Everyone, note the word Hopefully there... :)
Yea, you should start the Wudtone soon, going to look great!
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Everyone, note the word Hopefully there... :)
Yea, you should start the Wudtone soon, going to look great!
Things haven't quite gone to plan since my last update.
My father's health declined dramatically and after three difficult weeks in hospital he sadly passed at the start of last week. So, as you can imagine, my amateur lutherie has been rather low priority over the past month. That being said, I did still plod on with the build when I could as it actually helped take my mind off things. The build has also taken on a new aspect now, as it is the one and only my father ever got to see me working on… so, I think I'd like to do some sort of tribute to him on the headstock. Not exactly sure what and how just yet, I'm still ruminating on ideas, but I've got something in mind. I'm also more determined than ever to see this build through to completion and to produce a quality instrument.
I've been taking pics of what I've been doing in the build, just haven't got around to posting, so this will be a four part update (I think). I've also sort of had to push things along a bit over the last few days as well, as with everything that's happened with this build it now means that all of my Wudtone is already over 2 months old and I'm worried it'll go bad before I can use it.
First off, I wasn't happy with the fit of any of the pickguards I had, both from the kit and after-market, so I decided to cut my own custom one (I'll be making a custom pickguard for a later build anyway, so it would be good practice for that). For those thinking about making their own pickguards… let me tell you, it's actually a lot harder that you may think. I mean, hacking out a shape from plastic is easy, but doing it extremely accurately, with nice even curves that fit snugly with other parts - that's not so easy, no matter how careful you are.
So, I first made an oversized standard pickguard template out of paper, then trimmed/tweaked it to fit the guitar the way I wanted (tighter fit around the bridge, slightly extended in other places). I then used that paper template to cut out a plywood template that I could then use as a router guide to cut the actual pickguard (and yes, I did think "hmm… plywood pickguard… maybe... nah". Anyway, it's still not as easy as it sounds. Tools used: hobby knife, jigsaw, hacksaw, router, rasp, files, sandpaper… and a, frequently repeated, choice selection of profanity. The end result is ok, with a pretty good fit all round, so I'm reasonably pleased. I haven't put the bevel on the edge as yet. Cutting the neck pickup slot was probably the most frustrating aspect, and I'm still not completely satisfied with the result. Once I was happy that everything fit I put it all in place and then marked and drilled all the screw holes.
Pics:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ickguard_1.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ickguard_2.jpg
In my quest to get all holes drilled etc. before starting the finish, the next step was the machine heads.
First step was to mount them loosely in the headstock then make sure the bodies of all the tuners lined up and were square before tightening. A straight edge/ruler along the the actual tuner bodies and along the tuner posts helps with the alignment, and a cheap plastic right angle aids in getting the winders square (see first set of pics). Second set of pics shows using the straight edge to check the alignment of the screw mounts (before drilling) and that the spacing between the tuner keys are all about right.
Last set of pics shows the tuners in place with screws in and, just for fun, a quick stringing with fishing line just to check that everything lines up like it should
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_heads_1.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_heads_2.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_heads_3.jpg
Ok, all holes have been drilled, all worm holes have been plugged and capped in an attempt to hide them, all excessive (unwise and unnecessary) routing has been done…
I mixed up a bit of Timbermate (40% Maple, 60% Pine) into a semi-matching colour to fill a couple of small spots on the back and put a smear over all the wormhole plugs etc. to help them blend a little better. Then, I went through the grades of 180, 220 and 240 sandpaper to get a nice, smooth surface and put a beautiful rounded edge around the body. Ready for my Wudtone, assuming it's still usable (see first set of pics).
To apply said Wudtone, I devised the WeirdBits 'Wudtone Application Contraption' (PAF)… which consists of a contoured short pseudo-neck body holder (allowing access around the neck pocket), and a rotatable vice or bench-mounted socket for the aforementioned pseudo-neck. Basically, you mount the neck/holder in the neck pocket and then it slots in and locks into the socket, so the body is then supported while you apply your Wudtone and can be rotated as needed (2nd and 3rd set of pics). Not perfect, but it actually seems to work ok. I've got a similar holder for the neck as well, so it can slot in and be rotated the same way,
Pics:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_ready_1.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_ready_2.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ne_ready_3.jpg
Wudtone time… at last! Finally time to put some colour on this thing.
You may recall this is the Teleburster, with a Black Magic Woman and Goldenrod 'burst (front and back). This means I have a Deep Colour coat with the BMW but only Base Colour with the Goldenrod, not the usual format for a Wudtone burst. So, my plan is to do the BMW Deep Colour coat, give it a couple of days to dry (hopefully 3 days will be enough) then feather the edges with steel wool (or maybe a fine sanding) but not steel wool the sides, then repeat with another coat. The idea is to get a really dark black on the sides with a feathered edge for the burst that extends in slightly further with each coat. I'm aiming for the final feathered edge to fade completely at ~3/4" after 2-3 Deep Colour coats.
Then, if all goes well, I'll do the normal Wudtone-style 'burst procedure with the Base Colour coats for the BMW and Goldenrod… at least, that's the plan.
I did the first Deep Colour coat today, took me ages as I was trying to be very careful. The wood for the wormhole repair plugs took far less colour than the body's Alder, as expected, so I ended up treating it like a repair and 'dabbing' the colour on a bit more over those spots to try to get more colour in and help them blend. I'll just have to see how it goes. The sides generally took the colour pretty well, although some grain spots took far less colour than other areas. I'm planning on maybe 3 Deep Colour coats in total, but I'll have to wait and see how it looks when it's dry. Originally, I planned on doing a Vintage Amber neck, but now with the tribute stuff I think I may go traditional with a Goldenrod-style yellowy neck… so I may be shopping for some more Wudtone neck finishes.
Deep Colour crime scene photos below:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_1a.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_1b.jpg
Hey Weirdy,
Condolences on the passing of your Dad.
Looking good mate, I am quite impressed with your efforts with this build.
With the deep colour coats of BMW, it is best if you don't steel wool between coats. This allows better penetration of the colour and will give you a more even cover.
Hey WeirdBits!
I'm really sorry to hear about your dad passing on. I expect though that your love for him will spur you on to making this guitar something special.
In terms of the BMW, i tried pretty much exactly the combination you are planning on. Except I thought i'd get the grain to really 'pop' by applying the deep colour to the whole of the guitar and then sanding it back. When applying the GoldenRod to the top I was never happy with the result so I started over! Eventually did the whole guitar body in BMW but kept the idea of the 'burst' to hide the imperfections caused by a very thin flamed maple cap! i think you are going to get a far superior result to this.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d-IMGP2342.JPG
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...x-IMGP2344.JPG
Hey Scott, condolences over your Dads's passing, losing a loved one is never easy.
Your tele is really starting to take shape now, really looking forward to the end result. I'm sure it would make your dad proud.
Hey Scott, hope you guys are still going strong!!!
For the neck, I am using Original Vintage Yellow, see the pic below, looks really nice even though there's only 1 coat!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...a0jt-image.jpg
Scott, sorry to hear about your Dad. I can understand that it's not been a priority with everything else going on.
Looking through your build diary, you seem to be putting heaps of effort in and I'm sure it will pay dividends - looking great so far!
Hi Scott,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of you Dad. I feel your pain as my beloved wife of 40 years passed away last year and for me building my Kit has been cheaper and better than therapy.
Like you, I have in a small way dedicated this build to my wife as it bears her name on the Headstock.
I hope you get through this very difficult time, and I am sure you will have a guitar that your Dad would have been proud to see his name on.
God Bless mate and hang in there
rob.
Thank you for the kind words everyone.
Time for the second Deep Colour coat. I started to feather the edge with steel wool, but it just wasn't cutting it so I ended up switching to sandpaper. I just caressed the edge very lightly with 400 grit paper and then gave it a rub with the 0000 steel wool to help smooth it out, and it seems to have worked ok (see first set of pics). I then applied as much Deep Colour to the sides as they would take, and then did a very dry rub on the edge/border to the top and back to take it in about 3/4". After that I repeated the process with a wetter rub but only going in about 1/2", which helped to darken the edge and blend it with the previous coat (2nd and 3rd sets of pics).
I think the process is kind of going well, but I won't really know until I get onto the Base coats. The plug repairs will probably need a bit of a rub with steel wool to smooth out the colour blending a bit, which I'll probably do once this coat is dry. After that it will be a third Deep Colour coat, and then some time to dry before starting on the Base coats and the Goldenrod burst.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_2a.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_2b.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_2c.jpg
Looks great there Scott!!!
We both have similar colour schemes going on here, except I am using Dark Onyx as the dark colour, I'm doing a REVERSE burst, and I have something kinda neat up my sleeves that should wow everyone....
Originally I was only going to do 3 Deep Colour coats, but after giving the worm hole repairs a bit of a steel wool after the second coat and applying the third coat I wasn't really happy with the results. So, I did a dap/touch-up on the repairs with a bit more deep colour the next day (Sat) and then today did the 4th and what I hope will be the final Deep Colour coat. I'm much happier with the way the repairs are blending, and think they'll blend even more once I start the Base Coats (plan is for next weekend).
