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Hey guys, I'm extremely new to this but i'm interested in building my own ES-1G.
I'm wondering if you could help me out with everything that i'm going to need in putting it together, adding the finishing touches, and also how much the rest will cost?
Also, are there any instructional videos for the ES models?
Thanks
One thing i would say is get support and counseling for the electronics, gavin should link you up with a way to install them all!
Additional costs all depend on how much stuff you already have and what you want to do. I'm in the middle of my first build, but I've had to buy:
- Paint/Wudtone/finish - $~30
- Sand paper of different grits - $didn't pay attention
- Steel wool - $~7
I also bought some wet-decal paper and sealer for some other details that certainly aren't required. $~35
Things I've used that I had on hand:
- Coping saw*
- Rotary tool*
- Sanding block
- Clamps/Vice
- Drill
- Drill bits
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Various hooks and stuff to let things hang while they dry
*These aren't strictly necessary
If you're doing one of the ES kits you might also need some long handled jiggery-pokery type tools and tubing so you can fiddle around in the cavity.
For tips and stuff, everything's pretty much covered in the videos, even if it's not specific to that type of guitar. Finishing, soldering, joining necks, it's all the same. Also have a look in the build diaries for specific problems others had.
Im in the same boat. Ive probably read every post on the forums so far and picked up a few tricks that people have come across. Will i need all the tricks? Im not sure but im going to have fun trying to figure it all out.
EBay is a good place to start for tooling, especially the more specialised ones for guitar building. StewMac is a great resource as well.
Bwahahahahahaha!.... You forgot the latex glove and vaseline...... 8OQuote:
Quote from phloggy on May 7, 2013, 10:30 If you're doing one of the ES kits you might also need some long handled jiggery-pokery type tools and tubing so you can fiddle around in the cavity .
From phloggy - have added costs where I have bought some of the kit...
Quote:
[b]Quote from phloggy
- Sand paper of different grits - $5 from the guys
- Sanding block curved ~ $16.5 + delivery
- Drill bits so far have used 2, 2.5 and 3.5mm bits
- Soldering iron $15-30 (not needed for all kits - check with the guys - will be needed if you want to upgrade
- Solder comes with iron
- *May want to look at a bone nut (all the rage) from ~ $4 + delivery - $30 depending if you want to do it or get DB to.
- Files round / half round / etc.
*These aren't strictly necessary
A bone nut for $4?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8O
PLEASE tell me where you found pre cut bone nuts for $4! :D
Who said pre cut... :D Figured I'd give it a go from the start. $3.51 for the blank Fender profile from StewMac or have I stuffed up and bought the wrong one (wouldn't put it past me).
Hi Lamusich, welcome to the madness. I was in the same boat as you, but I decided to start with one of the easier kits just to see if I could do it. So I started with the ST-1 kit (Fender Strat). You will learn almost everything you need to know building this kit and it was relatively simple and most rewarding.Quote:
Quote from Lamusich on May 7, 2013, 10:00
Hey guys, I'm extremely new to this but i'm interested in building my own ES-1G.
Did I enjoy it building my own guitar? Well, I just ordered my 3rd kit, so that must tell you something. :D
Cheers
rob
My bad :D....Quote:
Quote from Brendan on May 9, 2013, 00:02
Who said pre cut... :D Figured I'd give it a go from the start. $3.51 for the blank Fender profile from StewMac or have I stuffed up and bought the wrong one (wouldn't put it past me).
It is rewarding to cut your own nut. Take your time with it and make sure the slots are not too wide or you will end up with a nut that buzzes.
A neat trick is to get the slots the right width is to use an old set of strings as files.
Hold them the same way as a length of dental floss and file the slot, making sure that you file the slot with a slight downwards angle to the headstock side of the nut.
Be prepared to stuff it up, It took me a few goes before I got the knack :P
Is $4.95 close enough? The GuitarAust 'Slotted Bone Nut, 42mm Flat' looks to be a pretty good fit for the TL kits at least (probably the ST's as well) The height and string spacing appear about right, picked one up a while ago, but I haven't got to the point of fitting and testing it as yet. May be worth casting a trained eye at one?Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 8, 2013, 22:53
A bone nut for $4?!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 8O
PLEASE tell me where you found pre cut bone nuts for $4! :D
Hey Weirdy,
Yep. I have seen these and basically you get what you pay for... My advice would be to not bother putting one of these on your axe as you will be disappointed.
They are made from a very inferior quality bone, and they are quite badly made.(sweatshop stuff)
I will stick to my Stewmac blanks for now... I have several bones hanging on the fence drying and naturally bleaching (courtesy of my Staffy and Boxer) so by summer I will be cutting my own from scratch. Should be fun :D
Postie or hitchhiker?Quote:
Quote from dingobass on May 9, 2013, 22:25
[...] I have several bones hanging on the fence drying and naturally bleaching (courtesy of my Staffy and Boxer) [...]
Don't worry, I've got a nice little bundle of StewMac unbleached blanks tucked away awaiting my fumbling attempts at nut cutting once I get a bit further along in my builds ;). Btw, are there any black stains/dyes that will work with bone without softening/damaging it for nut making?
Found this detailed description on how to make a nut:
http://www.lenaweelutherie.info/page...26/page26.html
Designed for an acoustic, but it seems to be a pretty good blow by blow description on how to do it.
Postie or hitchhiker..... Funny :P
Good question re dyes for bone nuts. I have never done it but I would imagine that a spirit base dye would work without damaging the bone.
Check out the Stewmac site for a really In depth nut cutting tute. I really must look at doing one for the forum... 8-)
Gavin and DB should set up YouTube accounts and document builds along with tips and tricks so we all know how to build acoustics, electrics and basses!
Great idea Pest but just ask DB and Gav how much spare time they have in the day !Quote:
Quote from keloooe on May 10, 2013, 08:59
Gavin and DB should set up YouTube accounts and document builds along with tips and tricks so we all know how to build acoustics, electrics and basses!
Even 4D have been slack posting vids haven't had much time to play the axes, its been build build build !
Same, i have nothin at all.... Might do a Rig Rundown on my current rig