Pablos Jazzblaster

[pablopepper]

About 6 months ago I purchased a set of Fender wide range pickups planning to put them in my TL1. Stupid me didn't realise they were not standard humbucker size. I decided against rerouting the tele and keep them for something a bit more special. I've wanted a jazzmaster for ages and, being ridiculously picky, the JM kit just wasn't doing it for me. So, after a few months of planning and a few days of actual activity, here we are. My first scratchy (body anyway).

Inspiration for this build comes from a bunch of different places, Sonic Youth is an obvious major one, but also a build series on YouTube by Tom Chiiron. Along with a few of my own preferences of course.

A pine body seems to be the general consensus for a first build (cheap, easy to work), so we got me some pine and glued some bits together.
http://i.imgur.com/0CbIChAh.jpg
Luckily I was able to avoid the nasty knot.

As the plank I got wasn't perfectly straight, the bits didn't marry up exactly right. Instead of trying to sand it down level, I discovered a workshop over the road from mine with a thickness planer. Score! Planed down to 42mm and perfectly flat on both sides.
http://i.imgur.com/YJL6y6Dh.jpg

Traced out my template and roughly bandsawed into shape.
http://i.imgur.com/mdMS3Ibh.jpg

[pablopepper]

Attached the template and then routed the sides clean.
http://i.imgur.com/L4waLc0h.jpg
Nice.

Next up, drilled out some of the wood in the cavity so the router didn't have to work so hard.
http://i.imgur.com/A2NXPJAh.jpg
I should have done more. Oh well, learning lessons..

Finally, cleaning up the cavity.
http://i.imgur.com/teN6KAxh.jpg

And now I have to wait for the neck to arrive and hopefully the bridge not long after that. Exciting times! :)

[wokkaboy]

nice one Pablo shape looks awesome. Welcome to scratchy world.
You will learn next time its easier to route the neck pocket very early so you have plenty of meat for the router face to rest on.
Good score with the thicknesser and even better you know the bloke who cuts templates !

[stan]

great start Craig, makes me think I'd better get some of my templates into action

great to see a scratchie from you, will be watching this one for sure

[bargeloobs]

This is shaping up to be sweet, will be watching closely on this one Pabs.

[Brendan]

Looking great Pablo!

[Nickosaurus]

niceee. Love jazz shapes :D

[pablopepper]

Thanks guys. :)

[jarrod]

Nice Pab , can't wait to see the finished product.

[kimball492]

Looking great Pablo ,I'll enjoy this

[gavinturner]

Looking great Pabs. Fantastic first build - you nailed that routing! Very interested to see how your JM turns out!

cheers,
Gav.

[stan]

hey Pabs, is it an exact Jazzmaster shape, or did you modify it?

[pablopepper]

Stan, outer shape is pretty close to the fender shape, the internals are modified. Didn't want the lead circuit, bigger spaces for the pickups. Still undecided on whether to mount the jack on the pickguard or into the side of the body.

[stan]

side mount it, I think front mounts are a pain and don't look as good, a big let down for a 335 IMO

[pablopepper]

I think you might be right, Stan. I like the idea of being able to lift the pickguard off and take all the electronics with it in one piece, but front mounts are a pain in the ass.

Got most of the shaping finished off this morning. Rounded off the sides and got stuck into the contours with a rasp.
http://i.imgur.com/JQp5We0h.jpg
Belly cut.
http://i.imgur.com/KsLIqoNh.jpg
Elbow cut.

[pablopepper]

My arms feel like cooked spaghetti, but it was worth it. Cleaned up with a finer file and then got a rough sand with 180.
http://i.imgur.com/Azmqw6Eh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jpANqwDh.jpg
Ended up with a nice profile.
http://i.imgur.com/NGRUjPZh.jpg
Pretty bloody happy with that. Starting to look like a real guitar.

[wokkaboy]

coming along nicely Pablo, best get that neck pocket routed. So you going to side mount the output jack ? Would look better for sure.
What colour paint/stain you got planned ?

[pablopepper]

Thanks Wokka, I need the neck to rout the neck pocket, should be in tomorrow. It's gonna get painted white, I've been wanting to do a white guitar for a while.

