November Guitar of the Month

[adam]

Enter your finished guitar here to be judged for November Pit Bull Guitars Guitar of the Month.

Remember:

One guitar per member per month (if we have more than 8 entries)
It must be a Pit Bull Guitars kit (mods and upgrades acceptable)
We need 4 photos: full guitar shot from the front, close up of the body finish, shot of the back of the guitar and close up of the headstock (please no brand name logos)
Post your photos in this thread or email them to adam@pitbullguitars.com.
Competition for November closes 31 October 2013.
Winner will be judged by the Pit Bull Guitars Panel.

[Tim]

ok my first entry (now my computer is behaving)
YB-4 MIDNIGHT
black magic women
colourless neck
babicz bridge
gotoh machine heads
de-fretted
custom inlays
Deep rumblings scaring the wildlife
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/3y0a9-IMG_0914-640x427.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4x1xf-IMG_0924-427x640-2.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/uyb21-IMG_0928-640x427.jpg

[Tim]

YB-4 MIDNIGHT
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/z327s-IMG_0919-427x640.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/h7h71-IMG_0931-640x427.jpg

[Andyport]

Andy's ES-1GT Vintage Cherry Red.

Grain filled using Timbermate Mahogany.
Vintage Cherry Red custom colour, mixed from Colortone Cherry Red
with a few drops of Mahogany and Walnut stain.
Sprayed clear lacquer coats, then cut and polished to high gloss finish.

Standard kit other than truss rod cover and orange drop capacitors.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/r23v0-Full-Front.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/9zwcz-Full-Back.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/p8ij4-Close-Body.jpg

[Andyport]

Close up of headstock.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4bh3h-Headstock.jpg

[Fretworn]

Glad I'm don't have to judge. Choosing between those two would give me nightmares, and that's before some of the other guitars that have been finished this month get added.

[Scott J.]

First entry in GOTM! ... tough competition but the BEST of company!

SG-1 in Flamenco Cherry ... mostly stock, just a few minor mods.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/xh5yq-SGsSG-Finished-Front.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/x5354-SGsSG-Finished-Front-angled.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/068wf-SGsSG-Finished-Back-angled.jpg

[Scott J.]

... and the headstock and a couple of close-ups of the finish
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/91vv7-SGsSG-Finished-Headstock.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/0ri6i-SGsSG-Finished-Headstock-finish.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/3plb7-SGsSG-Finished-Back-finsih.jpg

[gavinturner]

Oh my god. Every entrant so far would win any other month! No chance for me that's plain, but what better month to enter with such illustrious company. So without further ado:

ST-1
Wudtone 50% Surfer Girl + 50% T-bird.
All stock except for the custom pickguard.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/517nv-IMG_2585_small.JPG

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/425cn-IMG_2589_small.JPG

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4g13a-IMG_2592_small.JPG


cheers,
Gavin.

[gavinturner]

More pictures:

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/09st2-IMG_2591_small.JPG

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nvg9z-IMG_2567_small.JPG

cheers,
Gavin.

[Gavin1393]

I think I might enter something just to avoid having to be a judge this month!!! ;)
DB, heard you might be too!!?? and that Adam has been looking for that screwdriver he misplaced to finish the neck on a hastily knocked up tele?

[wokkaboy]

nice try Gav B., its going to be a very tough month to judge that's for sure.
DB has given us internet access at the naughty corner so you can do your judging there !

[Scott J.]

Hey Gav (Turner) seriously lovely job you've done on your Strat ... this month's competition just keeps getting tougher and tougher!

[adam]

My exact thoughts scrolling through these entries... "Wow", "Wow", "Wow", "Wow"... "Oh crap, I have to judge these"

[dingobass]

Allrighty then... I think that I may have to go away on holidays just to avoid judging this month... every one of these Axes are, well, simply stunning... We might have to get our computer gurus to write a program that randomly selects the winner...

[gavinturner]

@Scott: thanks man. I don't think it holds a candle to your SG and the others this month, but hey. Impossibly good entries this month! Just great to be a part of the competition.

Cheers,
Gavin.

[dvous]

Lovely guitars - all of them.

But I would love to see Andyport's creation on the flesh! Maybe one day, I might attempt something like that...

[Andyport]

Not a problem dvous, that can be arranged.
You know where I am...drop in to work, happy to show you.
Really happy with it...love it!!

[sfkhooper]

This is my first entry to GOTM, although it's the third build I've done. This JB-4 kit was a labour of love for my wife and I and we are thrilled with the results. It looks and sounds sensational!

