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DanMade
18-07-2013, 02:33 AM
Here is the build diary for my ST-1 kit dubbed The Skatocaster.

It will be finished in Wudtone Dark Amber with gold highlight's, Gloss. The neck in Vintage Amber.
Black pick guard and back plate, chrome hardware
It will probably cop a few wiring mod's aswell.

After an inspection the body looks very clean, no wormholes or filled holes to be seen. I'm quite happy with the quality of the body. The neck pocket has a fair bit of play,almost a good 2 mm. More than I would like. But I think I can live with it.
The neck is clean, but there is 3 small filled holes along the fretboard, but they are filled cleanly and won't be to noticeable. Again, I can live with it.

Overall it is in pretty good shape for a kit at this price level.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/25wp5-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/98dcs-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/049ft-image.jpg

DanMade
18-07-2013, 02:49 AM
Here are some photo's with the body wet down to see the grain. It has a natural GT stripe down the middle where the boards have been joined. Looks kinda cool I think. I might try to highlight it to make it a feature, perhaps just by apllying more gold highlights in the finish to that area.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/9694e-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/4pk67-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8j231-image.jpg

DanMade
18-07-2013, 02:55 AM
Here are some headstock designs I came up with. Still undecided.
I am leaning more towards those on the left.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/agiw0-image.jpg

AJ
18-07-2013, 01:05 PM
I like the design . bottom row, 3 rd one

keloooe
18-07-2013, 01:16 PM
I agree with AJ there, it allows for many different decal designs!

DanMade
19-07-2013, 09:13 AM
After some sanding, I did some more sanding. Then I sanded it some more, and when I thought I was done. I sanded it some more.

I was pretty sure I had all the sanding marks out. I wet it down to check for any scratchy spots, before the final rub down and it all looked sweet.
So I gave it its first base coat. The colour looks great. But there was a few spots that showed some light cross sanding marks. A few spots around the cutaways and on the arm rest carve. All on the end grain where the heavy machine sanding was done.

They are only subtle, but I still know they are there. I haven't used wudtone before so ill wait and see how this first base coat cures. I'll get some photos up in the morning with some sunlight.
The Wud tone is supposed to have some sort of filling properties so it might fill out and blend in. The scratchy parts aren't horizontal across the grain, just slightly off angle to the gain.

The Wud tone was easy enough to apply and get an even coat. But the basswood was pretty thirsty. And like every one says, wow that basswood is some fluffy stuff.

Gavin1393
19-07-2013, 11:07 AM
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from DanMade on July 18, 2013, 18:13
After some sanding, I did some more sanding. Then I sanded it some more, and when I thought I was done. I sanded it some more.


...and in his man cave unashamedly DB wept a silent tear.


Danmade, the Basswood is fluffy. The trick is to wet the wood before the final sand so that the fluffy fibres stand up just long enough to be cut down with the final sand. Although the Wudtone has wonderful filling properties as it cures, it simply fills the scratches. The reason that the scratches highlight is more to do with the way the stain responds to the scratch. unfortunately by the time you are finished those scratches will be beautifully protected but they will still be there....

DanMade
19-07-2013, 12:53 PM
Yeah I did wet it down before the final sand, aswell as inbetween the grades to check my progress. It's only a few spots on the edges no bigger than a five cent piece and along the edge of the arm rest carve where the face grain meets the end grain. I'll have a fresh look at it in the morning and decide weather it's worth sanding back.

If I do sand it back, could I just sand out the problem spots. Or will it end up patchy if I don't sand the whole body back.

Gavin1393
19-07-2013, 02:31 PM
If its that small i'd probably not bother....

DanMade
19-07-2013, 10:01 PM
I'm probably just being over particular. On inspection this morning, it is not as bad as it first looked. The marks in the cutaways have all but vanished.

In still a bit iffy on the arm carve. I think it just looks worse because the colour soaked in more on the end grain. I think it will be ok after a few more coats ant the colour evens out.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/9a3i4-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/v4vav-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/8sstp-image.jpg

DanMade
23-07-2013, 04:54 AM
Update. I've got a second base coat on and the few spots I was worried about have blended in a lot more now and is looking a treat.

On another note I've had a look at levelling the frets. The neck has a fair bit of back bow with no truss rod tension. How much is normal and how much should I expect it to change once it has string tension. I will be using .010 gauge strings. I'm a bit worried that the string tension won't create enough relief and I won't have any truss rod adjustment. It has almost 2/16" back bow from the nut to the 10th fret.

At the moment I have it clamped to the bench with "straight" edge to try and bring it back some.

DanMade
23-07-2013, 05:01 AM
A photo of how I am trying to straighten out the neck. Please stop me if I'm wrong.

