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pablopepper
29-08-2013, 02:51 AM
Finally my IB-1 kit has arrived! This one has been in planning mode for months, and now it's shown up less than two weeks before I go overseas (first world problems right here). Anyway thought I'd get the build diary happening and lay out my plans.

First up, the body is in fine nick, no obvious glue or filler on the cap which is a relief as this time I'm using Wudtone! Yep, gasp all you like, I'm giving it a go. My plan is to use Dark Onyx and Azure Lagoon to get this type of finish.

http://www.edroman.com/guitars/prs/images/prsretop71.jpg

After checking through the box and making sure everything was accounted for, my only real (albeit slight) criticism is with the fret board. The inlay has been very roughly finished with some large glue spots and nasty scratches. I got stuck into a couple of frets worth with some 800 and then 1000 grit sand paper and it's coming up very nice, just going to be quite a laborious process.

The headstock is my next issue. I don't like the shape, it must be changed. With a bit of mucking around, I think the best idea is to lop off the bottom part and go for an ESP-esque shape.

Overall, I'm very happy with the kit, it should turn out to be a great looking and hopefully playing guitar. :D
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/t9z9w-20130828_120057.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2ialc-20130828_120021.jpg

pablopepper
29-08-2013, 02:57 AM
Thanks to an accidental click, I just realised today is my one year anniversary on this forum. Hooray for me!

WeirdBits
29-08-2013, 03:49 AM
Happy anniversary, Pablo, nice that you can celebrate it with a new kit.

Can't wait to see that tiger stripe pop.

Tim
29-08-2013, 04:06 AM
Looking forward to the build diary Pablo.
Oh and happy anniversary

wokkaboy
29-08-2013, 04:54 AM
happy anniversary Pablo
whats the plan to achieve the blue and black stripes ? apply a coat of DO, sand it back, then apply azure ?

pablopepper
29-08-2013, 05:09 AM
Exactly that Wokka.

keloooe
29-08-2013, 05:09 AM
Happy Anniversary Pablo!

wokkaboy
29-08-2013, 05:21 AM
cool look forward to see how this turns out Pablo, you may start a new trend for flame maple tops. How defined are the flames on the top, have you rubbed a damp cloth over it to see ?

There wouldn't be too many forum members that have clocked a year !

pablopepper
29-08-2013, 06:21 AM
I've seen the technique mentioned on here, but no-one's done it yet. It's something I've been itching to give a go since I saw it done on a YouTube vid ages ago.

Haven't tried to get a good look at the grain yet, it looks alright in the sunlight, but I might give that a go tomorrow.

I was actually pretty surprised to find I had hit a year already, doesn't seem that long ago I found PBG. My post count certainly ain't anywhere near some who haven't been around that long, but I'm lurking around pretty regularly. I seem to remember there were only 12 members when I signed up.

wokkaboy
29-08-2013, 07:17 AM
interesting that there were 12 forum members 12 months ago, wonder who they were other than Adam and maybe Gav. DB's 1st anniversary is September 8th
Are you going to finish the green PBH-4 before starting the IB1 Pablo ?

pablopepper
29-08-2013, 08:07 AM
Unfortunately both are getting mothballed for a month or so. Jetting off around north America for three weeks, so that will be fun.

I've hit a tedious spot with the bass, sanded through the clear coat and took off some colour. I'll finish it soon after I get back, but at the moment I'm just too busy and I've lost momentum. I'll probably get started on this one at the same time.

Bass Guy
29-08-2013, 10:25 AM
Good call- don't force it or it could get worse. Enjoy the break and you'll come back refreshed and re-energised.

stan
29-08-2013, 11:06 AM
good idea, leave it when you've had enough and come back to it re enthused. Enjoy the trip, sounds awesome

pablopepper
03-09-2013, 04:52 AM
Shaped the headstock to something I'm happier with today. Wasn't as easy as I'd hoped thanks to a very slight concave curve, but I'm satisfied with the result. It's very...pointy.
http://i.imgur.com/41CK003.jpg

Fretworn
04-09-2013, 02:17 AM
Yeah, I think I prefer your headstock shape. For some reason it makes me think of how they would draw a tele headstock in a manga cartoon.

pablopepper
14-10-2013, 04:02 AM
I've encountered two problems today, one easily fixed, the other is worrying.