JB-4 Jazz Bass, finished in metallic electric blue, with custom metal pickguard and hand-applied silver headstock decal to match.

http://i44.tinypic.com/116jabq.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/28kkab8.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/id7w3m.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/9hon5s.jpg

http://i40.tinypic.com/4qomfa.jpg

[lawry]

That is such a cool bass Scott. The pick guard and headstock really make it stand out as one of a kind. Excellent. Congrats on a beautiful build.

[Scott J.]

Stunning job, Scott, simply stunning! ... I reckon the judges are hating you right now - you just made this month's GOTM a whole lot tougher than it already was! :D ... another incredibly worthy potential winner!

[dingobass]

Thats it..... I give up.... I wonder if I go on holidays to outer Mongolia will I get out of judging this month......

[Gavin1393]

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on October 27, 2013, 19:49
Thats it..... I give up.... I wonder if I go on holidays to outer Mongolia will I get out of judging this month......
To avoid judging this month I have decided to enter my beautiful Telecaster Delux in Olympic white with gold bling and gold scratch plate.

Fitted with TV jones pickups at the bridge and neck, this baby is built to sing! Probably the best work I have done to date on the forum!
I cannot stress enough about the advantages of leaving the paint to cure properly as in this example.
Buffing the body really brings out the glossy deep finish you see here. Here are the results (took the guitar outside and laid it gently on the grass to make the most of the sun.


http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/j4926-image.jpg
First a close up of the body of the guitar. She really is a beautiful looking guitar! Notice how the gold bling is accentuated by the white colour Olympic girl.
I did think about using chrome or black but after finding the gold scratch plate it was no contest really.

On to the second picture:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/4hhrg-image.jpg
Pic of the neck, done in Wudtone clear. Really shows off the maple fretboard magnificently. Did the standard fret dress on this baby and got the action down really close without any buzzing whatsoever. Electrics are pretty standard except for the micro-switch I threw in to coil split the TV joneses.

Third picture:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/117ui-image.jpg
Finally, the back of the........WTF?

Hahaha great guitar Gav :)

[Brendan]

Sorry Gav, the reflection off the gloss finish has meant that I can't see the detail on the guitar - can you take another photo so that I too can bask in it's radiance? Maybe a different angle?

[GlennGP]

I am humbled to be able to join such amazing company this month, entering the long-awaited "Tania's Red Menace".

For those who came in late ...

This is a TL-1A kit with a couple of extras:
- white three-ply scratch-plate
- bone nut (thanks DB!)
- Wilkinson bridge with compensated saddles
- Wilde Bill Keystone pickups (Bill Lawrence)
- Alpha pots
- CRL switchgear
- Sprague Orange drop cap
- the tone fidelity circuit
- copper shielding in all cavities

I built this one primarily for sound rather than looks, though I tried hard to make it look the goods as well. I'm really pleased with the sound, getting great sustain and a great authentic Tele sound through those pickups.

But since this is a beauty contest, here are the pics. Front first:

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/3cf55-full1.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nc15r-front2.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/608eq-front1.jpg

[sfkhooper]

She's a beauty, Glenn. I wish my Tele kit came out that well! Best of luck in the comp!

[GlennGP]

And here's the back and headstock.

I have to say, it was a real challenge trying to capture the vibrant red finish on camera - it kept coming out kind of orange (like the right-hand side of the back, pictured below). I had to fiddle around with lighting and settings for a while to get it looking like it does in real life.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/zqg52-back1.jpg

For those who are interested, this is Carmine Gypsy with the full gloss finish (3 deep colour coats, 7 colour coats and four coats of the gloss top coat, then polished). The neck is vintage yellow with non-ageing gloss top coat, but I like leaving the fretboard natural.

The guitar is for a friend named Tania, and it's kind of a sister-guitar to my own Yellow Peril, so it had to be "Tania's Red Menace".

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/5wk3f-head1.jpg

[sfkhooper]

Love the decals, Glenn. How do you get them made up?

[GlennGP]

DIY, mate. I ordered the transparent water-slide decal paper for laser print online. The image is made up of three individual text images which I manipulated simply using Word in Office 2010, including creating the inner colour and black outline on the "gold" part. Then I "grouped" the images so I was able to scale the whole thing in one hit, checked the size of the space it was going to, scaled accordingly, and printed a couple on half a sheet (printer set for A5 paper), so that I had a few for safety, but didn't have to waste a whole sheet.

