PDA

View Full Version : Hello



matty42
06-06-2013, 02:46 AM
Hi everybody,
I'm after a new guitar, well actually, I really want a "Blackie" clapton strat but at this point can't justify the cost. Anyhow, one night when I couldn't sleep I was googling guitars and came across this site. Now I'm super keen to try build my own ST-1. So... For somebody that has no idea what a tool looks like, do you think I could do a successful build?

Cheer

Matt

wokkaboy
06-06-2013, 03:02 AM
Hi Matt,
welcome to the forum and good choice kit to start on the ST-1, I've built about 5 of them.
Have a read of the how to build a Pitbull Guitar post that Gav and Dingobass wrote, its very detailed
http://pitbullguitars.com/?page_id=42&mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=302

Have a read of the tools required, maybe if you don't own any tools you can borrow some or slowly build up a tool collection or maybe you own some of the required tools.

Sure if you take your time and ask the forum any questions you have with the build you can end up with a nice Clapton Blackie !

good luck

Gavin1393
06-06-2013, 03:07 AM
Hi Matty42

My wood work teacher told me if I ever became a surgeon I needed to warn him so that he and his family could move state....

I often wonder what he would think now, but the cigarettes killed him before I could!

You will surprise yourself and who knows, maybe like I did, your first build will be an experience you will remember for a long time!

matty42
06-06-2013, 04:36 AM
Thanks for the warm welcome and the link. I'm super excited to have a guitar I can proudly say I built. How long does it take from start to finish?

wokkaboy
06-06-2013, 04:50 AM
Quote from matty42 on June 5, 2013, 13:36
Thanks for the warm welcome and the link. I'm super excited to have a guitar I can proudly say I built. How long does it take from start to finish?

Hi Matt,
build time can vary alot depending on the spare time you have and whether you have all the tools/stain/paint and any other after market parts you may want to fit to the kit.
I'd say if you are going to finish the guitar in wudtone stain allow 3-4 weeks. If you are going to paint the body then it depends on how many satin or gloss coats you apply.
Last 2 ST-1 kits I built in 2 weeks but I've built a few of them now.
First thing to work out is what sort of finish you will use - paint or wudtone. The blackie is obviously painted with a gloss finish.
Majority of forum builders use the wudtone finish as its easy to apply, doesn't hide the wood grain and gives the best tone !

matty42
06-06-2013, 05:22 AM
I actually really like the Carmine Gypsy Wudtone, that red with the wood grain underneath is just beautiful. Will cold weather have any effect on the Wudtone? Its kinda cold here this time of year and I will have to leave it in the garage. I'll save my blackie until a later build or until I can afford the real one.

wokkaboy
06-06-2013, 05:29 AM
Quote from matty42 on June 5, 2013, 14:22
I actually really like the Carmine Gypsy Wudtone, that red with the wood grain underneath is just beautiful. Will cold weather have any effect on the Wudtone? Its kinda cold here this time of year and I will have to leave it in the garage. I'll save my blackie until a later build or until I can afford the real one.

Yes good choice Carmine Gypsy is one of my favourite wudtone colours, if you haven't seen it check out Robin's ST-1 in carmine on the build diaries

where are you situated Matty ?

cold weather shouldn't affect the wudtone but curing times may be slightly longer, as long as the body and neck are kept in a dry garage.
I find leaving a fan on low speed near the body and neck can speed up the curing time a bit

matty42
06-06-2013, 05:39 AM
I just had a look at Robin's ST-1 and all I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!

I'm in Canberra.

wokkaboy
06-06-2013, 05:41 AM
Quote from matty42 on June 5, 2013, 14:39
I just had a look at Robin's ST-1 and all I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!

I'm in Canberra.
say no more about cold and Canberra !
I'd allow another week for wudtone curing time, I've seen the minimums you get there - makes Melbourne look like a heatwave !

dingobass
06-06-2013, 06:23 AM
Hey Matty, I am a recent escapee from Canberra :)
Beautiful city to live in but the winters were getting to much for me!
What Woks said about curing times being a bit longer was spot on. I would tend to leave it for two days between coats,unless you can do it inside by the fire that is..

matty42
06-06-2013, 07:05 AM
Well I guess all I have to do now is order and wait. For Wudtone, what does the tinting do?

matty42
06-06-2013, 07:08 AM
Quote from dingobass on June 5, 2013, 15:23
Hey Matty, I am a recent escapee from Canberra :)
Beautiful city to live in but the winters were getting to much for me!
What Woks said about curing times being a bit longer was spot on. I would tend to leave it for two days between coats,unless you can do it inside by the fire that is..

Canberra is a fantastic place to live, I couldn't imagine living anywhere else. I don't get all the Canberra hate from the rest of the country.

dingobass
06-06-2013, 07:55 AM
It's got me beat as well Matty.
There is a misconception that Canberra is all Public Service snobs.... nothing could be farther from the truth!

wokkaboy
06-06-2013, 07:59 AM
I keep hearing Canberra is the porn capital ! haha

Analyst69
06-06-2013, 11:09 AM
Hey Matty. I'm also in Canberra and doing my first Wudtone finish on a guitar at the moment (its taken me a couple of months because I am busy with work and family).

As far as curing, I apply the Wudtone outside, but then bring the guitar into the lounge room to dry (my wife doesn't get annoyed about stuff laying around the lounge...go figure :)). One of the nice things about Wudtone is that it doesn't have the overpowering offensive fumes you get with some paints and so having it inside to dry is okay.

This time last year I was doing a spray painted finish on my first guitar kit and the complicated set up I needed to spray a gloss finish in a Canberra winter was a lot of mucking about. I really like that with Wudtone, I only need to allow a slower curing time (and don't have to set up a complicated rig to keep the job warm).

Aside from all the other benefits of wudtone that you will see discussed on the forum, for a Canberra kit builder, it lets you build (hassle free) all year round.

Good luck with the build.

matty42
13-06-2013, 04:47 AM
Finally ordered the kit today. Won't lie, I'm a tad excited!

I have been rading the forums and was wondering how necessary sheilding is.

Gavin1393
13-06-2013, 04:51 AM
If you are building a strat, it is pretty necessary to shield....