[wokkaboy]

nice one Pablo no one will know its pine if you paint it white. So a red pearloid pickguard ?
Worth grain filling the body before you paint it

[pablopepper]

Oh yeah, timbermate on standby, I want a nice mirror gloss. Red pearl would be damn cool, but I'm going tuxedo style so black it is.

[wokkaboy]

cool, yeah black pickguard on white paint will look very nice

[Rob L]

"As the plank I got wasn't perfectly straight, the bits didn't marry up exactly right. Instead of trying to sand it down level, I discovered a workshop over the road from mine with a thickness planer. Score! Planed down to 42mm and perfectly flat on both sides".

How lucky is that! I haven't been able to find anyone that will be able to plane my body down when I get it.

And this is looking really sweet. Love seeing a scratch build for sure!

[pablopepper]

Thanks Rob. I guess I should give them a plug. Wood N You in Coopers Plains (Brisbane Southside) have all the big woodworking tools available to hire by the minute. They've got pretty much everything, lathes, cncs, thicknessers etc. Planing the body cost me $10.

Not going to help you much though. :(

[stan]

Great work Pabs, coming along nicely, black and white will look classic

[Rob L]

Thanks Rob. I guess I should give them a plug. Wood N You in Coopers Plains (Brisbane Southside) have all the big woodworking tools available to hire by the minute. They've got pretty much everything, lathes, cncs, thicknessers etc. Planing the body cost me $10.

Not going to help you much though. :(

I'll find someone somewhere sooner or later. If I were going to make and sell guitars I'd get a planer.

Very cool though that you have that nearby!

[DanMade]

Just saw this thread now Pablo, don't know how I missed it.

That looks clean as, nice job. Easy when you have a good template hey.
And yeah, when you are boring out the cavities before routing you want to drill out as much waste as you can, I overlap each drill hole so you only really rout the sides and bottom of the cavity. Like you say, you know next time now.

I went to wood n you this morning to thickness a body, great place with well serviced machines. Thanks for the heads up.

How are you going to do the white paint job?

[pablopepper]

I knew you'd dig that place, Dan. Its like a cabinetmaker's wet dream. Lol. I reckon I'm gonna 2 pack it. Being pine, I'm not worried about resonance too much but I want it protected as much as possible.

[gavinturner]

Body work looks great Pabs. Nicely contoured and nice and smooth. This will look killer in white gloss with black PG. A great choice! Watching your scratchie progress with very keen interest dude!

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

Thanks Gav. :)

[andrewdosborne]

Pablo, this is coming along nicely. What router are you using on this project, I'm looking to pick one up soon for some scratchy goodness!

[robin]

Hi Pabs, the build is coming along nicely. Really looking forward to seeing the finished guitar. Its looking like a bought one already.

Talent aside, I've always used not having a workshop as an excuse not to build a scratchy. Thanks mate, you've just blown that excuse right out of the water. Coopers Plains is spitting distance from my place. Now its only talent holding me back.

rob

[wokkaboy]

talk it up Robin you have plenty of building talent, you have won 2 or 3 GOTM's ?
Sure you could build a sweet scratchy mate !

[pablopepper]

Rob, the start is by far the most daunting part. It took me months to get up the nerve to start putting things together, but now I'm keen as to get into it every chance I get.

If you are ever do check Wood n You out, please drop in to my workshop across the road. I might be able to help out with some tools for free. :)

[pablopepper]

Thanks Andrew, I've used more than one router on this. I own quite a few and some already had the bits I needed in. Personally, I like Makita routers. I've had a few that are still going strong almost 20 years on with only general maintenance. Go for a handheld trimmer, stick with brand names you recognise and avoid them if they look too plasticy.

[pablopepper]

The neck turned up on Tuesday, so I got to make a template the good old fashioned way ie. hard work. Traced the heel onto some MDF, roughed it out on the bandsaw and finessed it into shape with a series of files.
http://i.imgur.com/AquGgCYh.jpg
Turned out OK, chipped a tiny bit off the corner and went a bit low in one spot. Easy to fix. Nice and straight at least.
http://i.imgur.com/HvLjKe1h.jpg
The fit isn't perfect, but I'm not worried.
http://i.imgur.com/XxDPZy6.jpg

[pablopepper]

Also, sketched out a headstock design. Opinions?
http://i.imgur.com/H0oIOLsh.jpg

[wokkaboy]

nice work Pablo for first neck pocket route that is a great job. Easy to dip the router down a bit on the front edge, been there done that ! The pickguard should hide any small gaps in the pocket/neck heel anyway.
So whats next sanding the body/timbermate and start priming/painting ?
Yeah that headstock should suit the body shape nicely, very cool !

