April GOTM

[adam]

Hey guys,

We're about ready to start looking at Guitar of the Month for April. I think we'll have quite a few contenders this time around.

I've got a special guest judge lined up (to be announced), so, if you want your masterpiece judged, make sure you send us some pics.

Preferably, you should have a whole guitar shot, plus a close up on the body, a shot of the back of the body and a headstock shot.

Like this:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/lrw9i-gavin-007.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/3hex4-gavin-008.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/9n2w1-gavin-010.jpg

Send your photos to adam@pitbullguitars.com.

[adam]

Forgot to mention, photos to be submitted by midnight Easter Monday.

[keloooe]

Glenn will probably enter???? I wanna know who is entering in GOTM May...

[Gavin1393]

Quote from keloooe on March 28, 2013, 09:05
Glenn will probably enter???? I wanna know who is entering in GOTM May...

I'm holding back my '335' for May....... ;)

[keloooe]

Quote from Gavin1393 on March 28, 2013, 10:36

I'm holding back my '335' for May....... ;)
Lol, bring it mate! :P 8-)

[GlennGP]

Yep, I'm entering the Yellow Peril. This is a TL-1 kit with a third-party white pearloid pickguard, and I've added a fidelity circuit across the volume pot. Otherwise it's as supplied. The body is Wudtone Goldenrod with very subtle silver highlights and high gloss top coat. The neck has a single coat of Wudtone Goldenrod base coat everywhere except the fretboard, which I've left natural - then the no-ageing gloss neck topcoat. I've learnt a lot building this, my first ever guitar, and have highly valued the support and advice through this forum. I'm yet to complete setting up the guitar properly, but already the sound is amazing.

[Edit: oops, posted before adding pics - see below!]

[GlennGP]

Yep, I'm entering the Yellow Peril. This is a TL-1 kit with a third-party white pearloid pickguard, and I've added a fidelity circuit across the volume pot. Otherwise it's as supplied. The body is Wudtone Goldenrod with very subtle silver highlights and high gloss top coat. The neck has a single coat of Wudtone Goldenrod base coat everywhere except the fretboard, which I've left natural - then the no-ageing gloss neck topcoat. I've learnt a lot building this, my first ever guitar, and have highly valued the support and advice through this forum. I'm yet to complete setting up the guitar properly, but already the sound is amazing.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/b315z-GOTM1.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/4f72a-GOTM2.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/r9d49-GOTM3.jpg

[stui]

I'm entering the Alson SG-1. I used all stock Pitbull parts for this except for the switch ring and truss rod cover. The finish is Dark Onyx Wudtone with a hot auburn burst, and non aging satin top coat. The writing on the headstock was done with a pyrography pen.
Like Glenn, this is my first build, and the information on this forum has been invaluable.
After giving this guitar to my dad as a gift, he had a friend of his who works on guitars professionally, set the neck up for him. He was amazed by the finish and the resulting tone of the guitar. Seriously can not speak more highly of the Wudtone finishing products, they are just freaking amazing :)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/a3s99-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/gyz42-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/u8bgn-image.jpg

[GlennGP]

Good luck Stui, that is an awesome axe with a great back-story. You won't hear any complaints from me if you pull off GOTM!

[stui]

Cheers Glenn, likewise, you've made a very sexy axe. Seems like a battle of the newbies with us lol.

[dingobass]

Both of these Guitars are outstanding.

Glenn's was a long and sometimes difficult build, a returned kit that was splitting at one of the joints, dramas getting things to line up and the great pick guard conundrum.....

In the end, a beautifully put together and finished Tele.

Stui's build, well after 50 million questions about wudtone and some scrabbling around on YouTube he has hit the jack pot.
The care and attention put into the finish really shows in the final result.
The look on his Dad's face said it all.

This is going to be a tough one to judge, I feel for whoever gets the job! :P

Anyhoo, a massive pants off to the pair of you for two amazing and beautiful Guitars.

[keloooe]

I would certainly agree that both guitars are stunning!!! Good luck to you guys, may the Wudtone do you well!!!

[stui]

Quote from dingobass on March 29, 2013, 17:31
Stui's build, well after 50 million questions about wudtone and some scrabbling around on YouTube he has hit the jack pot.
I've told you a million billion times not to exaggerate :?

