Nice work. It looks great in the pics.
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Nice work. It looks great in the pics.
Thank you guys.
Hope I can manage to install the hardware this weekend...
So, started to install the hardware...
EMGs were set, locking tunings were set...
and then I fucked up the surface while installing the potis...
The wrench had a little notch (little sharp piece of metal standing out) which I didn't notice...
it drew a nice scratch...
So I started to repaint the part, but it didn't work out well...the difference between old and new paint...just ruined teh whole thing...
so now I had to sand it a little bit and repaint the whole front again...
It was almost done...
Hopefully you get it looking as good as it was. That matte finished looked great, way better than mine is looking to turn out.
Probably a good idea to use something like a lens cleaning cloth or other small cloth over the finish.
Main mistake was, that I masked the part with the scretches off, so no color comes to the finished parts and hardware...
The problem was, it made a hard line where the masking tape was (quiet logical...but...)...
You can see the line...
Attachment 37690
And the second issue was, that I sprayed wrong...maybe again too much distance...
But anyway...seems that I could save it...
Started mounting, in a more save mode...
Attachment 37691
Attachment 37692
Attachment 37693
and after setting all the hardware...the late evening I managed to finish the guitar!!!
I put some strings on and made some soundtesting...sounds good so far...never tried the EMGs before and I think I like them...
It's the Zakk Wylde set...
I am not good in guitar playing...so it is difficult for me to judge...but comparing the Explorer to my Epiphone Les Paul Gothic I think the playability is similar, maybe even better...so the first impression is positive...have to make all the adjustments...but in the pure built setup it made already fun...
And it is looking great, just like I wanted it to be...simple black metal machine :)
I will try to make some pics these days...
So, finally I can present the object :)
Attachment 37728
Attachment 37729
The only thing that is missing are the strap buttons...But the rest is fine to me...
The most thing I personally like is the installation of the EMGs...
Attachment 37730
Thought about the cover of the truss rod, but just can not find the perfect shape to fit...
And maybe I will even leave it open, kind of like it that way...
Attachment 37731
And I made a custom toggleswitch handle, but I think this one has to be glossy...soon...
Attachment 37732
Looks great. Well done.
Here and there are some small damages in the wood, which I could not prevent...but about 90% of the surface are great, I think...
Attachment 37733
And also one problem is the border between fretboard and the neck, where the masking tape was...I think should have placed the masking tape not directly on the line between fretboard and neck, but a little above, more to the fretboard...and then sanding the part on the fretboard, to get it smooth...now it is a different lvl in height, sanded it a little, so it does not disturb...but it looks not that nice...overall ok...
Attachment 37734
Now I am experimenting with the adjustments...not that easy to get a low string height without clattering...
It is playable and sounds good to me...but the clattering is too much for my taste...for high gain maybe it does not matter, but it does not feel good :)...
Will try out thicker strings, it might help a bit...at the moment I put some 10/46...
Maybe I will bring it to a guitar builder for the "sound finish"...for I am totally not good in that and helpless :)
Thank you Sonic!
Setup always takes a while after it's 'finished' to settle down. I find myself going over it several times over the course of a few months to really dial it in, filing frets and tinkering the action and intonation. Just make small changes and play it, you'll eventually narrow down any problem areas.
Yes, I wont give up :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain
But I really do not feel comfortable dealing the intonation and the adjustments, for I feel like I do not know what to do...
lack of experience and talent...so more hard work to come! :)
We all started somewhere :)
Really, nothing you do is going to ruin anything and even if you mess it up, there is knowledge to be gained. You'll get better with practice, and it's one of the best things about building a kit. Just be patient with yourself :)
Thanks for the motivation :)
I found these tutorials from Warwick/framus really good for setting up guitars and bass, they have loads for all different setups and are are really good starting point for dialling in your setup
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t-mW8mHs5O0
Oh and as sonic said it takes a while for the guitar to settle down, I’m still adjusting my bass I finished 2 months ago
For set up I came across a great mnemonic recently (wish I could remember where): TRAIN.
Tuning.
Relief.
Action.
Intonation.
Noodle around a bit.
Then repeat. :)
There was a recent issue of Guitarist magazine that had an article about setups, and where they talked about TRAIN, sop maybe that was it. They seem to have left the nut out of the equation, on the basis that you need a pro guitar tech to do that. Or TRNAIN doesn't work.Quote:
Originally Posted by blinddrew
Sounds great :DQuote:
Originally Posted by blinddrew
For some cold and dark months are coming, I definitly will have time for practice that...
Although it is difficult, it is a good way to get even more in touch with the instrument...
Thank you guys for the suggestions and support! I have really to be patient with all the fine tuning :)
The last point is the placement of the strap buttons...
I read that it is better to place the left button on the backside, about where the neck joins the body...
For a better balancing of the explorer...
But for I will never use the guitar outside my living room maybe it does not really matter...
Has someone experience with that? Or is it just a personal preference?
I'd always suggest looking at how the original guitars have them placed. The factory position on an Explorer is normally in the position you mentioned, but you will see pictures of them with the strap button on the front of the top shoulder. The downside of the shoulder position is the slope of the shoulder means that with a standard strap button and strap, the button is being pulled forward out of the strap slot by gravity, and with a soft strap end, you're likely to have the guitar drop off the strap at some point. So if you do fit one there, I'd really recommend that you use some form of strap lock. I always fit strap locks to my guitars, but if you don't, then the back of the neck is a safer position, even if it can intrude slightly on upper fret access.
Actually I have seen different placing of the strap buttons. Gibson for example has it both ways. Also on new guitars which Ive seen at Thomann. So it is maybe more of a personal taste and use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Simon Barden
I also thought about the strap coming off at the button placed on the upper corner when not using lockings. On my LP it's not a problem, but the Explorer shape Is harder to handle...And for I do not like lockings, maybe I tend more to the version at the backside/neck placing...
The strap buttons are ready...
Attachment 37776
Attachment 37777
When I find or make a good truss rod cover, maybe I will add it later :)
But for the moment it is finished and I keep on tuning and adjusting...
That looks metal bro, nice job!
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Thank you FrankenWashie! Your projects were very inspiring and motivating!
And a lot of thanks to Simon for all the advices!