[pablopepper]

Cheers Wokka, the prep for the template took longer than anything in this build so far, I really didn't want to stuff it. Next time I will take your advice and do it much earlier on.

Next up is drilling for string throughs. I'm gonna wait for the bridge to show up for that. :)

[wokkaboy]

yeah I hear you Pablo on the time to make a decent routing template but it's worth it. DB recommends the neck pocket is the first thing you route and then base the guitar shape on the pocket centreline. Makes it easier more meat for the template to rest on.
Good move wait for the bridge to line up the string through holes. You no doubt have a nice big drill press for that job !

[pablopepper]

It's pretty big, I guess. :P

[wokkaboy]

as long as the distance between the press post and drill centre is at least about 140mm you should be fine. You will find out once it's marked up

[pablopepper]

Oh it's well big enough, I was being a smartass. Lol.

[stan]

nice progress Pabs,i really like the headstock

[pablopepper]

Cheers Stan.

[DanMade]

+1 on the headstock :)

I made the exact same errors on my first few neck pockets. It's very easy to dip the router on that front edge.

I make my neck pocket templates like this, it extends fast the front edge so it's I'm possible for the router to dip and cut a low spot.

[gavinturner]

Headstock looks great Pabs. My first neck route was even more if a mess. That's the great thing about bolt ons ;). Going to be a killer axe!

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

Thanks Gav.

That's very clever, Dan. I will do that from now on I think. Didn't dip the router though, template plus large router base was very stable. Made an even more rookie mistake and failed to check the cutter depth after I had tightened the base. Must have bumped it when I was doing it up. Started to cut a little and realised it was too low. Doh.

[wokkaboy]

nice template idea Dan.
Easy trap Pablo, best to check the depth every time you hit the GO button.
I've seen a blank ruined from the bearing not touching the template edge

[bargeloobs]

Lookin' top notch Pabs.

[pablopepper]

Thanks Barge.

Bridge turned up today, so I got to start marking out for string throughs.
http://i.imgur.com/zLYrZNnh.jpg
Accidentally took the screws home, so drilling tomorrow (after I measure three or four more times). Fingers crossed.

Made a decision on the jack too.
http://i.imgur.com/ZsRJtfTh.jpg
Side mount it is. Which means I had to drill between the two cavities.
http://i.imgur.com/kd9yIlmh.jpg

[wokkaboy]

coming along nicely Pablo, at last someone else posted on the forum ! haha
I like the look of the bridge.
You should have enough play in the neck to get your string offset even on the fingerboard, looks like you have centred it nicely

[stan]

side mount jack looks good Pabs, this is moving along well

[pablopepper]

Thanks Stan, Wokka.

I was too busy to drill, but the tuners (mk 2) showed so I got to see the newly shaped headstock 90% done.
http://i.imgur.com/T2k7hBjh.jpg
Lookin good. I reckon this might end up a shape I come back to. The yellow stain I've got is too dark, so probably going natural.

[wokkaboy]

headstock looks cool Pabs, I think that will match the Jazzmaster shape nicely. Natural headstock will look good with the white paint on the body, unless you go for a white headstock. Some nice grain I'd go natural

[gavinturner]

Looks great Pabs. Can't wait to see this one come together. Very jealous dude!

cheers,
Gav.

[kimball492]

Yeah I'm liking the headstock shape Pablo

[andrewdosborne]

Yes keep the headstock natural, the grain is nice and will compliment the shape of headstock and good contract with body

[pablopepper]

Thanks guys. Really happy with how its ended up. The grain is lovely, almost a shame to cut bits off. Almost. Tru oil will amber it a little.

[keloooe]

I like the headstock shape Pabs, this thing will be pretty damn good when finished methinks!

[pablopepper]

Thanks keloooe. :)

Update time, yay!