First off I noticed the holes to attach the neck have been drilled a bit wonky, so the washers cover three of the four holes.
http://i.imgur.com/zY8SQLu.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/woCsa4c.jpg

No biggie, doweled and and ready to be redrilled.
http://i.imgur.com/kwZYTTH.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5NHpvyM.jpg

The second thing I've come across is the input jack is way too big for the hole in the body. If the hole was on the edge of the body this wouldn't be a drama, but because it's slanted into the face of the guitar, I am a bit unsure as to how to proceed.
http://i.imgur.com/IQNKXZf.jpg

Gavin, DB, I know you two have built this model. Did you guys have this problem? Any suggestions?

robin
14-10-2013, 07:00 AM
Hi Craig, I've just finished helping someone build an IB-1 and we encountered exactly the same problems. We ended up just enlarging the holes in the body enough to allow the screws though the washers. Unfortunately it caused the neck not to fit properly so we ended up dowelling the neck and drilling that again. We should have gone down your route of dowelling the body (I'm a bit slow sometimes), meh, we live and learn.

With the jack plug we just had to enlarge the hole so that the plug was inserted deep into the body. We also had to chisel out the control cavity to allow enough thread to pass through into the cavity to be able to screw the retaining nut.

All in all it was a most challenging build, but it ended up pretty good and looks awesome with that "dragon" fretboard.

Cheers
rob

Gavin1393
14-10-2013, 07:25 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on October 13, 2013, 13:02
Gavin, DB, I know you two have built this model. Did you guys have this problem? Any suggestions?

I jumped on the net and bought a new switch that would fit inside the cavity. No ordinary switch will fit. Not sure why they (manufacturers) supplied the switch they did. Even if you bored out a deeper cavity it still would not fit....

pablopepper
14-10-2013, 07:39 AM
Thanks Rob. I can probably drill the inner hole wider and removing some wood in the control cavity shouldn't be much of a problem. It's the outer part that's got me stressing. When I couldn't get it in, I flipped the jack and tried to push it in that way. No dice. The collet (?) is about 2 or 3 millimetres wider than the opening.

I've got some forstner bits at work to do the job, but considering how thin the top part is, I am a bit terrified of tearing chunks of the veneer out.

pablopepper
14-10-2013, 07:41 AM
Oh sweet, thanks Gav. I'll look into a new switch. Any hints on where to get it?

pablopepper
20-10-2013, 01:36 AM
Input jack fix part 1.

Time to get serious. Out come the digital callipers.
http://i.imgur.com/HwRRqia.jpg
So, 12mm drill bit from the control cavity side.
http://i.imgur.com/cacSnrc.jpg
Using very little force, letting the drill do the work, the bit easily follows the path of least resistance and widens the hole just enough.
http://i.imgur.com/XaHycTc.jpg
Hooray, it fits! First step down.

Here's what I'm dealing with for the second step.
http://i.imgur.com/AfovDkm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/yrzDjTv.jpg
instead of widening the hole in the body, which I originally thought I'd need to do, I realised I could make the rim of the jack itself smaller. Much more straightforward and if I stuffed it up much easier to recover from.
http://i.imgur.com/XqLh7hN.jpg
Using a disc sander, I very carefully ground about 1mm off the edge. Alternatively, this would be possible using a file or even course sand paper. After that a quick squirt of black paint to ensure no future rust and....
http://i.imgur.com/ay0taT4.jpg
It's in! Happy dance time!

Tim
20-10-2013, 04:44 AM
Looking good Pablo, nice save

stan
20-10-2013, 06:47 AM
good job

pablopepper
10-11-2013, 01:09 PM
Input fix part 2.

Routing. As you can see by the pics, I had to take a fair chunk out to get any of the thread through. I traced the cover with a pencil so I didn't go too far, but it was very close.
http://i.imgur.com/MjhyYe0.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GZx4Vw4.jpg

First coat of wudtone. This was the hard part for me. I had read all the paperwork, gone through all the threads, watched the videos, but I was not confident. As it turned out, it was a breeze. Way easier than I was expecting and a way better result than I was expecting from one coat.
http://i.imgur.com/QcE6iKs.jpg

wokkaboy
10-11-2013, 01:26 PM
looks good Pablo, well done on output jack fix, is that black magic woman ? Nice consistent coat and BMW is probably the hardest wudtone colour to apply, its a piece of cake to apply, thats why the forum raves about wudtone ! Look forward to next coat and more pics !

