The two tone is very neat, you've really got a great finish on it.
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The two tone is very neat, you've really got a great finish on it.
I've got the day off work today, so started on the Maguires polish. It's coming up nicely.
What do people tend to put on after polishing the clear coat? Is waxing the done thing?
I've got some furniture wax in the cupboard, 'Marveer' brand, which is beeswax and carnauba wax. Silicone free. I tested it out on my piece of scrap, and it doesn't seem to have done any harm.
The wax is just for a bit of added protection I assume?
Really the Magiures polish should also leave a protective layer on it - especially the finishing ones which don't have any cut compound in them.
You certainly won't hurt it by waxing over the top, but its probably unnecessary. The Automotive stuff is designed to withstand being out in the elements so its almost overkill for something like this.
I'd leave it as it is. No wax, no point. If it gets a bit dull and lightly scratched in the future, then use wax, but to me it would be a bit pointless waxing an already shiny surface - after you've polished it there shouldn't be any small scratches for the wax to fill.
Ok thanks guys, I won't bother waxing it. One less thing to do before it's finished. :)
It's getting close. Reeeeaal close.
Finished the finish.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...5-1024x768.jpg
It's highly reflective, and has no trace of the scratches unless you're in full sun at certain angles, and even then it's pretty slight. I'm happy with that.
It picks up fingerprints like no-ones business, so I'll have to learn to not be too precious about it.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...8-1024x768.jpg
Next fit the neck. It was a really tight fit. I got it in most of the way, then got it properly seated by basically putting my whole body weight onto it, which pushed it down the last bit. Managed to chip a little piece of red off near the neck, dammit. But it's straight, and I don't think it's ever coming out.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...4-768x1024.jpg
Pickups installed (thanks to a handy ruler and bit of wood to line everything up). Went in no troubles. Did have a moment of horror when I thought the neck pickup wasn't going to fit under the neck. It was all good with some wiggling.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...6-1024x768.jpg
Electronics done. I got the kid to do most of the soldering, then I finished off the few fiddly bits.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...0-768x1024.jpg
Then put on the Floyd Rose bridge. It says it's a licensed copy... but they've spelled it "Floyd Rosd", which makes me wonder. Seems a bit dubious to me. After watching the video on the Pitbull site, it went on without too much drama. There is still some fine adjustment needed, but for now it's playable.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...1-1024x768.jpg
Put on the strings and the kid has given it a go - the DarkStar pickups sound really awesome.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...7-1024x768.jpg
Here it is in it's new home:
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...4-768x1024.jpg
So, still left to do:
Routing a pick guard, and maybe a new back plate. I might do a truss rod cover, or I might just leave it bare. *gasp*
Getting the tuning perfected. I still need to put some more tension on the springs, and might have to adjust the height of the nut and bridge a bit. Then intonation, which looks scary on that bridge.
Fit the strap buttons. Where the hell do you put them on a body shape like this? I'm thinking they may have to go on the back?
I might also buy a string retainer for the head... the 3rd and 4th strings are angled to almost touching the 2nd and 5th. There wasn't one included in the kit.
Great job mate. Good to see the next generation of headbangers getting into it.
A big round of applause, mate. You've done a lovely job on it and your kid looks really happy. Great that you involved him in the build and hopefully he'll persevere with the playing.
I'd locate the strap buttons in a similar place as on a real Warlock. It's actually been hard to find a picture of the back of one, but I found this, which should provide enough information for you:
Attachment 21800
Just don't put them too near an edge. I'd also suggest using a dab of PVA or Titebond glue on the screws as it helps keep them in place. Because of the strap button locations, I'd suggest swapping the standard buttons to straplocks, as there's going to be a bit of a twist on the strap when it's on the buttons, and you don't want to see it falling off.
Sensible advice there Simon and positioning quite high on those rear horns will help to keep it fairly well balanced for such a wicked shape.
Top job with the finish, and yes, black does show up lots of finger prints and tiny little scratches over time. All part of the ownership experience with dark coloured things.
Thanks guys... Strap locks are in the post.
Proof of a job well done. This photo proves you've done a great job.Quote:
Originally Posted by mjg
Looks wicked man well done
Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Thanks Andy and Fretworn.
Few more things done. I've had another go with the perspex and router, and I've now got a new back cover, and a pick guard. I'm happy with how they came out. The pick guard adds just a little bit of depth to the front, but has the same reflective finish.
I did the edges of these with a round over bit in the router table, then sanded and polished down to 12,000 grit with the micro mesh pads.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...9-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...4-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...3-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...8-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...9-1024x768.jpg
I decided to put a string tree on the head, as I didn't like the sharp angle on the middle strings. Got a cheap one from eBay. Yeah, it was crap.
It came with 2 screws. Both snapped off when trying to screw them into a pre-drilled hole. Changed to a thicker screw to get it in place. The channels for the strings are too small, so the strings pop out with the slightest bump.
I'm probably going to go back to eBay for another look to see if a different style might work better... or might just try the pliers on this one to bend it into a more useful shape.
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...5-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...9-768x1024.jpg
Anyway, I'm calling this 'done'. I still have to do a proper setup on the neck and bridge, and intonation stuff. And some strap locks. But the building is done.
The kid has named the guitar 'Vulcan'. After the Roman god of fire, metal, etc. Not after the pointy eared people on Star Trek.
Overall I think this was more than 50 hours of build time. More than 25 hours of that was sanding/polishing the clear coat to get the reflective finish. 11 hours were stuffing around learning how to spray and sand primer. The rest adds up in there somewhere.
I'd not recommend this finish to anyone who is a perfectionist, or OCD in any way. Way too stressful. :)
Thanks for everyone's comments and help through the build. It would have been much poorer without all the feedback and encouragement that I've got on this forum.
Bit of a dreary day here today, so I can't get any brilliant shots in the sunshine... but here's the finished product (for now...)
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...8-768x1024.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...4-768x1024.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...6-1024x768.jpg
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...5-768x1024.jpg
(Huh. Should have checked the background of that photo, or at least moved the garbage bins. Classy.)
http://graybloomfield.com/guitar/wp-...0-768x1024.jpg
nice job, it looks awesome
I think it's a superb build, you've definitely made it your (well, your son's) guitar.
Great stuff, what's next?
Well my partner has asked for a 5 string bass, in bright sparkly pink. I can't work out if she's joking.Quote:
Originally Posted by JB RETRO
You've done an incredible job! What a wonderful thing to do; you should be proud