[pablopepper]

Tough one this month. I would gladly own each of these entries (I dare say I couldn't afford them though). Well done to all.

[gavinturner]

Great stuff Glenn. If she sounds better than she looks, then she must sound freakin awesome. Amazing result.

cheers,
Gavin.

[jase]

DC Jnr
Wudtone Butter-scotch with aged Top Coat
Neck in Clear coat with Gold High-lites
Black Hardware including Strap-Locks

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/1b13e-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/7sz08-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/xt5x5-image.jpg

[jase]

AND
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/il0n2-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/x5ax8-image.jpg

[GlennGP]

phwoar! Really nice one, Jase! Judging guys, you have my sincere pity!

[gavinturner]

Awesome Jase. Just awesome. Great choices, great execution.

Cheers,
Gavin.

[dingobass]

I will try to send postcards from my hastily organised holiday...
Damn there are some nice axes this month!

[Bass Guy]

Not a dud axe in the batch. Congratulations to all the entrants.

Commiserations to the poor sod who has to pick the winner.... ;)

[Gavin1393]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Bass Guy on October 29, 2013, 15:01
Not a dud axe in the batch. Congratulations to all the entrants.

Commiserations to the poor sod who has to pick the winner.... ;)

Reckon that could be Bones (a.k.a. other Phil) since the rest of us have all disappeared on holiday without telling him!

[wokkaboy]

well done to all the entrants on setting such a high standard, pretty glad my iceman won't be ready till December.
Best of luck to whoever is judging, you might as well get a dartboard and work it out that way !

[dingobass]

You may just be onto something there Woks :)

[kanelangmaid]

Platinum Brother

- Finished in acrylic lacquer inca silver (close)
- Shaped headstock
- Stock hardware
- Custom Krank Guitars pickups (sweet neck and middle, sustain for days)
- Tusq XL pre cut nut
- Custom neck plate (well modified stock one)

A massive learning curve on many things, enjoyed the whole process and keen to do more. Slowly build up to a full scratch build.

What is missing, upgraded pots, caps and the addition of the Clapton mid boost circuit. They will come later.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/7lr4p-MG_5606.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/9fxg1-MG_5607.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/z839x-MG_5611.jpg

[kanelangmaid]

Platinum Brother

More pics

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2zgyo-MG_5620.jpg

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/zf115-MG_5609.jpg

Good luck to all. I was a little hesitant in submitting a GOTM entry due to the high level entries to date. Keep it up.

[DanMade]

Wow, great work on that ST-1 Kane. How did you do the neck plate details? It looks like it has been done on a CNC. Very clean and crisp.

Jase, are those black strings on that beauty. Or is it just the lighting?

So many amazing guitars this month. I think there all winners.

[GlennGP]

Very sweet, Kane. I've steered away from strats because, all too often, they're just too cheesy, and I don't like following the herd. This one, though, I would take down off the music shop wall and have a really close look at. Top job.

[wokkaboy]

well done Kane, love the logo name Krank guitars, presume the spelling is from your names first initial. I'm sure Eric would love to play this axe !
Best of luck to all entrants and even more luck to the judges. Have Pit Bull got a raffle wheel ? Put a picture of each axe entrant on the raffle wheel and DB can spin it !

[jase]

The strings on the DC Jnr are black. Made by. DR Extra-Life Black Beauties.The black coating is starting to come off where the pick strikes but they say should still last 3-4 times longer than normal strings.Ill soon find out as I cant put the DC Jnr down..great fun to play and sounds awesome. Cheers!

[kanelangmaid]

Thanks for the encouragement all.

DanMade - the plate was inscribed on a pentograph machine (the ones they use for trophies and plaques).

Wokkaboy - the Krank actually comes from my brothers business. He runs Krank roofing. The whole idea for the build was to present it to him as a prototype offshoot of his business. He loved it. There will be another one built for him at some stage.

I have always loved strats, even though it seems just about everyone has a model of them. For me it is the sound. One guitar doesn't cover off on every sound we like, that's why we need more.

This build was enjoyable and challenging. Plenty of new things tried, tested and missed. The next build should be better. I also plan putting the whole thing in writing into an ebook.

Have fun judging!!

[stan]

what a line up! Well done everyone

[Scott J.]

To all my fellow GOTM contestants this month I can only say that it's an honour and a pleasure to be in the running against such superb entries, each and every one of them!

