First Build SSCM-1Q

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26-03-2021, 01:50 PM
MadMike

First Build SSCM-1Q

So, I have been working on and modifying guitars for years. I have done lots of repairs, rebuilds, and customizing. Both in the acoustic and electric form. I have always wanted a Les Paul single cut arch top. But affordability has been out of reach, and I didn't want something so cheap that i would hate it. I found this and was amazed its everything I want, set neck, single cut, arch top, and i get to make it exactly what I want!! So in a few days my build will begin, my kit is set to arrive on Wednesday, And I will be on here reading these pages and asking for advice. I am very excited to be doing this, and with a forum to support my project. And I hope I bring my share to the table.
My idea for this builds main highlights are:
1:) I would like to get a pretty low action, with little loss in playability.
2:) Cleanly set up my EMG 81 - 85 pickups.
3:) Successfully get an "iced" blue finish, with a deep blue burst.
4:) Just complete this build with an all around awesome guitar.
26-03-2021, 09:33 PM
Cliff Rogers

G’day, I will be watching, keen to see the blue finish.
31-03-2021, 08:38 PM
MadMike

1 Attachment(s)

So I have been searching the web and this forum, I can find the ice blue finish that i want to do, but I cannot find "how to" get the finish i desire. I'm going to attach an image of the finish I would like to get, if anyone can help me with the way to get this finish, please reach out to me, I am open to all assistance. Thank you fellow guitar gurus.
Attachment 39890
01-04-2021, 09:55 AM
dozymuppet

Fairly safe to say that there is a base black stain, sanded back, to get that grain depth.

I'm not sure about the white though. Something I'm interested in finding out about myself.

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02-04-2021, 06:25 AM
MadMike

2 Attachment(s)

So I got the guitar today. Did a fit of the neck to body. Nice fit, appears to line up good. I'll get some measurements shortly. The quilting is beautiful, I can't wait to get to staining and finishing. But that is in due time. So here are a couple pictures of the neck set in place.Attachment 39923 Attachment 39924
02-04-2021, 08:38 PM
MadMike

3 Attachment(s)

I have been busy sanding and starting to get the dark stain on the back of the body and neck, this is where i am so far.Attachment 39940 Attachment 39941 Attachment 39942
02-04-2021, 09:32 PM
chunkosauras

Looks gorgeous!

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05-04-2021, 11:50 AM
nitroburner1000

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMike

So I have been searching the web and this forum, I can find the ice blue finish that i want to do, but I cannot find "how to" get the finish i desire. I'm going to attach an image of the finish I would like to get, if anyone can help me with the way to get this finish, please reach out to me, I am open to all assistance. Thank you fellow guitar gurus.
Attachment 39890

Heres a couple of links, but be warned, pitbull guitars have a super thin veneer, power sanding is out of the question

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...=1617594447327

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...8OOTEJu6PxXwUH
06-04-2021, 08:55 PM
MadMike

5 Attachment(s)

nitroburner1000,
so I had seen one of thise videos already in all my searching. I have already started on the method I have chosen. I have been hand sanding for several hours to get the black dialed back to show the quilting. Its not going to be the exact finish i desired, but I think its going to look very good, I also hand carved the headstock to match the LP look. Here are some pictures up to this far.Attachment 40005 Attachment 40006 Attachment 40007 Attachment 40008 Attachment 40009
07-04-2021, 08:38 AM
RocknRolf

Mike, That is absolutely stunning!

What grid did you use to sand back the black?
07-04-2021, 09:56 AM
nitroburner1000

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMike

nitroburner1000,
so I had seen one of thise videos already in all my searching. I have already started on the method I have chosen. I have been hand sanding for several hours to get the black dialed back to show the quilting. Its not going to be the exact finish i desired, but I think its going to look very good, I also hand carved the headstock to match the LP look. Here are some pictures up to this far.Attachment 40005 Attachment 40006 Attachment 40007 Attachment 40008 Attachment 40009

Looks absolutely awesome, great job.
07-04-2021, 03:21 PM
MadMike

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocknRolf

Mike, That is absolutely stunning!

What grid did you use to sand back the black?

So first I used a water based ink to lay my black down. It was an ink for craft rubber stamps. I then used 220 (USA) grit to rough it back, and finished with 320 (USA) grit. It is a pretty fine grit, so it took me a while to sand it back. But on the plus side it didn't eat through the Veneer, and it is finish sanded at the same time.

And thank you for the complement, I have been very nervous about messing it up.
07-04-2021, 03:44 PM
MadMike

5 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitroburner1000

Looks absolutely awesome, great job.

Thank you, so I have been very busy today as you'll see by the pictures. I figure out to get the exact finish i was seeking in the first place. So the black was straight forward, black it and sand it back to show the grain. I accidentally figured out how to get the white, i meant to do a wipe down with my mineral spirits, and used my acetone instead. Well it turns out that the acetone does a bleach like effect. I then airbrushed cyan blue, this also was a water based ink meant for craft rubber stamps, and sanded the blue back to reveal the silver. I am still getting the final tone where I want it. But here are the update pictures for today.Attachment 40017 Attachment 40018 Attachment 40019 Attachment 40017 Attachment 40020 Attachment 40021
07-04-2021, 03:47 PM
MadMike

4 Attachment(s)

Attachment 40022 Attachment 40023 Attachment 40024 Attachment 40025 Attachment 40025
07-04-2021, 05:29 PM
dozymuppet

Very cool. Looks like it might work out as planned!

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10-04-2021, 05:13 PM
MadMike

5 Attachment(s)

Ok so sorry I haven't posted the past couple days, I've been very busy. But I have made some major strides in my guitar. So I have made a couple changes to my original staining of the body and neck. I had some scuffs in the neck, so I went back and resanded it. I decided I like the wood grain showing, so i did this fancy two tone job on the neck. I sprayed 18 coats of polyurethane / mineral spirits mix. I set my neck. and have assembled it while I am waiting for the clears to cure so i can buff it out. I still have to put my EMG pickups, but I will wait till I buff it out. I have one fret that buzzes, the 2nd fret, will be easy fix. She has a supper low action, sounds awesome, and looks goodAttachment 40076 Attachment 40077 Attachment 40078 Attachment 40079 Attachment 40080 to boot. Here are some pictures to catch you guys up.
10-04-2021, 05:21 PM
MadMike

5 Attachment(s)

Attachment 40081 Attachment 40082 Attachment 40083 Attachment 40084 Attachment 40085
10-04-2021, 05:41 PM
FrankenWashie

Loving how this is going! Great Job MadMike!
11-04-2021, 01:21 PM
MadMike

1 Attachment(s)

Here is one more picture for now, of my guitar hanging with my other babies. I'll be back at it in about two weeks, I need to let the clear cure before I start buffing it.
I am so impressed by this guitar. The sound it makes is amazing, the playability, the feel of, I just can go on and on about what I love about this guitar.Attachment 40098