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johnnychronic
10-12-2013, 02:29 PM
Well this is, in real time, about half way through the build and I gotta say "I wish I could start over!"
Not that I'm disappointed where I'm at, because I'm buzzing like Marshall every time I see it. It's just been little mistakes like; trying to shape the body at the veneer, going straight to paint without making a sealing layer. I had my reasons for both but, hindsight's a bitch.
One complaint I have about the kit is, the neck inserts into the PU cavity but, now I'll have to cut the PU surround plate, where the neck is, away; measure twice,CNC machine once.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/srif8-IMG_1139.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/e7kn1-IMG_1140.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/7gyj6-IMG_1179.JPG

Gavin1393
10-12-2013, 02:59 PM
Also check the sizing of the bridge pick-up as I have had two to work on where the pickup cavities were too small for the pickups themselves.......

Brendan
11-12-2013, 03:21 AM
Gav,
But one of those was an aftermarket pickup :).

Gavin1393
11-12-2013, 03:54 AM
Not mine......yours maybe! :)

johnnychronic
11-12-2013, 05:07 AM
At this point it's gotten it's first session of clear and right now after this pic, I'm sanding it smooth with 600 wet. I got a bit out of control and left some runs where the wood was absorbing the clear. I'm not a wood painter so, there has been a few times that I learned what not to do. And because of that I will retouch some paint and back for some clear.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/79922-IMG_1180.JPG

gavinturner
11-12-2013, 10:17 AM
Wow your burst looks awesome! Great work.

cheers,
Gav.

lawry
11-12-2013, 10:35 AM
Yeah, I agree with Gav. The burst is fantastic and I love the headstock striping!
And your holder is brilliant. I might have to plagiarise it.

keloooe
11-12-2013, 08:04 PM
lawry, it's a StewMac holder http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for_Finishing/Spraying/Freehand_Holder.html
Nice burst Johnny!

johnnychronic
13-12-2013, 03:24 PM
good eye kelooooe! First time using it and I give it 5 stars. I'm just going into the booth right now for round two of clearing.
I do have some questions: I soldered before reviewing the videos... (I just bought a new set for soldering and you know how it is...) first, I have set up the two A500k pots as volume and the two B500k pots as tone, does that sound like a possible problem to anybody? AND on one of the volume pots I chose the roughest looking tab to fold back onto itself as a ground and then heard Adam say in his video 'take the one on the right'. I took the one on the left on one of mine, Does that sound like a problem?
Cheers for any help I can get.

AJ
13-12-2013, 06:52 PM
I would think that the pot you have reversed the tab on for earth, will work in the opposite direction to the others, and as for the a/b pots, they will work in the way you have them, but the volume will have a larger jump in the middle then taper off in effect on volume, where as the tone pots will have a linear response.. no real big deal for a (hack)trainee player like myself.. but may be a tad annoying to a professional guitarist. (I have my LP set up with audio taper pots for both volume and tone)

Gavin1393
13-12-2013, 09:18 PM
I would rewire the pot where you have reversed the ground tab. Whilst it will work, you are going to have to remember forever that the reversed pot will do the opposite of what you expect. Fix it up now and save the frustration and the constant explanation to mates who want to give your guitar a play!

WeirdBits
14-12-2013, 12:22 AM
I'm with you Gav, definitely rewire that pot and far better to do it now than later. As AJ said, using A (audio/logarithmic taper) pots for volume and B (linear taper) pots for tone is the standard setup when using both types. Although, some manufacturers use only one type or the other, or use them the other way around. It's a bit of an old argument.

