ES-1GT - "Stormy Monday"

[Hillsy]

O.k. I'm starting a diary before I get my grubby hands on that brown box so I can get input on some of the idea's I've got and satiate my fix a little, that way it may keep me going crazy with all those tempting online luthier suppliers and buying stuff I don't need or can't use :D So thanks in advance for your knowledge and insight it will help me out.

To start with I want to use a two screw truss rod cover, as I plan on a solid black face I figure I can glue in a timbre bridge up under the nut still allowing access to the truss rod and filling the area that I need for a screw, any issues I don't see?

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/4qx63-TrussRodBridge.jpg

Cheers, Hillsy

[jarrod]

Just make the decision on weather your keeping the plastic nut or not as the bone ones can be a little thinner thus causing a gap.

[Hillsy]

Cool, I'll rip that off first thing and put the bridge piece directly under and sticking out from under the nut so any differing width's shouldn't be an issue, that will make it stronger as well. Thank you Jarrod.

[Hillsy]

Mail man arrived early hooray

I'm sure someone at Aus Post likes to play games, you crazy kid. No damage inside.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/74e22-IMG_0715.JPG

Body looks great, one little fill at the pickup cavity, time to get a sanding ;)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/zl3d9-ES1GTUnbox.jpg

[jarrod]

wow neck has a nice grain Hillsy

[Brendan]

Such a great feeling - big cardboard box - waiting for you... :)

[Fretworn]

You're a brave man starting on a semi-hollow. But I suppose there is always group therapy to be had here.

[Hillsy]

Quote from jarrod on April 22, 2014, 19:50
wow neck has a nice grain Hillsy
Thanks man, It gets better further along :P


/Quote from Brendan on April 22, 2014, 22:18
Such a great feeling - big cardboard box - waiting for you... :)Not wrong, got my shiny bits today!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/74q11-ShinyBits.jpg


Quote from Fretworn on April 23, 2014, 11:12
You're a brave man starting on a semi-hollow. But I suppose there is always group therapy to be had here.
yeah I'm curious I keep hearing that, is it just the wiring?, I mean since, Gav was it? came up with the you bute 5mm tubing trick and all.

[Hillsy]

One slight issue

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6d061-BridgePin.jpg

[wokkaboy]

Hillsy are you using all chrome hardware instead of the gold hardware supplied ?
Looks like the only solution is to plug and drill the bush holes, they should be covered by the adjustment screw where the saddle rests

[Hillsy]

All chrome is the plan yep, yeah plugging, any tips I should know?

[wokkaboy]

Hillsy I've never had to plug bush holes but I'd do it before you start any sanding as you will have to sand the plugs level.I'd look for 10 or 11mm dowel should fit and use plenty of glue but make sure you clean up any glue that smears onto the cap before it dries !

Be careful these caps are generally very thin and easy to sand through!

[Hillsy]

mmm started sanding last night, have done a fair bit.

Here's a thought though, I've found the fit is almost perfect but they will have to be pressed in via a vice, file the top lip off the goldy to get the silver one flat on the deck maybe.

Would save some hastle and probably heartache after I f up the plugs.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3gj64-BridgePin2.jpg

[Hillsy]

Bridge widths are identical so the hack saw made an appearance.
I will need to set the hole depth though with very little lip over hang.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/vj014-Posts.jpg

[gavinturner]

Nice workaround!

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

nice work Hillsy, thats a much better option than plugging the hole, well done !

[Hillsy]

Thanks fella's got lucky with the sizes, pretty happy with it though.

[bargeloobs]

You reckon you'll try a veneer on the headstock? If so you gonna buy or jimmy one up yourself?

[Hillsy]

Hey Nige think I'll jimmy one mate, will make my planned inlay much easier I reckon.

[Hillsy]

Am really tossing up if I go custom shape or Gibo but something like this.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ohk97-HeadStock.jpg

[bargeloobs]

You got it right there man, I wouldn't change a thing. If you can get that transposed to a headstock with a thick buttery lacquer on top you'll be right with the universe!

[Hillsy]

I am tending to agree... yep decided, cheers for the nudge, bonus karma points.

[gavinturner]

Very Nice! Will you do all the inlay yourself?

cheers,
Gav.

[Hillsy]

Gav I'm going to give it a go anyway, will keep me occupied in between coats :)

[Hillsy]

Dry fit and Neck check, still waiting on pups
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mm18h-Neck02.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/196z3-Neck01.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/48ub3-Dryfit01.jpg

[Hillsy]

First coat on, Amber base coat inner, Mahogany Deep coat outer.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/f0jz9-1stCoat-1.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/371t2-1stCoat-2.jpg

[wokkaboy]

looking good first coat Hillsy !

