Build Thread: Stans 57 Harmony Jazz project

thanks mate, dog eared P90's would have been a good choice, but I have a Kent Armstrong hand wound jazz 'bucker that just has to go in it... time to measure it up...

It would be nice if you could get inside her and put an extra rail down each side of those existing rails.

PK

Now there is a thought - with a pickup hole cut in, there might be enough to get a rail in and between that and the f hole to hold it in place while it dries...

Or just enough space to reinforce around the pickup hole.

Make a template of the top and transfer it onto the reinforcement so it follows the shape inside...

Well it's been a while, computer was out of action, but things have moved on.

Exterior coats on the body are done:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/052.jpg

With some bow in the neck and my desire for a different radius fret board (and I dont like the original), off it comes:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/056.jpg

Combination of heat gun, heated putty knife and wedging the fret board:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/057.jpg

Last bit of fret board attaches quite well to the block that takes up the overhang...

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/058.jpg

Time for the steam iron:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/065.jpg

The glue separated nicely, but the steam damaged the surface:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/064.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/063.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/066.jpg

No problem, I am the paint it more than once master... haha:

Rub back - yay, only the clear was damaged:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/067.jpg

Mask up and re clear:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/085.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/096.jpg

Check the flatness of the neck:

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/094.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/091.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/j...roject/092.jpg

Not perfectly flat...
So, steam it and clamp it
or just put pressure on it
or sand it?

I do know I want a Tassie Blackwood finger board...

Maybe rout a channel for a truss rod?

coming along well Stan. Tazzy blackwood fretboards look great

yep Pablo, was thinking exactly that, truss rod would make it very easy to get right, just have never done it before.
I am thinking this is the way to go though...

Cheers wokka, yet another skill to learn, time for some radiused sanding blocks

I was under the impression this bad boy already had a trussrod of some description hiding in the depths. You're in there now Stan you may as well go the whole hog and throw one in. Looking sweet btw;-)

Determination seems to be winning the day here, especially after that alarming steam setback.
Fascinating watching this project develop - keep it happening.

Thanks Nige, so did I. If it has the steel reinforced neck I thought it had, it's very well hidden.
It makes sense to do it now the finger board is off, looks like I have some reading to do...

From what I gather, I route a channel and pop one in. I have also seen fingerboards partly routed to fit over the top as well. Happy for the experts to set me straight here.

Cheers Max, someone smart would have realised super heated water might possibly damage a painted finish... Inexperience is the mother of determination, haha