And a pic of the second coat in direct sunlight.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/k7uro-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/gyrm0-image.jpg

Gavin1393
23-07-2013, 06:10 AM
So it's bowing the wrong way?

DanMade
23-07-2013, 06:29 AM
Yes it is bowed the wrong way to my thinking.

Here is an exaggerated picture
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/3q7q3-image.jpg

dingobass
23-07-2013, 08:59 AM
The truss rod is a two way beastie, just wind the adjustment back anti clockwise now whilst you have the neck clamped. This should take up the back bow sufficiently.

DanMade
23-07-2013, 09:19 AM
:) Thanks DB.
I noticed it was 2 way, but wasn't sure on how it worked exactly.

I've never had to set up a fresh neck before. How much back bow or relief should It have before applying string tension? I'd guess you would want it pretty dead straight before fitting the strings for the first time. Then allow the string tension to create some relief and dial it in with the truss rod . Or should it have just a slight bit of relief before strings?

Cool, now I can start levelling. I've already found about 4 or 5 high frets, but generally they aren't to bad from the factory.

Gavin1393
23-07-2013, 12:45 PM
Make sure your neck is straight before starting to level the frets otherwise your fret job will account for nought! Nothing wrong with a little relief. Fret the string at the first fret and at the 13th fret and then sight down the "e" string. If there is a little gap at the seventh fret then you have ideal relief. If it is touching at the seventh fret you need to check that the neck is not bowing the wrong way if the neck isnt dead level.

DanMade
23-07-2013, 09:43 PM
Thanks Gav. I know how to set the relief like yo say. I was wondering if there was a trade secret of how much relief to set before fitting strings so that you end up with correct relief once you add strings. I suppose it varies from neck to neck though.

As for having it straight when levelling the frets. That's why I was worried about the backbow. Before DB told me about the two way truss rod, I didn't know how I was going to get it straight for levelling.

I'm glad you guy's are here.

DanMade
24-07-2013, 05:24 AM
Got the neck all sorted out. I had to take a fair bit off the frets when levelling. There was two frets that were quite low. But that is good because I was able to get the fret profile more to my liking.
Also got the final base cot on.

DanMade
26-07-2013, 06:42 AM
Update. Got the headstock shaped, frets levelled and dressed, and sanded the neck ready for finishing.
Also working on a pickgaurd design.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/4n895-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/6tnm7-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/i68m8-image.jpg

maxaxe
26-07-2013, 11:15 AM
Wow, this project is getting interesting now!
I really like the 'stock design and the custom pickguard idea has me intrigued.
Keen to see how she develops.

P.S. What's the significance of "Skat?"

dingobass
26-07-2013, 11:19 AM
Woo Hoo! great stuff :)

DanMade
26-07-2013, 11:34 AM
Wait until you see what I'm making the pickgaurd out of.

The upper extra horn of the pickgaurd sort of mimics a jazzmaster style. I didn't plan it like that, just noticed it afterwards. That and some extra headstock features should make people look twice to realise its basically a st-1.

And I recieved my wilkinson trem and Gotoh tuners today.

Just finalising the Pups and wiring setup, and I'll get those ordered soon. I'm looking at some weird pup combos, so I need to make sure they will work together.

On the Skat name, at first it just sounded cool and I'm going for more of a jazz sound so it's kind of fitting. But now with the new pickgaurd and headstock taking design queue's from all different styles it gives it that scattered feel.

Fretworn
27-07-2013, 02:28 AM
As long as it's not a "scat"-ocaster.

DanMade
29-07-2013, 06:40 AM
Update. I've stained the front of the headstock and started the top coats on the body and neck.
Also got my veneers laminated for the pickgaurd and rough cut with a jigsaw. Smoothed out the edges with a belt sander. One day someone will design a portable belt sander that can easily be put in a vice or clamped to a bench with ease, or is that not the correct use of a belt sander, lol.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/p8139-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/ltu4g-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/icp6j-image.jpg

Tim
02-08-2013, 07:51 AM
Looking good .. cant wait for the final result

Bass Guy
02-08-2013, 08:30 AM
Headstock looks wonderful! Can not wait for the rest...

DanMade
02-08-2013, 09:26 AM
Thanks guys. I'm pretty happy with the way it's evolving.

I've ordered the pups from GFS. I was considering a lollar CC. But I figured I could get a whole set of GFS and change to put towards the next PitBull Kit. I've gone for a Mini humbucker in the bridge and vintage alnico II single coils in the neck and middle.

I masked up the PGaurd this arvo and got it stained. I need to wait for the pups before I finalise the cut outs.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2b58s-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/339qg-image.jpg

wokkaboy
02-08-2013, 09:35 AM
sweet Dan, this will be a very original strat ! Look forward to future pics !

PS I've put a belt sander in a vice before - works well if you're careful !