[bargeloobs]

I'm really diggin' the colours Hillsy, is that amber a wudtone?

[Hillsy]

Cheers wokkaboy.

Yes mate all wudtone on this one.

Still a bit different from my final vision, the back, sides and bleeding onto the front will be Black Magic Woman.

[stan]

great progress, looking good

[bargeloobs]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Hillsy on April 26, 2014, 12:33
Cheers wokkaboy.

Yes mate all wudtone on this one.

Still a bit different from my final vision, the back, sides and bleeding onto the front will be Black Magic Woman.

Oooo ahh, sounds wicked, can't wait to see it evolve.
I've always wanted a "lemonburst" LP, I reckon that Amber stain would be just the ticket.

[Hillsy]

Careful what you put it on I tried it on a small cigar box as a test and was very different

[Hillsy]

While I watch paint dry, I was contemplating varitone wiring and putting the output on the side but came to my senses when I found I would have to disassemble then reassemble the 6way switch inside the cavity to get it in, maybe later, 50's wiring it will be.

[Hillsy]

@Stan, Cheers man

[Brendan]

Hillsy, have you read the Gavmeister's guide to saving yourself buckets on psych after ES wiring handbook? May be worthwhile having a look. He's come up with a way to get it all done in a lot easier fashion than using string, etc...

[Hillsy]

Sure did thanks Brendan, grabbed a roll of 5mm tubing the other day, props Gav.

[Hillsy]

Still need to sort the treble bleeds but happy with how the wiring's looking


http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/r5s31-WiringLoom.jpg

[Brendan]

Hillsy - looking at your wiring, it may be worth some kind of dry run with the install - I gather that there's not much wriggle room to get all the kit into an ES. Looks like you have some full size CTS pots there and with some paper in oil caps wired as you've done them, I'd hate to see it not fitting through the F hole after you've wired it all up...

[Hillsy]

Was about to hit the sack but had to go check after you said that :) Fits easily with tricky maneuvering, cheers.

[bargeloobs]

Nice and clean Hillsy, looks great, what are the specs on those caps? I haven't quite decided if I'm going vintage or modern with my wiring yet, I've read JB humbukers used in conjunction with 500k pots can be quite bright anyway so I'm tending towards a modern configuration at this stage...idk.

[Brendan]

Sorry to keep you up :) .. Good news is that it all works - hate for you to find out after you've put in all the hard work.

[Hillsy]

/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from bargeloobs on April 27, 2014, 06:04
Nice and clean Hillsy, looks great, what are the specs on those caps? I haven't quite decided if I'm going vintage or modern with my wiring yet, I've read JB humbukers used in conjunction with 500k pots can be quite bright anyway so I'm tending towards a modern configuration at this stage...idk.
Those are .022uf vitamin Q's, Only used them cause I already had them and they fit the theme, There wasn't much difference between these and orange drops in my LP, it has burst bucker pros which were really bright, treble was like ice picks, re-did the wiring just like this and it smoothed it right out.

You may just have to experiment to find what works for you, but quality pots and caps are a great start.

[Hillsy]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Brendan on April 27, 2014, 08:15
Sorry to keep you up :) .. Good news is that it all works - hate for you to find out after you've put in all the hard work.
Cheers man, It's great to have people checking up along the way and why I post so many pics ;)

[Brendan]

Barge - check out the PitBull gear - Ads has done a great deal on them... Small range at the moment while Adam works out what people need. That said, a cap delivered for around $4 is pretty hot!

[bargeloobs]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Brendan on April 27, 2014, 12:59
Barge - check out the PitBull gear - Ads has done a great deal on them... Small range at the moment while Adam works out what people need. That said, a cap delivered for around $4 is pretty hot!

Bugger I just went and bought some a couple of hours ago, I wasn't aware you could even get them through here, I guess I'll know for next time.
Cheers for the heads up!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/514k2-456456.JPG

[Hillsy]

Five coats Amber inner, Mahogany outer, Black Magic Woman Next. Have been trying to blend away the f hole binding, I like the look without it.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/827ab-5Coats.jpg
Have been working on the stairway to heaven here all night, as level as I can get it
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/szacl-Stairwaytoheaven.jpg

[stan]

nice work Hillsy, fretboard looks spot on

[keloooe]

Sweet stuff Hillsy, looks great so far!

