Then I look for the light through the pourin' rain
You know, that's a game I hate to lose
I'm feelin the strain,aint it a shame.
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I want to get lost in your rock and roll and drift away.
In 1946,the same year Fender began building musical insterments.
Alex Xydias useing $100 a month borrowed from his mother,opend
the SO-CAL Speed Shop." I really struggled to keep it going."
Says Alex. " sometimes I made less then a $100 a month,but
the hard work paid off and with in one year, he was able to move
to a biger shop on Boulevard in Burbank-a prophetic address for what
was to transpire.
I thought it would be fun to share how I make the Fender guitars cars.
By building the Limited Edition SO-CAL Speed Shop, Fender Stratocaster Guitar
In an extended wheel base.
I'll start by drawing my pattern out. (like the one seen in the photo.)
Next I'll rip the top half of the kit block down to 3/8'' thick on the table saw.
Then mark out the axle slots, if your rules allow you can drill axle holes.
For this build I will be useing my table saw & a thin kurf saw blade to cut notches.
Kids please get adult help for this step.
With the axel slots cut I'll then route out for the weight pockets 1/4'' deep.
Then I'll use the pattern printed out on card stock and trace the pattern on to the block.
I like to use the scroll saw for cutting out cars with.
I start by cutting out the smaller parts first, then move on to the larger parts.
I'll then flip the block up on its side and mark out for cutting the neck.
But befor I cut out for the neck I draw a line that lines up with the curve of
guitar body.
With the neck cut out I'll then mark out the axel fronts for the head stock.
Useing a dremel tool I'll sand and shape the head stock.
For the back wheel spaceing I use a wheel and axel to get the clearance needed and try to leave my self 1/8'' to adjust the wheels.
Here is the car/ guitar body almost all shaped and ready to paint.
For making the fingerboard I use a scrap piece 1/8 thick and draw the frets.
Useing a miter box & saw I'll cut the frets and then v shape the frets with a craft knife.
For the frets I use tooth picks..and glue them in then sand down later.
For makeing the bridge & the bridge pick up, I cut an L shape scrap for bridge
and dill six 3/64 small holes for the strings. And a flat piece for the pick up.
I then move on to drilling 3/32 holes for the machine head/turning pegs/keys.
Now for the fun part painting the car.
When the paint and clear drys its time to string the guitar..
for the pegs to rap the stings around once more tooth picks.
I drill a 1/32 hole in each peg to run the wire threw and rap around the peg.
For the strings I use small braded elect wire and seed beeds on the
bridge end to hold the strings.
And for the tuneing keys I use wire and bash it with a hammer to shape the keys.
For the volume and tone knobs I like to use the plastic thumb tacks
and cut them down.
At the nut..The white part seen at head stock end of the finger board.
I use the craft knife once more & cut small v shapes so the strings will stay in place on the nut.
Well there you have it..
The Limited Edition SO-CAL Speed Shop Fender Stratocaster Guitar car.
Hope you all enjoyed it?
Whoda.