Bass Guy
02-08-2013, 09:51 AM
Wow! The pickguard looks fantstic!!!

Brendan
02-08-2013, 09:53 AM
Looking great! Great idea!

DanMade
02-08-2013, 10:16 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on August 1, 2013, 18:35
sweet Dan, this will be a very original strat ! Look forward to future pics !

PS I've put a belt sander in a vice before - works well if you're careful !

Yeah I usually use it in the vice in the shed for nut shaping, but it was a nice sunny day so I did it out side. The casing had to be stretched a little on the belt sander the get a firm fixing with the clamps to the bench, I think the bushings were even rubbing a bit inside.

The PGaurd should really pop once its oiled. I also Made a backplate to match. Though it has cupped a fair bit because of the short cross grain width. But it screws down flat.

Gavin1393
02-08-2013, 11:39 AM
Love the pickguard

MetalMatt
02-08-2013, 12:53 PM
Love that pickguard! Very unique!

DanMade
09-08-2013, 08:10 AM
My pickups arrived today. I was panning on using a mini humbucker in the bridge and alnico 2 singles in rhe mid & neck.
But I'm going to use the mini in the lapsteel I just started, and use these single coils with my custom pickgaurd.

DanMade
09-08-2013, 08:16 AM
These are the GFS premium II alnico II Single coils and the GFS mini crunchy.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/fwp54-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/8p6vc-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/0k3jd-image.jpg

I will use the black covers in my custom pickgaurd.

DanMade
11-08-2013, 05:12 AM
Well the Skat is 99% finished.

A mate came over last night to give me a third hand to wire up the pickups and switches. It's so much easier when you have that third hand there for those tricky bits.
Neither of us had done this before so it was a good learning experience for the both of us. We had about 5 wiring diagrams and they were all slightly different, plus I was putting in a neck on/off switch, and a different tone pot setup. So we just did what we thought made sense.

Some how it all worked how we plan in the end. Plus somehow I ended up with a tricky little kill switch. If I turn the rear tone pot to 10 and the neck tone pot to 0. It cuts the sound. So just by rolling either tone knob slightly back from its full position it acts like a kill switch, good for tremolo type sounds. This only works in the neck position on the 5 way switch.

DanMade
11-08-2013, 05:15 AM
Before. And after.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/szu48-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2q0zt-image.jpg

DanMade
11-08-2013, 05:24 AM
Today I cut a new nut for it and and worked on the setup.

Once the strings have settled in ill fine tune the trem and intonation. Then I can screw the backplate on and can call her finished.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/k4z87-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/fgpey-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/k6z0m-image.jpg

axeman
11-08-2013, 05:52 AM
love the colour scheme ,, the pick guard really sets it off , good choose in pups and hardware ,, very nice strat ,you should be happy with that !!!

stan
11-08-2013, 06:20 AM
That is a brilliant looking guitar, Dan, great work!

DanMade
11-08-2013, 06:27 AM
Yeah I am very happy how it turned out. Sounds great too. The Wudtone finished neck has an amazing feel to it. And with the wiring set up I have, it has a a crazy amount of tone options.

I also plan on replacing all the chrome pickgaurd screws to black or rusty screws. The chrome screws are just to shiny for the rest of the guitar. I used very thin and few top coats on the body so it still has some satin sheen to it. And the pickgaurd is only finished with fretboard oil. So the whole thing has a very natural look and feel to it.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/cfy45-image.jpg

gavinturner
11-08-2013, 09:02 AM
Hey Dan,
amazing looking strat. Love the pickguard especially. This has gotta be a serious candidate for GOTM!

Cheers,
Gavin.

robin
11-08-2013, 09:07 AM
I'll be honest Dan, when I saw your first pics of the pick guard I was not convinced. But now seeing the final result, I love it.

A unique guitar that you can be very proud of. Definitely a very serious GOTM candidate.

rob

Bass Guy
11-08-2013, 02:10 PM
Glorious! What an axe!

What bridge unit is that? Did you replace the PBG unit?

MetalMatt
11-08-2013, 03:52 PM
Really unique! Some great ideas coming out on this forum!

Brendan
11-08-2013, 10:34 PM
Dan,
Beautiful and unique guitar - you've done a great job - worthy contender for GOTM!!

DanMade
11-08-2013, 11:13 PM
Thanks guys.

I replaced the PBG tremolo with a Wilkinson contempery 5+1 tremolo.

DanMade
11-08-2013, 11:27 PM
Here are some shots in direct sunlight.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/u2m2s-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/5ekim-image.jpg

phloggy
12-08-2013, 01:22 AM
This is a very nice guitar. Like others have said, I'm not normally one for wood-on-wood pickguards, but this one really works.

Fretworn
12-08-2013, 03:56 AM
A very beautiful guitar. Well done!