Custom Build: Rhoads V - Sandoval Style

[Headroller]

This is a guitar build Mike just completed for a local musician. He wanted a custom classic built on the basic style of the Randy Rhoads Gibson V Sandoval.

Specs:
Wood - Alder wings with 3 piece neck
Pick Ups - 2 Humbucker
Controls - Les Paul
Bridge - Shaller

Scale Length - 25.5
Frets - 24 Jumbo
Neck Wood - 3 piece maple
Neck Binding - Yes, ivorioid
Inlays - 3 piece pearl bows

Pickups - EMG

[Hellraiser6502]

Pretty cool!!

Mike you do excellent work.

I'd bet this guitar cost about HALF what a Sandoval would cost.

Am I close Diana?? :-)

[Learn Guitars]

Thanks Hellraiser. I do not know what Mr. Sandoval charges for his guitars. This one is really reworked from his original design. The body shape has a different taper to allow access to the 24 fts. The neck heel is very close to the Jackson RR. The harpoon is slightly different. This guitar is a wiring challenge with the toggle switch on the upper horn. But now I have the patterns done.

[Grandturk]

Very cool. Love the white knobs.

[MetalHeadMat]

Very cool. Love the white knobs.

That's what he said

[Trem]

[Scooter]

The binding really stand out, that is just beautiful on so many levels.

[straycat]

I'm diggin' it.I would have done some dots on the pick up covers.Very very nice guitar.

[sully]

Thanks Hellraiser. I do not know what Mr. Sandoval charges for his guitars. This one is really reworked from his original design. The body shape has a different taper to allow access to the 24 fts. The neck heel is very close to the Jackson RR. The harpoon is slightly different. This guitar is a wiring challenge with the toggle switch on the upper horn. But now I have the patterns done.

From what I recall, Sandoval starts at 5k and goes up from there. Don't get that at all, but whatever. I've often wondered how the wiring channel is done on those; Mike, did you do an LP style construction with a top covering the wiring channel? I remember chatting about this guitar, looks like it came out wonderfully!

Sully

[Drake S.]

My Holy Grail Guitar

[ulijdavid]

Mike, did you do an LP style construction with a top covering the wiring channel? I remember chatting about this guitar, looks like it came out wonderfully!

Sully

Sully,
I don't know how Mike does it, but I will usually use dowels to align the "wings". Before glueing on the wings, I use 18" aircraft drills through the lower wing, neck thru, and upper wing. I just lay my body template on top and mark where the holes need to go. It saves you from having to use a veneer to cover any routed channels. The trick is to use large diameter drills to allow for any misalignment and also excess glue that may ooze into the holes.

Guitar looks awesome Mike!!! And the binding just adds so much to the fretboard.

[Learn Guitars]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

As Uli mentioned, you can predrill and then glue up the wings. I used an 18 in bit and connected the channels right behind the trem. If I was doing a drop top, i would cut the channel before the laminate top. <My pricing is way too cheap according to Mr. Sandoval's price guide. A good portion of the cost on this one was the fingerboard in 3 piece shell inlay bows.

[gtrbuyer]

nice work Mike..I like the look of your "Learn" logo on the back of the head. Also the neck binding gives a nice vibe!

[ulijdavid]

Hey Mike,
Yeah, I am sure your pricing is much better. I also believe Sandoval's $5000-$6000 price tag includes a 1 year minimum wait time.

[Nightbat]

Very cool. Love the white knobs.

Would have looked cooler if they had been aligned with the dot pattern