Since Mami is my favorite Scandal-member I'm thinking about making something special I'm not going to tell what it is at the moment. When i actually start this project, I'll try to post some pictures.

Biggest problem seems to be: how will I ever get "it" to Mami.
If you guys have any idea, let me know

I'll probably be in Japan in March, so that might help a bit.

ah i think im not able to help, but im MAMI biased too , so im looking forward to your project haha
good luck .clap.

DaanW wrote:Since Mami is my favorite Scandal-member I'm thinking about making something special I'm not going to tell what it is at the moment. When i actually start this project, I'll try to post some pictures.

Biggest problem seems to be: how will I ever get "it" to Mami.
If you guys have any idea, let me know

I'll probably be in Japan in March, so that might help a bit.

Normally, more easy to give them during tour....unless you know how to find them in Japan  .uhuh.  
Anyway, you should post this in Member Activities 

Normally, more easy to give them during tour....unless you know how to find them in Japan  .uhuh.  
Anyway, you should post this in Member Activities 

I know but it will take me several weeks to finish this project. And even if I could finish it before their European tour, Im on holoday in Tokyo during their European tour (I'm going to their show in Amsterdam, and after the show I have to go straight to the airport).

When i actually start this project I will make a new topic in Members Activities   I'll probably start when Im back from my holiday

DaanW wrote:

Normally, more easy to give them during tour....unless you know how to find them in Japan  .uhuh.  
Anyway, you should post this in Member Activities 

I know but it will take me several weeks to finish this project. And even if I could finish it before their European tour, Im on holoday in Tokyo during their European tour (I'm going to their show in Amsterdam, and after the show I have to go straight to the airport).

When i actually start this project I will make a new topic in Members Activities   I'll probably start when Im back from my holiday

.wow.  Hope you can finish your project before your trip......Ganbatte!!!I'm looking forward to "it" 

I decided to do this project even if there is no way of giving it to Mami.
I'm way too excited about this, so if I cant give it to her, I'll keep it

I ordered the first few things I need for this.  Hope to post some updates soon

With the announcement of the 47 prefecture tour, my chances of getting `it` to Mami are increased. I hope.  (I'll be travelling through Japan in March/April)

Slowly but steady I'm getting the stuff I need to start this project. 
At the moment Im testing some glow in the dark + epoxy mixes  which will be used in this project.

I'll start posting pictures once I'm back from my holiday (end of september).

First picture, which still doenst show what this will be haha.  (I promise I will start posting pictures after Scandal's show in Paris).


Someone I know has a CNC machine and I asked him if he could help me doing this logo.  
This is just a test in MDF and it looks amazing.   


I'm still testing glow in the dark powder + epoxy mixes.  My idea is to fill the logo with glow in the dark epoxy.  Havent found the right color yet.  I'm looking for a powder that's almost white in daylight.  Not sure about the glow color yet, leaning towards green or blue.

I think I found the right glow in the dark powder.



First picture is the color in daylight (cat paws for added kawaii-ness)
For the second picture I aimed a flashlight at it for only 10 seconds. You can imagine how bright it will be when fully charged.

Finally got back from Paris. Where I fell in love with Mami. Again...

I started working on this project today. After testing some glow in the dark powders, I mixed the best powder with epoxy and filled the scandal logo with it:



Looks weird at this point (I know), and why are those pieces of paper there? It will all explain itself further on.   This epoxy needs to cure for 24 hours before I can scrape/sand it flat.

To show how bright this mixture will glow, this is after 10 seconds under a lamp:



For people who already have an idea what this will be, please do not spoil it for the rest. Eventually it will be clear what "it" will be   Of course you can send me a PM if you think what it will be

After letting the epoxy cure for almost 24 hours, I sanded it flush.   Pretty happy with the result.


Picture is a bit blurry, because I had to take this picture in the dark, obviously haha

Worked on the project for a bit today.  Im still waiting for some parts.