Neck is almost complete. Fretboard stained.
http://i.imgur.com/HKHgiFjh.jpg
Before.
http://i.imgur.com/vOV7WQfh.jpg
And after two coats. Used Minwax ebony stain pen, loved it. It's darkened up pleasantly.

And after a sand and some tru oil; decals.
http://i.imgur.com/lJc1kD9h.jpg

[pablopepper]

Realised my rout won't fit the switch, so...
http://i.imgur.com/px66Ujfh.jpg
No one will ever know.

And got the neck screws fitted
http://i.imgur.com/HVghxqQh.jpg

Now I can attach the neck and get final measurements for the bridge. Hooray.

[stan]

this is very cool Pabs, neck and headstock are great. Cant wait to see the body move on

[maxaxe]

this is very cool Pabs, neck and headstock are great. Cant wait to see the body move on
What Stan says . . . just great Pabs.

[bargeloobs]

Looking sweet man, that headstock shape is immaculate. Very inspiring stuff.

[gavinturner]

The neck and headstock look amazing pabs! Can't wait to see the body come together.

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the support.

[Fretworn]

Looking great Pablo.

[kimball492]

Nice Decals Too Pablo nice and sharp

[pablopepper]

Neck on, bridge plate on, about to drill string throughs.
http://i.imgur.com/MtSxcpP.jpg
Wish me luck.

[wokkaboy]

nice one Pablo coming along nicely mate. With a drill press string through holes should be a piece of cake. Maybe centre punch the marked holes first as the drill can wander a bit !
Nice size gold star in the background, you must have worked hard for that !

[andrewdosborne]

Coming along very nicely good work.

[pablopepper]

Lil bit wonky
http://i.imgur.com/mCOalZjh.jpg
Oh well.... On to painting!

[gavinturner]

I feel you pain pabs. My Toronado looks exactly the same!

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

were your string through holes drilled with a drill press Pablo ? Think of it as 2 sets of 3 wound and unwound strings.
Were the holes straight from the front ? doesn't really matter as it will be covered by the bridge plate

[pablopepper]

Yep, drill press and used the bridge plate as a guide. Perfect on the front, wonky on the back. It is what it is. No point getting upset.

[wokkaboy]

oh well its a lesson Pablo, maybe the body wasn't sitting flat on the press table, if your drill bit was straight I can't see any other reason why the holes were straight on top and not the bottom. Maybe the body angled a bit on a tummy cut

[pablopepper]

It was flat, I made sure of that. I think the skinny bit just wandered a little.

[bargeloobs]

Yep, drill press and used the bridge plate as a guide. Perfect on the front, wonky on the back. It is what it is. No point getting upset.

A good little trick I stumbled across when I did mine. Using your bridge plate as guide drill your two outermost holes first all the way through then drill your inside holes through to about halfway. Then flip it over, and using the two outermost holes (that were drilled right through) line up your bridge plate then finish off the inside holes from the back. Hope this makes sense.

[wokkaboy]

hey Barge thats a wicked tip mate, I'll use that next time. It doesn't matter if the holes don't line up perfectly in the guts of the body, as long as a string fits through

[bargeloobs]

hey Barge thats a wicked tip mate, I'll use that next time. It doesn't matter if the holes don't line up perfectly in the guts of the body, as long as a string fits through

That's it Wokks, keeps it tidy then. Provided you get those two outside ones right. Best way I found was to just go a little bit at a time, pull it out so it clears itself, back in a touch, then back out again , so on and so fourth just inching your way down so the bit doesn't walk on ya.

[pablopepper]

Clever. I was trying to do a little at a time, never drilled more than a centimetre without pulling back. Next time....

[wokkaboy]

yeah great tip Barge. I use a similar method for drilling tuner holes on scratch necks. Drill a small pilot hole through all six holes and drill halfway through with a 9.5mm drill then coming from the underside eliminates tear out. Or you can clamp a scrap piece of wood to the bottom side

[bargeloobs]

Clever. I was trying to do a little at a time, never drilled more than a centimetre without pulling back. Next time....

Where's the fun in getting it right first time round?

[wokkaboy]

haha good point Barge
@ Pabs, next time if its a nice piece of timber you will have a better method

[bargeloobs]

Or you can clamp a scrap piece of wood to the bottom side

I'll bear that one in mind too, noice!

