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!