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TheDangerMan
29-04-2014, 04:20 AM
Hey guys!

My TL1 kit arrived today.. Quite impressed! Love the smell of freshly sanded timber!
Anywho, off to bunnings now to get some sandpaper for the initial sanding which will then be followed by my deep colour coat of 'Azure Lagoon'

I'm sure I will have many questions to come but Ill post again in two days after I can get a picture of the deep colour coat looking nice and pretty :)

TheDangerMan
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1v16z-Tele.jpg

Dengreg
29-04-2014, 04:39 AM
Enjoy the journey, plenty of support to be had from the group.

wokkaboy
29-04-2014, 04:43 AM
Hey Dangerman,
looks good, might be worth getting some better quality sandpaper than from the big green building (that will land you 2 weeks in the naughty room !), are there any more specific timber hardwares near you ?
Otherwise order some from the PBG store but that will delay you. Try and use better quality sandpaper like Norton. I did see that at my local big green building once !

TheDangerMan
29-04-2014, 08:47 AM
Thanks for the tip, wokkaboy!

I went ahead and chose some (Not so good) sandpaper from Bunnings, which did the trick.. Well, kinda

Anyway, here are some progress pics

My apologies for my mysterious foot making its way into the photo again!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/t02xv-Sanding.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/8s9c2-Light.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/7p07w-First-Coat.jpg

wokkaboy
29-04-2014, 09:09 AM
wow looks great Dangerman, so thats just a TL-1 basswood body ? the grain looks good, so thats 1 deep coat of azure lagoon ? Looks like it soaked in well and you sanded any machine marks out !

ihasmario
29-04-2014, 09:26 AM
I wish my azure lagoon turned out blue like that :(

Looks great.

stan
29-04-2014, 09:32 AM
great start - nice colour!

TheDangerMan
29-04-2014, 09:38 AM
Hey Wokkaboy, yep thats just one coat!
There were a few little dings but I was pleasantly surprised with how well the guitar came to me.. Not that I expected it to be too banged up mind you

Always worth another crack, ihasmario? ;)

Thanks Stan!

gavinturner
29-04-2014, 10:20 AM
Looking great! Awesome colour taking shape there. She's going to be a beautiful Tele!

cheers,
Gav.

Brendan
29-04-2014, 01:26 PM
Looking great - that said - don't be afraid to take your time getting it right - these should be around for a long time yet!

wokkaboy
29-04-2014, 11:48 PM
look forward to seeing it after the next deep coat, how deep are the dings Dangerman ? If they are obvious could be worth stopping colour coats and filling them

TheDangerMan
30-04-2014, 01:22 AM
Thanks Gavin!

Hi Brendan, dont worry! I am! Spent atleast 6 hours yesterday sanding it back... Not touching it again for another 24 hours!

Hey Wokkaboy, not very deep. They were more scratches then anything, and they came out in the sanding
I did find a few marks closer to the neck so I may get my steel wool out and smooth them over and re-coat them

Ordered a clear neck wudtone for the neck so later tonight im going to begin my designs for my headstock... Will post more pictures when I get somewhere :)

wokkaboy
30-04-2014, 01:29 AM
sounds good Dangerman, clear neck will look good with the azure. Another option is vintage yellow would look good too.
Whats with the word Danger, why are all your axes got danger in it ?

keloooe
30-04-2014, 02:36 AM
Aw sweet Danger! Yer try some Original Vintage Yellow for the neck, makes a good match if you get it right!

TheDangerMan
30-04-2014, 03:03 AM
Ahhhh a long, long story

Basically, when I was younger I thought i'd be funny to tell everyone my middle name was 'Danger'

More or less, the name has stuck
Now all my friends, family and my partner refers to me as Danger

So naturally, thats what my guitars are christened ;)

wokkaboy
30-04-2014, 03:09 AM
ok cool story Dangerman, I know how much nicknames stick, I can list at least 10 for myself !
Maybe you thought you would be a stuntman when you grew up ! haha

TheDangerMan
30-04-2014, 03:18 AM
Haha cheers Keloooe! Maybe next time friend!
Depending on how this guitar sounds, there will be a few more kits with Vintage necks on the horizon ;)

Haha perhaps Wokkaboy,
Although I think I got the inspiration from Austin Powers; 'Ausin DANGER Powers'

A quick question for anyone who has had much experience; Do you guys have any websites that make decent logo designs? Or is it standard practice to DIY headstock decals? Bit stumped for ideas as to how I can put my little name on the headstock

wokkaboy
30-04-2014, 04:00 AM
Hey Dangerman, we are lucky that a forum member Andy Port has a sign printing company, email Andy -->
citysigns@internode.on.net
He will be more than happy to help you out with a headstock logo and he can print small logos in vinyl so you don't see the clear part of a decal logo

TheDangerMan
30-04-2014, 05:30 AM
Cheers Wokkaboy!
Have a few ideas that ill have to run by him :)

lawry
30-04-2014, 09:21 AM
Just read this thread and gotta say that the grain you scored on a basswood body is excellent. The colour really shows it off well too. This will be a sweet Tele. If you live in WA you'd better hide it from the Tele Napper.

