First Build - JBA-4

Just ordered a JBA-4 (Ash Body) kit along with some upgrades:

• Gotoh GB640 Res-O-Lite Tuners
• Tonerider TRJ1 'Jazz Plus' Pickups
• Schaller S Strap Locks
• Rotosound RS77 Monel Flat Wounds
• Babicz FCH 4 Bridge (Black)
• Copper Shielding Tape
• Bone Nut
• .047uF Orange Drop Capacitor

Accessories:

• Mono Betty Guitar Strap
• Phil Jones Micro 7 Combo Amp

I'm aiming for a black burst over a dark purple base with a glassy finish, and with a matching headstock. After reading many posts and watching many videos, I've settled on the following methodology:

Note: I will continue updating this methodology as I receive feedback from others.

PRELIMIARY

• Test Fit & Adjust
• Fret Crowning

BODY
1. Sand to 240 grit
2. Grain fill black with Timbermate Ebony Woodfiller
3. Sand from 240 grit
4. Apply Angelus Leather Dye Purple (1 coat, let dry 24hrs, lightly sand, let dry for 7 days)
5. Apply Gluboost Fill n Finish (2 coats, sanding in between with 220 grit, 400 grit for final sand)
6. Apply 5 double header coats of SCA Acrylic Aerosol Paint (Clear) , 20mins drying between each set
7. Spray burst edges with SCA Acrylic Aerosol Paint (Black)
8. Finish with 15 double header coats of SCA Acrylic Aerosol Paint (Clear) , 20mins drying between each set
9. Let dry for 7 days
10. Level sand with 600 grit then wet sanding with Micro Mesh Pads (1500, 1800, 2400, 3200, 3600, 4000) changing sanding direction with each grit
11. Finish with Maguire's Polishing compound, Scratch Remover, Ultimate Polish

NECK
1. Cut headstock to shape
2. Tape off fretboard and where neck fits into guitar
3. Scruff up with 400 grit
4. Apply Angelus Leather Dye Purple to headstock (1 coat, let dry 24hrs, lightly sand, let dry for 7 days)
5. Plug up tape tuning holes with tape
6. Apply 1 double header coat of Cabot's Clear Stain Exterior Aerosol (Gloss) to face of headstock
7. Spray burst face of headstock with Self-Priming Acrylic Aerosol Paint (Black)
8. Apply decals produced on Waterslide Decal Paper
9. Apply 5 coats of Cabot's Clear Stain Exterior Aerosol (Gloss) to headstock front, level sanding before final coat
10. Apply 3 coats of Cabot's Clear Stain Exterior Aerosol (Satin) to headstock sides/back and neck), sanding to 2000 before final coat
10. Level sand headstock face with 600 grit then wet sanding with Micro Mesh Pads (1500, 1800, 2400, 3200, 3600, 4000) changing sanding direction with each grit
11. Finish with Maguire's Polishing compound

ROSEWOOD FRETBOARD
1. Oil with Dunlop Fretboard 65

SETUP

• Truss Rod
• Nut
• Saddle Height
• Intonation

This method has been updated and now reflects the method I used in my actual build

My kit arrived in the post today. Just waiting for my toneriders to arrive tomorrow and I'll make a start.

Surprisingly, the kit arrived with the stock pickups installed and the bridge screw holes pre-drilled.

Body and neck look really good!Attachment 43409Attachment 43410Attachment 43411

I've written to Adam to solve the mystery of the preinstalled pickups and pre-drilled bridge screw holes.
Attachment 43412

Great to see another new builder

I used black wood filler and dye on my build. I really liked the results so look forward to seeing the results of yours. I was not looking for a super smooth finish so I only did the grain fill once. If I had done a couple of fills it would be easier to get a flat surface. This seems to be what more experienced builder recommend if you are going for that look.

I have been using wipe on poly for the first time and can recommend as a great way to get a good cover. I don't have a great set up to spray when it is winter so I was looking for an alternative. I did do two very light coats of the Cabothane Poly Gloss before the wipe on as sealer as I had seen it as a recommendation to stop the dye bleeding into the wipe on. Not sure if this is necessary but it made sense to me and worked.

Enjoy the build.

I was wondering about sealing the dye... I'll add Cabot's 300g Gloss Oil Based Cabothane Clear Polyurethane Aerosol to my shopping list - thanks Juz!

(By the way - the finish on your Tele looks amazing)

Made some progress today:

Designed the headstock
Attachment 43428

Enlarged the pickup cavities and pickguard to fit Tonerider Pickups
Attachment 43429

Crowned the frets and removed the plastic nut
Attachment 43430

Cut the headstock
Attachment 43431

Neck ready to finish
Attachment 43432

Next step is to sand the neck and body, then start filling/dyeing/painting/staining/polishing.

Nice to see a heastock design different from the usual P/J bass.:cool:

Timbermate Ebony woodfiller done, sanded to 400 grit. Really happy with how the grain looks and how smooth the body feels.
Attachment 43435

Looks good. Really nice grain pattern. Should come up really well with the dye.

This was my second attempt with the dye... The first attempt, I went over it with dye too many times and the dye turned a green/gold/metallic colour. So, I sanded it back, went over it again with one light coat of dye, sanded it lightly... It's better now, definitely the colour I was looking for, although a little patchy. I'm not game to sand further as it's already close to the bare timber in places. But I think it will look fine under a gloss finish and black burst edges.
Attachment 43438
Attachment 43439