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View Full Version : Wokkas Ash Strat - burning sun and jarrah stain burst



wokkaboy
26-12-2013, 01:57 AM
a new-ish project had to buy one of the ash strat xmas packs as it was a bargain. Started off doing the entire body in burning sun and decided a jarrah stain burst. Got a camphor veneer glued to headstock and vintage yellow on the back of the neck. Don't you love holidays get heaps done !
Merry Xmas PBG staff and forumites !
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/9194y-2013-12-25-10.30.28.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/6pyt9-2013-12-25-10.30.57.jpg

stan
26-12-2013, 07:57 AM
great start wokka - Merry Christmas PBG!!

gavinturner
26-12-2013, 09:29 AM
Wow, your burst looks awesome Wokka! Not to mention that the vintage yellow neck really compliments the burst and that's another fantastic headstock veneer. Man, this is going to be a killer strat..!

cheers,
Gav.

Brendan
27-12-2013, 01:00 AM
Nice and subtle burst Wokka! What colour pickguard for this one?

wokkaboy
27-12-2013, 01:30 AM
@ Brendan, not sure on a pickguard colour, I'll have a browse online and order a couple of options soon

stan
27-12-2013, 07:42 AM
tortoise pickguard or black

wokkaboy
27-12-2013, 01:05 PM
Cheers Stan I'll give those two options a thought

Fretworn
27-12-2013, 08:53 PM
White pearl.

stui
27-12-2013, 09:04 PM
Lovely burst Wokka, but I'm concerned that the pick guard might cover it up completely :?

Brendan
27-12-2013, 11:56 PM
Natural wood - maybe rosewood / something dark??? Or something like this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1PCS-Unfinished-solid-Maple-wood-FENDER-STRAT-GUITAR-SSS-Pickguard-1324-/121236088736?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item1c3a3be7a0

wokkaboy
28-12-2013, 01:23 AM
thanks for the suggestions forumites, I took photos of what colour pickguards I have, black and white pearloid, thinking black at this stage, this is only 1st coat so I'll go a darker jarrah stain on the outsides
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/9ar4e-2013-12-27-10.17.17.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/389c7-2013-12-27-10.18.24.jpg

wokkaboy
28-12-2013, 01:27 AM
this pic wih a light yellow/ivory pickguard, like this the least.
I've had a quick look on ebay and am thinking a HSH black pickguard with black knobs/pup covers should look good. I'll also order a grey/black pearl pickguard to compare.
I've just ordered a copper pickguard, sure this will look the goods
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Fender-Stratocaster-Strat-Copper-Pickguard-Shield-NEW-/161181797032?pt=AU_Instrument_Accessories&hash=item25872f0aa8&_uhb=1
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/x9jp4-2013-12-27-10.20.38.jpg

AJ
28-12-2013, 01:41 AM
thought about a tortoise shell one? either way the black pearloid would look a treat

wokkaboy
28-12-2013, 02:15 AM
Yes AJ thought about red tortoise shell but already done that on the watermelon ash strat, want something new. I've ordered a copper and 2 loaded black pickguards so I'll choose between them

stan
28-12-2013, 06:45 AM
black will look the goods Wokka!

Brendan
28-12-2013, 10:11 AM
Wokks, love the idea of a copper pickguard, but that looks like a shield not a pickguard. 0.6mm copper - not sure it will cut it as a pickguard.

Not sure about the white or the black pickguards - they don't fit with the natural wood colour you've got.

wokkaboy
29-12-2013, 03:10 AM
@ Brendan, yes you are correct, I should read the description more carefully ! With any luck I'll be able to stick it ontop of a pickguard to give a copper appearance. Otherwise I'll have good shielding for the pickguard if stuck below !