[wokkaboy]

yeah Barge how many times have you drilled all the way through and it tears out a chunk on the bottom side - dohhh

[pablopepper]

Ah, now that's something I did know!

[bargeloobs]

yeah Barge how many times have you drilled all the way through and it tears out a chunk on the bottom side - dohhh

Ahh yeah...um...everytime:P

[wokkaboy]

maybe we need to start or add to a tips and tricks thread, think there may already be one

[bargeloobs]

maybe we need to start or add to a tips and tricks thread, think there may already be one

A lot of handy hints and tips probably get buried and lost in build diaries and the like, you could have a "handy tips" thread and then sub categories (bodies, necks, headstocks, tools, finishes, hardware, wiring, bla, bla, bla) for easy reference.

[wokkaboy]

good idea, maybe Ads may see this and start a tips and hints thread so its all in one place.
Looks like the Woks and Barge show are hijacking another thread for something different haha

[bargeloobs]

good idea, maybe Ads may see this and start a tips and hints thread so its all in one place.
Looks like the Woks and Barge show are hijacking another thread for something different haha

Hahahaha, no bugger's safe:-)

In all seriousness though, I reckon with all the stuff ups I've made I could make some pretty worthwhile contributions to a thread like that.
The mods would need to treat it a bit like the photo gallery threads and prune it pretty hard so it's just info without all the comments, that way it makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for without trawling through tons of garbage. Not that either of us would shit up someones thread with random burblings or anything:P

[wokkaboy]

haha yeah Barge, I've got a list of stuff ups as wide as the country. Sure everyone will have something helpful to contribute.
And cheers Barge I only got 400 posts to the big 5K !

[bargeloobs]

haha yeah Barge, I've got a list of stuff ups as wide as the country. Sure everyone will have something helpful to contribute.
And cheers Barge I only got 400 posts to the big 5K !

I'll have to go and post something in my build diary, I'm sure we can boost your post count in there as well as get those page numbers up a bit higher:-)

[pablopepper]

http://i.imgur.com/yD2nzom.jpg
Lol.

[bargeloobs]

http://i.imgur.com/yD2nzom.jpg
Lol.

hahahaha nice, I just had to make one edit...

[pablopepper]

Perfect. :D

[stan]

I thought I was in Pabs' build thread, but looks like I am in the Woks and Barge chat room...

[pablopepper]

After a fairly frustrating weekend of sanding and priming and sanding and priming and sanding etc. First few colour coats went on this afternoon and I am happy.
http://i.imgur.com/QwPOmMW.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/C6zAkf9.jpg
White......

[wokkaboy]

nice one Pablo, looking good. Love your hanger idea with the hook shape ! Is it late in the afternoon the photos look like a grey primer. Looks like you nailed it Pablo can't see any runs.
I never saw the Barge and Wokka chat pics, they are a classic, nice paintshopping and nice addition Barge with the longneck of Coopers green haha

[pablopepper]

Thanks woks. Yeah, the sun is down now, snagged these pics in the last bit of available light. The primer I used was really dark grey, I spent a day or so considering just going with that.

[wokkaboy]

yeah ok nice one Pabs, looks like you got the bridge/string holes cleared of paint. Good tips on the Guitar builders resource with toothpicks, rolly filters or reverse drill bit to remove the paint from the holes

[stan]

very sleek Pabs, looking good!

[bargeloobs]

Once you get a lick of paint on there you really see how well you nailed those contours, looks amazing. Those string through holes don't look so bad they just look like they're staggered in 2 groups, once you get the ferrules in there it should look sweet. Nice job.

[andrewdosborne]

Nice job Pablo, this scratch build shape is very pleasing to the eye.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[pablopepper]

Cheers guys.


Once you get a lick of paint on there you really see how well you nailed those contours, looks amazing. Those string through holes don't look so bad they just look like they're staggered in 2 groups, once you get the ferrules in there it should look sweet. Nice job.

Yeah man, and how. First coat of primer really showed everything, there's still a wobble in the belly cut but I'll live with it. Figured out the ferrules too. I think the base of the drill press is a degree or two out of square. Three drilled from one direction, then I spun the body 180° to drill the other three.

[vh2580]

Looking good Pablo.

[wokkaboy]

ah Pablo that would explain the ferrule holes. As Barge says once they are in it will look fine.

