PB SG style build diary

Based on a couple of comments, starting my build diary.

I had a 57 LP JR that I had to sell for college, I loved the neck width, it fit my hand so well. So I went with the PB SG style kit.

I have moderate woodworking and kit building skills, probably weakest on wiring although I am OK at soldering.

I have a Golden Age wiring template, not the pre-wired one, but I want to make sure the wiring fits into the cavity.

I see StewMac has a gloss black nitro finishing kit, which I am leaning towards.

I am considering Guyker tuning machines, cuz they're damn pretty.

I have a pretty full range of home woodworking tools, but nothing guitar-specific.

Hello Zachlee,

Welcome!

Have you got your kit yet? I haven't seen the kit you are referring to for a while, but there were a few LP types that were being discontinued. I am not sure if there are any left, but you might take a look at this if you are interested:

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ad.php?t=12622

If you actually have one of the SG kits, good to know. A beautiful white one with gold hardware was my "one that got away" so I have a soft spot for them ;-)

If it's not pre-wired, all the parts from a Golden Age template should fit into pretty much any of the 4 pot, solid body kits.

also, I am considering installing humbuckers on my build.

One question I am unsure of.

When, during the finishing process, should I finish the fretboard? And what’s a good process/product?

ignore that, everybody. upon deep review of the included bits and bobs, it seems it includes two humbuckers. So now the question becomes, do I use a P90 single coil on the neck position?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zachlee

One question I am unsure of.

When, during the finishing process, should I finish the fretboard? And whatÂ’s a good process/product?

---

I'm assuming it has a rosewood fretboard, but I'm not sure what you mean by finish! If it is when to add the fretboard oil - a good product is fretboard Lemon Oil, and I would give it a coat or two after the final coats on the neck. Also, another coat before I add the strings.

just what I wanted to know!

I am in the process of doing 4 SG style guitars. I have done 2 in gloss black paint and have vowed never again as you need a good spray environment to produce a good finish and unfortunately, I don't have such a space. I have now started doing wipe on finishes as I can do them inside as I use water based wipe on poly that I mix myself from Cabots water based poly. I use straight finish for the first 2 coats and lightly sand just to remove any brush marks. Then use a 1 part poly with 1 part water for 2 coats and lightly sand. The final coat is a 1 part poly and 2 parts water that I then buff with a fine Scotchbrite. I like a satin finish on the neck as I find the finish doesn't stick when my hand gets sweaty plus it almost looks like an oil finish if done right.

I am doing a wipe on gloss finish on one for my nephew's son that I have stained black and I am going to put in a set of zebra humbuckers.

I have redone a previous kit from another company in gloss black paint and I am using a set of P90's which are humbucker size so I don't have to use a new pickguard.

I have another which I am going to stain walnut with a satin water based wipe on finish and put in a set of Filtertron style pickups.

Lastly I have a SG bass that has a gloss paint finish with a single music man style pickup.

As for fretboard finish I use Almond oil and only use a single coat after cleaning with a cleaner. I use a fairly wet application and leave for about an hour then wipe off with paper towel. There are a lot of different finishes that people put on, none are right and none are wrong its what ever you like to use. I use almond oil as its relatively cheap and I have been using the same bottle for about 5 years. Just got to make sure its pure oil without any additives.

you're quite a factory!

Thanks for the input. I have a decent spray environment, so I think I'll give it a try anyway. Only myself to blame if it goes sideways!

Based on feedback from another friend, I am planning on getting a Lollar humbucker-sized P90 for the neck location. Considering a Lollar El Rayo humbucker for the bridge, but am going to wait to see what the kit standard sounds like before I add another 200 bucks to the project cost.

Wow! If you can get those two Lollers for $200, get'em and run!

Hah. No, the SECOND one is 200 bucks. the first is the Novel 90, $155.

next question. The instructions for the Golden Age pre-wired kit (I just have the template, not the pre-assembled) shows cloth insulated wires and shielded wire in several locations, but the wiring included with the kit are plastic shielded. Should I use cloth insulated a cloth shielded as the GA pictures show, or will the plastic shielded suffice? I am planning on shielding the cavities with copper tape.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by zachlee

next question. The instructions for the Golden Age pre-wired kit (I just have the template, not the pre-assembled) shows cloth insulated wires and shielded wire in several locations, but the wiring included with the kit are plastic shielded. Should I use cloth insulated a cloth shielded as the GA pictures show, or will the plastic shielded suffice? I am planning on shielding the cavities with copper tape.

---

Electrically it doesn't matter. One kind of wire is as good as another.

Cloth wire is more traditional. I was also pleasantly surprised when I first used it at how nice it was to solder. The wire is generally tinned, and rather than stripping the ends, you can pull the insulation back a little to expose the end. I have continued to use it, particularly on simple wiring harnesses where I am happy using just black and white wire.

What I like about plastic insulation is the price (I generally just repurpose it from old computer cables), and the colors. If the wiring harness is complex I draw it out with as many different colors as I need to keep it straight. Gauge doesn't matter since the current these wires carry is so minimal.

You can get cloth wiring in colors too, but it gets pricey, and it does not have much benefit other than the look and feel.

Sent from my CPH2655 using Tapatalk