Brendan
29-12-2013, 07:29 AM
I think to do that you'd need a lefty so it could be reversed...

wokkaboy
30-12-2013, 02:39 PM
I didn't get any close ups but got 2nd burst coat on and tried to replicate the headstock burst, as usual I'll get some better pics tomoz. Matching headstock is in the far right of this pic
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/zm465-2013-12-29-18.34.12.jpg

stan
31-12-2013, 05:28 AM
looks like a good drying day at the wokka house...

wokkaboy
06-01-2014, 02:22 PM
dusted off the xmas strat and got a coat of clear on after 3rd burst attempt, will start searching for pickguard options, thinking dark colours
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/y6mrl-2014-01-05-22.57.17.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/j439n-2014-01-05-22.58.10.jpg

stui
07-01-2014, 12:45 AM
Of all the axes you've done Wokka, this is my favorite. That burst just screams classy from the rooftops :)

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 01:21 AM
@ Stui, cheers mate, yes I'm pretty happy with the jarrah stain/burning sun burst. I got a bit of a bursting secret, I rubbed a reducer around the blend line and it actually lightens the darker colours and makes blending so much easier. Hope to get second coat of clear on tonight.

WeirdBits
07-01-2014, 01:36 AM
Those colours have come up beautifully on the Ash, Woks, really nice burst.

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 02:45 AM
cheers Scott, you are king of the bursts so coming from you appreciate the nice comments. The jarrah stain I bought for the IB-6S bass so the colours I chose for the ST-1A weren't really planned but really happy how its turned out.
I've ordered 2 black loaded pick guards so hoping these will look good. Otherwise you can sell me one of your strat ply pickguards haha

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 03:18 AM
the postman was nice to me today and a loaded HSH pickguard and copper shielding sheet arrived. It is very thin the copper shielding but I may try and glue this onto a pickguard and see if that looks ok. Think a copper pickguard will suit the colours. I'll take some photos once I see whether this is an option. I've ordered a black SSS loaded pickguard too.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/w33z4-2014-01-06-12.13.22.jpg

WeirdBits
07-01-2014, 05:32 AM
Put the copper behind a clear pickguard...

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 05:50 AM
great idea cheers Scott, then it will act as shielding plus be visible. I'll get on ebay now see how much a clear pick guard is.
If anyone on the forum has seen a clear strat pickguard online can you please let me know ? cheers in advance. There are plenty of coloured mirror pick guards

WeirdBits
07-01-2014, 07:05 AM
They aren't cheap from normal retailers, but they are available (quick search): WD Music (http://www.wdmusic.com/fender_strat_pickguard_st_245.html), GreasyGroove (http://greasygroove.com/clearstratpickguards.php), Allparts (http://www.allparts.com/PG-0550-031-Clear-Stratocaster-Pickguard_p_2580.html)

I've only bought from Allparts, so I can't vouch for the others. Or, just buy a sheet of clear (http://www.guitaraust.com.au/body/pickguards/pickguard-blanks/pickguard-blanks-electric.html) and make your own (it's 2mm thick, so should suit the copper behind it).

gavinturner
07-01-2014, 07:12 AM
Beautiful Wokka, just beautiful. That's one amazing burst. Can't wait to see this bad boy finished.

Cheers,
Gav.

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 07:15 AM
thanks Scott, they aren't cheap ! I saw some on ebay for about half the price from Japan not sure if they are compatible being for a 62 model strat. Might look into cutting my own to save postage time.

crundes
07-01-2014, 07:55 AM
That grain looks phenomenal! Nice work Wokka.

Tim

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 08:00 AM
cheers Tim, its pretty easy to get a good finish on an ash kit !

maxaxe
07-01-2014, 09:31 AM
This baby has more grain than CBH
And man, how nicely you've managed to bring it out!
I can feel another GOTM contender coming on . . .

lawry
07-01-2014, 10:05 AM
You make some gorgeous axes man.

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 10:06 AM
ok got to see how the black pickguard looks, ignore the lines of the plastic on the pick guard.
Thanks for the comments Lawry and Maxaxe
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/iv11a-2014-01-06-18.38.09.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/2c75n-2014-01-06-18.38.20.jpg

wokkaboy
07-01-2014, 10:14 AM
here's pics with the copper shielding sheet over a white pick guard, so I might see how it looks over a black pick guard. Will look into finding a thicker copper plate or not sure if gluing it to back of a clear pick guard or ontop of a pickguard will work.
Which does everyone prefer between black and copper ? I tend to like the black pick guard
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0az44-2014-01-06-18.40.01.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/9awr9-2014-01-06-18.40.25.jpg

lawry
07-01-2014, 10:42 AM
I prefer the black pick guard. To me it seems to show off the grain more whereas the copper appears to make it look a bit washed out.

crundes
07-01-2014, 10:57 AM
I agree with Lawry, they both look good but the black makes both the grain and the burst stand out more.