[Fretworn]

Quote from Hillsy on April 30, 2014, 00:03
Five coats Amber inner, Mahogany outer, Black Magic Woman Next. Have been trying to blend away the f hole binding, I like the look without it.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/827ab-5Coats.jpg


Schweet!!!!

[wokkaboy]

looking awesome Hillsy, nice burst. So are you going to keep the F hole binding coloured ? Will look good either way white (cleaned) or coloured.
Did you tape off the body edge binding or scrape off the paint ? Looking nice and clean !

[gavinturner]

The burst looks great Hillsy! Any chance of a close up of the f-hole binding? not sure trying to colour it will work? Might be easier to melt the glue and take it off??

cheers,
Gav.

[Hillsy]

Thanks for the comments everyone :D


Quote from wokkaboy on April 30, 2014, 11:22
looking awesome Hillsy, nice burst. So are you going to keep the F hole binding coloured ? Will look good either way white (cleaned) or coloured.
Did you tape off the body edge binding or scrape off the paint ? Looking nice and clean !
Cheers man, going to see how it turns out and make the call before I clear it. No tape or scraping, I 0000'd it in between coats like DB said to in the vid, works great.

[Hillsy]

Quote from gavinturner on April 30, 2014, 14:38
The burst looks great Hillsy! Any chance of a close up of the f-hole binding? not sure trying to colour it will work? Might be easier to melt the glue and take it off??

cheers,
Gav.
Thanks Gav, I thought it might expand the hole to much taking it off, if it doesn't work out I'll strip it, here's the best close up I could get with my poxy camera.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/710k4-GavsFHole.jpg

[wokkaboy]

looks like the stain took well to the F hole binding Hillsy.
Good work on the steel wooling the edge binding, looks nice and clean !

[Hillsy]

Yeah Wok I reckon it's getting there hey, looks like I stripped a bit of colour off with the wool though, better cover that up with black before anyone see's it ;)

[wokkaboy]

yer Hillsy, its really easy for the steel wool to rub off some stain right near the edge. Next time I got to clean binding think I'll use a scraper

[gavinturner]

hey Hillsy, I'm surprised the stain (Wudtone?) is sitting so well on the binding. The coverage is nice and even. It's looking great!

cheers,
Gav.

[Hillsy]

Quote from gavinturner on May 1, 2014, 05:42
hey Hillsy, I'm surprised the stain (Wudtone?) is sitting so well on the binding. The coverage is nice and even. It's looking great!

cheers,
Gav.
Yes mate wudtone, keyed the binding and dabbed instead of wipe it on.

[wokkaboy]

sounds like a good technique Hillsy, if you had ragged it on and didn't key it there would be white coming through the F hole binding

[stan]

that turned out well, nice

[Hillsy]

Cheers Stan.

Doing a mid build test fit for inspiration/visualization, well pleased with this so far, why did I ever GAS so much for store built, this is way more fun 8-)

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eqm91-TestFit.jpg

[Brendan]

Nice job - clean outcome!

[wokkaboy]

wow Hillsy that looks fantastic.
I agree its way more fun to build a guitar and then play it !
you going mahogany sides/back Hillsy ?

[Hillsy]

Thanks fellas,
Wokka the plan was to have black back and sides with the black coming onto the front around the edge, really not sure after this, don't want to stuff it up now. Might do some photoshop mock ups and see what it may look like.

[Hillsy]

Progressing slowly but surly, I'm happy with the top at this point, more work to do on the sides and back.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8dxhl-es1gtWudtoneBurst.jpg

[bargeloobs]

I find myself saying this about a lot of the builds on here, but I REALLY want one of those after seeing that, simply beautiful mate.
Cannot wait to see it all done.

[gavinturner]

Great work Hillsy, that front of yours is outstanding!

cheers,
Gav.

[Dengreg]

Just brilliant....

[WeirdBits]

Looks fantastic.

[lawry]

That is a lustworthy jazz smoker, Hillsy. Looks amazing.

[ihasmario]

Awesome!

[stan]

Hillsy, that burst on the top is fantastic, professional result mate, very nicely done, great colour choices

[Hillsy]

Very encouraging comments thanks guys, so far it's exactly the look I've been after, can't wait myself to see the final result.

[Gavin1393]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Hillsy on May 1, 2014, 22:21
Cheers Stan.

Doing a mid build test fit for inspiration/visualization, well pleased with this so far, why did I ever GAS so much for store built, this is way more fun 8-)

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eqm91-TestFit.jpg

That top looks sensational.

[Hillsy]

Thanks Gav, I'm stoked with it.

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8dxhl-es1gtWudtoneBurst.jpg