JagMustAster - 1 (or2?)

[Andyxlh]

Well done, nice fix on the body!

[Fretworn]

Are you reshaping the body to be more mustang-ish?

[neverwas]

Thanks Andxlh. I'll put a link to nitro's tutorial for anyone interested. My approach wasn't identical, but very similar.

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=7614

Yes Fretty, there will be some massaging of the body shape. You might be able to see on the first pic with the switch plates and black pup covers there are some pencil lines on the high e side, putting more of a curve in the lower horn cutaway, smoothing the curve on that edge and softening the bottom curve. That'll be a starting point and will see what looks 'right' when I get that far. Mustangs have a symmetrical shape across the bottom like a strat, want to keep some of the angle the kit has. As the title suggests, it has a bit of everything thrown in, we'll see where that ends up.

Grant

[nitroburner1000]

Thanks Andxlh. I'll put a link to nitro's tutorial for anyone interested. My approach wasn't identical, but very similar.

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=7614

Yes Fretty, there will be some massaging of the body shape. You might be able to see on the first pic with the switch plates and black pup covers there are some pencil lines on the high e side, putting more of a curve in the lower horn cutaway, smoothing the curve on that edge and softening the bottom curve. That'll be a starting point and will see what looks 'right' when I get that far. Mustangs have a symmetrical shape across the bottom like a strat, want to keep some of the angle the kit has. As the title suggests, it has a bit of everything thrown in, we'll see where that ends up.

Grant

Hey mate just wanted to say awesome build and thanks heaps for the link, im glad i was able to help someone.

[JohnH]

Thanks for the link - I'd been contemplating doing the same for this el-cheapo strat copy I saved from going to the tip, but kind of wasn't really sure where to start.

[neverwas]

Ok, first, you're welcome nitro (and thanks).
Second, All good John, thank nitro for the explanation, I'm not always that good at detailing what I've done.

Sadly, no progress to report.

Grant

[neverwas]

Well, there is some progress to report.
A bit of trimming on lower curve and upper horn to start with as well as re-sanding/shaping some of the edge curves. Still tinkering with that bit.

Also blended the ends of the arm cut to follow body curves instead of a straight line across the body.

Then got stuck into the back with 60 grit followed by 120 grit to make sure the patch is level with the rest of the body. What has become obvious is that there is no way I'll get away with using a stain for the colour so onto plan B, spray solid colour. Can picture the dark green I want in my head, will be interesting if can get that across to the guys at the local paint place.

And have started drawing up the shape for the pickguard. By the time the shaping of the edges has been finished and the corners rounded over, get the feeling will need to move the lower control plate in towards the bridge or the pickguard will be right up to the edge of the body.

One step at a time, getting there (very) slowly.

Grant

[Wayne.Mumford]

Ooo, nice mods.

[nitroburner1000]

Well, there is some progress to report.
A bit of trimming on lower curve and upper horn to start with as well as re-sanding/shaping some of the edge curves. Still tinkering with that bit.

Also blended the ends of the arm cut to follow body curves instead of a straight line across the body.

Then got stuck into the back with 60 grit followed by 120 grit to make sure the patch is level with the rest of the body. What has become obvious is that there is no way I'll get away with using a stain for the colour so onto plan B, spray solid colour. Can picture the dark green I want in my head, will be interesting if can get that across to the guys at the local paint place.

And have started drawing up the shape for the pickguard. By the time the shaping of the edges has been finished and the corners rounded over, get the feeling will need to move the lower control plate in towards the bridge or the pickguard will be right up to the edge of the body.

One step at a time, getting there (very) slowly.

Grant

Nice job mate, your doing awesome

[neverwas]

Thanks Wayne and nitro.
Have been getting bits done a little at a time, so to catch you all up;
For some reason I don't like the shape of the body under the neck pocket so changed it and plugged the old screw holes then drilled for ferrules in place of a plate.

To show how my shaping would compare to a curved neck plate.

Also dug out the timbermate from around the patch on the back (got paranoid about it sinking back under the paint) and refilled with 'builders bog', seems to be the same as auto body filler.

Next, make the routs to suit the pots and switches and pickup. Used forstner bits in the drill press and tidied the edges up with a chisel. A router would have given a neater end result but this way is much more manageable.

Pilot holes for the switchplate cavity.

cont..