[dingobass]

OK,OK.... Sorry Stui, it was only 50 thousand questions :D

[Gavin1393]

I understand it was only 50 thousand questions, but i heard DB only managed to get the answers to about 200 right?

[keloooe]

That sounds correct for DB...

[dingobass]

Cheeky buggers... That's two people...... Well one person and a pest that just blew any chance at winning GOTM..... :D

[Gavin1393]

Quote from dingobass on March 30, 2013, 18:53
Cheeky buggers... That's two people...... Well one person and a pest that just blew any chance at winning GOTM..... :D

Oh, oh.....DB's odds as guest judge just shortened dramatically in the in-house betting pool ....

[keloooe]

Quote from Gavin1393 on March 30, 2013, 19:52

Quote from dingobass on March 30, 2013, 18:53
Cheeky buggers... That's two people...... Well one person and a pest that just blew any chance at winning GOTM..... :D

Oh, oh.....DB's odds as guest judge just shortened dramatically in the in-house betting pool ....
Yep!!! Looks like I'm the judge ;) haha!!!

[dingobass]

I say nothing.... But you will be blown away when you find out who this months judge is 8-)

[keloooe]

Quote from dingobass on March 31, 2013, 07:35
I say nothing.... But you will be blown away when you find out who this months judge is 8-)
Most likely you!!!

[wokkaboy]

Quote from keloooe on March 31, 2013, 08:31

Quote from dingobass on March 31, 2013, 07:35
I say nothing.... But you will be blown away when you find out who this months judge is 8-)
Most likely you!!!


yer sounds like 1800 DINGOBASS is the judge of April GOTM. Better be nice to him fellas ! haha

good luck Stui and Glen your axes look amazing and will be tough to beat these two fantastic looking axes

happy easter all and don't OD on chocolate

cheers Wokka

[Gavin1393]

Quote from wokkaboy on March 31, 2013, 10:02

Quote from keloooe on March 31, 2013, 08:31

Quote from dingobass on March 31, 2013, 07:35
I say nothing.... But you will be blown away when you find out who this months judge is 8-)
Most likely you!!!


yer sounds like 1800 DINGOBASS is the judge of April GOTM. Better be nice to him fellas ! haha

good luck Stui and Glen your axes look amazing and will be tough to beat these two fantastic looking axes

happy easter all and don't OD on chocolate

cheers Wokka

I'll throw the cat in amongst the pigeons, cruel I know, but still!
DB isn't judging to competition. I will be entering three guitars and held back on entering because DB and I are mates and didn't want to have to threaten him with sanctions if I didn't place 1st, 2nd and third for good measure, but I digress.....

Called the man in question this morning, convinced as you all are that he is the judge to gauge his asking price,umm, to find out if he is judging GOTM. He assures me the money I send in the post along with the threatening letter has been put to good use, but that I have wasted my efforts as he won't be the judge this month.

Despite my best efforts to get DB to forward my bribe, errr, incentive money and previously mentioned letter to whoever is judging I drew a blank...mystery thickens, or maybe DB is the judge and I'm just making sure no-one outbids me......

[keloooe]

DB is out, Gav is out, Glenn is out, Stui is out, Wokka is out (I think?)...
That leaves Adam, Andy, and myself...

[Gavin1393]

First Entry

This is a Tele Thinline with Bigsby Bridge (TL-1TB). Built absolutely Standard from the Pitbull kit. Painted with Columbian Gold from Wudtone on the body and Vintage Amber on the neck and finished in extra-gloss-no aging.

I have used the standard Humbucker Pickups and standard wiring..I confess that I did change the three way switch to a DiMarzio 3 way. Dispensed with the pickguard. Not a pickguard fan!

I did modify the 'f' hole by cutting a replica 'f' hole and inserting this into the body as the cap seemed very thing and I wanted to give the body a more genuine Fender appearance.


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/incf8-April-12013-047.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/06amj-April-12013-048.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/p0m6y-April-12013-045.JPG

[adam]

Ok, I'm just about to send our special guest judge the contenders for this month's Guitar of the Month.

