abutton

that's the joy of this site Alan, you dont have to repay advice. Just give some when you can as you gain experience. At this stage we are here to help you.
Enjoy and learn. Plus you might have other skills with computers, finishing, cars who knows... that you can help some one with

No worries Stan - hopefully I can help someone somewhere

Thanks again to all also found the glue at Masters and got the Original brand!

I just glued the shim in and I have glued the neck.

It was a bit hairy getting the right distance from strings to frets and getting it to be parrallel and I had to kick it out a bit from square from the heel of the neck to the guitar body but I think it worked out pretty well

I just hope it all sticks O.K. and intonates properly.

Have attached some pics below - hard to tell whether the neck is correctly positioned but fingers crossed!

Thanks again Stan

Cheers,

Alan



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Looking good Alan! Are there both E strings in the pictures? I can't quite tell. I'm sure she'll intonate perfectly. Did you test fit the neck pickup with the neck in position?

cheers,
Ga.

always hard to tell from pics, but your alignment looks good Alan

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Hi Stan and Gav,

I have added a few more pics with pick up in place - I tested it before I did the final neck glueing and I had to shave some off the step up to the fret board because of the packing I put behind the neck base.

So I think that should be O.K.

I have got both E strings on but it is hard to see in the pics - they both look parrallel but well inside the edge which seems a bit odd but maybe that is how SG's are?

I checked the glue today and seems to be stuck pretty well and re-checked the measurements from the bridge to the 12th fret and they maybe slightly longer than the originals but only by about 1/2mm??

The strings are very close to the frets from the 22nd fret to about the 10th fret and then they tend to move about 1/16th away from the frets near the nut - hopefully that isn't anything to worry about...

Could you let me know what the next step is - is it the soldering of the pickups and controls?

Anyway thanks guys - I have only got this far due to you guys, Wokkaboy and all the others

Cheers,

Alan

they do look well inside dont they... at worst you might need a new nut... they seem pretty even though, I'd carry on
If you are done with the finish and the neck is set, I guess it's time for the electrickery bits for sure.
You've come this far yourself mate, we're just shouting from the sidelines, nice job

It does look like the strings are a tad too far in.

My 2c worth is to get rid of the plastic rubbish and replace it with a nice bone nut.

If you grab one of our bone nuts you will find it will solve that problem.
The slots are also compensated to allow for the string thickness, this makes it a lot more comfortable to play.
Oh, and of course I must add one of DB's mantras...Bone for Tone! :)

Thanks again guys,

I know I couldn't have got this far without you guys so please keep shouting from the sidelines - ha!

I am wrapped that I have played around with the bridge and saddle and strings and now I have got something that actually looks like a guitar so 'in for a penny in for a pound' as they say.

I would like to change the nut over to a bone one - is it hard to replace? and where do I go to purchase one?

It seems the bridge is too narrow more than the nut because the strings move further inside the edge of the neck as they get closer to the bridge?

But lets give it a go and see what happens - I like the idea of having a better tone to the sound of the guitar

I was going to start to put the copper tape into the pick up and the control cut outs - is this the correct next step (I could do this while I wait for the nut to arrive)


Thanks heaps again guys - really really appreciate your help,

Cheers,

Alan

Tony, replacing nuts is very easy to do! Go to the Pit Bull Guitars store and buy a G type nut, DB will make one for you and when you get it, a small tap with a hammer should dislodge the plastic nut. Make sure the new nut is at a height where the first fret action is where you want it and simply use a bit of thick superglue to glue it in the slot, I used the E strings at tension to hold the nut in place when I lowered it on my LP, still holds quite well!

Thanks Keloooe,

Sounds like I could handle that!

I will get onto the Pit Bull Guitar Store

Cheers - thanks mate

Alan

Hi Guys,

I have completed the electrics and unless I am missing something I think they work?!!!

I used the video guides to step me thru the process and they worked a treat - the guys who put these together should be congratulated - they are easy to follow and effective in getting the end result you want.

I taped the pick up and control cut outs with the copper tape but I think I heard somewhere that if you earth the pots out you don't need the tape? anyway I did both so it should be O.K.

The good news is I didn't burn my fingers with the soldering iron - the bad news is I burnt the head stock - F me D I hate soldering irons!!

Anyway I have ordered a new bone nut to try and fix the strings being too far inside the edge of the neck - so while I wait for that I think the next steps would be - screw in the humbuckers, install the electrics cover and then install the tuners.

Any tips for setting up the humbuckers and tuners would be greatly apprecitated

Now that I have glued the neck and completed the electrics - if I can get the guitar to intonate then I think I could actually play it???


Thanks again for everybody's help

Cheers,

Alan

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That's one hell of a cigarette burn, adds character.

Wait until you stand on a soldering iron wearing nylon socks, queue groove in foot with a molten nylon cover.

A warfie did blush

Almost a Nike Tick Jeez that's so annoying .Can it be be sanded Alan .if not just tell people it used to be Keef Richards Guitar he burns his all the time

Hi Guys,

Thanks for putting a positive spin on my stuff up

Dave - that burn must have really hurt - it was bad enough just burning my fingers

Hey kimball that guitar is wild - I love the woodgrain!

And I agree - just put it down to experience - definitely a talking point - and one day maybe I will even laugh about it .... aggghh!

Does anybody know if I have to earth the dual humbuckers to the bridge post - it didn't say to do so in the video and then I found a video that deals just with earthing dual humbuckers???....

I have installed the tuners, pick guard and control panel cover - I hope the offset of the tuners is correct - I just wanted to screw everything in to get it as complete looking as possible

Have attached some updated photos

Cheers,

Alan
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Hi Guys,

Another issue - I just received the bone nut but it doesn't seem to have any real slots for the strings.

It only has a very minor slot at the tip of the nut but I don't think the strings would even fit or locate into them.

There is no real groove like the other nuts on my guitars?? see pics

Do you have to grind the slots in yourself - how?

Also the slots aren't more wider spaced than the current plastic one so I don't see how the nut is going to fix the strings being too far inside the edge of the neck

Sorry a heap of questions - if someone can advise I would really appreciate it - want to get some strings on it so I can see if it is going to intonate

Still don't know if I need to earth the humbuckers to the bridge post?

Thanks in advance,

Alan

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hey Alan,
the build coming along on the home stretch now, looking good. The earth wire from each humbucker will be soldered to the back of one of the pots, usually a volume pot. The earth wire from the bridge will also be soldered to the same pot. Looks like you have copper shielding in the control cavity so you won't need to earth each pot.
With the bone nut you need nut files. The shallow slots are for locating the slots. A set costs about $90+ but last a lifetime. Best thing I'd do is put the plastic nut back on and string it up once the wiring is sorted. At least you will be able to play it and I'd intonate it once you sort out a bone nut. If you don't want to spend much buy a pre-slotted bone nut on ebay.
Another option is to get some old guitar strings and use E A D strings like dental floss and create a slot in the nut placed in a vice. With the G B E strings you may be able to deepend them with a very thin saw but you risk ruining this nut.
Are there any other forumites close to you that may have a set of nut files ?

Whoa! Looks like the b slot is a bit funky... I think I know what happened there.
I must have accidentally packed a dud in the last batch, usually I check them all before I send them to PBG HQ but that one slipped past.... My bad, I cut twenty nuts that day and was bozeyed at the end of it. The joys of age and dodgy eyes.
Note to self, get your eyes checked, DB..

The slots do look wider as these are compensated slots, which means the slots on the E A & D are slightly wider spaced to compesate for the string width..
Flick me an email at dingobass@pitbullguitars.com with your address, and for good measure let me know the width of your neck and I will cut you a new one on the house...

Thanks heaps Wokka and dingobass

I didnt realise that the bone nut needed the slots filed into them - probably a bit exy at this stage to purchase the file set

I thought the slots themselves looked O.K. - you're probably being a bit hard on yourself dingobass - it is more that I didn't know that the nut didn't come with the slots - that is me just not knowing what I don't know.

All good learning though - I will send you an email anyway - not sure if I can pay extra and get the slots put in?

I have already installed the bridge and saddle - is it O.K. just to pull the post out and insert the earth wire or should I glue it back in?

I think it is a tapered/slotted fit so I am worried it wont hold if I pull it out and just put it back in?

Not sure whether I was supposed to glue them in originally now that I think about it?

If I use the plastic nut for now will it play in tune if it is not intonated?


Sorry, so many questions but really keen to finish it off - even with all the stuff ups I am extremely happy with how it has come up

Thanks again,

Alan

Hey Alan,
if you have banged in the bridge post bushes all the way they will be hard to remove. They are tapered and you won't need glue. Here's a cool method to remove the bush without damaging the finish and damaging the bridge post. Note I'm pretty sure its the treble side tailpiece bush that has the hole for the earth wire to the cavity, have a look where the hole is in the control cavity and line up which post bush you have to remove.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1ppKxEIF1M

when you put the bush back in, make sure the earth wire has plenty of bare wire making contact with the bush and tap it back in place. Do not use glue, trust me they aren't going to come out.

Sure you can intonate the guitar with the plastic nut, you may have to intonate it again with the bone nut when it arrives as a difference in the height of the string slot will affect intonation.

With a new neck and new strings the neck needs to be played in a bit before it will hold tune. A good exercise is to stretch the strings once you have wound them on the tuner posts.

Best of luck, hope you can get it playing soon !

Thank you Wokkaboy - you are a God send!

I have viewed the video and it seems straight forward enough

I think the hole went to the bottom saddle post but I will check the way you suggested

Before I do it - when I completed the electrics I checked if the humbuckers worked by touching it with a screwdriver thru the amp and checked that the corresponding humbucker worked to the 3 way switch setting and it all worked perfectly - does this mean I still have to earth it to the bridge?

Is there anything I should do with the height of the humbuckers - I havent touched the adjustment - or is this part of the intonation process?

To wind the strings onto the tuners I guess you just stick the string thru the hole and leave enough string for 3 - 4 turns and then tighten it to tune it

Thanks again Wokkaboy - you must want me to complete this as much as me just to give you a break from me! - ha!

Cheers,

Alan

hey Alan, no problem I am happy to answer your questions as I've made plenty of mistakes not knowing correct procedures.

Yes you still have run an earth wire from bridge to the common earthing point - usually back of a volume pot. Without the bridge earth wire you will get an ugly hum from the pickups.
Once you have set the bridge height, depending on how high/low you want the string action and nut slot heights are set the pickups are generally set about 2-4mm below the strings. Make sure you fret the strings to 22nd fret to check the strings don't touch the pickup pole screws.
I'd buy a string winder are only a few bucks from a music store. Saves getting sore wrists turning the tuners by hand. Generally get at least 2 turns of the string around the tuner peg.
Expect it to go out of tune a bit when strings are new and the neck hasn't been played in. Also helps to stretch the strings so they are tightly wound around the tuner pegs.
Good luck

The headstock and the eyes/mouth are great. Good job

Thanks again Wokka and thanks ihasmario I really appreciate your comments.

I'm not sure that the eyes turned out the way I imagined - I was hoping they could look like knots in the wood as well as eyes but it didn't quite work out that way.

I have seen the guitar you are building -I'm sure you will do a great job - I like the hollow guitars also - I will try and follow your progress and give you my expert opinion - Ha!

Cheers,

Alan

Cheers,

Alan

Hi Guys,

I got the pickups earthed and strings are on

I tried to intonate it but it sounds awful.

I adjusted the action and it looks pretty good

I tuned it basically to a clip on tuner and then checked the intontation on the 12th fret and each time I pressed down on the string behind the 12th fret it seemed it was on the flat side but the saddles are wound all the way forward so I think you have to shorten the length but there is no adjustment.

On the video they end up too sharp and he winds the saddles back where you have plenty of adjustment to bring it back to the same note octave equivalent (I think?)

I think I must be doing something wrong.

I wound the strings too tight but didn't want to go too far and break them

There was some awful static thru the amp and I checked all my earths and connections then changed the power cord over and it cleaned up nicely.

I think all the controls work O.K. and the neck seems to have straightend up also.

Adjusted the pick ups to about 3mm below the strings

Any suggestions would be appreciated

Thanks heaps,

Alan
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If you are still struggling with the intonation then it may pay to check your scale measurements again. I know you checked then here and it looked ok, but now that everything is glued in and strung up check again just to make sure the numbers are where they should be.

Post your results (nut -> 12th fret crown, 12th fret -> high e saddle, 12th fret -> low E saddle) and then we can work through the intonation process and sort out if something is wrong.

Btw, the SG looks great.

Clip on tuners aren't as accurate as plug in tuners. Use your ears and compare the fretted 12th fret with the 12th fret harmonic. The harmonic is correct.

Hi Scott and Pablopepper,

The good news is - after playing around with the basic tuning today it seems like it is tuned!?

I think I might have been tuning to some of the notes to the # note ? not sure - but it is at least playable now

And the sound is crystal clear and beautiful!!!!

I can only play basic riffs and strum patterns but it sounds allot better than my other electric guitar

It might not be tuned 100% - I am not experienced enough to know what a properly tuned guitar sounds like

I checked the measurements Scott and they are

Nut to 12th fret - e string 312.5mm
Nut to 12th fret - E string 312mm
Saddle to 12th fret f- e string 315mm
Saddle to 12th fret - E string 319mm

I tried the harmonics with the clip-on tuner and the E A and D strings come up good - the G and B strings struggle to find the note but sometimes does??? and the e string works O.K.

I adjusted the saddles back on the G and B strings (to make it longer in length from the 12th fret) and it seemed to help?

All the strings come up on the tuner as the correct note so I don't think I am too far away

The only other thing is that I think the strings are too close to the fret at the nut end because they rattle when you pick them - especially the thicker strings

I have raised the saddle fairly high at the bridge end so I might need to do something with the nut

I do have a bone nut coming and I need to get it grooved so I might just pay the money and get the music shop to set it up properly with the new bone nut - see how expensive it is anyway.

Thanks for your feedback guys - I really appreciate it - this is all completely new too me - not even sure I am using the right terminology with everything so I hope I am not confusing you too much.

I am wrapped that I can play it even tho it might be a bit flat or sharp or something....

Cheers,

Alan

Best way to check the intonation is to compare the pitch of a string fretted at the 12th fret with the 12th fret harmonic, to play a 12th fret harmonic you lightly touch the string just above the 12th fret and pluck the string as normal, you should hear a note that's the same as the note you get when you play a 12th fret note, if the 12th fret harmonic is sharp (higher pitched) it means the string saddle needs to be moved away from the neck to lengthen the string, if the harmonic is flat (lower pitched) it means that the string saddle needs to be moved towards the neck to shorten the string, you'll find that you might need to check the intonation if you raise the action or adjust the truss rod, keep adjusting the string saddles back and forth till the 12th fret harmonic sounds the same as the 12th fretted note, you might need to make sure the string is tuned to pitch before checking the 12th fret harmonic.


Sometimes you might come across a string that doesn't sound cleanly, it tends to "buzz" like a sitar when played open, this can be caused by either a badly cut nut-slot or a bad string saddle on the bridge, or even a bad string (assuming the action is fine and the frets are all level).


Make sure the pickup volumes are on full and that the tone controls are also on full so that there's no tone roll off,tuners that you plug instruments into generally give better results than clip-on tuners, I have found that clip-on tuners tend to give results that are a bit hit-and-miss especially when the battery wears out a bit, I'm currently using a Korg Pitchblack + tuner for all my tuning needs and I think it is pretty accurate especially when set to Strobe-Tuner modes.

Hi DrNomis,

Thanks so much for your feedback.

I am really working in the dark here - no knowledge of intonation at all!

I have tuned all the strings - only to the clip on tuner (I may have to invest in the Korg Pitchblack tuner)

All strings are tuned O.K. and they sound like they are in tune so maybe that's as good as it needs to be for me (a novice!)

When I tune to the harmonic note all strings show the same note except the G string seems to be showing a C note to the harmonic?

I cant really tell by ear if the hamonic note is sharp or flat to the open note- just not experienced enough I guess?

No strings have a buzzing noise but when I strum them they tend to rattle which I think is because the action is too low but I have raised it about 3mm off the 24th fret so I don't want to lift it up any further.

I will try and play around with the G string and see if I can get it sound out a G harmonic note

Thanks again for your help,

Cheers,

Alan

If you can plug your guitar into your computer, a thread I posted explained how to do it extremely accurately.

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=2941

Go ahead and check it if you have a spare hour and are pedantic like I am.

Hi Ihasmario,

I tried this and it worked beautifully

I adjusted the G string and have now got a G harmonic note

My clip on tuner still says its a C for some reason

Anyway I think the intonation is pretty good now

The only problem now is I do have buzzing on the E and A strings at the 3rd and 4th frets

I was calling it a rattle before because when you strum it it rattles

Not sure what to do with this - I guess either these frets are a little higher than the others or the action is too low at the neck end

I am wondering if I should alter the truss rod to try and get some more room away from the frets

Do you think I should give this a go???

Thanks heaps for the tuner link - I am going to use this to tune my guitar from now on.

It sounds beautiful thru my 20 year old Ross amp - I thought the amp was pretty well on its way out but now I know it is my other guitar!

Cheers,

Alan

Are any of the Victorian members close to you? Sounds like another set of eyes may just get this working beautifully.

I think you are right Alan, sounds like frets or the nut.
Before you play with the truss rod, put a straight edge on your guitar neck and see how flat it is. Any pics of strings, heights etc may help us to help you too.
I'd be happy to have a look, but Geelong is a long way from Mornington....

Hey Alan did you do any fret levelling during the build ? I'd say couple of frets are a tad too high. As Stan said don't play with the truss rod yet, put a straight edge over the neck when it is in tune and see if the neck has any back bow or relief

The intonation with a guitar will never be perfect, most of them that are perfect at the twelfth will be slightly out at the nut depending on the action. Maybe 3 to 10 cents out. Getting a nut done professionally helps a lot but it still won't be perfect.

Hi Guys,
Sorry guys I'm not sure whats happening here
I didn't level the frets at all - I didn't think I could fix them if they were out anyway (that's the spirit- ha!)
I put a straight edge on the neck and it seems pretty straight - I couldn't really fault it?
I have put some pics up but I know it is hard to tell anything from them
I compared the action against my other electric guitar and it seems almost exactly the same - it actually looks like the action is lower at the nut end - and it doesn't rattle at all.
And just to confuse things even more I'm not even sure what frets are causing the noise - it seems to be coming from the 7th to 8th fret now (from the 2nd to 3rd last night??) -mainly only E and A strings
The strings seem to be "tinnier" than the other guitar - I just used the strings that were in the bag - there is another set in a plastic packet with Pitbull Guitars on them
Maybe I try changing the strings over? - I'm just guessing now
I agree with Stan and Fretworn it probably needs someone who knows what they're doing to have a look at it.
An idea I thought of was if anybody was on Skype - maybe I could contact them and show them what is happening and let them listen to what the noise sounds like???
I could get the guitar shop guy to have a look but I get the distinct impression he will charge me an arm or a leg for it - he suggested I should have just bought a 'proper' guitar from him.
Might have to take a trip to Geelong and meet Stan - see how we go (thanks for the offer Stan)
Any thoughts would be appreciated but I know I'm not giving you guys much to go on
The guitar sounds sensational otherwise
Cheers,
Alan
Sorry guys I cant attach the pics - I will log off and try again

Here are the pics - I hope you can see them - I think the last one is the first fret and then they run down to the bridge from the first to the fourth pic (I think!)
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Hi Alan. Have you read through Gavin's set up guide?
http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1782
This will help. :)

Great news Guys, I worked thru Gavin's set up Guide as pablopepper suggested and the buzzing and/or rattling has disappeared.

It sounds even better - there is a real resonance in the sound - the chords sound really pure and clear - just incredible.

I didn't have any space between the string and fret at the ninth fret so I adjusted the trus rod

That gave me just enough room to get a business card thru and I think this was what eliminated the buzzing noise.

The action is way higher than my other guitar and probably too high but I am not fussed.

I might play with dropping the saddles down a bit on the weekend.

I seem to be able to adjust the saddles to get the harmonic note to the open note when I tune it so all good!

THANKS SO MUCH to everybody who helped me - I wont sign off yet because I might run into more trouble but I think I am just about done.

Just got to learn how to play the guitar now! (minor point)

Still taking lessons so that will come in time I'm sure.

Cheers,

Alan