First Build - PSH-1 Hollowbody

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Originally Posted by McCreed

You guys have better powers of observation than me! I totally missed the misshaped fret. Now I can't not see it!

There are ways of crowning effectively with a file that has too small a radius (can actually be done with a flat file) but it's not an approach I would recommend for a first-timer. I think Simon's suggestion of finding someone that can rescue it is a good idea.

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Thanks - I had a try with some small flat look at files but gave up being a first timer. I might see how much the luthier at the local guitar shop will charge or see if can buy a new neck from Pitbull. Can any perth builders recommend any luthiers who will help out a fix on a kit.

One positive is that the frets are level, but I want to sort it as it will bug me if I put all the effort to finish the guitar and there are a whole pile of Frankenstein frets staring at me.


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Originally Posted by mrpearson

Thanks Simon - I am going to see if can buy a shim from some where as finding maple veneer is pretty tough.


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Hi Simon I have been doing some experiments based on your explanation simulating a shim angle with 80gsm paper which is .1 mm thick. Figure that 5-6 sheets lifting the heal closest to the bridge sorts the break angle when clamped = .5 degree shim. Still need to consider the bridge when fitted will sit slightly higher than my mock as there is about 1mm extra height in the bushes so may need to find a .75 degree shim.

Question could I make a shim from basswood ply as I can find 2mm sheets locally????

The shim will solve one problem, now just need to sort my Frankenstein frets

Mike


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You can. Basswood is a fair bit softer than maple though, so you need to be careful as one end will be pretty thin.

Just use a thin strip of double-sided tape near either end to hold it down when being sanded. just enough to stop it moving.

Day 5 - some success.

Manage to fix my Frankenstein frets with some careful sanding and a visit to the local luthier confirmed that i did a half decent job so all is not lost. Phew.

Constructed my shim and now have a much better action in my mock build but stupidly cleaned of the double sided tape with a orange based goo remover which is pretty oily. Any tips on removing oil from wood as don’t want to weaken my neck join when I glue it in? I have the acetone based goof off which I am kicking myself for not using.

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You might be able to clean off the orange oil with the acetone. Dunno, just guessing. But if you have a scrap piece of basswood, try rubbing it with orange oil, then acetone, and try gluing to a clean piece of timber and see if it holds.
Of course it be quicker just to make another shim!

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And good news on the frets!

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Originally Posted by McCreed

You might be able to clean off the orange oil with the acetone. Dunno, just guessing. But if you have a scrap piece of basswood, try rubbing it with orange oil, then acetone, and try gluing to a clean piece of timber and see if it holds.
Of course it be quicker just to make another shim!

edit:

And good news on the frets!

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Good idea re : testing. Backup plan as new shim in the works.

Re: frets. Thanks. You guys make the builds look so easy :-) only 2 steps and hitting a few challenges but getting the playability sorted now I reckon is key vs finish. I hope the staining process is a little more straight forward.


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The ‘oil’ in the glue remover is almost certainly kerosene/paraffin. Given enough time it should evaporate, but another solvent like acetone or IPA or naphtha (lighter fluid) and a cloth should help shift it.

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...another solvent like acetone or IPA...

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India Pale Ale???? :p

Isopropyl alcohol. IPA is a common acronym, though I don’t recommend drinking it.

Be careful with acetone. I got some in my eye a month ago (own fault) and was lucky not to do any serious damage. Took a couple of weeks of drops and ointment before it was better.

Day 6 - moving on to wire up my electrics in preparation for drilling my toggle switch holes.

Question - on a hollowbody is the necessary to ground the shielding in the pickup cavities. It seems some people run a ground to one of the pots and others don’t.

Whilst I am installing humbuckers they will be wired to run split as single coils so assume shielding will help a little bit.

Thanks


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