PDA

View Full Version : Taylor (LP-1M)



surfmusic
25-04-2014, 06:27 AM
HI guys, Rickmo here now known as surfmusic, I really messed up when I went in to use this again.

Ok, Montana has been delivered, she fell in love with it straight away, now it's Taylor's turn.
Taylor is older, and I think it's about time she had her own guitar. Birthday isn't untill September, but the way the year is going it may not be finished (HA HA HA).

Have cut the head stock and found out why Gibsons' are dearer than Fenders. SO much work in shaping and sanding but it's close enough for a 16 year old.

Here is a couple of pix.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/6e3p5-20140424_143019.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/ittd5-20140424_162056.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7seg0-20140424_162548.jpg

gavinturner
25-04-2014, 06:55 AM
Headstock looks great Rickmo. Taylor is gonna love it! What are you thinking colour-wise?

cheers,
Gav.

wokkaboy
25-04-2014, 07:04 AM
yes agreed Rickmo headstock looks great. Look forward to the staining

surfmusic
25-04-2014, 08:48 AM
Thanks Gavinturne & Wokkaboy, am thinking a black head stock face, mahogany stain body and neck, with a redish stain face.

But by the time it's finished who knows?

Rick

stan
25-04-2014, 09:16 AM
sounds good Rick, doing my LP now as well

Brendan
25-04-2014, 10:27 AM
Love the plan - take it as it comes and as whimsy takes you! Great way to go - gives plenty of opportunity for something funky and cool! Looking forward to watching this build. Keep it coming!

maxaxe
25-04-2014, 11:23 AM
Should be pelagic magic and not end up tragic . . . .

Another great surf inspired axe in the making.

gavinturner
25-04-2014, 10:16 PM
Sounds like a great plan. Will be great to see some post-colour shots!

cheers,
Gav.

Dengreg
25-04-2014, 11:02 PM
Love the work so far.. LPs are magic. I like the colours you have mentioned.

surfmusic
26-04-2014, 08:42 AM
Well, where did to day go to?

Just looking at what I achieved I must have slept in. Gave the head-stock face a few coats of black and I'm not happy. Managed to get more black on my hands than on the job. Did sand the body and check that the neck sits in the right place, so, might glue it tomorrow.

My stock of Tru oil is harder that ayes rock, so a trip to the gun shop might be in the wind.

Anyway here is some pix, the last one is just filling in space and is of my first build. (which I need to work on again)

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/o57es-20140425_141311.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/mxp36-20140425_141357.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/484mt-20140425_171904.jpg

Brendan
26-04-2014, 09:55 AM
Nice job on the headstock though -
Apparently you can use some shellite to reconstitute the Tru-Oil and given there seems to have been a run on it (in Perth at least), it may be worthwhile looking at that. Alternatively it may be worth hanging out for some DingoTone, which I gather is not all that far away.

What are the plans for the first build?

surfmusic
26-04-2014, 10:07 AM
ok, when I set it up I measured the neck to 12 fret, 12 fret to bridge, they were close enough to even and Intonation is almost perfect. I should have moved the neck back a bit but wasn't really thinking.
I plan to either move the neck up by about 4mm, or move the bridge down by the same amount. If I move the bridge it will give me a better break over angle. What ever is done I will still need to move the "T" on the high strings to stop the "after ping". (I am deaf and ever since I got hearing aids I hear stuff
other people dont, all no good, but still cant hear speech.

While I'm here, here is a pic I just took of Taylor headstock, THIS IS JUST AN IDEA, as I'm not sure what I'll do yet. I still need to give it another coat of stain, not exactly happy with it.

Rickmo (oops surfmusic)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/40kh4-20140425_204632.jpg

surfmusic
30-04-2014, 09:23 AM
Ok! Been a little slack lately, didn't even look at it to day. Yesterday I thought i'd glue the neck on.....UUuuMmmm.
Left it clamped today so tomorrow I'll see what it looks like, maybe I could have used a little more glue but a fair bit squeezed out so hope it will be ok. Next time I will be a little more generous with the glue.