pablopepper
11-11-2013, 12:54 AM
Cheers Wokka, it's actually dark onyx. I'm really surprised at the depth of colour from a single coat. You guys might be on to something with this wudtone stuff.

gavinturner
12-11-2013, 10:27 AM
The colour is looking sweet Pablo. Can't wait to see a few more coats. I too am a recent Wudtone convert - this stuff kicks ass. You are doing a great job on this build, despite the hurdles along the way! Keep it up!!

cheers,
Gavin.

lawry
12-11-2013, 10:44 AM
That's a nice bit of work you've done there Pablo. Would've scared the crap out of me.

pablopepper
13-11-2013, 12:12 AM
Thanks guys. Lawry, everything I've had to do to this guitar has scared the crap out of me. I've been looking forward to doing this one for ages, and being a gift from my wife, there are expectations that it will be something special. Every step so far seems to have been far more trouble than I was expecting, not that that is a bad thing, you learn nothing from having it all go your own way, but I think the tough stuff is done now. Fingers crossed.

lawry
13-11-2013, 09:53 AM
I know it's OK to learn from your mistakes, but I'd probably abuse the privilege ;-)

robin
13-11-2013, 10:09 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on November 12, 2013, 09:12
Thanks guys. Lawry, everything I've had to do to this guitar has scared the crap out of me. I've been looking forward to doing this one for ages, and being a gift from my wife, there are expectations that it will be something special. Every step so far seems to have been far more trouble than I was expecting, not that that is a bad thing, you learn nothing from having it all go your own way, but I think the tough stuff is done now. Fingers crossed.

Craig, I feel your pain. I was there to help Serena build her IB-1 and it was by far the most troublesome build. Encountered all the problems you had, but to her credit Serena persevered and ended up with a beautiful guitar. She is still working through a problem or two, but well worth the trouble.

I know that even though you have had all these problems (or maybe because of them) you will end up with a very special guitar.

rob

pablopepper
20-11-2013, 04:36 AM
A little progress to report. The wudtone is flowing thick and fast. After initial jitters, I have become a lot more comfortable with the process and coats are going on very easily.

The first steel wool back of the deep colour coat has revealed some interesting grain. I was totally unaware you could even get flaming in basswood. A nice surprise.

Two coats of base colour along now and things are going well. The colour is slowly intensifying and is taking on an interesting shade of not quite black with a hint of deep blue/purple in certain lights.


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/g581c-20131118_180009.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/e9mf7-20131118_175822.jpg

pablopepper
20-11-2013, 04:50 AM
Let's call the headstock 'getting there'. The maple doesn't absorb the colour like the basswood and it's going to take a fair few more coats to get the shade I'm chasing.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1au22-20131118_175558.jpg

pablopepper
25-11-2013, 06:09 AM
I find myself with a bit of a problem. My attempt at sunbursting has gone a bit wonky.

I followed the video as closely as I could, but found no matter what I tried, I couldn't get the colours to blend and now I have a very distinct line around the outside.

Is there any way of fixing this? Will going around the outside with more dark onyx deep colour after it dries blend it any more? Any help would be appreciated.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/56s95-20131124_164403.jpg

Scott J.
25-11-2013, 07:05 AM
Hey Pablo, ... cant offer advice, but I will say that even though I'm a great admirer of "blues guitar", I've never been a big fan of "blue guitars", however, the colour you've done on this baby (especially with the grain effect) looks absolutely GREAT! (that's one axe that's changed my mind about blue! :D )

Tim
25-11-2013, 07:26 AM
Hi Pablo try blending along the line with some steel wool

Andyport
25-11-2013, 08:53 AM
I have to admit to not having used Wudtone yet (naughty corner awaits) and maybe its a little different, but I have done a burst using wood stain dyes.
The process I used gave a good result...rubbed on the middle lighter colour with one rag...then with another clean rag quickly rubbed on the outer darker colour while the inner colour was still wet...then using another clean dry rag rubbed to blend the two colours together. If a line begins to appear just add more of each colour with their own rags and continue blending.
Hope this helps.
But, as I said, it may be different with Wudtone.