[dingobass]

Wow.. And here I was thinking the ferrule holes were drilled that way deliberatly!
It looks really cool.

[stan]

Wow.. And here I was thinking the ferrule holes were drilled that way deliberatly!
It looks really cool.

Thought so as well!

[pablopepper]

Wow.. And here I was thinking the ferrule holes were drilled that way deliberatly!
It looks really cool.

Oh yeah, must have forgotten to mention, totally on porpoise. Lol.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/I_njfzfuzHuUtdJiQM5iTjFioVP1UcWlRTNGRUywogkDpVXX_Q 4-ayTDsKhDosN1l5w90vTUrDllWkcfay32OiH6DJyL6JXcoofMoS JME4adnEdZSqDt7RbP4kOjMqeGbpEwA08fndaYiM64lW_Dz6ta 5esOOA4X2QNj=w300-h240-nc

[Nickosaurus]

Still going tuxedo finish mate?

How about a nice sonic blue with red pearloid pickguard ;)

[Nickosaurus]

Any updates pabs?

[pablopepper]

Mate, I was going to update this tonight, might as well be now. Unfortunately, it's not the greatest news, just a few annoyances.

After a few weeks of trying to convince my wife I was nuts by sniffing at the body every time I walked by it, yesterday I got the result I was after. No more smell. Clear coat has cured. I figured I'd put all the bits together for a look and that's when I realised what I'd neglected to do. I didn't rout the neck pocket deep enough and the fretboard is sitting about 2mm higher than the bridge saddles. Poop. Now I'm going to have to risk the finish and rerout the pocket, or raise the bridge (easier, but it'll look crap).

Also realised the wood I used for the body wasn't dry enough and has moved slightly. All my sanding/filling efforts have been for nought and you can see the joins and a bit of a waver very faintly when the light hits it. I dare say this will only get worse over time, I will eventually replace the body altogether.

Now I'm having a spot of bother with pots as well. Decided to use CTS pots for the first time. They better be good, because they have been a huge pain in the ass so far. Specific nuts and knobs had to be bought. Guy who I bought them off on eBay sent me long shafts and then didn't answer my inquiries until today, a whole week later. Hopefully the new ones are here by Thursday (they won't be) and I can get this thing put together over the long weekend.

I'll just keep telling myself, this is a learning exercise. No such thing as a mistake if it teaches you a lesson. Still frustrating though.

[stan]

fight on Craig....
What will you do about the longevity of the body?

[kimball492]

My Wife has this saying . When I'm in a hurry be it traffic lights ,or I'm complaining about the amout of time it takes me to get somewhere . Angelina says there's a reason for it , i:e it stops you having an accident further down the road if you'd gone through traffic lights earlier. Maybe there's a reason something's slowing you down Pablo. If it was me I think it's a pain and I just want to get my guitar done lol.

[Nickosaurus]

Shit Pabs sad to hear. Keep pushing though mate - this is what scratchies are all about right? You'll learn tons more through trouble shooting than a 100% perfect build straight away.

I'm finding this as I'm learning more physics/circuit stuff in the aim to make my own pedal circuits

[gavinturner]

chin up Pabs! It will all turn out in the end :).

Maybe you could flatten the clear and respray a couple more layers to remove the wobble?

Yes, in my experience the CTS pots are a giant pain in the arse. I've had quite a few fail on me too, at a ratio of about 1 in 4.

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

Thanks guys, but to be totally clear, I'm not at all upset just a bit frustrated. All these problems are very small and not all that unexpected. All could have been remedied by simple patience, something I desperately need more of.

Here's a pic of the now visible joins and slightly uneven top
http://i.imgur.com/86xJfhbh.jpg
Nothing major, barely noticeable unless you're looking for it.

[kimball492]

Well done Craig, You'll get there .
Check your email
All the best
Kimball

[pablopepper]

Cheers Kimball, that will make for some interesting study material.

Neck pocket routed, safe and sound. Don't want to have to do that again. Bring on the weekend and assembly!

