"Ocean Child" ST1 - First build.

[Dengreg]

The kit arrived today and everything seems to be present and in great condition.
I have wanted a Strat for 45 years so finally I will have one.. Probably could have gone out and bought one but this will be much more satisfying..
We live on a boat so will have to work when at anchor or in port.

As for a finish, I am thinking a Jeff Beck look, with " Surfer Girl" and maybe an "Amber" neck. Will sleep on it for a couple of days.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/u864i-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/80id2-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/tp6mm-image.jpg

[jarrod]

An excellent choice of guitar, enjoy the build Dengreg

[wokkaboy]

good choice Dengreg, surfer girl strats look awesome. Making the build a bit more challenging doing it on a boat !
Best of luck

[maxaxe]

Hey DG, when it's finished you'll be able to literally "rock the boat" ;)
Bet I'm the first one to say that (not)

These kits are tremendous fun and recreation as I'm sure you'll agree once you get started.

[Andyport]

Best of luck with your build Dengreg, you'll love it!!
Take your time, and pick the calmer days to work on it.

Cheers
Andy

[lawry]

Welcome to the clan, man. You're certainly in for an experience using your boat as a workshop. That being said though, how big's your boat? If it's 100 feet then you'll have no problems. However, if it's a 125, well....
Enjoy your build and please post often. We all love to watch these things come to life.
Lawry

[adam]

Welcome Dengreg, good choice for a starter. What sort of boat do you live on?

[Dengreg]

We live on a 47 foot yacht. It is a Stuart pilothouse sloop. Enjoy every minute of it.
I am looking forward to the challenge of the guitar.

[lawry]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Dengreg on February 17, 2014, 21:39
We live on a 47 foot yacht. It is a Stuart pilothouse sloop. Enjoy every minute of it.
I am looking forward to the challenge of the guitar.
Very nice. Weren't they a bit of a limited edition or something? You'll have to let me know if you head to the Whitsundays, I'd love to check her out in the flesh. Love sailing.
Oh, and meet you too, of course.
Whoops. Forgot this is a guitar forum. Love to see your ST-1 too.

[jarrod]

way to cover your arse Lowry lol.....

[Brendan]

Welcome Dengreg - great choice for a starter the ST-1 - like everyone else here - hoping it goes well for you.

[Dengreg]

Couldn't wait for winter. After sanding and more sanding I put the first coat of "Surfer Girl" on this morning. Looks good pics to follow.

[lawry]

I know exactly how you feel. I was going to keep my current build on ice until after the wet season but ended up taking it into work and doing it in the air conditioned workshop.
Go for it Dennis.

[wokkaboy]

Dennis, look forward to seeing pics after a coat or 2 of surfer girl, its a popular choice ST-1 in surfer girl.

[gavinturner]

Surfer girl is a perfect choice for the ST-1. Looking forward to seeing the pics!

Cheers,
Gav.

[Dengreg]

Well here is a pic after the first coat. Looking good. :D
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/4c311-image.jpg

[stan]

great start

[gavinturner]

Looking great so far!

Cheers,
Gav.

[Dengreg]

Finally starting to get the finish I had in mind but now putting it away for a few weeks as we fly to Lake Macquarie to pick up our boat to bring back to Hobart for the winter. Crazy!
This should give the finish time to harden before doing the next steps. Will need to get more Surfer Girl.
I will watch the forum with great interest.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/4h488-image.jpg

[kells80aus]

looks nice. :)

[wokkaboy]

looking great Dennis, the colour is much more solid and consistent. Should look the goods after clear coats !

[lawry]

Great colour happening now Dennis. Really suits these guitars I reckon. Hope you're practicing your surf riffs. I'm watching this with interest.

[stan]

this and every strat done in this colour always look great, nice

[Dengreg]

Finally back working on the guitar.
Shaping the headstock, using the bait board as a work bench, might have to change the name to "Baitcaster". The table isn't used to clean a lot of fish so at least it is useful for something.
Any way the rough shape is cut out now for the angle grinder to do the fine stuff. !!!!

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/t3jm2-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/62rj4-image.jpg

[gavinturner]

Nice work Dennis! It's really coming along. Headstock's gonna look great when you are done..!

cheers,
Gav.

[Brendan]

Dennis - love the improvisation! Great job!

[SIMpleONe89]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Dengreg on February 28, 2014, 09:01
Well here is a pic after the first coat. Looking good. :D
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/4c311-image.jpg

hey dengreg how much did you mix the white and surfer girl coat?

[stan]

great progress

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from SIMpleONe89 on April 24, 2014, 17:15

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from Dengreg on February 28, 2014, 09:01
Well here is a pic after the first coat. Looking good. :D
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/4c311-image.jpg

hey dengreg how much did you mix the white and surfer girl coat?

