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Basically what I'm aiming for is something similar to a 60's style Les Paul. I plan on it being black almost all over except with silver hardware.
I'm not decided on everything, so I have a few questions:
1. Most black Les Paul's I've seen have ebony fretboards. Is it practial/possible to stain the fretboards from the kits to an ebony-like colour? and will this effect playability at all?
2. Would it be practical to have a 24 fret neck and a whammy bar (no floyd rose though) while still retaining good higher fret access and other such things (eg playability etc)
3. Seeing as I don't have access to tools and such I will be completing the project at school in the woodwork room at lunch times. However this means I need to complete safety... things for whatever tools I will be using. Could I possibly have a list of tools you think I will need to use to complete the build?
4. What would be the best way to get the classic flat black look?
5th and final one(for now haha): Which Les Paul kit should I use?
sorry for all the questions, but I'm a newbie to all this stuff!
really excited for this build, and ANY suggestions at all are very very welcome!
Over and out :)
Caleb
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okay, for the tools: Sandpaper (not really a tool :P), a drill with 2mm and 3.5mm drill bits for the hardware and the strap button holes, and a clamp to shape the headstock with a coping saw (that's if ya want to shape it!)
For the finish, Black magic Woman
for the kit, whatever you want, but you would have to put in s special order for the 24 frets!
I doubt a stained fretboard will affect the playing, you will need some special stain to get the board black!
for the trem, you might want to invest in a Bigsby tailpiece, they are around $100-$200 depending on the model, they are great if you use a roller bridge with it as well!!!
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So basically not much? Just a drill? thats good :) Not much of the safety stuff then!
Do you think it would be too hard to get good upper fret access with the 24 fret? Ps ive already asked about the 24fret neck, its only about $50 or so extra to get one ordered in.
Ok, happen to know of a stain that will get it at least close to ebony? (i dont want it pitch black just ebony, which is just a ver very dark brown.)
I personally dislike the look of the tailpeice, so i dont think ill be wanting to invest that much in it. but thanks for the suggestion.
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With the safety, drills are safe as long as the workpiece is 100% secure!!!
As with the stain, it is extremely difficult to find an actual guitar fingerboard stain, as they are made in the US and they can't be shipped by air, you might be able to use a normal wood stain, I have never done anything like it though!!!
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I'll be sure to remember that :) all the safety stuff is just legal requirements since im doing it at school.
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Yeah, I know, I had to go through it all last year and again this year...
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Unfortunately, this build has to go on hold indefinately. all blame can go to a lack of time and money.
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Sorry to hear - hope they get better for you soon.
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Tools You'll Need For Building An Electric Guitar
We thought it might be helpful to list the tools you'll need for building a Pit Bull Guitar Kit. DB and I have divided the list into Three categories, which are What you can get away with, Nice to Have and Really Nice to Have.
:) What you can get away with tools
You can build one of these kits with a few basic tools
file or fine rasp
Pit Bull Sandpaper (180 grit to 240 grit)
Steel wool
Drill
Drill bits, from 2mm and 3mm
Clamps, G type or Irwin Quick Grip
Pit Bull Wood glue (for set neck kits)
Screw drivers, both phillips and flat head
Long straightedge (600mm rule) and tape measure
Soldering iron
Electronic solder
Clean rags
Pencil
Eye protection
Wire cutters
Small allen keys for bridge
Tuner
If it is your intention to only build one or two kits with the most basic of tools and without outlaying funds on specialist tools then skip forward to the next section on this thread.
However, if you want to get the absolute best out of your kit, and particularly if you want to turn this into a hobby you might want to acquire the following:
:) Nice to have:
Random orbital sander
Drill press
1" x 2" sanding drum
Helping hands alligator clamps
Portable clamping workbench
Clamp lamp
Digital callipers
Multi meter
StewMac string rule for nut building
;) Really nice to have
12" Radius sanding block
Fret crowning file
Set of nut files
4" x 36" bench top belt sander
Oscillating spindle sander
Dust extraction system
Buffing station
Large workbench with a vice for holding small parts
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Dont worry mate, my ST-1 im building next is going to take soooooo long to get the tools and other gear required
