you have a long travel on the adjustments screws if you are a little bit out. With a Les Paul bridge its a different thing all together. And it needs to be spot on and the bridge fitted at an angle of 3/16 inch of centre. Its called a intonation off set. Anyways that's some thing for the future for you. I wish you well have a great Christmas, I'll help out any time . Mike South Wales
@@mitarrguitars Thank you so much mike. Merry x mas to you and to your family. Greetings from Italy.
Love your work sir.
Thank you Danial M..Mike
Another great great video Mike. Excellent to watch a craftsman using 'normal' tools and none of the soulless cnc tosh. Fab you've got some keen apprentices you can pass the skills onto!
Thank you Stevie for your comment. Mike
Nice 👍
Thank you Mo... Mike
Great content
Thank you David..Mike
great video and nice batman!
Glad you enjoyed it..Mike
Hi Mike, loving the craftsmanship, I've been playing for 20 years and building for 3, i wind all my own pickups too, fibre bobbins, alnico mags, heavy formvar, plain enamel, all historically correct. If you ever want a set for your builds drop me a msg, I'm in s wales too.
Hi strother. I did wind my own pickups for many years, I train as a Armature Winder for 4 years apprenticeship from 16, in an engineering workshop, then changed to all types electrical engineering for 30 years, in the steel industry. Started my own business in 2004 having trained in Scotland as a luthier, i do building , repairing,tech stuff. But most of my work comes from Teaching, music, and guitar base things. Ill keep in touch and will take you up on some pickups one of these days. Many thanks for the comment. If your ever in Ebbw give me a call. Mike
@@mitarrguitars thanks for msg back, im down by Philly, so not far away, I'm in the construction trade and do the guitars as a bit of a hobby amongst other things, thats great butt, drop me a msg when ever you want and I'll knock them up for you, no probs
Hi Mike, did you buy or make your fret saw miter box? Your videos are outstanding and a great pleasure to watch. I’ve built my first body and am about to venture into neck world but I want it keep it simple as you have. Also curious which fret file you use.
Hi Steven. The fret saw and files are all from Stewart Mcdonald (StewMac) USA. Your right to keep it simple to start with, you will be learning so much on your first neck build. Also don't be put off about buying a ready slotted finger board, it will be a big help and not expensive, just to get you started. You will still need some sort of fret saw, to cut the slots to the correct depth once you have radius finger Bd. Thanks for the comment.Stay safe...Mike
amazing, but I'll stick to parts assembly
Amazing once again. Absolutely love it that you have the kids in taking part. Have mixed emotions part jealousy, part ‘great job’, part ‘oh my god don’t mess it up’ lol. I have no doubt they will inherit the creative gene when they grow up. I have been wondering though, why does the saw dust from the neck go in the jar?
Hi Robert, Thanks for the comment. You can see me using the rosewood dust has a filler for the ends of the frets at about 23.55 sec. Glad you enjoyed the film. and i do mess it up sometime. LOL best wishes Mike.
Ah right that’s what it was. Lol sorry Mike, my reference to messing it up was about watching the kids get involved - Even though they already look like they have more skill in their little fingers than I ever could 😬. Love all your guitars I’ve seen so far but I gotta say this one is my fave 👍
Hi Robert. Funny thing its the little one how is really into it, great with his hands. Thanks for your comments. mike
Looks like you have a great little supervisor there hehe
2 supervisors
Thanks Jay..Mike
Compliments from italy for your Excellent work .i am learning these days how to build guitars.just a one question when you insert trust rod does it need to remove that plastic covering which these two rods bind together? Thanks
Hello John. No there is no need to remove the plastic coating off the truss rod, it is better to have it on. I removed it because it was damaged, and extra care was taken when gluing on the finger board. Not to get glue it into the truss rod slot.
Hope you enjoyed the film, any other help I can be to you just ask. Best wishes and stay safe ....Mike
@@mitarrguitars Thank you so much mike I think i made small mistake Removing mine is undamaged .It is such a joy to watch your craftsmanship.You too Stay safe and greetings from Europe
Nice video. Very instructive. Where can I get the plans ?. Thanks
Hi jschirino, Glad you enjoyed the film. I had the plans from, Touchstone Tonewoods in England, UK. Best wishes Mike. 👍
Been watching your videos for a while now. I had for some reason thought you were american. When I googled M I TARR GUITARS, it turns out that you are just up the road from me 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Boss GT8. Thank you for looking at my films, hoped you have enjoyed them. Are you from South Wales. Mike
Hi Mike
Really enjoying your videos and while the content is incredible and you are building all my dream guitars, I would also like to say the video quality is also top notch.
