Sonics 5th build - The Ultracaster (with special sneak peak)

[VonScott]

I agree - that colour with the white pickguard and ashtray cover oozes class.

[Sonic Mountain]

Thanks for all the kind words guys. Pouring rain here today so not much going on finishing wise. I've started looking around for pickups etc. Not really sure what I'm after... I think now that I'm using the pick guard I'll go back to a lipstick in the bridge.

These are pretty tempting

https://www.pitbullguitars.com/shop/...tl-style-kits/

[wazkelly]

These are pretty tempting

https://www.pitbullguitars.com/shop/...tl-style-kits/

Good choice and great value at that price.

I have the same set in my Swampcaster and they sound great.

[Sonic Mountain]

First sealing coat of clear on. Couple of small boo boos that will sand out and its shown up a few small marks, but it actually looks really nice. I think it will look great with a bit more clear built up on it.

This one is really for me to bash around on so I'm taking a bit more of a relaxed approach. I can see another one being done at some point closer to the original concept of this build diary.

[king casey]

Good choice and great value at that price.

I have the same set in my Swampcaster and they sound great.

I reckon I'll be getting the bridge Tonerider.

Edit:

BTW Great colour choice...my Squier is currently yellow....for now.

cheers, Mark.

[Mark Gill]

Anyway, I'm happy to hear comments and constructive criticism. This is something that needs a pretty broad appeal so I'm interested in your thoughts. Fire away.[/QUOTE]

I actually immediately thought it was far better than the traditional headstock shape.

It has much more gesture and movement in it; like a form from nature—a bird’s head or something—that has evolved to be streamlined and highly functional.

It’s really impressive to take something that many would already describe as “perfect” and add more to it—like inventing a better mousetrap.

[Mark Gill]

Anyway, I'm happy to hear comments and constructive criticism. This is something that needs a pretty broad appeal so I'm interested in your thoughts. Fire away.

I actually immediately thought it was far better than the traditional headstock shape.

It has much more gesture and movement in it; like a form from nature—a bird’s head or something—that has evolved to be streamlined and highly functional.

It’s really impressive to take something that many would already describe as “perfect” and add more to it—like inventing a better mousetrap.[/QUOTE]


The headstock, that is...

[Sonic Mountain]

Thanks for the positive words Mark. It was a collaborative effort with the Pitbull brains trust and was based of a sketch (by Dingobass I think?) so I can't take all the credit. It was surprisingly difficult to find just the right balance in the curves.

I've just made a start on the neck this afternoon. I do like the end result on the headstock. I'm looking forward to seeing it on the guitar.

The 'bevel' on the high 'E' side is still a bit concerning. It looks like an accident in the factory when filing off the ends of the frets. I'll post some better pics a bit later.

[Sonic Mountain]

Little bit more tinkering.

I made up the custom grovers with left over black components I had.



I've been trying to clean up some dodgeyness around the fret markers. It doesn't look amazing but I can live with it. Maybe I'll put some custom markers in later ondown the track.



I've also done a few more coats of clear on the body. Not much else exciting happening.

[Sonic Mountain]

Headstock decal on. I've been printing out extras and potential names when making the other waterslide decals so I already had this one. Suits nicely.