Here is a few pics'.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/y36of-20140428_144751.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/3t0iu-20140428_144815.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/238tv-20140428_145142.jpg

surfmusic
30-04-2014, 09:33 AM
Brendon, that tru-oil I had was old, I used it to "do up" a few rifles and when I did the last guitar I "thinned it with turps, NEVER DO THIS NEVER.
Should be able to get some, although last time I was at shooters supplies I asked them but they were out, hopefully they will have some by now.
Could find out the formulae from the net and make some but not worth it . Taylor wont be finished for a little while so maybe dingo oil might be the go.

lawry
30-04-2014, 11:01 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from maxaxe on April 24, 2014, 20:23
Should be pelagic magic and not end up tragic . . . .



Hehehe. Only you could say something like that, Max. Considering your build.

wokkaboy
01-05-2014, 02:46 AM
Rickmo why do you say never thin tru oil with turps ? I've had good success with this method and it leaves less streaks in the finish.
Also gluing the neck so early in the build, are you just going to apply the finish one side at a time or do you have a jig or method of working on both sides ?

gavinturner
01-05-2014, 05:31 AM
Rickmo - a great tip from Gav (the other one. ie. the one with skills). If your Tru-oil is old and cruddy, bring it back to life with some Shellite. It works wonders!!!

cheers,
Gav.

surfmusic
01-05-2014, 09:25 AM
Wokkaboy, when I thinned with turps, it worked so good, BUT the next time I went to use it (a day or two later) there was a hard thin skin on top and nothing (absolutely nothing under it). Maybe it usually works but the remainder gets translated.

Why did I glue the neck, ok, I really had nothing else to do, and I always coat one side at a time. I started to coat the face of the guitar this afternoon. In this case I'll finish the face before I start on the back and neck, which will be the same.

So the guitar will have a black headstock face, a red face on the body, and a back which I'm not to sure about yet, may be a mahogany stain (the back is already mahogany but it should high light it, while the maple neck might look a little like mahogany.

Here are the pics', first pic one coat second coat two coats. The silly stuff said to apply second coat between 1 hour - to - two hours or wait four days. I didn't want to wait four days for a second coat. I want to have the face finished in a week.

Anyway it's something to do.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/om7t7-20140430_154719.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/2v2qe-20140430_173943.jpg

wokkaboy
01-05-2014, 09:58 AM
looks great the red top Rickmo, fair enough if you coat back and front on different days.
Thanks for the thinning TO tips, also DB posted some info today and said the thinners can eat into coats below. I won't be using this method again.
Good luck with the next stage of your build !

what paint are you using a red spray can ?

surfmusic
02-05-2014, 06:00 AM
HI,
didn't do too much today. Sanded it back lightly, with 240, and gave it another coat.
It is starting to get better. while sanding I noticed that it is a very light coat as it went back to the wood in a few places, I'll use 600 tomorrow.

I would like to show a photo of the head stock face, after I took those stickers off I sanded it with 600 and gave it a last coat (I was getting sick of it, had black stain every where, cleans up with metho so my hands cleaned up ok. But it is covered with masking so it will have to wait.

Here is another pic, the third coat this time. Notice the spray tin in 1st pic.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/yeqyl-20140501_164503.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/g4uv5-20140501_164535.jpg

gavinturner
02-05-2014, 08:59 AM
Hey Rick,

I usually only lightly sand between coats of enamel with 1200 grit. Nice and fine. 240 sounds pretty coarse. If you are going to stain the mahogany back and sides, I would suggest filling the grain with Timbermate (I use walnut colour with mahogany timber) to enhance the grain.

cheers,
Gav.

stan
02-05-2014, 08:59 AM
R E D looks great

surfmusic
02-05-2014, 09:59 AM
Gavin 1200 I think toilet paper that would be rougher. However I do have some 2500 when I get close to finishing.
Used the 240 because I wanted to get rid of a few rough spots, be using the 600 tomorrow.
I am rough but not 10ft tall. (sorry about that but Aunty Jack was on Spicks & Specks tonight) UUuuMMmm You may be too young.
Anyway thanks for the tips, and Stan keep encouraging me, I sure need it.

I have some stain that is the same as I used on Montana's neck, which I am thinking of using, but you think Walnut, which I have seen, so I just might think about that.
I will be doing the neck the same (I dont want too many colours), although I think I like the reddish tone in the mahogany.

AaHh! Decisions.