Cheers from Neath.
Craig
Another great build Mike. I thought to myself a small amount of narration would be good, few times id see you taking measurements or marking something and would be great to add in the reason why in voiceover... i know thats probably a pain in ass from an editing perspective though hah. Id like to see a video where you give a rundown of tools required for a guitar build, maybe just the “must have” ones and/or include “nice to have” tools as well. You make lefties?
Many thanks Random Focus.
1,No I’m sorry I don’t make left handed instruments.
2,Videos on the tools and bits of information is on the cards.I do use some unorthodox tools that I’ve made, or because I’m an electrical engineer by trade I do use tools other luthiers may not thing about. I give up the electrical engineering in 2001 after 29 years to make guitars and teach music.
3, Talking.... it’s a deal breaker, this is only my take on it. Everybody does it’s, and may say the wrong thing in some people eyes. For me it’s doing it a bit different to anyone else. If viewers get into the documentary , understand and focus on it, they can get more enjoyment out of it. Now I maybe wrong about that, it’s just what I hope.
I seen a BBC documentary Years ago which was silent and it gripped me. Photography being my second love to music, it appealed to me.
4, Narration or voiceover wouldn’t be much of a problem, but.
Some facts for you. 30 to 40 hour to make the guitar, 25 to 30 hours to spray and finish the guitar.
The Filming trebles the time of the build, and editing 600 video clips take anything up to 60 to 100 hours. Doing all myself is nice and very satisfying. Just hope my children and grandchildren will understand long after my days. That’s the main reason for the films, And for others to get enjoyment out of them.
I’m going to give to tool videos a good think about, others have asked the same. Hope this is of some help to you. Can’t thank you enough for you great comments. Stay safe Mike.
@@mitarrguitars i fully understand re the time constraints and time to edit and put videos out but i would love to hear why you do things the way you do, luthiers such as yourself are unique and theres great skill to be learned here, after all how you do things may not be the industry norm but the end product speaks for itself. I like the idea that theres more than one way to get from a piece of wood to a world class guitar. I’ll keep watching regardless, thanks for the videos. I love you upload for your kids/grandkids and i bet great grandkids too one day, all future master luthiers.
Beautiful workmanship. Can i ask where you get the lovely wood?
Hi Angus. The wood is from Touchstone Tonewoods in the UK. Check out the end credits for all suppliers I use. Many thank for you comment, any help I can be just ask. Mike
@@mitarrguitars Thanks, Mike. Much appreciated.
Awesome! Where did you get the plans from?
Wade Tomczyk Hi Wade. I had them from Touchstone Tonewoods in the UK. Mike
M I Tarr guitars Thank you Sir
Michael, can you tell why you use a piece of glass on the fretwork?
Hi Franco. It is 6mm thick and perfectly flat, i can spray adhesive and placed different grades wet and dry papers onto it. I use it to start removing the file mark from the first stage of stoning of the frets.
It works fabulous, and will not removing much material. Its also one of the best way to do a light stoning of the frets from playing. I have a few different widths and it can be used in both direction of the frets to remove marks. I always finish off going across the frets with 1000 grit paper. It is one of the many and most useful tools you can make yourself for guitar build/repairs. The Photography mount spray adhesive makes it easy to remove the worn paper and replace. Hope this help Franco....Mike
@@mitarrguitars Nice, Michael! Great idea. Tks for the answer.
What do you charge for your builds? I’m a Telecaster guy and was curious. Awesome work by the way
Baby Showers Hi there. Don’t sell many these days. There is no fix price, it’s all depends on what wood you want, hardware and finish. I think my next RUclips video build will be a telecaster with binding. Glad you enjoyed the film.Mike
M I Tarr guitars let’s say alder body, with maple neck, but a soft V profile, 9.5” radius two single coils (neck and bridge). Maple fingerboard and lacquer finish. Standard every day tele.
Hi Baby Showers Thanks for you comments. Like you said you are curious how much the builds are. I regret I wouldn’t discuss cost on RUclips it is not the right platform I would use to do business. But for your curiosity most totally hand build one off guitars are very expensive. I rarely do body’s out of just one type of wood, say Alder or popular. 90% of the time I do a flame maple top on Ash for example. Your build requirement are standard and you would be much better off getting a Fender Standard or professional series, £1200/£1400. If you was still set on having a totally hand made guitar, you would on average be looking at Fender custom shop prices. Say around £2400 up £3000 plus. Just take into account the man hours involved in building it by hand and no CNC. .