[kimball492]

I bet your glad to get that neck pocket routed and out the way .Well done Pablo

[stan]

home straight Pabs!
That is a really nice body though, despite the setbacks

[Nickosaurus]

I still think it looks bloody nice :D

[andrewdosborne]

I have to agree with everyone else Pablo, this is a fine effort and if it was my first scratchy I would be over the moon with it!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[pablopepper]

I'm still immensely pleased with it. Sneaky peeky..
http://i.imgur.com/fAOjZDrh.jpg

[Nickosaurus]

obaby yeessss

[Fretworn]

I'm still immensely pleased with it. Sneaky peeky..


And so you should be! I think most of us would love such a beautiful beast!

[stan]

wow Craig, that just looks awesome! Super classic, great choices in look and spec

[pablopepper]

Big day today. Wet sanding up to 2000 grit, mostly incident free, and polishing.
http://i.imgur.com/BGI9Kkg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/aJUIgTQ.jpg
Shiny. Not bad for a rattle can finish. :)

Got the frets dressed and the neck hardware sorted too. Tomorrow is wiring and final assembly. Its nice to have a long weekend to spread this out.

[kimball492]

Looks Great Craig nice job

[stan]

Home straight Pabs. Glad this is a scratchie and no one has to go up against it in GOTM....

[gavinturner]

Wow, the finish looks great Pabs! This is an amazing scratchie dude! You've done an amazing job.

cheers,
Gav.

[pablopepper]

http://i.imgur.com/oozCEqj.jpg

It lives.

[Nickosaurus]

Looks so good mate.

[pablopepper]

Thanks dude. Pretty chuffed.

[wokkaboy]

Wow Pabs that looks like it's out of a shop. Great effort. How does it play?
Love your custom shape pickguard. You must be chuffed alright!

[stan]

wow Craig, that is a stunner. PBG will have you doing kits for them next. Terrific work

[Fretworn]

Great job. Turned out really well.

[gavinturner]

Looks amazing Pabs. Everything about this build screams class. Great job!!

cheers,
Gav.

[bargeloobs]

Damn that came out nice, hows she play??

[zeromick]

AHH! I love the offset body Fenders... I had an adult moment when I seen this, awesome job man!

[pablopepper]

Haha. Thanks guys. Plays great, still need to get the intonation perfected and put the last little bit of work into the nut, but I'm in love. It's worked out way better than I could have imagined.

[kimball492]

Looks Fantastic Pablo well done Hows it sounding

[Nickosaurus]

Yeah I have MAD gas for an offset Fender at the moment. My gf's dad has an early Jaguar in surf green. Makes me so jealous every time I play the thing. The Jag trems do feel a bit funny to me but I guess you just need to play it more

[keloooe]

Oh. My. *insert many, many colourful words* God....
Mate, beautiful is all I can say about this thing!

[Fretworn]

I had an adult moment when I seen this

So you suddenly felt tired, and your knees, hips, ankles, neck and/or shoulders started aching, and you lost the will to make it through the day?!

I think you possibly meant an 11 year old boys first sneak peak at Playboy moment.

[BenWA]

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/55404433.jpg

[Nickosaurus]

Killing to hear this thing man :D

[pablopepper]

I've been struggling to get any time with it that isn't 10pm or later, so no amp unfortunately. Hopefully I'll get an hour or two with it plugged in this weekend. :(

[Nickosaurus]

No sweat buddy :)

[pablopepper]

Thread closer! I'm done with this (for now), and couldn't be happier. $20 worth of pine, a lucky score on a Facebook group and a couple of months.
http://i.imgur.com/d87GYDPh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/dqh3kqlh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Wo5W00oh.jpg

[pablopepper]

http://i.imgur.com/6aCZLIk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/8FIj1pH.jpg

Pine body, PBG strat neck, Fender wide range pickups (reissue), Fender hardtail bridge, Gotoh tuners, Switchcraft jack, CTS pots, bone nut.

[pablopepper]

And as promised...
https://youtu.be/AfRH6Z-l16A
Apologies for the playing, I am more at home on a bass.

[kimball492]

Well done Pablo looks fantastic nice finish hoo . You happy with the sound

[WeirdBits]

Video is private at the moment Pabs.


Fendy Bender has turned out amazing. There's too many talented people on this forum... great job!

[andrewdosborne]

Excellent job Pabs, this has turned out awesome.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[pablopepper]

Oops, video should work now.

Thanks guys. :)

[keloooe]

Very nice sounding axe!
Is that a not-so-sneaky 410 cab that you have the TV on? I might do that myself actually!