Wish I had used some filler on the headstock, that would have made it a lot easier, and possibly better.

Keep the thoughts coming.

Rick.

lawry
02-05-2014, 10:35 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from surfmusic on May 1, 2014, 18:59
I am rough but not 10ft tall. (sorry about that but Aunty Jack was on Spicks & Specks tonight) UUuuMMmm You may be too young.



I'm not too young, me little lovely.

surfmusic
03-05-2014, 05:51 AM
Well what a day, got up early to go for a SUP around the canal, but it sort of rained hard so only had about a 20 minute paddle (and I got wet).
Now, back to Taylor, it's raining now, but I am impatient so sanded it back a bit and gave it another coat, Tried the 600, but hey that didn't last too long and went back to the 240. BUT I will use the 2500 to finish (maybe).

Besides that I think it is looking good, not like one of Gavins' though, I know there is imperfections but not too bad (I think). Just looking for a nice finish.

Anyway, here are the mandatory pics. One from the neck, the other from the bottom.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/l2663-20140502_163055.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2wq9l-20140502_163134.jpg

stan
03-05-2014, 05:56 AM
What I lack in talent I easily make up for in encouragement...
And unfortunately I am old enough that Aunt Jack isn't lost on me either.

surfmusic
04-05-2014, 04:42 AM
Hey, it's still light and I doing this post.

Sanded it with the 600, a bit of a waste of time I think, but I did it.
Think the pix make it look worse that in real life, sad.
Gave it another coat, I sort of looks ok so that's the end of the painting, just need to make it shiny now.

Tomorrow I'll think about doing that, will be interesting to see what happens. I just know I'm not going to sand it back and start again, so it Will be ok.
(hopefully)

Anyway today's pix.
Trying to capture the "Gibson Eye". some one told me that that what it is, but ?.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8159t-20140503_152208.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mp1hp-20140503_152225.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/t878k-20140503_152240.jpg

ihasmario
04-05-2014, 05:34 AM
Looks good Rick.

surfmusic
05-05-2014, 05:37 AM
Today was, well, slack. decided not to work on Taylor, so done some surgery on my first build, if you want there is a script of this in "modifications".

However, I did add a little to the ole' Les.

Just gave it a spray with clear, so it looks the same, maybe a little shiny.

I'll put a pic up so you can judge if it is or not.

Going on holidays for a few days so wont have anything to say until tomorrow week.

Keep sanding (something I don't do)

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/9213z-20140504_155154.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/dhvm4-20140504_155221.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/55034-20140504_155236.jpg

gavinturner
05-05-2014, 07:07 AM
Looking good Rick! I'm itching to see the hardware on the top there.

cheers,
Gav.

surfmusic
14-05-2014, 05:32 AM
Are you allowed to swear in here?

"I just know I'm not going to sand it back and start again, so it Will be ok. (hopefully)"

Famous last words, thinking I'd get another coat on it be for leaving for a short break, and stuffed it right up.

Have started to fix it but from now on I'll just be less impatient.

No Pix today, hopefully I'll have some by Thursday.

Rick.

Gavin1393
14-05-2014, 06:56 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from surfmusic on May 13, 2014, 14:32
Are you allowed to swear in here?

No,

Words like "N!tro", "Bu**ings" and such are strictly forbidden on our beloved forum.

surfmusic
15-05-2014, 04:16 AM
Ok! Not a nice day here, very overcast and some water even falling from the sky.

However thought that I may as give it a bit of a sand so it can be coated tomorrow.
sanded about 3/4 of it before I thought of taking a photo.

So first pix there is a little more to sand,

2nd pic from a different angle.

3rd pic a very light coat of clear. (complete with some droplets of water, which {I hope} will come off easy before the next coat.)

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/202c9-20140514_145215.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3775f-20140514_145235.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1rf78-20140514_150135.jpg

wokkaboy
15-05-2014, 04:45 AM
good save Rick,
seems there's been alot of clear fails with the cooler weather.
I'm giving my clear coats minimum 48 hours apart and preferably longer. I've sanded back way too many axes due to being too impatient

stan
15-05-2014, 12:28 PM
coming up well Rick, the red seems bright, yet looks great

surfmusic
21-05-2014, 05:59 AM
Been having a few days off, working on my modification of my first child.