No matter who the judges choose, I think every entrant this month is an absolute winner! (I'd certainly be proud to have any of them in my collection!)

[sfkhooper]

Well said, Scott. I couldn't agree more. Good luck to all!

[robin]

What a stella month.

Is it just me or are these GOTM Threads looking more and more like a catalog for a Custom Guitar Shop. Awesome!!!

Well done, and good luck to all entrants.

rob

[GlennGP]

Well, the tension is killing me! Adam, how long before we can expect an announcement? To be honest, I just want to "share" the FB gallery so that people can see the Red Menace in the exalted company it'll be keeping!

Must be a tough job this month ... :-)

[adam]

Haha, I'm working on it now Glenn... it's a massive job. I have to upload all the images onto our server (after resizing them), then email the links to the judges. I was about halfway through that job when I saw your post come through.

I have to give the judges some time to consider the entries, so I will announce next Friday night.

Tough one to judge, but through the law of averages I'm sure we'll get a deserving winner.

[GlennGP]

Next Friday??!! Oh, all right, labour of love and all that. From someone who takes that approach to building the actual things, I get where you're coming from for the site. Which, by the way, rocks. Whenever.

But make it soon, 'kay?

[adam]

'Kay, it will be soon. Actually, one week into the month is the usual timeframe. We have to give builders up to the last day of the month and then the judges need at least a week to consider the entries. Patience my friend...

[adam]

I will post a compilation of the entries on our Facebook Page, so please help spread the word by sharing that post. Will be up soon..

[GlennGP]

Neat-o. Will do so, my Jedi Master (and all that).

[GlennGP]

I've just seen the FB post and have to note that the Red Menace is a TL-1A (the Alder body), not a TL-1. Not that the hoi polloi will care!

[Scott J.]

Glenn - I bet you're just like this on Christmas eve, too! :D ... but I must admit the suspense is riveting isn't it!

[Gavin1393]

<private message to all judges> I hope you all remembered to set your email addresses to "Out of office" otherwise you will be called on to pick a winner out of this lot!! <end private message to all judges>

[Tim]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from adam on November 1, 2013, 18:14
I will post a compilation of the entries on our Facebook Page, so please help spread the word by sharing that post. Will be up soon..

Just looked at the facebook entries WOW hate to be judging this lot
anyways TIMS IB-5 is still in bits
TIMS YB-4 is done ;) just saying
Good luck to everyone this month they are all awesum

[Scott J.]

Just a thought here (considering all the judges seem to be running scared this month! :D ) ...

... maybe next time in such a situation, the judging might be done by the entrants themselves? (of course, with no voting for your own entry) ... it'd be one way to get an unbiased general consensus! (I know that if I had to come runner-up to someone I'd be sure to want them to be the "best darned kid on the block"! 8-) )

Ok, I'll shut-up now! :D

[kanelangmaid]

Well judges, 24hrs or so until your hard decision will be made. A sleepless night perhaps?

Well competition. I am honored to be amongst some great quality builds. No doubt we will all be talking more tomorrow, after the announced winner.

[sfkhooper]

The suspense is killing me! :)

[Gavin1393]

Hey Adam,

DB, Bones and I have just arrived back from Bali. Sorry we could not vote, so who won?

Gav

[adam]

Folks, the results are finally in.

We haven't heard from our guest judge Marcus, last month's winner. So, if you're reading this Marcus, I hope you don't mind that we went ahead without your scores. We couldn't wait any longer.

Maybe he got scared off by the impossible task of picking a winner amongst these entries.

We say it every month, so it probably starts to sound a bit glib, but, believe me, when the Pit Bull Guitars team catch up, we do talk about the difficulty in picking one guitar that we have to label as the "best" for that month. It is actually a really difficult task.

Anyway, this month we had to go really hard on any minor imperfections to try and find a winner. Personally, I didn't find any flaws on any of the entries and I would have loved to taken any one of them home.

So, before we get to 3rd place, I should say there was a 3 way tie for 4th place and there was only 1/2 a point between 3rd and 4th. In fact, there was only about 4 points (on average) between 1st and last.

Ok, so in third place:

Glenn's TL-1A (Tania's Red Menace)
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Glenn-TL1-2-600x450.jpg

"There's something about the colour of this guitar that really draws me in, I can't look away. I think it's because I've just not ever seen anything like it. I would kill for this guitar".

