WestSacGreenDesGP First Build: LP-1

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Here we go… down the rabbit hole.
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[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Was a little worried a couple days in when on return from work I found a curing check… but the PBG 'spurts (and my research) all say with good timber filler it'll sound fine… so onwards! Decided on a blonde to auburn sunburst (I may add more edge darkness later - we'll see) cos I am loving the grain and the light catching of the ripples in the grain.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Was a little worried a couple days in when on return from work I found a curing check… but the PBG 'spurts (and my research) all say with good timber filler it'll sound fine… so onwards! Decided on a blonde to auburn sunburst (I may add more edge darkness later - we'll see) cos I am loving the grain and the light catching of the ripples in the grain.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0vfdz-20131002_080137.jpg

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Onwards...
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[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

and further - now the sunburst is becoming more defined
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[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

And is getting richer and deeper with each layer of stain..
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[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

And here's at the end of today's brief session...
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[wokkaboy]

Hi WestsacGreen, looking good, did you end up filling the cracks on the bottom side before wudtoning ?
Are you planning to cut the headstock shape before you get more coats on the neck/headstock ?
I'd recommend steel wooling the binding between coats will make it easier to clean up the binding.
Sunburst is coming along and love your hanging system on the bike handlebars !

[lawry]

Looking good indeed. Like Wokka asks, how did you go with the cracks?

[stan]

colour looks great!!

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

I filled the cracks using a "mahogany" colored timber filler from StewMac - ended up a bit darker than ideal, but it works 'cos the 'burst means that area is deeper (and richer) colors anyway - it's holding well. I've been gently sanding the binding down each time, after watching DB say "don't bother masking the binding" so I didn't… I'm almost tempted to shoot for an aged, slightly yellow tone for the binding anyway to pick out the golden tones in the middle of the 'burst… I was actually planning to leave the headstock in its current shape versus going for a pseudo-Gibson look - I kinda like the shape of the raw blank.

Thanks all for feedback - really appreciate it - the bike handlebars was the best I could come up with, but it's been working pretty well overall.

Tomorrow I'll do another (I think final) color coat, then after that it'll be time for the top coat.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

I couldn't get the timber filler recommended by all the good folks here, so I went with on I could get from StewMac. I got the "mahogany" toned one, which ended up little darker than I'd thought, but it has all worked out well in the end.

I'm leaving the headstock in the PBG blanked shape, 'cos honestly I like it and am not going for a faux-Gibson build completely - this one's for me to keep and play, and I like the unschooled headstock for some reason, so it stays as is!

Thanks for all the great feedback - appreciated a to, speshly on my first build… I think I've decided not to black-rim the edge of the 'burst, as I really like how it's feeling now - I added another coat, and I think I'm at the final color now, and just need to wait for it to be nicely dry before tackling cleanup and topcoat.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/4k19s-2013-11-14-10.21.58.jpg
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[Gavin1393]

Stewmac sells Timbermate as a filler which is made right here in Australia...so you probably paid two lots of shipping costs in your price?

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

I didn't see a double charge anywhere - but I also couldn't find Timbermate on the SM store either… ah well - what I used worked fine.

Here's today's update: first layer of topcoat down:
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[gavinturner]

Great work! she's looking really nice now. This is going to be one beautiful LP. The flame figure has popped out very nicely indeed and the binding provides a nice contrast. Awesome.

cheers,
Gavin.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Thanks Gavin - I ended up using a polishing head on a dremel tool to clean the lunge off the binding… worked well, and was easy to control.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Here's the (I think) final topcoat on the front and the neck (tomorrow the back gets this coat and the sides get an additional coat… and if Wokkaboy liked my handlebar hanger approach, you may also like the technical tool used to handle the still wet neck… ; ]
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/k25j7-2013-11-17-15.42.53.jpg

[wokkaboy]

looking sensational WestsacGreen, you must be proud of this build and being a first build you nailed the look. Love the wet neck holder, you are giving the forum some cool and simple ideas there ! Can't wait to see this axe assembled, looks like a bolt on neck with holes drilled in the neck pocket ?

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Wokka, yessir, bolt on she will be… thanks all for the feedback & support on this - as a n00b, it's amazing to broth have the community support AND the resources and advice of this group.

Can't wait to finish her up and get her dialed in for playing.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Final coat of topcoat - once she dries all the way I'll buff her down a bit, then start proper assembly.
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[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

and one more….

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

whoops - here 'tis.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/68mk1-2013-11-19-18.32.36.png

[maxaxe]

The finish is looking very tasty now.
If you keep going in the same vein, this will be a very attractive guitar.
Interested to see the end result.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Thanks Maxaxe!

I'm using silver hardware and the balance of color will be black - black control covers, black pickups, and so on - hoping to emphasize the rich red and gold tones that way.

[WestSacGreenDesignGP]

Copper foil applied as shielding… prep for the beginning of the next steps… oh, and I spent several hours with wax paste just polishing and sealing 'er up - and it deepened the tone in some really nice ways.

Now let's see how I do with the rest of the technical build!

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[gavinturner]

Looking great! The colour has really deepened, and I love the subtle burst.

Did you also shield the back of your control cover? If you have more foil you should cover the back of the cover and also overlap the foil around the edge of the control cavity. That way, when the cover is in place the cavity shielding creates a complete faraday cage around the controls. Personally I also electrically connect all the cavities. You can solder directly to the copper foil, so I run a wire from the neck cavity to the bridge cavity and then the bridge cavity to the control cavity. Also make sure you connect them to ground! You probably know all this, but I thought I'd chime in just in case.

You are coming down the home straight! Great build.

cheers,
Gav.