If I remember correctly, the theory is that the human ear is less sensitive to volume changes the louder something is: at low volume we can hear small changes, but at high volume we can only detect larger variations. As such, for our style of hearing A type audio/log taper pots are ideal as volume controls as they produce small changes at low volume and larger changes as the volume is increased. Passive tone controls generally don't produce large changes in volume, so the constant rate of B type linear taper pots allows more precise adjustment of the tone without the need for the big changes associated with volume. At least, that's one school of thought.

johnnychronic
14-12-2013, 06:10 AM
Wow three excellent posts later and I feel so enlightened. Thank you Al, Gavin and Weirdbits. I'll change that ground when I have a chance, here's some pics of round two clear, I have to set it aside for a couple of weeks but, I have to decide if I should cut and polish now or sand and go for round three clear.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/mfyyu-IMG_1188.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/n4c91-IMG_1190.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/79414-IMG_1191.JPG

johnnychronic
14-12-2013, 06:17 AM
It wouldn't matter how shiny I can get it, I've made too many small mistakes to be a show piece (will be finished quicker). But... I also think if you're going to do something, do it right (will take longer)hmmmmm...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/t6e95-IMG_1189.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/lc374-IMG_1192.JPG

adam
14-12-2013, 06:39 AM
Wow Johnny, that is one of the coolest bursts I've ever seen. Nice work!

maxaxe
14-12-2013, 08:48 AM
Gotta agree with Adam - that is a super sunburst.

Is it the clearcoat that's made it pop, or has there been some work not shown in your Build Diary?
Also curious if there's 3 colours/stains or more used?

Cheers

Max

johnnychronic
14-12-2013, 10:37 AM
Those are some serious compliments, dunno if I deserve that but, it feels really good to read them.

Yeah I was pretty sloppy with my diary there are quite a few missing steps. I used 3 colours and they are the same paints I use for my airbrush work on plastics and metals. Auto-air water based, for this I used transparents and candy.

gavinturner
14-12-2013, 12:04 PM
OMG that's an awesome finish you have created there. I would personally go for the third coat of clear. It looks so great you'll want it looking as perfect as possible. Can't wait to see it with the pickguard and pups in place. This is going to be spectacular! Outstanding work man..

Cheers,
Gav.

lawry
14-12-2013, 10:31 PM
Man that thing shines! I needed my sunnies just to look at it.

Brendan
15-12-2013, 05:52 AM
Beautiful finish there Johnny. Nice work!

AJ
15-12-2013, 07:13 AM
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from johnnychronic on December 13, 2013, 19:37
Those are some serious compliments, dunno if I deserve that but, it feels really good to read them.

Yeah I was pretty sloppy with my diary there are quite a few missing steps. I used 3 colours and they are the same paints I use for my airbrush work on plastics and metals. Auto-air water based, for this I used transparents and candy.

Seriously stunning result there John
Where did you buy the paints from? (need your address so I can come around to acquisition this guitar!)

johnnychronic
15-12-2013, 12:34 PM
Hahaha, thanks, I buy them from Coast Airbrush in California. If you're in Austr. I'm pretty sure you have some shops that sell it there.

AJ
15-12-2013, 10:16 PM
thanks John, I will have to do some "research" over here (Australia)to find that. No problems to get getting normal style paints for me.. (lacquer based etc)Was looking in my local autobarn store yesterday, had to get a new hose for the new airbrush I'd gotten. I generally have a chat to the lady there that does the paints etc , and they now do in store mixing. She showed me some of the new pearls that are now available.. wow they are really nice and subtle with slight changes in color from different angles, and some are remarkably close to the candy colors..

Andyport
15-12-2013, 10:41 PM
Far out Johnny that is superb...what a terrific finish.
Haven't had time of late to look on the forum, and then I see this!!!!!
You certainly know how to wield an airbrush.
Congrats, fantastic stuff.

Andy

johnnychronic
23-12-2013, 07:52 AM
I haven't done a whole lot more except learn that I'm mentally challenged and what higher purpose does the internet hold but to let us show the world our personal shame. Seriously this is one of the many times I have come back to something I've done and think "Where was I, when this was done?".

Just in case you don't realize what you're not believing, I masked the base of my neck, that is fully seated, using measurements pulled from my *$$?!

