Swanny’s next build

I ordered my next build, looking for something different. I ordered a resonator. It has a hollow body, and all these interesting additions which some people like, some people hate... such as a sound cone.

I’d read that there are quality control problems with the kit, but I’m up for a challenge.


So I pulled the trigger and saw that the kit disappeared from the website menu... I got the last one!

I started planning, reading on other builds, and today I got my first cheap purchase for the build, as the bridge needs string slots filed....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9faa323c99.jpg


A few days ago I got an email from Adam at Pitbull Central, apologising that the last resonator had been returned to the factory, and no further kits were being supplied due to the quality control issues.

It was either refund, or choose another kit.

I chose another kit, something a bit different.

Sucks that the resonator is off the table. What did you swap it for?

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

Ah, that can wait till the kit arrives, in case I jinx it! It should arrive in two days.

But it has this style head....

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...32eae828d8.jpg

Hah, if I was ever going to build a hollow body, that's the kit I'd choose.

Hmm the F 335, I've had thoughts of that one as well

Damn you Swanny

Nice choice Swanny

Grant

Welcome back Swanny. Good to see you back on the tools mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Welcome back Swanny. Good to see you back on the tools mate.

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Off the tools? I was trying out some metal work... bending, stretching, shrinking etc.


https://farm1.staticflickr.com/914/4...85b7fc94_c.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...f78af7f0_c.jpg

I'm still trying to decide on a colour scheme for the new guitar, but decided to wait till I saw the grain. Then I can decide on solid colour or stain.

Nice work on that back quarter panel

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Nice work on that back quarter panel

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Thanks Andy, it's a bit different to woodwork! I've yet to finish the other side... just another project!

Well Australia Post came through with the goods, and I'm quite happy with what I have to start with. The flame and grain have great potential!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/...c2e83b7e_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4890/...6684f443_c.jpg

I notice a difference in heights either side of one of the F-holes, I'm thinking I might try putting a prop in there to lift the low side, and maybe train the top to stay in that shape...?

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7802/...b04988c3_c.jpg


I've ordered some Keda dyes, but I'm not sure of the final colour yet, but that flame needs exploiting!

Checking for glue stains has bought the top alive! No solid colours here!


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7823/...58c4f38e_c.jpg

Oh Snap! That's a gorgeous top Swannie, great score!

I know it’s the luck of the drawer, but I came out on top, I reckon!

Very nice, looks like sand under beautiful clear water.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

I've let the body sit for a bit, it a nut and bolt contraption acting as a prop to bring the side of the F-hole closer to the level of the other side. I don't know if it'll sink back when I remove the bolt, but I'll leave it there till I'm finished.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/...ff20b29c_c.jpg


I stained the back to darken the grain;

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4808/...25a56b3c_c.jpg

Then I concocted some colours using Keda dyes. Here is some blue, red and yellow...

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4869/...020d67a6_c.jpg

Looking sharp!

Mmmmmm blurple!😁👍🏾

Nice one Swanny, did the bolt contraption work? Did you have any glue on the top, if so,how did you remove it
Wayne.

I don’t know yet, Wayne. I haven’t taken it out yet. We have some warmish days here, so hopefully the heat and humidity will help shape the wood.

Yes, I hear it’s a bit damp up there at the moment.

Hi Swanny, have tried to replicate your pic of the f-hole height difference and I can't see any need for any propping up.
Attachment 29924
And from the control side as well
Attachment 29925
These are an offset shape and the f-holes are cut into the arch top at a different place compared to your ES which is making it look a bit exaggerated, from your pic looks fine to me. Would hate for you to ruin that top.
Also be aware that you will need to make some kind of tapered spacer if you are going to use the trapeze tailpiece.
Blurple.

Grant

I like the sound of that colour... Blurple!

I can't see your attachments, Grant!

Oh, and Wayne, there were some glue stains on the top, scraping them with a pin seemed to work.