I have:

Gavin's TL-1TB, LP-1S and ES-1G
Glenn's Yellow Peril TL-1
Stui's Alson SG-1 sunburst
Wokka's ES-1G

Have I missed anyone?

I guess it's time to announce the Special Guest Judge for April... As some of you have already guessed, Perry Ormsby, from Ormsby Guitars, will be judging this month's Pit Bull Guitars Guitar of the Month.

I'm sure many of you know, or know of, Perry and the amazing guitars (and pickups) he builds from his workshop in WA. His waiting list for a guitar is longer than a footy season, which goes to show how in demand he is.

I think I speak for everyone here when I say Welcome aboard Perry, can't wait to read your contributions, should you ever get the time to post here. I'm sure our members could flood you with questions about your guitars and building in general.

I'm sending Perry the photos of the 6 guitars for GOTM now, so we'll give him a few days to consider which is the "winner". I don't envy Perry's job, all 6 are worthy of hanging on my guitar wall next to DB's works of art.

Good luck y'all!

[GlennGP]

Thanks for the big reveal, Adam.

Gavin, I feel totally outclassed by your contributions - indeed, I find it hard to believe the Yellow Peril could be competitive in this field.

Be that as it may, good luck to all and may the best axe win!

[Gavin1393]

Second Entry

This is a Gibson LP copy with Jimmy Page wiring. The spalted Maple cap was painted using GoldenRod from Wudtone as was the headstock. neck, back and sides were painted Mahogany also from Wudtone.
I had ordered the Golden Age Pickups from SM, but on inspecting them realised I would have to do the coil-split myself. Ruined a damned fine pickup trying! Opted instead for some awesome DiMarzio Air's which come with easy options to coil-split.

Swopped out the plastic nut for a brass nut to give better sustain and swopped out the black bridge and saddles for silver options that I stole from another PB kit I am building.

Since I am using the Jimmy Page wiring model I took the liberty of upgrading Pots, capacitors, fitting the 150 Resistor and capacitor gizmo to maintain tone to the volume pots. Orange drop capacitors used in this baby as it was always going to be a special guitar since I built it for a guy who turned 50 this March (not you Adam)! It now sits proudly in his lounge!

It sounds sensational and I will definitely be using DiMarzio Air's again.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/noh4i-April-12013-039.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/3493h-April-12013-040.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/lr521-April-12013-056.JPG

[stui]

$&*#+~! my confidence is shrinking :?

[Gavin1393]

This is the ES-1G (335)- my 3rd entry.

Built almost completely from a Standard Pitbull kit. Painted with Azure Lagoon from Wudtone on the body and 'clear' on the neck and finished in extra-gloss-no aging.

I have used the standard Humbucker Pickups but significantly upgraded Capacitors to Orange drops and inserted two 150 Resistor and .001 mf caps too! Tricked out the standard humbuckers with gold trimming and swopped out the plastic nut for a brass one! Sustain! The fretboard is completed with Dr. Ducks Ax Wax for good measure!

No pickguard on this model. Inserting the wiring was challenging and I have documented those challenges elsewhere in the forum. I have wanted a '335' for sometime and this is going to be an enduring favourite guitar of mine.

Highly recommend this Model to anyone wanting one. (Just glad I finished before Sergio - his is killer!)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/nanan-April-12013-030.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/496lh-April-12013-033.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/0h26l-April-12013-034.JPG

[dingobass]

Oh did I have some fun messing with everyone's heads in regards to this months Judge... :D

Evil Dingobass......

Glenn, your Tele is damn hot and if I was a guitar player ( too many strings for me) I would be on a plane to Melbs to steal it 8-)

Good luck to you all !

[Gavin1393]

Guys, (Glenn and Stui) you have no reason to feel outclassed or lacking in confidence. Your two guitars are sensational and worthy of a GOTM first place. Plus we will have another excellent contender with Wokka going for three in a row with his ES-1.
It's going to be competitive right up to the wire with ALL of us being able to say that we built guitars that Perry Ormsby has commented on! How %$#& awesome is that????!!!!
Even bigger bragging rights for the winner!

[keloooe]

I thought something was up with Perry creating an account... Adam, when you described his guitar list, it is a lot longer!!! He told us all that he is taking too many custom orders for this year, he should tell you better!!!

All the best to the contenders, it is going to be pretty close!!

