Gorath's first build - TLA-1

[Gorath]

Hey all

This is overdue because I got my kit and started my build around the beginning of Feb.

The catalyst for this has been that I had a Tele for a fair few years that was a Partscaster, entirely put together out of parts but it was a magic guitar, the go-to guitar when all else failed, and I used it on countless gigs, EP and album recordings and loved it.

Sadly it went a little while ago due to financial pressures.

I've covered off early parts of this build in my welcome thread:

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=7126

Bunch of Instagram links there that may not work, as I've just made my profile/account private. I've had to do this due to some VRO related nastiness going on in the last few weeks.

I have tried to upload photos here in the past but haven't figured out how to make them smaller size/data yet.

Here's basically how my build has gone in a few points:

1) Get kit. It's like Christmas day.

2) Spend three or four days sanding. Now I don't order the sanding paper from the website, I use stuff I get from Bunnings, but pretty much the same sizes/gradients/whatever it's called.

3) Pretty happy with the sanding, it's really brought out the grain. Apply first coat of Stain. Haven't done this before, go really gung-ho with the front/top of the guitar, barely leave anything for the back. Dingotone "Coolangatta Gold" selected for the body.

4) Sand the neck, then use Accacia to stain neck. Now I don't really read/follow instructions and I use the stain on the whole neck, even the fretboard which I'm later told most people tape up and don't stain/touch. Looks good anyway, has that vintage yellow look.

5) Do another Stain coat on body, happy with colour/look

6) Apply intensifying coat. After this has cured, I add another intensifying coat, possibly a bit drunk, apply too much and really cake it on.

7) Get bored, put guitar together as a whole. Good exercise because I can see what it will look like and it looks great.

8) disassemble guitar, sand back really thick intensifying coat.

9) Patch up Stain coat - stain bits that are looking pale/colourless as a result of the sanding.

10) Apply intensifying coat again

[Gorath]

I just have the following questions/need the following help:

1) In the instructions it says after you've finished your finishing coats on the guitar, wait two weeks for the body to cure, then buff and polish. I'm not handy, or useful, or knowledgeable, can I please have instructions/what I need to buff and polish state?

2) Waxing the neck. I've ordered the Dingo-tone wax, at present the neck looks great but feels unfinished, how do I wax? How much to use and how long to let dry/cure?

I think that's all I have at the moment, thanks all

[Fretworn]

1) In the instructions it says after you've finished your finishing coats on the guitar, wait two weeks for the body to cure, then buff and polish. I'm not handy, or useful, or knowledgeable, can I please have instructions/what I need to buff and polish state?

Before anyone answers, can you let us know what sort of finish you are after - full gloss shiny, or smooth satin. Personally I've tended to use DBs buff it with copier paper method and this has worked fine for me, but if you want the full gloss finish you will probably need some form of buffer and polish.

[Gorath]

Fretworn, I reckon I'd be after the full gloss, I'd like it to look nice and shiny.

What's DB's buff with copier paper method?

[Gorath]

Also if anyone can help me as to what to do with the neck?

[Fretworn]

Fretworn, I reckon I'd be after the full gloss, I'd like it to look nice and shiny.

What's DB's buff with copier paper method?

Dingobass sometimes polishes the guitar with copier paper as it functions like ultra fine sandpaper. You won't get the high gloss finish this way though.

[Gorath]

Thanks for the advice Fretworn.

Finally some photos:

[Gorath]

I learnt not to hang the body like this.

[Gorath]

I had helpers too:

[Gorath]

So I still haven't finished the guitar, but about a week ago I got impatient and wanted to put it all together to have a look, before taking it apart again and continuing with the body and neck: