JB Retro 'Surfcaster' tribute

Ok so I have put in the lipsticks, the pots and the three way is worked out. Does this bare wire, assuming ground, stay with the white wire ?

Yep, the bare (shield/cover) and white (negative) can stay joined and just be connected to ground. You would only need to separate them if you were wanting to do phase reversal etc.

Whats phase reversal, not that I really need to know, and what does it do ?

Separating the ground/negative and shield allows to connect the pickup in reverse (out of phase) or in series with another pup while still maintaining the shield connection to ground. You need to do it if you're doing say a 4-way switch mod on a Tele, or things like that.

Phase reversal puts one pickup out of phase wiith another (essentially reversing the hot and ground), so when the two pickups are combined you get a scooped nasally sound from some frequencies being cancelled out. Normally it's not what you want, but it's a distinctive sound that can have its uses.

Ok thanks Scott, maybe the next build.

Note to self; spray contrast colour over primer to see where faults are as you sand. Start again on top coat. Arrrg

So it's been a while on this build. Have had all sorts of problems with the finish. Thought I had finished the headstock only to realise in the light I could see the filled tuner holes. So after much wrestling with myself sanded it back and had another go. With the body a similar sort of thing but more with the binding and getting that perfect finish. One thing I've learnt is preparation is EVERYTHING! Anyway have just put the last coats of clear on and done my headstock logo. 4 weeks and I'm not going to go anywhere near it before the cut and polish stage. Mmmm

Looks great.

So after many months of re-doing stuff, not being quite satisfied, you all know those feelings, I have arrived at a pleasant place in this build. Massive learning curve, but hugely rewarding at the same time. So here she is.

Sorry FW no disco lights