[Ormsby Guitars]

All right fellas!

Let's get this show on the road huh?

All the guitars are great. Be very proud of your efforts, and remember, guitar building is a fun way to get away from the TV and life's stresses. I envy you guys because I don't get to build guitars for myself any more, I have to build them to suit the market. However, that's all going to change soon enough :)

Entrant 1: LP-1S by Gavin Bramley
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/gavin-LP-1S-2-720x480.jpg

I like this one, the colour reminds my of a '59 I played in LA in 2006 :)It was beautiful! The tone!
I want you to swap the pickup around the other way, at the bridge position. It's in the housing correctly, so flip the whole thing around. Thanks! :P
Unfortunately, I have to knock off points for the logo! Be proud, put YOUR name on there! Tell the world YOU made it.


Entrant 2: TL-1TB by Gavin Bramley
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/gavin-TL-1TB-1-720x601.jpg

Gavin, once again, awesome. The brown is not a colour most people would choose, but you nailed it. The back being darker is a perfect choice. The Bigsby is the icing on the cake. BUT BUT BUT, logo! I want to see YOUR name on there!


Entrant 3: ES-1G by Gavin Bramley
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Gav-ES-1G-2-720x519.jpg

The colour! Oh man, this is so close to my "go to blue" stain I use on my customs. The little piece of artwork on the headstock is a nice touch, and the brass nut shows me you put in the hard yards (they are a pain to do!) but once again, lost points for the logo :(


Entrant 4: Glenn’s TL-1
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Glenn-TL-1-2-720x540.jpg

Stunning. I loved that you had some issues, Adam stepped up and rectified them immediately, you had more issues, and you just simply got on with it and didn't let the setbacks get to you. It's those moments that make the finished product just that much more special.


Entrant 5: Stu’s SG-1
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Stu-SG-1-4-1024x339.jpeg

Great effort! Pretty good job on the sunbursting, doing that with a stain/oil finish is hard. I love that you used your name on the headstock, shows pride! Build another one!


Entrant 6: Wokka’s ES-1G
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Wok-ES-1G-2-720x463.jpg

Oh no, the pickups are around the wrong way! I like this colour though, like a few old ES335's Ive worked on over the years with a faded finish :) Overall, a guitar you should be proud of!


Ok, so now I have to pick one...

Adam said only one!

I say you are all winners, because you've stepped up, and done something 99% of guitarists talk about how they are "gunna do it" one day.

But he said only one...

So, I give that honour to:

Entrant 4: Glenn’s TL-1
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Glenn-TL-1-2-720x540.jpg

Congrats!! Now, stop dancing around and build another one. :P

[dingobass]

Bravo Glenn!

Thanks so much Perry for your positive remarks and critique of these guitars.

It has been a real joy to Adam, Phil and I watching these guys build their dream Guitars.

Glenn, you really did nail it with this exquisite Tele.

[Gavin1393]

Well done Glenn!

[Gavin1393]

Thanks for your time and comments Perry. Much appreciated!

[stui]

Congrats Glenn, and thanks for the comments Perry :)

[WeirdBits]

Congrats Glenn, a beautiful guitar and worthy winner.

[keloooe]

Congrats to Glenn!!! Perry had some very nice points he made about everyone's builds, keep up the work, and good luck for May!!!

[pablopepper]

Woohoo! Congrats Glenn! :D These little GOTM comps are getting more and more fierce. I love it!

[adam]

Congratulations Glenn.

I'll fix up the Home page and Facebook announcements tonight.

[GlennGP]

Oh wow!

You should see the grin splitting my face right now!

I am really humbled, not just for the Yellow Peril to have inched ahead of those other fantastic guitars, not just because Perry was so thoughtful and encouraging with his remarks; but also because this was never meant to be a "best" anything. It was always intended to be the one I could afford to bugger up. The fact that it looks a million dollars and is sounding so gorgeous is only partly due to my efforts. Every forum member who dropped a comment or steered me in the right direction can take some credit here.

Thanks Adam, for giving weekend chippies like me a way to explore guitar-making affordably. Thanks DB, Gav, Pablo, Stui and all you other guys building mind-blowing guitars, for the inspiration and advice. And thanks Perry, for the unenviable job of judging a musical instrument on looks and not sound!