I mixed 50/50 so as not to be too complicated. The white knocks the intensity if the surfer girl..

[SIMpleONe89]

Thanks for the reply! How many coats of 50/50 did you apply? I'm thinking of achieving a solid colour with the colour in your second coat.

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from SIMpleONe89 on April 25, 2014, 11:53
Thanks for the reply! How many coats of 50/50 did you apply? I'm thinking of achieving a solid colour with the colour in your second coat.
Around 3 to 4 coats as they are very thin. Will end up doing probably 2 pr 3 more. I will put a pic up in the next day or two, working on the neck at the moment.

[gavinturner]

Looking great! I love this colour on strats - surf guitars just rock. The 50/50 mix gives a good balanced colour IMO. And it gives you a bit more Wudtone to play with if you want it. Are you aiming for more of a solid colour, or do you like the "white-wash" grain-through look (dunno what else to call it). Either way it's gonna look killer!

cheers,
Gav.

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from gavinturner on April 26, 2014, 20:07
Looking great! I love this colour on strats - surf guitars just rock. The 50/50 mix gives a good balanced colour IMO. And it gives you a bit more Wudtone to play with if you want it. Are you aiming for more of a solid colour, or do you like the "white-wash" grain-through look (dunno what else to call it). Either way it's gonna look killer!

cheers,
Gav.
Hi Gav

Looking to do a solid colour. Using very thin coats so a slow process. Doing a vintage yellow neck which is coming along nicely.

Cheers
Denis

[gavinturner]

Nice Denis! A close-to-solid colour is my preference too (at least for this colour). Should look great with the vintage yellow.

cheers,
Gav

[Dengreg]

Neck after 4 coats of Vintage Yellow and before top coats. Pretty happy with the results :)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/t8f56-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

looking good Dennis, nice deep yellow colour and the body is coming up nicely !

[Dengreg]

Finally back working on the body. Around 4 coats on. Will do a couple more as they are very thin coats, however one happy chappie with the result so far.
Should the cavities be "painted" with anything before doing the shielding???

Cheers
Denis
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/m7d46-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

wow Denis that looks excellent, looks like a solid colour, is there any wood grain visible ? I've never painted cavities before shielding I don't think there's any advantage

[SIMpleONe89]

wow amazing!

[lawry]

Damn that looks good Denis! Perfect surf colour for an iconic surf guitar.

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on April 29, 2014, 08:31
wow Denis that looks excellent, looks like a solid colour, is there any wood grain visible ? I've never painted cavities before shielding I don't think there's any advantage
Thanks Wokka.. The wood is just showing on a couple of the edges, so the need for a couple of more coats as I am after a total solid colour.
I thought that my be the case with the cavities.

Cheers Denis

[wokkaboy]

good stuff Denis, look forward to seeing it after more colour coats, then clearing.
Does it make it harder to do all this work on a rocking boat ?

[gavinturner]

Great work Dennis! The body colour is really looking amazing now. And that neck - wow! The vintage yellow has come up a treat. Will look amazing when the two are put together.

cheers,
Gav.

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on April 30, 2014, 11:39
good stuff Denis, look forward to seeing it after more colour coats, then clearing.
Does it make it harder to do all this work on a rocking boat ?
The rocking is not so bad as it has a rythm, space is the thing. Most this have to have more than one purpose eg using the bait board as a work bench etc. but it is fun.
Really appreciate the encouragement from all you guys out there.
I don't know if I have done anything to deserve DB's naughty room, but there is always hope and tomorrow.
Cheers
Denis

[zeromick]

Awesome job on the body man, I'm a huge fan of seafoam green Fenders :)

[wokkaboy]

Denis, you don't have any worries about getting sent to the naughty room if you have been using wudtone and you haven't shopped in the big green building the last 60 days ! haha

[lawry]

Where abouts are you currently 'rocking', Denis?

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from lawry on April 30, 2014, 19:32
Where abouts are you currently 'rocking', Denis?
Hi Lawry
We are back in Hobart for the winter, some really great family events happening . Heading north again next March all being well.
Cheers

[wokkaboy]

sounds good Denis, so you don't enter the Sydney to Hobart race ? haha

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on May 1, 2014, 13:50
sounds good Denis, so you don't enter the Sydney to Hobart race ? haha
No Wok we don't do the Sydney to Hobart race. We travel when the weather allows us. Don't have timetables or deadlines. As the say " Living our lives like a Jimmy Buffet song".
Just cruisin'!
Cheers

[wokkaboy]

sounds like a very cruisy lifestyle Denis, love your work !

[stan]

it looks great, and it was made on a boat - terrific effort mate, nice work

[lawry]

Just got back last Saturday from a week in Tassie. When we left Launceston the wind was blowing almost 60 knots with bullets. So much so that the captain stopped passengers boarding because the stairs had blown away from the plane! True story.

