Simon B's Custom ES-1/ES330 style build

[Simon Barden]

Thanks. I've got to finish it first though and there's a lot that can go wrong. All I've done is very simple so far, nothing special at all.

[Simon Barden]

Well, I've been working on a simple logo for some 'inlay'. Printed it out onto paper, then stuck that on my thin sheet of abalone.



Then cut out the shape using a scalpel.

It sort of worked but the abalone is quite brittle and has a definite grain that it will snap along. Both attempts failed because a small piece broke off. Here's attempt two (it's actually the rear side but I've flipped the pic to show the logo more clearly.



So plan B is to superglue some thin plastic to the back of the sheet first to hold it all together, then cut it (haven't got anything handy so have ordered some that will arrive tomorrow). So even if it does split, it should still be he;ld in place by the plastic sheet. It should also allow some sanding of the 'inlay' so smooth off some of the rough edges and get the round bits rounder.

The idea is then to cut a round hole in a piece of veneer (probably maple as it's got the least grain), then stick that on the front of the headstock, stick the inlay in the hole then fill the gaps in the inlay, then paint the face black. With the plastic on the back, the inlay should just be proud of the veneer, so will become visible after some sanding back.

That's the theory anyway.

[Andy40]

Wow that inlay looks great SB!

[Simon Barden]

I meant to upload the one where I'd highlighted the area where the abalone split off. The paper is still stuck to the other side, which is why it looks complete.

[chrissyinbkk]

I like it... great idea Simon

[Simon Barden]

Hopefully tomorrow or Saturday I'll be able to show you one I prepared earlier.

[JohnH]

Sounds good Simon. The inlay looks great, so hopefully you’re plan works and you can avoid the chip-out

[Simon Barden]

The plastic sheet arrived here a few minutes ago (just before 10am, so I've just stuck the abalone sheet to it using some permanent spray adhesive (after roughing up the plastic's surface with sandpaper) and am now waiting for it to dry. Originally thought about using superglue, but it's quite a large area and there could have been problems spreading it out evenly before it set or with any spreader sticking to it etc.

[Simon Barden]

It's not working. The plastic is too thick/tough to cut easily, even with a brand-new scalpel blade. It's only 0.5mm thick, but that's still to thick to cut well without flexing it all, which then breaks the abalone away from the plastic. I'm now trying to sand the plastic back so it's thinner and will cut a bit more easily. Also beginning to wish I'd used superglue.

[JohnH]

Maybe a really fine jewellers saw?