[gavinturner]

Sounds awesome Pablo! The playing was fantastic also. Another level for me to only aspire to! Great job dude. Those fender pickups are really the business.

cheers,
Gav.

[Nickosaurus]

Sounds great man. Looks so rad too

[stan]

nice work all round Craig.
Is that a Stormtrooper on top of the quad box?

[pablopepper]

Thanks for the kind words, chaps.

Well spotted Stan. A little nod to the star wars thread from earlier in the day. Actually, I've been thinking about a decal or something to break up the vast white expanse at the rear of the guitar. Considering the colour scheme, something storm trooper related might be cool.

[stan]

stencil like this?

http://www.dystryktzero.pl/images/detailed/1/xCRW8241.jpg

[Fretworn]

Great Job Pablo. Sounds great too.

[zeromick]

Sounds so rad, awesome job on the build and sounds you're getting out of that thing... I've gotta build me one of these now :)

[Nickosaurus]

Yeah I didn't realise how big the body was until the video :D

[pablopepper]

Yep, it's big. But very comfortable and well balanced. I have plans to eventually rebuild the body from mahogany and I wonder how that will effect the weight. Its a very good weight now.

Tele for scale.
http://i.imgur.com/2QPl8Rfl.jpg

[wokkaboy]

sounds and looks awesome Pablo, just saw the video, your playing is fine and love the clean and dirty sounds of the fender pups. Which online store you buy them from ?
I'm building a scratch strat modified shape and would like something like them

[pablopepper]

Thanks Wokka, they sound pretty good don't they? I got mine on a facebook swap page, they came out of a Telecaster Deluxe. They are pretty uncommon, you can occasionally get them on ebay for too much money.

Guitar fetish do a couple of types, proper size http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-WideTone-Oversized-Humbucker-Correct-Vintage-Size_c_488.html and regular humbucker size http://www.guitarfetish.com/Vintage-Split-Humbucker-Classic-Fender-Style_c_175.html.

[wokkaboy]

ok cheers for the info Pabs. They have a really crisp clean sound and when you wind up the distortion they sound just as good.
I reckon a mahogany version would be excellent

[Fretworn]

The Creamery makes custom version of wide range humbuckers in various pickup sizes and shapes!

http://www.creamery-pickups.co.uk/custom-handwound-pickups-from-the-creamery/wide-range-thinline-humbucker-replacements.html#.VTW7W0p-_cs

[pablopepper]

Oh yeah, Lollar make them also. Damn pricey though.

http://www.lollarguitars.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=LGP&Product_Code=269&Category_Code=humbucker-pickups

[dingobass]

Nice work Pabs :)

[dingobass]

Now for the serious... ish bit.

Baritone.
Jazzblaster
Mahogany
Baritone.

[pablopepper]

Thanks DB. Never played a baritone.....

[dingobass]

Yep, build a Bari.. They are making a comeback :)

Or, perhaps a F6?

The deep, rich tone of 'Hog is perfect for either Axe.....

[wokkaboy]

and you live far enough away from the baritone napper aka tele napper

[pablopepper]

Pretty sure the baritone jazzmaster Danmade built was mahogany. Fill me in though; what's an f6?

[wokkaboy]

F6 is a Fender VI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Bass_VI

[pablopepper]

*slaps forehead. Of course.

I must be one of the few bass players who's never been interested in a fender VI. Don't hate me.

[dave.king1]

*slaps forehead. Of course.

I must be one of the few bass players who's never been interested in a fender VI. Don't hate me.

I had an original S2 Fender VI, the one with the bass cut strangle switch.

One day I will forgive myself for letting it go in 1975, or maybe not ( Adam there is a desire amongst some of the forum ;-) )

The VI on the Wiki page is an S2 ( 4 switches on/off for the three pups plus the strangle closest to the control plate )

Here's a clip of the man who got me interested in the VI and then Jack Bruce pushed me over the edge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3q-4gkaPew
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUaxPycB7I S2 in this clip

[kells80aus]

:) Sounds good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfRH6Z-l16A&feature=youtu.be

[Fretworn]

I didn't think any bass players liked Fender VIs. It was just us guitarists who loved to the riff from Aerosmith's "Draw the Line".