WeirdBits
25-11-2013, 08:58 AM
As Tim said, careful use of steel wool along the blend line with alternating coats will probaly be your best bet. The colours are quite different so I'm not sure if this will help, but this is how I did my Black Magic Woman and Goldenrod thin burst (http://pitbullguitars.com/?page_id=42&mingleforumaction=viewtopic&t=152.8#postid-7028).

pablopepper
25-11-2013, 09:14 PM
Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will try diffusing the line with some steel wool and add some more dark to try to feather it out and see how that goes. But for now, I must fight the urge to do anything until 48 hours is up.

@Andy, that is pretty much exactly what I did, but that line refused to lighten. I think I might have been too slow and let the outer colour sit for too long.

@Scott, I'm really happy with the overall colour, very close to what I had in mind.

Andyport
25-11-2013, 09:52 PM
Maybe try working a small section at a time...that way it may be easier to keep a wet edge going.

pablopepper
27-11-2013, 11:19 AM
Lots of steel wooling this afternoon has been a mixed bag. The edges didn't get broken up at all really, but evened out the colours enough to not be so dramatic.


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/05460-20131126_201435.jpg

pablopepper
27-11-2013, 11:20 AM
After much agonising, I decided to go over the entire top with a mix. 5 drops of dark onyx into about 10ml of azure lagoon. Pretty happy with the result. The line is still there, I can live with it. The colour, on the other hand, is great, but a bit hard to photograph under the fluoro lights .
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/649bh-20131126_204812.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/o3yyu-20131126_205018.jpg

WeirdBits
27-11-2013, 11:56 AM
The colour looks great to me. Have you considered adding some Wudtone to the back part of the bridge recess, so that when the FR tilts you don't get any glimpses of wood?

pablopepper
29-11-2013, 01:53 AM
I plan on blacking that part out altogether. I haven't quite decided how though yet, but I'll probably use ink to get it solid black rather than the dark onyx I have.

wokkaboy
29-11-2013, 04:05 AM
looking sweet Pablo, I forgot these IB-1 had a flame top, once it gets gloss coats on will look sensational. Great idea to paint the bridge recess in solid black/dye

gavinturner
29-11-2013, 04:54 AM
That flame top is looking sensational Pablo. I just love the colour. The clear coats are going to deepen the effect even more. Great job! I think the lines around the burst look perfect.

cheers,
Gav.

pablopepper
29-11-2013, 07:20 AM
Cheers gents, but the colour isn't quite finished yet. This is only the deep colour, I'm going to put one or two coats of the azure lagoon base colour on and see how that goes.

Blacked out the trem cavity with ink. Much better. Then got a bit carried away and did the back bits too. Neatens things up a bit.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/dnz3z-20131128_175328.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/zqi3m-20131128_175900.jpg

wokkaboy
29-11-2013, 07:23 AM
looking choice there Pablo, so is that dark onyx on the back ? its quite a dark black. I still haven't used that colour.
With 2 more coats of azure base coat this top will be popping big time and thats before the highlights/clear coats.
Keep up the good work Pablo !

pablopepper
29-11-2013, 08:03 AM
Yep, dark onyx. It goes on quite blue, but seems to dry black. Not as intense black as BMW though. I like it a lot.

robin
29-11-2013, 09:27 AM
That looks great Plablo. Knowing how subtle that top is you have done a great job of coaxing out that grain. Loving it.

rob

pablopepper
30-11-2013, 07:47 AM
Thanks Rob, I'm also loving it. Two coats of base colour down and I think I'm ready to move on to clear.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/3zwl9-20131129_165624.jpg

Tim
01-12-2013, 11:37 PM
looking good Pablo

pablopepper
03-12-2013, 11:46 AM
Second coat of clear is on, hopefully there's enough left for 2 more.


http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/47wdv-20131202_215944.jpg

pablopepper
03-12-2013, 11:47 AM
Ended up sanding the finish off the headstock and trying again. I wasn't happy with the result I got from dark onyx alone, so I tried a 50/50 mix with the azure. Much darker, more what I was after.



http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/wgot5-20131202_220613_RichtoneHDR.jpg

pablopepper
03-12-2013, 11:49 AM
Finally got around to tidying up the fretboard. Nice and smooth and no more excess glue. Still needs a bit more fine sanding and a buff, but it's looking a lot more presentable.