It has been patched (I'll take a picture right now) nothing great but, it's not glaring.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/nvi4r-IMG_1194.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/m2x42-IMG_12481.JPG

stui
23-12-2013, 08:55 AM
Super cool looking guitar mate. Don't stress about the mistakes, you're doing an exceptional job given it's your first build :)

Brendan
23-12-2013, 10:33 AM
Johnny - you'll be the only one to remember that there's a patch on the back... Don't stress the mistake - it's still a smokin' guitar.

gavinturner
25-12-2013, 09:42 AM
Dude, don't be too hard on yourself. We've *all* done it believe me. Your fix looks great! You'd never know there was a problem. Killer build man.

Cheers,
Gav

johnnychronic
13-03-2014, 05:40 AM
I'm back at my working on my girl, her neck is on.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/w3782-IMG_1386.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/5akyl-IMG_1387.JPG
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/poaem-IMG_1385.JPG

gavinturner
13-03-2014, 05:45 AM
Dude, that is seriously awesome.

cheers,
Gav.

Gavin1393
13-03-2014, 05:48 AM
That looks great! Awesome work for a first build even for a 10th build!

lawry
13-03-2014, 07:01 AM
Man, that is a hot looking sunburst. I'd love to have it my collection! Might even have to fight Gav (Turner) for it.

adam
13-03-2014, 07:30 AM
+1 for that sensational triple burst finish.

johnnychronic
16-03-2014, 06:11 AM
WOOOOOO_HOOOOOO! ALL TOGether now. I'm over the moon. I really enjoyed the soldering part of it, I thought it was going to be rough but, no. I made the truss rod cover out of an old pick guard and painted it.
I had to run to a local luthier when I snapped the heads off not one but four (aftermarket) tuner screws (not the sharpest knife...I know)and could only retrieve one. I did predrill the holes not deep enough apparently. And then I missed the mark on the tail piece [note to Adam: the only screws I had remaining in the pack were too short for the tailpiece] and had to redrill,luckily for me everything that went wrong remains hidden under hardware.
[

johnnychronic
16-03-2014, 06:30 AM
after edit
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/z6xef-IMG_1391.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/yo9p2-IMG_1396.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/en0f1-IMG_1394.jpg

adam
16-03-2014, 06:45 AM
Johnny, that is absolutely sensational mate. You have to enter this for Guitar of the Month for April.

Great job! "Made at Home"... love it!

If you want to send me an email about the screws for the tailpiece, I'll pass that back to the factory.

zeromick
16-03-2014, 06:47 AM
bloody hell! that is absolutely stunning man

johnnychronic
16-03-2014, 07:05 AM
Cheers Adam, I just bought new ones.

Fretworn
16-03-2014, 07:34 AM
Stunning job.

stan
16-03-2014, 08:49 AM
amazing! I think I could very well be looking at the next Guitar of the Month, well done

gavinturner
16-03-2014, 09:06 AM
Johnny, amaazing job - I'm gobsmacked! A stunning result. Congratulations! GOTM April?

cheers,
Gav.

Analyst69
16-03-2014, 09:09 AM
Awesome RC Johnny.

Really love the job you have done on the burst finish. I'd expect to see this hanging in a music shop with a serious price tag attached.

Cheers

Darren

Brendan
16-03-2014, 11:25 AM
Johnny - great job. Certainly hoping my RC-1 comes out half as good as that one - it's stunning!

lawry
16-03-2014, 11:33 PM
Man, that is absolutely stunning. And the nameplate is fantastic. I would definitely break into your house and pinch this! Er, ah, no. No I wouldn't. It would be Gav.

gavinturner
17-03-2014, 12:03 AM
Yes, alas, Lawry is right. I'd sell a kid for a chance at this one ;).

cheers,
Gav.

vh2580
17-03-2014, 01:19 AM
Johnny, beyond stunning. Love the finish love the colour.

vh2580
17-03-2014, 01:25 AM
Johnny, beyond stunning. Love the finish love the colour.

glenno3228
24-03-2014, 10:08 AM
WOW

Just WOW

8O

Dengreg
24-03-2014, 09:20 PM
Awesome!! What else is there to say?