Now! Almost finished with the face, so started to stain the rest.

You will notice the white binding at the bottom of the guitar, this wasn't worried about while spraying as I was going to scrape it back to the binding.
Na, no way, so I will need to repair this which shouldn't be too difficult. A bright red face with no white binding. Oh Well.

I have given the back a light coat of walnut, it looks ok so I'll continue, I will have the binding showing on the sides, so it should look something like it is now.

The pics are self explanatory.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/g7359-20140520_163015.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ncc8k-20140520_163052.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/374n2-20140520_163112.jpg

bargeloobs
21-05-2014, 06:37 AM
Man I like that colour of that walnut, how deep do you plan on going and are you gonna go over with clear?

stan
21-05-2014, 06:47 AM
it's coming up really well, yep binding is a royal pain...

gavinturner
22-05-2014, 09:38 AM
Looking killer Rick! Can't wait to see some hardware on there..

cheers,
Gav.

Dengreg
22-05-2014, 10:04 AM
Love the walnut. Will look sweet.

surfmusic
23-05-2014, 09:11 AM
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Dengreg on May 21, 2014, 19:04
Love the walnut. Will look sweet.

AAaaaGGggg! Haven't done much, just put some red on the binding and gave the back another coat of walnut.

The face repair looks ok, not so good in the pic but think another dab of colour will do. Then start to think about some shine on the back and neck. will also need to gloss the face as I have hit it with the 4 X 0000 again, will wait until it is near the end to do the final glossing.

1st pic shows the attempt to red out the binding, looks better in life than the pic though.

2 & 3 the back from different angles. hope fully the stain will be nice to scrape of the binding.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/34szq-20140522_161352.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/l2711-20140522_161409.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/05zfq-20140522_161423.jpg

stan
23-05-2014, 10:34 PM
the binding should scrape clean no worries.

Just take care to minimise using the point only to scrape - what it does is leave sratches in the binding, and the colour gets in. Then you have to scrape the to depth of the scratch to removed the colour that gets in - ask me how I know....

surfmusic
24-05-2014, 09:17 AM
Gee Stan, I'm not a brave guy.
The paint on the face just chips, I'm happy to leave that but will get it off the side.

Almost time to think about the electrics now, I'm just letting the repair cure for a few days (they say four), then will sand it back, scrape the binding then think about the wiring.
Would like to do something a little different but will wait to see what happens.

Rick.

stan
24-05-2014, 09:30 AM
hang in there Rick, I am sharing similar pain with painting. If it is cold where you are very gentle heat gun after paint is dry a day or so aids curing - dont bubble the paint though

surfmusic
26-05-2014, 03:15 AM
Hi!

A magic day today,25deg and expected that way until Saturday, and it's the end of May.

finished scraping the binding, and, decided to give the back of the neck a spray with the clear. (to see how it looks)

Looking ok so will think about doing the back in about an hour.

1st pic the neck after a quick spray

2nd pic the binding on the bottom where the repair is, I think it is ok but as it comes closer to the finish I may need to do a little more.

3 rd pic a fuzzy close up of the neck and binding.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/9nb34-20140525_135301.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8g1ac-20140525_135316.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/m9k2c-20140525_135514.jpg

surfmusic
26-05-2014, 06:09 AM
Hi again,

putting these two pics up to try to gain some "Brownie Points".

Rick

Oh! you won't be able to tell that that is the back of the head-stock,,,,,, will you?

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/14k3c-20140525_162215.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/35z93-20140525_162225.jpg

adam
26-05-2014, 06:46 AM
Yes, I believe use of our logo counts for 2 extra points in GOTM. Looks good on the angle like that. Nice work.

stan
26-05-2014, 08:39 AM
keep going Rick, doing well mate, you will get there!

surfmusic
30-05-2014, 05:42 AM
Hi,

Well, got some water slide decal paper, made up a couple of brands, printed them in gold. Looked good to. Sprayed them with acrylic clear (pity I couldn't have used my enamel) cut them out, soaked them in water, slid them off on to the head stock, and got a clear transfer, took it off, darn, the gold don't show on the black. Oh well! what to do now, might try a deep red it may be ok, but I liked the gold.