"Another excellent example of what is possible with a PBG kit. The standard is high and this clearly excels"

In second place:

Jase's JR-1DC
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Jase-JR1DC-1-633x450.jpg

"That Butterscotch looks good enough to eat. The black strings really enhance the colour, a very nicely balanced guitar."

"This guitar has that x-factor. So simple yet it screams "look at me". I really like this and would definitely pick it up for an intimate look!"

"I could not fault this one. I love the colour and it's been applied well and the guitar is well put together. There's something this guitar that just demands attention. I think it's the elegant simplicity. A winner in my books."


And the winner is...


Congratulations Andyport, the law of averages determined your ES-1GT in Vintage Cherry Red is November Guitar of the Month.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Andy-ES1GT-1.jpg

"No question that I want to be able to look at this masterpiece every time I log into PBG. Grain is finished beautifully. Colour Choice is sensational. I am envious that this guitar is not in my collection! 10/10, If I was giving bonus points for WOW factor - this one might even tempt the Telenapper...."

"PHWOOOOOR! That's a bit tasty..."

"This competition is really tough. Ultimately, it comes down to which guitar you would be drawn to and want to pick up and play. I could not help myself but be drawn to this beauty. It is just magnificent."

Congratulations Andyport.

[MetalMatt]

Well done Andy! What a beauty. From memory there was a shot of the back in your build diary that was just as exquisite as the front. Beautiful guitar!

[Bass Guy]

Great picks from the judges. The task was Herculean, and I am sure no-one will quibble with the outcomes.

God knows what the standard will be next month.....

[WeirdBits]

Congrats Andy, that's a beautiful guitar and a deserving winner, and well done to all the almost winners.

[Tim]

Well done Andy a well deserved win. And well done to Glenn and Jase for the finalist results ,top guitars.

[Gavin1393]

Well done AndyPort! To win in such a competitve field should make the win that much sweeter. Well done everyone, guitars to be proud of.

[robin]

Well done Andy, and also to Glenn and Jase. Three beautiful guitars, that all deserve a prize. You can be very proud gentlemen.

rob

[Scott J.]

Andy - congratulations on seriously great win! ... especially with Jase's and Glenn's entries breathing down your neck and the rest of the pack hot on their heels too - it must have been one of the closest of "photo-finishes" and I think the judges comments capture it perfectly!

To all the entrants - Kudos to you all for such excellent pieces and making November's GOTM such a thrilling, "edge of our seat" ride! :D

[sfkhooper]

Congratulations, Andy. To my mind, it was never in doubt for such a stunning axe. Well done, Glenn and Jase, for your well deserved placings.

[GlennGP]

Congratulations, Andy, that is one spectacular guitar and it comes as no surprise to see it take out the crown this month. Jase, also a ripper - un-fussy and well-executed. What can I say? I'm really honoured to come in ahead of such a great field, and it's fitting that the scoring was very tight. I'd better make the next one count, eh?!

[Andyport]

Thanks so much everyone.
The judges...what a huge task to pick one winner out of such an excellent line-up.
Jase, Glenn and all Entrants ...congrats on your beautiful guitars, well done to you all.
and the rest of the PBG Community...for your kind words of support and encouragement.

This really is a sweet win, when I look at just how good the competition was.
As someone said recently, we should all be very proud as the Pitbull GOTM competition these days looks more like a custom guitar shop catalogue.

Cheers
Andy

[AJ]

Congrats Andy, stunning guitar, and congrats to the other entrants, each of those were all winners with looks achieved to be envious of!

[pablopepper]

Well done Andy and well done judges, that can't have been an easy decision!

[wokkaboy]

congratulations Andy, outstanding effort, and well done to Jase and Glenn getting placings. All the other entrants should be proud of the high standard. Also big thanks to all the judges that had a very tough job ! Look forward to seeing what is being entered for December GOTM, sure the standard will be super high !

[Fretworn]

Congratulations Andy.

[stan]

congrats Andy, Jase and Glenn. awesome axe Andy, and all of the others did an absolutely sensational job!

[jase]

A cracker of a build Andy. Well deserved. The bar has been lifted yet again. Congrats to all other builds. A Great month for guitars.

[gavinturner]

Well done to all the winners. This was the most inspiring month yet. So many great builders here.

cheers,
Gavin.

[dvous]

Well done Andy. Thank you for the opportunity of visiting you and seeing that work of art in the flesh, it's easily one of the nicest looking guitars I have ever seen. Having said that, the butterscotch JR-1DC from Jase is equally worth ogling over.