[Dengreg]

An update on the build. Pic of the body and neck together before I gloss the body.

Also a pic of the maritime man shed just for Lawry, so he will recognise it when we are in the Whitsundays next year,
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/sl1mh-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ukpxu-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

colours of the neck and body look great Denis, nice boat too !

[lawry]

Yeah. I like both of those pics. Make sure you let me know when you're going to be here Denis and we'll catch up. I'm sure you can afford to 'lose' a night in Mackay. We can have a drink and a bit of a jam. Anyway, even if you're not stopping at Mackay it's only 1.5 hours to Airlie/Shute Harbour. I'll pop up there to catch up.

[stan]

wow Denis - living the dream there mate

[bargeloobs]

[quote]/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Dengreg on May 5, 2014, 07:20
An update on the build. Pic of the body and neck together before I gloss the body.

Looks unreal, I love the vintage looking neck against the beautiful aqua body.
It's gonna be the goods once all the hardware goes on, NIIICCE!

[Dengreg]

Have been working on the frets, levelled, crowned and polished using the advice given by DB, Gav and others on the forum.
Also received decal paper so added a name to the headstock.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/msa1k-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/193x1-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/zisuz-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

nice work Denis, this will look fantastic when its finished, love the headstock logo.
How many more clear coats you estimating for the neck/body ?

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on May 14, 2014, 08:48
nice work Denis, this will look fantastic when its finished, love the headstock logo.
How many more clear coats you estimating for the neck/body ?
Thanks Wok
The neck will have at least 3 coats and the body maybe a couple more than that. Really looking forward to the coming together of the neck and body.

[bargeloobs]

Headstock looks great, it's a really nice finishing touch. It's gonna be an axe to behold when it's all done. I'm seriously considering building one of these next.

[lawry]

The logo is very classy, mate. It's going to be a great Strat.

[stan]

nice work Denis, love the headstock shape

[Dengreg]

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. The top coats are a slow process here in very cool Hobart. "Teaching patience Grasshopper" - Old Master.

[jarrod]

Thats a nice job Dennis

[gavinturner]

Great decal Dennis! How did you apply it? You cant see the edge of the decal paper at all! Awesome job..

Cheers,
Gav

[Dengreg]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from gavinturner on May 17, 2014, 09:16
Great decal Dennis! How did you apply it? You cant see the edge of the decal paper at all! Awesome job..

Cheers,
Gav
Hi Gav
The photo doesn't show the outline as it is in real life. However I am pleased with the result. Used laser print decal paper so didn't have to spray the decal with acrylic as required with ink jet paper.

Cheers Denis

[Dengreg]

Got to stage of a mock build. Shielding done. Next the technical bits of neck, bridge setup etc...
A bit of lighter colour show through in spots but makes it look nicely aged.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/9mmkv-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/zfbeh-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

looking almost complete Denis, that looks excellent the mock build, you must be very pleased with the results. With any luck you will be able to string it up and test it out !

[gavinturner]

Looks amazing Dennis!

cheers,
Gav.

[TheDangerMan]

Wow, that looks sweet Dennis! Awesome work!

[Fretworn]

That finish looks sensational!

[Dengreg]

Well spent this morning nervously drilling holes in variou places and finally Surfer Girl has come together.

All I have to do now is do the bridge,neck and intonation.
Don't have an amp so I have ordered an iRig HD of eBay to run though the iPad and headphone at this stage. Any one else use an iRig?

This one has been so much fun to build I have ordered an LP1.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/e5yjh-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3p4za-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8h3m4-image.jpg

[wokkaboy]

well done Denis, looks sensational
so whats the next build ?

[SIMpleONe89]

Can't imagine you got the classic fender colour with wudtone! Bravo!

[gavinturner]

Awesome work Dennis! She's a beauty. Bet she'll sound killer too. Enjoy!

cheers,
Gav.

[Brendan]

Ooops sounds like someone has GAS.

[lawry]

Truly does look great, Denis. I love the colour. I can just imagine you rockin' while you're rollin'.
What sort of amp do you have on the boat?

[Fretworn]

Just love the colour and the finish on it. GOTM?

[Dengreg]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Very happy with the outcome.

Wokka - LP1 already ordered and dispatched.

Lawry - don't have an amp. Ordered iRig Hd to use with iPad and headphones.

May be out of action for a week or 2 , having an op on my neck. Kind of like replacing the nut as the old ones are buggered. ( 2 discs to be removed)

Hope to watch the forum closely.

Cheers

Denis

[Gavin1393]

Hope the op is a success and that all goes well Dengreg.

[lawry]

Serious stuff Dennis. I trust all goes smoothly for you. And I hope is doesn't affect looking up too much when you're setting sails, adjusting topping lift etc. Take care!