This picture might give something away, about what it will be:

sorry for the lack of updates. Work is crazy busy at the moment, and I've been waiting for one essential part for this project.  Looks like it will be here somewhere next week (I hope). After that things could go quick, if work isnt as busy as it is now.

Stay tuned

Package arrived yesterday, so I think it's time to reveal what this is going to be.
This was in the package is was waiting for:



I guess that at this point is pretty clear what I'm working on


What I started with:



2 pieces of alder + 1 piece of ebony.

After planing them to the right thickness, the pieces of alder were jointed (the picture a few posts back).
I prefer jointing by hand, 'cause it gives a way better joint. Glued together it looks like this:


With a template I drew on a strat, so I could saw it close to the line:


Forgot to take picture while I was routing the body but after routing it looks like this:



Where's the glow in the dark logo you ask?
To make this special the logo marks the 12th fret:




In my next post I'll talk about the specs for this guitar

For who's interested in guitars:

Specs:

Body: Alder
Neck: Maple
Fretboard: Ebony
Pickups:  Tv jones classic
Bridge: Hipshot hardtail (strings through body)
Tuners: Hipshot griplock

Why no tremolo?  I'm just not a fan of tremolos.
My idea for this build is making a strat with the looks of a gretsch white falcon. So the body and neck will be white. Harware will be gold. And yes... there will be gold sparkle bindings

To give you an idea, here's a binding-preview:


Everything together:

That's fantastic.

Are you a luthier by profession or a (very good) hobbyist?

kudo_maharizu wrote:That's fantastic.

Are you a luthier by profession or a (very good) hobbyist?

For now it's a hobby, but eventually I'd like to do this for a job.

glueing the gold sparkle binding today

What do you guys think, should I send a message to Mami on twitter about this?

DaanW wrote:What do you guys think, should I send a message to Mami on twitter about this?

Now that we know what it is, first of all thats impressive and you are very skilled. Second, I cannot possibly imagine a way for you to get this to her without your project dying in the process, leaving this in the present box will likely be mistreated or not handled carefully as a musical instrument should. I dont know how but if you tweet at her letting her know or manage to speak to any of the STAFF at the 47 tour letting them know its a present for MAMI they might be able to assist, other than that I really have no idea how you can get it to her safely

Noodles wrote:

DaanW wrote:What do you guys think, should I send a message to Mami on twitter about this?

Now that we know what it is, first of all thats impressive and you are very skilled. Second, I cannot possibly imagine a way for you to get this to her without your project dying in the process, leaving this in the present box will likely be mistreated or not handled carefully as a musical instrument should. I dont know how but if you tweet at her letting her know or manage to speak to any of the STAFF at the 47 tour letting them know its a present for MAMI they might be able to assist, other than that I really have no idea how you can get it to her safely

The first show I will attend is Tokyo  4/15 (if I can get a ticket..) So that's almost 6 months to figure something out

Oh, wow. This looks very promising! I wish I can do something like this, but I'm just not skilled enough haha! Good luck with this, I hope this gets to her.

Full-on support! .rage.

Small update:
Routed some cavities today


neckpocket fit:



Nice and tight.


I need your opinion on something:
I'm looking around for knobs for this guitar. My first thought was Gretsch knobs, but they look a bit big for a strat.  So I tried these standard domeknobs:



What do you guys think?

hi..... I'm from Indonesia, nice to meet you, I've been looking for your topics and you show us you're brilliant idea..... well I like to play guitar, in my opinion that would be great if you use fender parts for the electronics

but that's up to you, because I like fender especially stratocaster models, beside you're the luthier and I'm sure you've got a lot knowledge about the guitar sound

how's the headstock? I just can't find the photo.... well if the neck doesn't look like strat so you can make the body like stratocaster model..... you know? I think Mami looks more 'sexy' when she use strat model

well.... do your best!!! ganbatte