Hi from Canberra

[Simon Barden]

Hi John, welcome and good luck with your build.

You've got a veneer top. If you've been reading some of the build posts, you'll know that with the veneer there can be problems with glue spots - either on the surface or seeping up through the veneer, and also all along the veneer join line. If you are dyeing/staining the top rather than spraying with a lacquer, you will need to do a check for them and remove them with a glue remover like Goof Off. The veneer is held on by a non-waterproof PVA glue, so beware of getting it too wet, as excess water has been known to allow areas of veneer to lift and bubble (which can be fixed but it's a PITA). So wipe the surface with metho or turps, which will darken the wood and show where the wood isn't taking up the fluid (because of glue). There is a high probability of glue in the join line. You won't see it all by eye alone.

Cleaning the top of glue is pretty much the first step of the build, so don't be tempted to skip it. Not all veneer tops have had this issue, but you do need to do the wetting test first to see what action (if any), needs to be taken.

[JohnH]

Thanks Simon!

I'll be sure to be thorough. I'm feeling reasonably confident about the finishing, having done a few guitars before, but do have some other questions. Guess I should start a build diary!

[mjg]

Welcome John... I'm also in Canberra. I think there are a few of us on the forum.

[cazaron]

Hey John! Best of luck in your build.

Definitely check for glue spots, there have been some real nasty ones in some builds.

Please do a build diary! It'll be fun to follow along with you!

[JohnH]

Thanks MGJ, looking forward to getting to know everyone - it's nice to know there's some fellow enthusiasts close by.

Thanks Cazaron, I've been following your build diary with interest. Hopefully will have something to add to mine in the next week. Life with kids is slooooooooow lol

[dingobass]

Nice LP kit ya got there John..
I too am an escapee from Canberra.. and Goulburn.... and Bowral....
No, I do not miss the 9 months of winter but I do miss the spring awakening of that part of the world.
Have fun with the build

[wazkelly]

I reckon April is about the best month in our nations Capital. Not too hot and not yet freezing cold with a vast array of autumn colours before the trees shed their leaves. Once May arrives you would swear the South Pole was just over the next hill as it becomes so icy cold and stays that way until about November.

[JohnH]

Dingo, my brother just moved to Bowral! He bought the Kookabar Café. I've only been up to see it once, but it looks like a nice café, and it's a really pretty town. Incidentally, he's also a Luthier, and builds violins from his house.

Waz, you're not wrong. You should see the colour here at the minute - our backyard is blanketed in leaves of the most intense yellow. It's one thing I would really miss if we ever shift out of Canberra.

Unrelated, but for any of you guys who live in Canberra (particularly anyone with kids), I'm giving an engraving/printing demonstration at Megalo Print Studio on Saturday (2pm). Printing a small engraving block on a beautiful old Albion press, which used to be owned by the NSW Government. It's a neat place to check out, and kids always love the old machinery. It's in the same building as the Bus Depot Markets, but in the long skinny bit that fronts the street, so close to good coffee and lunch. Anyway, it'd be nice to meet any of you who are out and about!

[FrankenWashie]

Nice LP kit ya got there John..
I too am an escapee from Canberra.. and Goulburn.... and Bowral....
No, I do not miss the 9 months of winter but I do miss the spring awakening of that part of the world.
Have fun with the build

I refer you to a favourite saying of my Finnish rugby club mates "Finland has 9 months of Winter and then 3 months of bad skiing".

[FrankenWashie]

Dingo, my brother just moved to Bowral! He bought the Kookabar Café. I've only been up to see it once, but it looks like a nice café, and it's a really pretty town. Incidentally, he's also a Luthier, and builds violins from his house.

Waz, you're not wrong. You should see the colour here at the minute - our backyard is blanketed in leaves of the most intense yellow. It's one thing I would really miss if we ever shift out of Canberra.

Unrelated, but for any of you guys who live in Canberra (particularly anyone with kids), I'm giving an engraving/printing demonstration at Megalo Print Studio on Saturday (2pm). Printing a small engraving block on a beautiful old Albion press, which used to be owned by the NSW Government. It's a neat place to check out, and kids always love the old machinery. It's in the same building as the Bus Depot Markets, but in the long skinny bit that fronts the street, so close to good coffee and lunch. Anyway, it'd be nice to meet any of you who are out and about!

I loved that market, had a wonderful time down there when last in Canberra.