TheDangerMan
30-04-2014, 12:20 PM
Cheers Lawry!

Looking forward to putting on another top coat to see how it shines through :)

Build update: Neck finish first coat on, will do the fingerboard tomorrow night when this has dried :)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/58nx8-Neck.jpeg

Fretworn
01-05-2014, 01:43 AM
Are you going to shape the headstock? If so, it would be better to do it now before you go any further with neck finish

wokkaboy
01-05-2014, 01:54 AM
agreed, Dangerman the headstock needs to be shaped before any more neck coats, you got any shapes in mind ?

TheDangerMan
01-05-2014, 01:55 AM
Never fear, Fretworn!

Will be shaping it tonight, then applying the finish over the top. Thanks for the reminder though :)

TheDangerMan
01-05-2014, 01:56 AM
I think the telecaster shape will be my aim... Although I may give it a bit more curves

wokkaboy
01-05-2014, 02:02 AM
sounds good Dangerman, probably best thing to do is to trace the paddle shape, photocopy it and draw/cut out a few shapes, stick each one on the paddle and see which one you like the best

gavinturner
01-05-2014, 06:17 AM
Looking forward to seeing your headstock shape!

cheers,
Gav.

TheDangerMan
02-05-2014, 07:27 AM
Hey guys,

Build update: Finally finished my headstock design today... I know I was looking for a tele but mid-way through the filing I thought, why not be a little bit original?

So ive changed it up a smidge :)

I also received my pit-bull pick-guard today too (yay!) and so I have attached a picture as little tease :)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/ycky8-Body-2-coat.jpg

TheDangerMan
02-05-2014, 07:31 AM
Oh and this is my headstock 8-)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/jw7z4-Shaping.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8531f-Shaping-2.jpg

wokkaboy
02-05-2014, 07:32 AM
wow Danger that pickguard looks excellent on the azure body. Are you using toilet rolls to prop up the body ?
I reckon about 50% of your photos you have your feet in there - good work.
Any headstock pics ?

wokkaboy
02-05-2014, 07:34 AM
ah just got the headstock pics as I posted the last comment. Are you using chisels to shape the headstock ?
you would get a much smoother shape with a jigsaw or coping saw, do you own either of these ?
It will need some cleaning up rounding the edges but its got a narrow profile like a tele

TheDangerMan
02-05-2014, 07:38 AM
Yeah im still working on the headstock :) Bit smoother edges but im getting there!

And, i've literally had to hack away at this by hand- Handsaw and a hacksaw are the only tools I have.. And sandpaper of course. But Im getting there!

gavinturner
02-05-2014, 07:43 AM
Good work Danger!
A half-round bastard file will make short work of smoothing out all those convex and concave curves.

chers,
Gav.

wokkaboy
02-05-2014, 07:45 AM
ok you are doing a good job then Danger with very limited tools. You might need some pretty harsh sandpaper or as Gav suggested half round bastard file to get the edges rounded nicely before going up to higher grits. I'd clamp it down and get sanding those edges !

TheDangerMan
02-05-2014, 07:58 AM
Cheers Gavin and Wokkaboy!

TheDangerMan
09-05-2014, 10:47 AM
Hey guys!

So i've finished with my neck coats and nearlyyyy finished with my body top coats!
Thought i'd post up a picture of where its at :)

Should hopefully be doing the electrics this weekend then she'll be all done :)

Will post pictures when its all there

TheDangerMan
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3tru4-Body-with-coats.jpeg

gavinturner
09-05-2014, 11:20 AM
Lookin dangerous Dangerman! Love that colour..

cheers,
Gav.

Brendan
09-05-2014, 11:40 AM
Nice colour combo - think it all comes together well!

wokkaboy
10-05-2014, 01:42 AM
looks great Dangerman and you managed a photo without your foot in it ! well done.
Pretty exciting stage of the build when you wire and string it up.
Have you got any basic tools to do a fret level ?
Even if you get a scrap piece of wood resting on say 2 frets and give the wood a tap with a hammer and make sure the frets are seated.
You may be lucky and have a flat fretboard but generally they need levelling.
Also take your time drilling the neck holes in. String up both E strings as a guide and clamp the neck to the body when the string/fingerboard edge offset are about the same, then drill the holes. I normally drill one or 2 holes then put the screws in, then check the neck alignment and drill the last 2 holes

TheDangerMan
10-05-2014, 04:35 AM
Yeah, I left my feet out of this one Wokka haha
Ah yes, I should be able to manage that, thanks for the tip!