:D
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/95066-20131202_221309_RichtoneHDR.jpg

wokkaboy
04-12-2013, 12:24 AM
looking stunning Pablo, can't believe the dragon on the fingerboard. What clear are you using, extra gloss non aging or aging ?

maxaxe
04-12-2013, 12:36 AM
Now I can see how that lovely flamed-aquamarine body and the charcoal headstock colours tie in with the shell f/b inlay.
Looking very cool already, but it will look just fantastic when it's all in one piece.
Betcha can't wait . . .

pablopepper
04-12-2013, 01:58 AM
Cheers guys.

@Wokka, that dragon is ridiculously over the top, but after spending a few hours with it over the weekend I'm starting to like it more than I thought I could. Stockholm syndrome maybe. I'm using extra gloss no aging clear.

@Max, you're right, I can't wait. Probably gonna have to though, I'm still trying to sort out the pickups for this one. Waiting to hear back from the manufacturers about component details before I pull the trigger. Fingers crossed.

pablopepper
06-12-2013, 09:25 PM
After 2 coats of the azure base I've got a colour I'm pretty happy with. There was a few spots where the finish had bled past the mask, easily fixed up with a razor.

Pickups and electronics ordered today from guitar fetish. Now the painful wait. I still have to fret dress, shield cavities and clear the neck so that should keep me busy in the meantime.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jxv59-20131205_103247.jpg

wokkaboy
07-12-2013, 02:11 AM
looking excellent Pablo, can't wait to see it buttoned up, should be a ripper with your upgrades

gavinturner
07-12-2013, 09:59 AM
Looks great Pablo. Which GFS pickups did you go with?

Cheers,
Gav.

pablopepper
07-12-2013, 10:19 AM
Crunchy pats with a Lil killer in the middle. I only just checked out gfs last weekend and I've become a bit obsessed with them since. They seem great for the price.

pablopepper
08-12-2013, 04:24 AM
Third clear coat has come up well and the pickup cavities are shielded now. I really don't like using the shielding paint, but a necessary evil for this one.

First top coat coat on the neck today too. I am starting to run out of things to do. :(
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gdkqv-20131207_150523.jpg

gavinturner
08-12-2013, 08:01 PM
Drool. that looks awesome Pablo. You should be happy with the pickups. I used the Retrotron Nashville's on my hollow-body and they sound awesome, especially overdriven. I'm using the dream 180's on my florentine, so will be great to hear how they all sound.

cheers,
Gav.

Analyst69
09-12-2013, 09:22 AM
I put a pair of the GFS Power Rails in my old Epiphone Les Paul and they are great sounding pickups.

Really happy with the quality of parts from GFS. Sure you will be happy with the Crunchy Pats (I contemplated those too).

Cheers

Darren

pablopepper
11-12-2013, 06:57 AM
Had a neat (Ormsby inspired) idea for my headstock logo today and gave it a bash. Slightly raised lettering. It worked out okay, but I think I might mess around with the font and make it a bit smaller. Work in progress.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/8ww4s-20131210_174416.jpg

wokkaboy
11-12-2013, 07:34 AM
cool effect Pablo, how are you making the raised lettering, you got something to cut it out of a blank ?

gavinturner
11-12-2013, 10:23 AM
Nice Pablo! I dont know *how* you cut it out, or what you cut it out *of*, but you've done a bloody brilliant job!

cheers,
Gav.

pablopepper
11-12-2013, 10:39 AM
It's a composite material called gravograph, a thin veneer of brushed stainless steel on about 2mm of plastic (polypropylene I think) which I laser cut. Pretty simple with the right gear. I'm not sure if I'll use this method, it was a test really and it doesn't look as good as I'd hoped. I'll try a few different designs tomorrow. Gotta keep busy until the electronics get here.

lawry
11-12-2013, 10:43 AM
Yeah. That's neat. I can see a bit of the blank you cut it out of in the background but can't work out the material or method. So it's time to come clean.

Gavin1393
11-12-2013, 11:23 AM
Pablo, make sure you get a shallow 5 way switch for this thing! It is so thin that the cavity is not deep enough for the supplied switch.....

pablopepper
11-12-2013, 09:29 PM
Hey Gavin, this is the one I ordered http://www.guitarfetish.com/USA-Spec-Stratocaster-5-Way-Switch-_p_1463.html. Do you think that will work?

pablopepper
11-12-2013, 09:56 PM
Another question for the wudtone experts, I know i'm supposed to wait a month after the last clear coat to buff, but can I use regular guitar polish? My last clear coat has been on for a week and a half and I would like to give it a once over before I assemble it for the first time.