You say your a Telecaster person, like myself. Have you see my Telecaster build film. Based on a 1952. Thanks again... Mike
Hello, I’m in north wales, can I ask where you buy your plans/templates from please
Hi Leon, Templates from Ebay, and the plans are from Touchstone Tonewoods in the UK. Sometimes I do make my own templates from the plans. ...Mike
Curious, why did you have to sand the edge of the body if you have a jointer?
Hi Jason. The joiner gives a good flat surface, but Im more concern to get the edge at 90 deg to the front/back surfaces, it only as be be a little out of square and can cause other problems. Now sanding with a large block i can fine tune the gluing surface to get a very tight close fitting joint. Its always the outer edges that I have to sand, and it only takes and few minutes. Checking with a straight edge you can see the light on the low points. I think you will see that in the film. Many thanks for the good comment and I hope you enjoyed the film. Best wishes Mike
@@mitarrguitars wow, thank you for that detailed response! I really enjoy your videos, please keep making more!
If you need any help with the relic process let me know😂
What fret slot jig are you using?
It a StewMac jig. I’ve have it for twenty years and still available on there site. Mike
I enjoy watching your skills, but why not say a few things like what you are doing at the moment you are filming? It kinda sucks to just hear machines running and sandpaper sandpapering. I know, I could turn off my volume. But seems like a missed opportunity to teach. Example: why did you mark, or scratch the edge joint just before gluing up the body? Anyway, thanks for the video.
Hi stratlix,
Glad you enjoy the film. Easy question first, I scratch the edge of the book match joint for the maple cap and mahogany body, because it gives a much stronger glue joint surface to surface. Specially with the 6mm maple cap.
There is a number of reason why i don,t give an narration with the film. I do everything, plan the job, source the parts, build the guitar, film the build, edit it. Its a massive job. 703 video clips, 60 hours of footage with 3 cameras. To do a talking sound track then would hard for me time wise. But here are some other reason has well.
1. I took the idea of filming it this way from 3 documentaries very i had see by the BBC about works with Wood, Metal,and Glass. I found them brilliant.
2. Apart from guitar builders like Fletcher, who is an amazing builder. People seam to waffle on a bit to much, that drive me up the wall personally. And you end up saying something people don't agree with. (Then comes the comment come saying i'm doing it wrong) I would get more comments with people disagreeing with what i'm saying, it can be hard work.
I just work what bests for me, some don't get that.
3. Language comes into It. I,m Welsh. From South Wales. Lovely accent but can cause problems.
4. And most important, ive done 3 documentaries now. Only 2 comments ask me talk, most like the fact its just the background noise, you can hear the birds,dogs, kids going to school, has well as machines. And its also to show, i work at my home, in my garage, no big manufacture or company, its just me a work class guy. It mean't to keep you concentrating on the film. does it work, im not sure, but most like it i think. But i really like the format. And it is filmed for me to leave my grandchildren something for after my days.
Glad you like the film, it but sorry it sucked a bit for you, and I do thank your constructive comment.. best wishes Mike
Mike, thanks for your thoughtful reply. I certainly understand (better now) your reasons for keeping the video without instruction. And I agree wholeheartedly. Also, I apologize for saying “it kinda sucks”. That was inappropriate. Lately I’ve been kicking around building my first Tele and your video on Tele build was one of the very best ones I’ve found on RUclips. And it really did inspire me to research further. So I guess I was selfishly disappointed that your videos aren’t a step by step “how-to”. But that’s ok, in retrospect the steps you show are very well done regardless and your craftsmanship is top notch. Thanks again for your reply and all the best. Sincerely, Dave H
Hi Dave, It’s my pleasure and so glad your have a go yourself. If I can every help send a comment. Many thanks Mike
How can I get the templates you use? Please
Hi Dan. There is a seller on EBay Trollmusic. Look under Guitar templates sets. You will find them. Once you have them make a copy of them yourself for spare. Mike
Thx Mike, your work is awesome and so is the little guy. He’ll be making cool stuff soon I bet.
That young Q.C fella looks a bit strict.
Hi dunboozin. Thanks for your comment i hope you enjoyed the film. And you are spot on Little Oliver is strict, and only does want he wants to do and is always telling me want to do..He's got me to do a new film starting next week. Thanks again and stay safe.... Mike