UpstateNYer Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Hi folks, I am a new member here and would like to document my first build. Let me start by saying this guitar is being built for my personal use only. I have always wanted a yellow Chiquita, and after looking on ebay for quite a while I finally found a black one that was listed as is. I paid less than half what most of these little guitars go for usually, I think because the owner did not know if it worked. I did have to replace the pot, the strings, and the output jack but other than that it just needed some TLC. Because of the guitar being so nice, and the fact that it had a neck pickup that is rare.... I decided I would make a new one to paint yellow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpstateNYer Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I started with 3 pieces of 1 x 3 maple, cut out the neck shape and laminated them together. When laminating up the body I decided to continue with maple for the area where the bridge attaches. The rest was done in poplar to save on weight and make it a little easier to shape. For the headstock I once again used the maple. Cut the channel for the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpstateNYer Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I am now ready to carve the back of the neck. This is the one area on the original guitar that bothers me. It seems very thick and clunky, let me know what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 My personal preference for a neck join is to carve it for a smooth organic join into the body. I use my own hand as my guide. The goal is to have a comfortable fit while fretting the highest frets and a visually pleasing smooth transition. For me anyway. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Ah the chiquita...built by a guy in a shop about 30 minutes from my house Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shiscabob Posted October 30, 2011 Report Share Posted October 30, 2011 This reminds me, I need to build one of those too! I'm a big Back To The Future buff, and i've always wanted one of those for nostalgic reasons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UpstateNYer Posted November 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2011 I had time to do a little more work on this. I did the pickup cavity and volume pot cavity, drilled the jack hole, tuner holes, bridge holes, and all of the wiring channels. Still have to cut the binding recess and round over the back of the body and headstock. Waiting on the fingerboard and fret material to show up. I chipped a couple of the tuner holes, but these are just the 5/16" holes. I still need to open these up to 25/64". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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