Brendan
07-01-2014, 01:17 PM
Black definately, though could you make it satin rather than gloss?

wokkaboy
08-01-2014, 12:26 AM
@ Brendan, do you think satin would suit the black pick guard better ? I've already applied 2 coats of gloss clear. I'm more of a fan of gloss than satin.

WeirdBits
08-01-2014, 12:35 AM
I think he meant a satin/matt black pickguard. I kinda like the black too instead of the copper, although I think the look of the copper would improve without the white underneath it and with the depth and gloss of a clear pickguard over it... but maybe still not better than the black.

Have you tried both the black and copper guards with the chrome bridge and jack plate in place? Pics? I think seeing them with the chrome in place will seal the deal for the black.

wokkaboy
08-01-2014, 01:03 AM
Hi Scott, I thought about that after I took pics, I'll try the chrome fittings tonight and take a pic of just the copper with no white backing. Seems like all forumites prefer the black pick guard so far and I am leaning towards that way too. I'll post some pics with chrome hardware tonight

Fretworn
08-01-2014, 01:19 AM
I'll be the dissenter. I prefer the look of the copper. I'm just not sure that I like the look of it over another pickguard, so in that regard, I wouldn't pick it. A shame though, I think the colour worked well with it.

wokkaboy
08-01-2014, 01:31 AM
@ Fretworn, yes pity the copper wasn't a pickguard as I thought it was, good lesson to read the description better !
I think it would look good on its own if it was. I'll see how the black PG looks with the chrome hardware

Brendan
08-01-2014, 10:53 AM
Yep Wokks was thinking for the pickguard - make the body the hero.

Andyport
08-01-2014, 11:12 AM
Originally I thought the copper would have been the go, but now having seen both, the black is definitely my choice.
The copper is far too similar in tone to the body colours. Whereas the black, by offering good contrast, helps to really lift out the colours and grain on the body.
This is looking just superb Wokka...great job, again.

gavinturner
08-01-2014, 07:52 PM
Yeah I gotta agree with Andy. The black provides great contrast - that would be my pick definitely. Looking absolutely gorgeous Wokka BTW.

cheers,
Gav.

Andyport
08-01-2014, 09:35 PM
That "Burning Sun" is a superb colour. Have seen a few builds using it lately and just love it.
Might even sway me to try some Wudtone at sometime....

wokkaboy
09-01-2014, 01:25 AM
thanks for the feedback and positive comments forumites
@ Andy --> yes burning sun is a very cool colour, surely you will try wudtone at some stage or DB may be sending you to the naughty room !
Think I'm sold on the black pickguard too ! I still got to get a pic with the chrome jack/bridge but they are currently bolted to a 4D clock ! I've ordered spares for the clocks !

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 02:20 AM
Haven't done an update for a while, here's a pic after 3rd clear coat has cured, I've ordered some gold hardware to see how it compares to the chrome. Gold tuners and bridges are on their way but the gold jacks arrived. Will see how it looks with the full gold hardware when it arrives. Since the pic got the 4th coat of clear on
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/urw28-2014-01-09-19.49.19.jpg

robin
11-01-2014, 02:43 AM
Wow, just wow.

Warren, head and shoulders this is your best Ash Strat to date. What a stunner.

rob.

AJ
11-01-2014, 02:57 AM
ditto!

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 03:00 AM
cheers Robin and AJ, pretty happy how its looking so far. Can't wait for the rest of the gold hardware to turn up !

Gavin1393
11-01-2014, 03:00 AM
Wokka DUDE!! That is a piece of ART! Your best yet!

Andyport
11-01-2014, 03:45 AM
Great stuff Wokka...the gold hardware should enhance it even more...stunning stuff!!

The only thing, after looking at the above photo, that lets it down is the neck. :D :D :D
Sorry Wokka, my stupid humour...

Well done.

