GR 1 SF build

[Dougr]

My latest challenge arrived yesterday. A GR-1-SF with a mahogany body (apparently) as the suppliers ran out of basswood. My good fortune as the grain looks really nice on this one. I did the mock build to ensure everything was there & have laid out the electrics on a template to work out the distances of wire required to get it all into the body once I am at that stage. I also made a fret level gauge to make sure I have a perfectly straight neck before I tackle a fret levelling exercise. I was going to have a white finish on this beauty (white falcon style) but after coating it with some sanding sealer I am contemplating a natural finish to show up the grain.

[G-Axe]

Love that grain! Sometimes the wood speaks to you, and that's definitely true in this case. What did you use to notch your level gauge?

[BuffaloGhost]

Looks amazing. Just got the same kit.
Having trouble finding the centre of the guitar to mount the bigsby.


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[FrankenWashie]

It oils be a shame to hide that grain. Just a bugger that it isn’t a bookmatched top.

[BuffaloGhost]

The grain does look amazing!!


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[Dougr]

Just a round file for a chainsaw & a samll needle file

[Dougr]

Have spent the day sanding. The front has a couple of slight marks which may show up. I am using very fine grade wet and dry paper 800 grit then 1200 grit and it is getting a smooth shiny finish to it. If the marks persist I might try a 'liming finish' which will still leave the grain visible. Meanwhile I got into the soldering late this afternoon & is nearly complete!! Tomorrow I will test it for buzz etc.

[BuffaloGhost]

looking good. It's nice to see someone tackling the same kit at the same time. be warned GO CAREFUL on that front face the veneer is really thin. I went through around one of the f holes! - im painting the front though so no biggy.. i am going to stain the back and sides and the neck though.. but the neck feels SOOOO good unfinished..


Ive not even thought about the electronics yet.

[Dougr]

Productive day today. Electrics all soldered & working!!! My soldering is improving with every build! I have decided to leave this beauty in natural finish & will give it clear coats when the sanding is complete. I do not go near these kits with any less than 320 grit paper for the first sanding then onto 400 grit 800 grit then 1200 grit. After soldering the electrics I have discovered that I cannot set the neck until I install them unless I want to learn to become a contortionist! I remember trying to fit the electrics to my ES 5V through the F holes so this time I am taking a different tack. A video will go up on You Tube after I finish the build. Meanwhile here are some pictures.

[BuffaloGhost]

Looking amazing. Really exited to see this. I’ve set my neck already. Too late now - ha ha. I’m going to get all my paint coats down the. Tackle the electronics. Might be watching that video!! Nice work!!


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