Gavin1393
11-12-2013, 10:11 PM
On the Wudtone, it does need time to cure. The issue is if it has not cured and the polish you use has the same solvent in it , it will stuff up your finish. The swirch you showed me looks like a standard switch which will be too deep . You need to measure the depth of the cavity and then go looking for your switch. I strongly suspect the switch you have bought will prevent you from putting the back cover on by a good few mm's. :(

pablopepper
11-12-2013, 10:36 PM
Ah, balls. According to the tracking my package hit Australia yesterday, so I might have it by the weekend in which case I'll test it out, but otherwise the only smaller switch I have been able to find is http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electronics,_pickups/Components:_Switches_and_knobs/Megaswitches/Megaswitch_S-Model.html and almost $45 including postage seems a bit rich. Thanks for the input Gav.

Gavin1393
11-12-2013, 11:21 PM
Check it out first. Dont do what i did which was to connect and solder everything up, then excitedly position and fasten everything to the body, test it all out, works!!!!! Great,,, put on the back cover, AAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
I eventually found one on e-bay......

Gavin1393
12-12-2013, 12:51 AM
Pablo, my mates the hancock brothers sell a low profile Gotoh switch on ebay for 22 bucks including postage .....check Luthiersupplies on ebay.

pablopepper
12-12-2013, 01:01 AM
Oh sweet, thanks for the tip. ALS has one for $16 + $6 postage and they're in Queensland, last time I ordered from them I got it the day after, so that's how I'll do it. From the look of it I might have to mount it from the front though. There goes my plan for no screw holes on the face of the guitar. Poop. :(

pablopepper
12-12-2013, 03:03 AM
Just bit the bullet and ordered that low profile switch from ALS, I can use both either way as the Davocaster's switch has stopped working properly and needs to be replaced. I needed some straplocks as well, two birds one stone and all that jazz.

pablopepper
14-12-2013, 12:37 PM
A little box of goodies showed up at my back door today. :D

And guess what? The switch is too big.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/kf168-20131213_221635.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gqqu2-20131213_222252.jpg

Gavin1393
14-12-2013, 02:38 PM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on December 13, 2013, 21:37
A little box of goodies showed up at my back door today. :D

And guess what? The switch is too big.

Never doubted for a second that it wouldn't be....the ALS one will however be perfect!

pablopepper
17-12-2013, 09:25 PM
Looking more like a guitar every day now. :D

Finally able to shield the control cavity which was holding me back from doing the rest of the assembly. Pickups are in and looking great, the hole from the third pickup to the cavity ended up too small for the three leads so I had to drill it wider. The rest of the electronics should be in this afternoon and then on to setting up the bridge (groan).
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/r3sj4-20131216_211016.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/gf6wr-20131217_072655.jpg

gavinturner
18-12-2013, 01:23 AM
OMG, she's looking awesome Pablo! This baby is going to scream. Nice neat job on the shielding too!

cheers,
Gav.

wokkaboy
18-12-2013, 01:46 AM
looking sweet Pablo, is that middle pickup a mini humbucker ? Good to see how the colours go with the neck inlay and they match really well. Not far off making bulk noise !

Gavin1393
18-12-2013, 02:16 AM
Looking awesome...

Middle one looks like Humbucker 'rails' Woks?

pablopepper
18-12-2013, 02:34 AM
Cheers fellas, on the home stretch now.

The middle pickup is indeed a mini humbucker, one of these: http://www.guitarfetish.com/Lil-Killer-Black-Humbucker-Rail-Pickup-for-Strats-Three-Versions-Available_p_461.html to be exact.

All three pickups will be coil split via push/pull volume pot.

wokkaboy
18-12-2013, 03:14 AM
sounds good Pablo, since you put your facebook link I never knew you were Craig after all this time you often leave a comment on my facebook page !

pablopepper
18-12-2013, 03:25 AM
Haha! My 'anonymous' online persona is slowly fading away.

WeirdBits
18-12-2013, 10:24 AM
Looks great Craig. How are you going to split all three pups with just one push/pull? I can understand two splits, but three?