Cheers,
Andy

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 04:15 AM
@ Andy, haha yer the neck needs a bit of work hey, fill the holes, sand it down and install the frets, its a bit narrow but hopefully no one will know (until they try a high E 21st fret bend !)

Andyport
11-01-2014, 04:21 AM
Wouldn't bother me then Wokka...I don't go below the 5th fret :D :D

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 04:27 AM
@ Andy, there's a problem with the length of the neck (only about 100mm longer than the photo shows) so I might have to make a 5 fret neck ! Not sure how intonation will go !

maxaxe
11-01-2014, 05:21 AM
Aww Man . . . what lovely body you have, pity about the scrawny neck.
IMHO gold would be the absolute right choice to complement the rich tones on that bod.
The guys are right - probably your best yet. GOTM?

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 05:34 AM
cheers Max, once the gold bling arrives I'll know for sure but think the bridge and output jack will be in the burning sun or blend area should look better than chrome. Gold bling is coming from overseas so will more than likely be a March entry.

adam
11-01-2014, 07:44 AM
Hey Wokka, you've outdone yourself with this one mate. This looks 10 times better than the last Strat I owned (yes, I once strayed) in the 90's.

wokkaboy
11-01-2014, 07:46 AM
cheers Adam, thanks mate

Analyst69
11-01-2014, 09:55 AM
Beautiful finish Wokka. One of the coolest bursts I've seen yet.

Cheers

Darren

gavinturner
11-01-2014, 11:02 AM
Looking fantastic Wokka. Can't wait to see the gold hardware on there. She's a stunner! GOTM for sure.

Cheers,
Gav.

Brendan
11-01-2014, 11:52 AM
Black bling - mute it down - keep the body as the hero.

@Ads, I'm sure the counselling afterwards would have been painful :).

jarrod
11-01-2014, 12:16 PM
That's looking great Wokka. That's gota be one to cherish mate.

wokkaboy
30-01-2014, 01:30 PM
Got the last of the gold bling so ready for a fret level then bolt it together
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/184z1-20140129_194021.jpg

Brendan
30-01-2014, 03:47 PM
Looks great Wokks - only change I can think of is - can you change out the knob on the end of the tremolo bar for a black one?

pablopepper
30-01-2014, 09:10 PM
Yeah, nice one Wokka. I don't like strats, but this is something else. Two thumbs up.

lawry
31-01-2014, 01:12 AM
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from Brendan on January 30, 2014, 00:47
Looks great Wokks - only change I can think of is - can you change out the knob on the end of the tremolo bar for a black one?
Hi Wokka. Yeah, I agree with Brendan. I reckon a black end would look a lot sharper. The whole thing looks fantastic though, it reeks of class.. Man, you make some cool axes! Wish you lived closer, I'd be round for beer and jam.

wokkaboy
31-01-2014, 04:49 AM
thanks for the comments Lozza/Brendan/Pablo. I didn't even pick that up the tremelo arm tip was white. I've ordered a few black trem arms so if the tip thread is wrong for the gold arm I'll use the black trem arm/tip

stan
31-01-2014, 07:10 AM
very slick axe Wokks, nice

Brendan
31-01-2014, 09:09 AM
Lawry - the deal with Wokks is that it can't only be one beer!

Wokks - the trem knob is a small thing, but as Gav will attest - it's the small things that lose you the GOTM, especially with the standard where it is now.

wokkaboy
31-01-2014, 09:42 AM
@ Brendan sure its a small thing but could lose half a point in GOTM for sure

Brendan
31-01-2014, 10:20 AM
Quote from wokkaboy on January 30, 2014, 18:42
@ Brendan sure its a small thing but could lose half a point in GOTM for sure

And with the standard where it is now, I think that'll be all that separates the best and an honourable mention :).

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 01:16 AM
got it built and almost complete, just got small things to do drill/screw tremelo cover on, strap pins and string holders but pretty happy so far. Spent about 2.5 hours on the fret level and it paid off, doesn't appear to be any fret buzz with no setup.
I'll get some better pics once its finished
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/38991-2014-02-02-22.16.03.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/djchl-2014-02-02-22.18.10.jpg

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 01:18 AM
once more pic
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/5r7q2-2014-02-02-23.41.44.jpg

Fretworn
04-02-2014, 01:30 AM
Really love that burst Wokka, it's turned out so well. A truly beautiful guitar.