First set of pics show the nice overall deep colour forming. Second set of pics show how two of the repair areas are blending, with the arrows pointing to roughly where the repair plugs are.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_4a.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_4b.jpg
Hi Scott. Condolences for your loss.
Regarding your first build, fantastic stuff. Given the circumstances, maybe the name "perseverance" is fitting for this particular tele!
Cheers
Glenn
Scott - nice job - just noticed - one of the spots will be obscured by your strap. Should be a beaut of a guitar!
Well, the last deep colour coat has been drying for a week, so at last, finally, it's time for the base colours and some 'bursty goodness… hopefully.
Again, I started by feathering the edge of the last deep colour coat with 400 grit and then gave it all a light rub with 0000 steel wool. To make it a little easier to manage the body while applying the colour, I gave it a prostate exam with a piece of broom handle (see first set of pics). I then applied the Black Magic Woman base colour to the sides and a dryish band about 1cm in on the top and back, then switched to the Goldenrod base colour and ran that up to the BMW band. Next, I started blending the edge, first with Goldenrod and then some BMW. The colours are starting to come up ok, but it's going to take a bit of work to get the feathered edges to blend into a nice burst transition (2nd and 3rd sets of pics). The feathering on the edge still looks a little 'scratchy' at the moment, but I think it will improve with more coats and as my blending technique gets better. Not sure if I'm happy with the result as yet, will have to wait to see after a few more coats.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_1a.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_1b.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content..._colour_1c.jpg
Keep at it Weirdy, it will get better with every coat.
I like the way you are approaching this Sunburst, it is nice and subtle
Oh wow, that is a great burst!!! Noice and subtle, makes it different from other bursts!
Base coats 2, 3 and 4 of 'bursty goodness went on this week (base coat 4 today), shown in the image sets below, respectively. Apologies for the flash glare in the images, but it's indoors with mainly artificial light and the flash is necessary to get something close to the actual colour of the body to appear (each set were taken just after I finished the coat). You may not really see it in the images, there is a distinct improvement with each coat for both colours. The Black Magic Woman is starting to even out and deepen, which is what I wanted, and the 'burst transition is just starting to blend the way I want it to. But, it's been a real struggle.
The BMW and Goldenrod really don't play nicely together when it comes to applying them, they're just so different both in colour and how they physically mix (or don't mix). Actually, if you try to mix small amounts of them in a container they'll start to separate again pretty much as soon as you stop stirring. A bit like trying to paint thin black ink (BMW) in on a wax surface (Goldenrod). But, I'm starting to get the hang of it.
The last image set (base coat 4) also shows a pic of the wormhole repair on the upper section of the body, and I'm actually reasonably pleased with it. It's the repair that's most visible, being on the top of the body and with the translucency of the Goldenrod, but I think it looks ok. How much it blends in depends on your viewing angle, but it never really looks bad imo.
Anyway, I'm aiming at maybe two more base coats and then some curing time before the gloss top coats. But, I may do some extra coats of the BMW on the sides/edges depending on how it develops over the next two coats.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e_colour_2.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e_colour_3.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e_colour_4.jpg
Love the grain you are getting in the goldenrod. Looking great! You planning on keeping the Black pickguard for this one?
Yep, I'll be using the black pickguard I made for this one. But, I may end up cutting another one depending on which pickups I end up using, still black though.
Looks great!!
Have I gushed over this one yet? I really like where this is going (and no, not just 'cause it's a Tele). That's a really nice bit of wood (grain). I wasn't convinced with the "thin burst", but now I'm sold. This will look great on stage.
I've decided that Wudtone is evil... it actually makes you want to watch paint dry.
On more than one occasion I've found myself just standing and staring at the finish, thinking about what might work best for the next coat, what areas will need more work, or just appreciating it as it dries. You save time when applying it, but lose time admiring it!
Hmmmmm.... - sorry - lost you there for a sec - was thinking of what Wudtone colour comes next... :oQuote:
Quote from WeirdBits on May 19, 2013, 11:51
You save time when applying it, but lose time admiring it!
Look out Weirdy, Adam just made a reference to your axe looking good on stage....Quote:
Quote from adam on May 18, 2013, 22:13
Have I gushed over this one yet? I really like where this is going (and no, not just 'cause it's a Tele). That's a really nice bit of wood (grain). I wasn't convinced with the "thin burst", but now I'm sold. This will look great on stage.
