dBb’s JRM-1

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Originally Posted by decibelboy

Some of the sanded body and then the first coat of the dingo stain bushfire sunset. I'm not sure I should have done the face of the headstock as I think it might impact on later paint layers (I haven't actually decided on the headstock idea yet, currently musing on some kind of paint splatter / drip thing, definitely not a Gibson style finish that's for sure.)

This is my first time really playing with sanding wood etc and I am amazed at how much detail of the grain comes out as you move through the finer paper grain sizes and then how well the stain picks out the detail again. I am using the sandpaper kit supplied by Pitbull guitars and it has been great so far, especially with the access to the videos on Youtube etc.

I think I am going to leave the stain at this level of darkness, I don't want to go any darker. It's pretty cool and breezy in Sydney today, so will leave until Tuesday to put the first intensifier coat on. More pics to follow once I've done that. Then it is on to the fret work, which I am both looking forward to and also a bit fearful of. Need to buy some tools too next paycheck...

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You didn’t contemplate a mod to the headstock? The colour is coming up really nice

The top E string 'saddle' is the important one here. You should find the adjustable bridge will get your intonation sorted.

I agree with FW, it will look a lot better if you add some shape to the top of the headstock. Douen't have to be fancy, but it will make the guitar look better.

To be honest, I hadn't even looked at the headstock! Thanks for pointing it out.

Although now I need a coping saw. And a vice. And a bigger credit card.

This is looking really cool. You could shape the headstock with a cheap jigsaw, but use a decent fine, curve cutting blade.

It is always worth investing in tools. Good ones are expensive, its true. But I don't think I have ever regretted a tool purchase in the long run. They end up paying for themselves over and over if you are doing stuff like this.

I've watched your builds Sonic and they are well impressive. I also notice you have some workshop space. (which I am also very jealous of!) I have basically a balcony and my dining room table (which I have to bargain with my wife to use, so buying more power tools other than the LiIon hand drill I have (not to mention the space to use them) is difficult. Maybe some rough shaping with a hand jigsaw would work? But where do one find one of those? Ah the joys of living in central Sydney!

Did a scrape back with steel wool tonight and another coat with the intensifier layer. Going to do another two coats of the intensifier then start on the top see through finish layer.

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Questions I have. What should I polish back the final coat with other that steel wool do get it shiny shiny? Do I need to get some fine sand paper? If so, how fine like 1200 - 1400? I'm aiming to finish the body completely before starting the neck. I've got a fret flattening file, some fret shaping files and a fret end shaping tool coming at the beginning of Feb (Birthday), so that should make that easier or actually doable. Then on with soldering and final setup....

Buy a coping saw. Can get them relatively cheap from a hardware / tool shop. Plusy you will need something to clamp the neck down while you saw the headstock

Yeah I appreciate that it can be a challenge in some spaces. I promise you I've been there, its taken a good 17+ years to get to what I have now and along the way I've done my share of kitchen table workshops :)

A little coping saw is not a bad idea, with a clamp (and something solid to hold it to) you could do it out on the balcony to minimise dust. It is fun to be able to add a truly personal custom touch to the guitar.

I can't help you with the finish because I've never used these products. I'm hoping to have a crack in the not to distant future, but some one who knows will be along to answer that question.

Had been thinking over the weekend what to do with the headstock, as I didn't want to just mimic a gibson style. SO...

My surname is Vincent, so why not, I thought, cut a V in the headstock.

Behold...

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Obviously in doing this I then ended up cutting into my existing finely sanded and stained head, banged the back of the neck and generally funked up my so far great (if I do say so myself) handiwork. However, another half hour of sanding sorted most of these and once I re-applied the stain it covered up what looked the worse. (and anyway who looks at the very top end of the guitar anyway, they'll all be looking at my fast (pffft) fingers.

Lessons learned for the next time I build a guitar and that is why I bought a cheaper kit for my first try. Every day is a school day.

And whilst I have all your attentions. I'm looking for advice. I would like to upgrade the stock p90, as I am sure there are better p90's out there. Anyone got any suggestions. I have googled, but there are just bazillions of choices so I'm a bit lost!

Nice work on the headstock, I quite like it. Its' amazing how a small change can really lift things.

I can't help you on the pickups- to be honest, I've just been buying and trying them, like building the guitars its all learning by doing. It would be hard to go wrong with one of the upgrade options from Pitbull. Apart from anything else you'll get the PBG service, which will help negate any possible issues.