Let's try that again
Attachment 29933Attachment 29934

Thank Frankie for the colour's name.

Grant

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neverwas

Let's try that again
Attachment 29933Attachment 29934

Thank Frankie for the colour's name.

Grant

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There is something weird going on with your attachments Grant.
Can’t see any of them?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This is a first.
Logged in, went to Settings, attachments, and those two pics come up as
Thread: Post: n/a
and file size In Progress
also could see them in the preview before hitting reply.
Odd. If no-one else is having problems uploading pics, must be the forum's way of telling me to keep my nose out of others threads.;)

You'll have to take my word for it Swanny, the f-hole looks the way it should.

Grant

Quote:

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Originally Posted by neverwas

This is a first.
Odd. If no-one else is having problems uploading pics, must be the forum's way of telling me to keep my nose out of others threads.;)

You'll have to take my word for it Swanny, the f-hole looks the way it should.

Grant

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That is really weird Grant, hope you can find the root cause

Happened to my picture that I uploaded yesterday.
Had to 'edit' the post and uploaded it again.

cheers, Mark.

With a bit more work on a combination of sandpaper, water and more colour, Blurple has been subdued to more of a shade of... Frankie?


https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7882/...b0481290_c.jpg

A clearcoat or two was wiped on to protect the waterbased dyes, while work will continue on the sides and rear.

It’s kind of Glurple now, or Gunmetal Blush, if I think in terms of automotive colour names

Without wanting to break the forum again, have taken a different pic showing the height difference on the bass side f-hole.
Attachment 30024

If we're going with auto colour inspired names, let's go '70s with something like Mystic Seas.

Grant

I’m looking at it and I am not concerned.

It's a hole on a curved surface, so the two sides of the hole are always going to he at different heights, especially where the curve has the smallest radius. The edges in the centres of the F-holes may be a bit higher than the general curve because there is no wood (where the F-hole is) to keep the edge down, so it's liable to rise up a bit, but a pressed top is always likely to do that. You'd need a solid carved top for that not to happen.

But just following the general curve of the top with my eye, there doesn't seem to be any significant issue.

So I'd relax, it's normal.

And the forum photo loading and displaying problem has now been solved (as you can see). There was a technical issue, not a fault with the way people were loading them.

Progress update: More clear coats to be wiped over the sides and back. Modified the tailstock to suit the non-symmetrical base of the guitar.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7907/...9069b476_z.jpg


It's been too hot and humid to feel like getting much done.

Progress update... I've been racking my brains for a different way to get a logo on the head. While I thought about it, I bought and renewed a yacht, but with the current lockdown we can't get out to refine the art of sailing. So, it's back to building the Starcaster Swancaster.

Enter the age of 3D printing!

https://i.postimg.cc/rmzVXn5p/1743-E...A74-AEB759.jpg

Nice idea. Very nice logo.

Nice one, I've done a couple 3d print logos. What are you printing on? I just have a Davinci Nano, which is ok, but like yours, there is a fair bit of layering that I haven't been able to tweak out. Lots of primer filler helps, but softens the look a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain

Nice one, I've done a couple 3d print logos. What are you printing on? I just have a Davinci Nano, which is ok, but like yours, there is a fair bit of layering that I haven't been able to tweak out. Lots of primer filler helps, but softens the look a bit.

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Ta! I’m using a Creality Ender-3 Pro printer. I’ve tried something different to smooth out the layers... popped it onto some alfoil, then place it under the grille for a while, till the top softens and blends together.

Garnish with a bit of salt and...

https://i.postimg.cc/YStMmct0/C06-E4...B9434-E3-C.jpg

Oh nice. You should definitely be able to tweak the Ender to give much nicer resolution. There is a good 3D printing subreddit that very helpful with that stuff. I'm too much of a novice to have any specific advice, but I've seen some incredible prints come out of those machines.

Side note, did you see Simo has sold on Old Daze? End of an era there.