So, just put the hardware on and here is a few pix of what it may look like when it's finished.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/t3u71-20140529_150920.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/si5zc-20140529_151018.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/v4c37-20140529_154740.jpg

bargeloobs
30-05-2014, 05:55 AM
/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/]<\\/p>/Quote from surfmusic on May 29, 2014, 14:42
Hi,

Well, got some water slide decal paper, made up a couple of brands, printed them in gold. Looked good to. Sprayed them with acrylic clear (pity I couldn't have used my enamel) cut them out, soaked them in water, slid them off on to the head stock, and got a clear transfer, took it off, darn, the gold don't show on the black. Oh well! what to do now, might try a deep red it may be ok, but I liked the gold.

Looking good man, nice job. I think you're gonna find (having just been through this) any colour you decide for a waterslide decal is going to be real hard to see on a black headstock. If you're printing off a standard ink jet or even a laser printer at home, because these printers don't print in white you're gonna have issues. Even a "deep red" as you mentioned will first need a white base to been seen properly on black.
You may have to find a printing company who can print waterslide decals in white or metallic or maybe think about using a vinyl cut decal instead.

surfmusic
04-06-2014, 04:54 AM
AAAaaaGGGggg!. All the trouble I had getting the headstock to my liking, then not being able to put a logo (to my liking) on the black.

Sanded it back to almost bare timber, still had some of the black that had penetrated deeper in the grain, thought it might have been nice under the walnut. The walnut has turned out a little darker than the back but sure hope I can get something to stand out.

Two pics tonight
1st, Walnut stained head stock, no gloss

2nd, one coat of gloss

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/30l04-20140603_153135.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/61253-20140603_153357.jpg

surfmusic
05-06-2014, 06:00 AM
Ok, today I figured it had cured enough so stuck some decals on, waited a while then gave it a second coat of gloss.

The transfer doesn't stand out greatly, but I sort of like that (well that may bot be 100% true), but sort of makes it a little authentic.(?)

1st pic just to see if it might work out, it sort of did so didn't have to take them off.

2nd the same

3rd with the decals' fitted and 1 coat of gloss.

Notice instead of "Ricson" it is "Rickson" but think that is better anyway. Also the two little mountains of finish on the peaks a quick rub will smooth that out.

Next time I'll look for a thicker font.

Rick








http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/89h2p-20140604_134644.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/72790-20140604_134715.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/1w8i1-20140604_162914.jpg

surfmusic
12-06-2014, 04:04 AM
A few days rest, went to "Coolie Rocks On" festival, a lot of old cars and rock & roll music, love it.

Now taylor! wired her up today, tuned it up (not intoned yet just the strings) haven't plugged it in yet, but looks as if it will work. Followed the wiring diagram this time, no mods to it.

The finish hasn't come out as good as I had hoped, but, still ok.

Will let it sit for a while then finish off the set up.

Here are a few pix, it won't look too much different when finished I think

Pic 1<> notice the screws ticking out of the body into the wiring cavity, now there is a very good reason for this.
I put the stop tail piece post in and couldn't get it out, needed something to put the earth on so screwed it in till it touched the post and got lucky.

pic 2<> This is about it.

Pic 3 <> Must cut the strings.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/a6o40-20140611_130720.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/6ale0-20140611_142943.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/0on04-20140611_143006.jpg

surfmusic
12-06-2014, 04:28 AM
Here are another few pix.

1 <> with her older brother

2 <> from the other side, with her step brother and father (you should see her mother, HOTTTTT)

3 <> being a little shy
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/mtngu-20140611_151242.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/ps6b5-20140611_151313.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/v35d8-20140611_151450.jpg

surfmusic
06-07-2014, 05:24 AM
Finally screwed the truss rod cover on today.

Had to file a few frets, up above the 12th fret, action is ok, the 6th string is about 1.5mm @ the 12 fret. If I think it's still not great I can just rase it a little.

I guess it didn't turn out as nice as I had planed, but still ok.

Made up a slide show film to send to Taylor, then she should be all excited when she receives it.

Some pictures.

Now! Planing on one for me.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/j83yb-20140705_135514.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/sdds9-20140705_135446.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/296d3-20140705_135602.jpg

ihasmario
06-07-2014, 05:49 AM
Looks really good m8