Wow thanks for the tips, would have never thought of that!
Will be sure to post on here if I get stuck!

wokkaboy
10-05-2014, 05:01 AM
DM thats the most important part of the build - aligning the neck. Looking from the front of the guitar standing upright I drill the bottom left hole 1st, put the screw in (without the neck plate), then clamp the neck aligned and drill the top right screw, screw that in. Drill a 3rd hole, then remove the clamp, remove all the screws and put the neck plate on. Screw the 3 pre-drilled holes in then drill the 4th hole. Every time you drill make sure the neck is aligned.
There's 100 ways to do this but very important. Strings just have to have enough tensions so you can see the offset of the string/fingerboard
Good luck !

TheDangerMan
14-05-2014, 08:53 AM
Hey guys, pending a few minor additions here is the first ever DangerCaster!

Now.. To my next build...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/09u45-Done.jpg

jarrod
14-05-2014, 01:07 PM
Love the colour and nice choice on the scratch plate. That's a good looking TL

TheDangerMan
14-05-2014, 01:25 PM
Cheers Jarrod!

Here's another close up picture of the body... Can't believe how well the Azure Lagoon turned out!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/1ldb3-Done-2.jpg

gavinturner
14-05-2014, 08:11 PM
Looks amazing Danger! A beautiful Tele - you must be stoked. That azure lagoon sure looks awesome. Great work!

cheers,
Gav.

Fretworn
15-05-2014, 02:27 AM
Very nice. Great job!

lawry
15-05-2014, 10:05 AM
Love it!

bargeloobs
15-05-2014, 10:33 AM
God that's a sexy guitar DM, I want one!!!

stan
15-05-2014, 12:08 PM
great effort, nice work, colour looks fantastic

TheDangerMan
15-05-2014, 10:30 PM
Thanks guys!

So my next build im thinking of the purple wudtone alder tele wtih gold hardware... Now just to convince my partner... hmmm

Will upload a video to the forum when I get home :)

pablopepper
16-05-2014, 12:49 AM
Top stuff. That Azure lagoon has come up a treat.

SIMpleONe89
16-05-2014, 01:37 AM
Nice job! Why does some part of the wood absorb differently? My alder tele has the same thing, so there's a piece that's standing out amongst the others.

wokkaboy
16-05-2014, 01:42 AM
looks fantastic Danger, well done, you must be stoked with the outcome. How does it play and sound ? look forward to a video

TheDangerMan
16-05-2014, 02:55 AM
Thanks everyone!

SIMpleONe89- I'd say it has something to do with the amount of sanding.. I know that I cheated a bit and would focus on some parts more than others, so thats probably why it has a bit of a different level to it. Plus different shades of wood probably change the way that the wudtone looks. Im not carpenter though!

It plays really great! I have a mexican tele and its really on par with that in my opinion. The bridge pickup is a bit too trebly for my liking but I was going to change it up regardless.
I tried to upload them last night but had no success.. Will post on youtube then link it to that tonight for everyone to see :)
(will be posted in the thread for video and audio demos)

TheDangerMan
16-05-2014, 10:34 AM
Hey guys just put two vids up on the thread about video demos :)

gavinturner
18-05-2014, 12:26 AM
Definitely GOTM material Danger!

cheers,
Gav

ultpanzi
18-05-2014, 04:29 AM
Nice build DangerMan!! The grain looks great with the azure lagoon.

SIMpleONe89-there are a few possibilities, some include: your body is made up of mulitple pieces of wood and as no two pieces are perfectly alike, they take in the finish slightly differently. Another possibility is compression of the wood which affects how much finish is can take in, compression can occur from over sanding, temperature differences, etc.

TheDangerMan
19-05-2014, 01:10 PM
Thanks again guys!
Every little word of encouragement or tip has helped a massive amount, so thank you!

In other news, I picked this guy up today; thinking he will be the start of my next telecaster ;)
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/k1kut-Paisley.jpg

dingobass
19-05-2014, 01:33 PM
You must enter the Azzy Tele in GOTM.

dingobass
19-05-2014, 01:34 PM
Mmmmmmm, Paisley :)

TheDangerMan
19-05-2014, 01:49 PM
Will do DB!
Just waiting on a decal sticker then Ill get some proper pictures up :)

TheDangerMan
19-05-2014, 02:14 PM
Hey guys,

Quick question, anyone know how to do custom perspex pickguards and control plates?
If you do or know someone who does that'd be greatly appreciated :)

TheDangerMan

stan
20-05-2014, 01:31 AM
Check Mccool's ES build, he did a great pickguard