Let me translate that for you...
Bolt the Tele down or it will end up in Adam's collection! :D
With 100 posts under his belt you'd have thought Weirdy would have learned to speak "Adam" by now....Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 19, 2013, 17:17
Look out Weirdy, Adam just made a reference to your axe looking good on stage....Quote:
Quote from adam on May 18, 2013, 22:13
Have I gushed over this one yet? I really like where this is going (and no, not just 'cause it's a Tele). That's a really nice bit of wood (grain). I wasn't convinced with the "thin burst", but now I'm sold. This will look great on stage.
Let me translate that for you...
Bolt the Tele down or it will end up in Adam's collection! :D
Must add that I'm glad Pest is building a LP and not a Tele, would hate to see a pensioner and a university graduate fighting over Pests first completed project!!
I have to finish it first. Besides, given the distance from Perth, I think this would be a Tele too far ;)Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 19, 2013, 17:17
[...] or it will end up in Adam's collection! :D
...and that's your SECOND mistake!! :))Quote:
Quote from WeirdBits on May 19, 2013, 20:15
I have to finish it first. Besides, given the distance from Perth, I think this would be a Tele too far ;)Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 19, 2013, 17:17
[...] or it will end up in Adam's collection! :D
Yep, yep, and my LP is staying here with me!!!!Quote:
Quote from Gavin1393 on May 19, 2013, 18:31
Must add that I'm glad Pest is building a LP and not a Tele, would hate to see a pensioner and a university graduate fighting over Pests first completed project!!Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 19, 2013, 17:17
Look out Weirdy, Adam just made a reference to your axe looking good on stage....Quote:
Quote from adam on May 18, 2013, 22:13
Have I gushed over this one yet? I really like where this is going (and no, not just 'cause it's a Tele). That's a really nice bit of wood (grain). I wasn't convinced with the "thin burst", but now I'm sold. This will look great on stage.
Let me translate that for you...
Bolt the Tele down or it will end up in Adam's collection! :D
I've been busy 'bursting away over the past week or so. During base coat 5 or 6 (using both colours) I finally worked out a technique that would blend/transition the 'burst more the way that I wanted. Since then I've done 4 or 5 coats of just the Black Magic Woman to darken the sides and improve the colour transition (with lots of steel wool'ing in between) using the new method. I'm still not completely happy, but it's much closer to what I wanted. In reality, I could keep tweaking the 'burst until I run out of colour and still not be satisfied, but at some point I have to say enough or it will never get finished. So, at present, I plan on doing probably two more combined base coats, then add the gold highlights to the pure Goldenrod areas front and back, then let it cure for a week or so before starting the top coats.
The images below show the current state of the burst after yesterday's BMW only coat. The blend areas look a little 'woodier' in the pics than it actually is and the black transition is smoother in reality but still needs a touch of steel wool here and there. I'm reasonably pleased with the burst transition in most areas, but there are a couple of places where the grain makes it harder to get the smooth blend that I want. What do you guys think? I'll try to post up some pics with natural light before I start the top coats.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11a.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11b.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11c.jpg
Looking "lily allan" Scott! Hope you are going to share the method!
lily allan ????
Great Pest - looking good! Share, share!
F&&&en Fantastic.......as per Lily Allan in The Fear!Quote:
Quote from brett40 on May 28, 2013, 18:58
lily allan ????
HAHAHAHA!!!! Brendan, that tele ain't mine!!!!
Oh wow Scott, that is amazing!!!!
Before starting on the final couple of base coats I thought I'd get an idea of what it'll look like when finished (one day, one day). So, I did a quick (careful) mock-up of the body with the hardware sitting in place and took a few snaps under different lighting conditions. First pic is indoor with flash, natural and fluoro light, second pic is exterior indirect overcast natural light only, third pic is indoor with fluoro and flash. I think it actually looks pretty close to what I was aiming for… so far.
The next two (final) base coats will confirm whether the method I've used to apply the Wudtone for the burst is actually valid, and therefore potentially suitable for public use. So, rather than risk giving out bad advice, I'll wait to see if the final coats are successful before posting the details of the method I used.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11d.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11e.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...colour_11f.jpg
NIIIIIIIIIICE!
Great choice with the Wilkinson bridge. :)
Wilkinson compensated bridge is awesome. You have to manipulate it a bit when doing the intonation though! But its a better option than the non-compensated variety! I see you have put on what looks like a traditional Bakelite pickguard? Have you tried a white or even a lighter pickguard? Your colour scheme is so good but I think the dark pickguard may detract somewhat? But in all it looks really good!