I'm a very, very happy guy!

[adam]

Now Glenn, you did read the fine print when entering this competition... all Winning guitars are to be sent to Pit Bull Guitars HQ to be hung on the Wall of Honour. You've got the address...

[GlennGP]

Quote from adam on April 3, 2013, 07:29
Congratulations Glenn.

I'll fix up the Home page and Facebook announcements tonight.

Adam, let me know if you'd like a photo from a particular angle - I have a few other angles as-yet unpublished, and can do requests pretty quickly!

[GlennGP]

Quote from adam on April 3, 2013, 07:37
Now Glenn, you did read the fine print when entering this competition... all Winning guitars are to be sent to Pit Bull Guitars HQ to be hung on the Wall of Honour. You've got the address...

Sorry, didn't see that! Was it in the TOS for the website?

[keloooe]

Quote from adam on April 3, 2013, 07:37
Now Glenn, you did read the fine print when entering this competition... all Winning guitars are to be sent to Pit Bull Guitars HQ to be hung on the Wall of Honour. You've got the address...
Winning LP's are mine, winning basses are DB's, and winning Tele's are yours! Fair deal??? I think so!

[wokkaboy]

Congratulations Glenn, is this really your first Pit Bull build ? You nailed it well done.
Thanks Perry for judging and comments on each guitar. I take it your comments about the pickups the wrong way around the screws on the humbuckers should be on opposite sides ie closest to the bridge and neck ?
The standard of entries has lifted heaps in the last few months so it means us builders have to lift our standards to win a GOTM in the future

Good luck to all future builds

cheers Wokka

[GlennGP]

Quote from wokkaboy on April 3, 2013, 08:36
Congratulations Glenn, is this really your first Pit Bull build ?

Yep, first guitar build of any kind. I love it when I show people pictures and they won't believe I built it. I don't care if they can't be convinced, it's a compliment whichever way you cut it!

[keloooe]

As long as I can play it next time ur down here in Melbs, I'll believe ya!

[dingobass]

Glenn, you have raised the bar! 8-)

[keloooe]

Quote from dingobass on April 4, 2013, 08:59
Glenn, you have raised the bar! 8-)
You sure about that??? ;)

[dingobass]

Yes I am Pest.

Glenn's build is one of the best looking Guitars I have seen, if it was mine I would be really happy!

[GlennGP]

Sheesh, guys: I'm *right here*. *eye-roll*

[keloooe]

Quote from dingobass on April 4, 2013, 21:55
Yes I am Pest.

Glenn's build is one of the best looking Guitars I have seen, if it was mine I would be really happy!
Agreed! Seriously Glenn, that Axe beats any other Axe I've ever seen!!! Probably beats the LP I'm dreaming of...

[GlennGP]

Question for Adam: is there actually a gallery of previous GOTM winners anywhere on the site? I've really enjoyed seeing my axe on the landing page for the last couple of weeks, and I'd love to be able to come back at some point in the future and show people "See? I did that!". Quite aside from the fact that I'm curious about the other guitars that have won in the past!

Anyhoo - no problem if it's beyond the code available for the site, but I reckon there's no harm in asking!

[keloooe]

Yeah, that should be around somewhere on Adam's computer!

[wokkaboy]

Quote from GlennGP on April 18, 2013, 12:14
Question for Adam: is there actually a gallery of previous GOTM winners anywhere on the site? I've really enjoyed seeing my axe on the landing page for the last couple of weeks, and I'd love to be able to come back at some point in the future and show people "See? I did that!". Quite aside from the fact that I'm curious about the other guitars that have won in the past!

Anyhoo - no problem if it's beyond the code available for the site, but I reckon there's no harm in asking!

good idea Glenn,
I am missing seeing my spalted maple LP and FV axes on the home page and would be good to set up a small gallery of past GOTM winners

[adam]

I was hoping that the Forum, particularly this area of the Forum, would be where past winners of GOTM reside.

So, what I'll do is start a new topic for "Past Winners" and keep all the glory shots in there. Also, people should be able to go to "April GOTM" to see all the entrants for that month.

[GlennGP]

Ah, I see your cunning plan, but thanks for being accommodating!