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 01:37 AM
cheers Fretworn, pretty happy how its turned out. Neck feels really good to play, so once its set in should be a joy to play

jarrod
04-02-2014, 01:54 AM
Dam Wokka love the gold hardware and the burst has turned out awesome mate. Bass looks out standing too.

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 02:23 AM
cheers Jarrod.
Here's a quick video I recorded, I'll get a better video with some clean sound later
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVsD5dRnRX4&list=UUe2KjOivvBO5V_AV6fEpxYQ

crundes
04-02-2014, 06:27 AM
Looks amazing Wokka! You must be stoked with the finished product. Sounds pretty sweet too, what are the pickups? Looking forward to the clean demo!

wokkaboy
04-02-2014, 07:23 AM
@ Tim, cheers yes happy with the results and the sound. Pickups I'm not sure it was a fairly cheap loaded pickguard from ebay, so I might eventually swap them for toneriders or something better. First strat I've built with HSH configuration and sounds chunkier than the 3 standard single pickups

lawry
04-02-2014, 07:56 AM
Sounds really cool ,Woks. The only thing that may improve it is a homemade valve pedal ;-) hehehe

wokkaboy
08-10-2014, 04:23 AM
I revisited an old project as I'm selling this axe (May GOTM). Used to have a black ebay loaded pickguard. The buyer sourced and supplied a pickguard made of brass. Upgraded the pups to tonerider rocksong neck/bridge and the middle pup is a tonerider city limits. Got some push pull pots for it, just waiting on a new 5 way switch. Should have a good variety of sounds available.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/m7691-2014-10-06-20.04.36.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/i07d4-2014-10-06-20.05.30.jpg

stan
08-10-2014, 04:41 AM
both great axes wokka, cool

wokkaboy
08-10-2014, 04:57 AM
cheers Stan. Can't wait to get it wired up and playing

bargeloobs
09-10-2014, 10:39 PM
Looking sweet Wokks, great demo too!!

wokkaboy
10-10-2014, 01:02 AM
cheers Barge, for some reason that youtube link plays the last video I uploaded to the 4D youtube channel. Pretty happy with the view of the new gopro mount.

rockmof
10-10-2014, 04:50 AM
HSH interesting, should be very nice.

WeirdBits
16-10-2014, 04:59 AM
Wokka, is this what you wanted? I did it quickly but I think it's correct. Tonerider pickups, right? The dark blue wires are connecting to the white+black series links, and the light green wires are connecting to the green+bare wires.

The tone controls are linked to the neck and middle like a normal Strat, but if you want them on neck and bridge just swap the light blue wire to the other lug on the switch (the bare lug above the spring).




http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/g5q4h-Wokkas_HSH_split_strat.png

wokkaboy
16-10-2014, 05:03 AM
cheers heaps Weirdy, yes spot on its for this build tonerider pups, you are an absolute champion, thanks again bro

WeirdBits
16-10-2014, 05:48 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on October 15, 2014, 14:11
...So I only need one capacitor for tone ? I see you have them linked between push/pull pots
Also does it matter which side of the bank of 3 lugs on the push pull lugs I connect to ? all the diagrams supplied say left lugs and you connected on the right.
Sorry for all the questions but wiring/electronics are by far the weakest part of my builds !

One cap or two, it's up to you. With one cap the path to ground for both tone pots is through that single cap, which is why that orange wire links the pots. Two caps is good if you want to use different values for different pickups. If you want to use two caps just disconnect the orange wire between the pots and instead connect another cap to ground setup like on the other pot.

Each 'bank' or vertical set of three lugs on the push/pull switch is one 'pole', hence they are double pole double throw switches (DPDT, two pole with two positions). You can use either pole for the coil splitting, it was just easier for me to draw them on the right side in this case. Using the left is fine.

wokkaboy
16-10-2014, 05:52 AM
cheers Weirdy that makes sense and what I thought, I must have learnt something about wiring after the 40 odd axes I've built. Thanks for clearning that up mate. I'll remove my questions from your build thread. So I've been using 2 caps all this time and really only needed one if using the same value !