Brendan
18-12-2013, 12:27 PM
Looking great Pablo - colour's a beautiful choice...

pablopepper
18-12-2013, 08:31 PM
Thanks guys. So, three coil splits to one pot is pretty hectic. I've been as neat as I possibly could, but man, what a mess. Here's the schematic I followed. Right now I'm not getting any signal when I plug in, but I'm 90% sure I just hooked the hot wire to the wrong lug of the jack. I was guessing after all.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/niz06-20131217_220321.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/4df92-1lil1v1t5w3s.jpg

WeirdBits
18-12-2013, 11:03 PM
Ah, splitting in combo with the 5-way, gotcha. I thought you meant you were somehow doing 3 splits just on the push/pull. If that jack is the standard stereo Switchcraft style, then the shortest lug should be your hot, the longest will be the ground, and the middle length will be the stereo ring contact.

pablopepper
18-12-2013, 11:50 PM
Yeah Scott, I had read that, but this particular jack has one long lug (ground) and two exactly the same size. Hopefully that's all it is, I was very careful to make sure all the solders were good and there was no chance of shorting, but wiring is always my most frustrating job.

wokkaboy
19-12-2013, 12:20 AM
wow Craig that wiring looks congested to fit all those joins in a tight space. Looks like you have done a tidy job. Sounds like the problem swap the join to the other shorter hot tip lug and Bob should be your Uncle. I've used a stereo jack before and had the same problem. 50/50 chance and I always get it wrong too !

Gavin1393
19-12-2013, 03:48 AM
Yeah, Craig, if it is dead silent then possibly something shorting. If there is hum and no sound you probably have a grounding issue which could mean you need to swop the wires on the lugs. I don't like the stereo lugs as no matter what you try, they come across very unbalanced.

pablopepper
19-12-2013, 06:25 AM
Just swapped the hot wire to the other lug. Success. Everything seems to work as it should. I'm very relieved.

Gavin1393
19-12-2013, 07:27 AM
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from pablopepper on December 18, 2013, 15:25
Just swapped the hot wire to the other lug. Success. Everything seems to work as it should. I'm very relieved.

Gee, Craig, you are careless unobservant in such good company with that reversal since DB and myself have done the exact same thing on more than one occasion!

8O

Brendan
19-12-2013, 11:48 AM
Great news Pablo... Was that the standard jack for the IB-1?

pablopepper
20-12-2013, 11:09 AM
She got strung up for the first time today, and unfortunately all is not well. :(

Got it roughly in tune, strummed lightly and the g and high e popped straight out of the bridge. Got them back in and the e held but the g just wouldn't stay. The problem seems to be the block that holds the string is slightly taller and the hole doesn't line up with the screw clamping the string unevenly. It's never going to work like this.

I can buy new blocks, but if anyone has ideas I'd love to hear them.

@Brendan. Yeah, that's the one that came with the kit and it needs replacing too. It is loose and loses connection easily. Dang.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/70rbm-20131219_183322.jpg

pablopepper
06-06-2014, 12:58 AM
Well, well. Almost seven months later, this lil fella is up and running.
http://i.imgur.com/KYCdmPr.jpg
Finally!
http://i.imgur.com/bchEQSQ.jpg
I've ended up completely replacing the bridge with a 'Fastloader' system, therefore bypassing the whole block clamping mechanism that was totally busted on the original. The colour has come out quite a bit lighter than I was hoping for and I'm not too happy with the pickups I've put in, but I am so glad it's finished. Well, almost. Maybe.

west0288
06-06-2014, 06:30 AM
Looks schweet as mate.

Hoping mine turns out in a similar calibre. :)

wokkaboy
06-06-2014, 07:26 AM
wow Pablo looks awesome, you must be stoked its finished after all this time. So your not happy with the sound of the pups ? Does all the push pull settings work ok ?

pablopepper
06-06-2014, 08:25 AM
Cheers guys. Woks, all the electronics work well, it's probably a combination of a few things. The screws I have now are too short to get the pickups close enough to the strings so it sounds a bit weak and I've only played it through existing patches on my pod so far. I find I need to tweak my base patches a little for each guitar to get them sounding great. That just takes time, it's far from a lost cause. I should have said I'm not happy with them yet.

ihasmario
08-06-2014, 02:46 PM
Awesome looking guitar - the finished images aren't working for me though. Must feel good to finally get it finished.