The Lazarus Project

As it has stared forlornly at me these last few months whilst I welcome the Pitbull guitars into the home, I have decided to undertake the miraculous and resurrect this Les Paul kit from many moons ago.

Although the quality of the kit is pretty good (it weighs about 9lbs!) it's not really comparable to PBG kits- and I'm not just saying that for brownie points. I had replaced the macine heads immediately as they were well dodgy.

But the electronics failed in fairly short order, so it was consigned to the naughty corner for about three years. Upon inspection, I can't find anything wrong with the wiring so have opted for new pickups, pots and wires.

This kit came partially pre-wired with alligator clips (!!) to connect it up, which was fine at the time as I was not confident in wiring anything up. But with a few proper kits under my belt, I think I can afford to do it legit.

So- first things first: disassembly and sanding back the HORRIFIC paint job I gave this poor thing (see photos, and try not to vomit). And we will take it from there.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ziq4-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...il1e-image.jpg

Scalpel?

Not sure about vomit, but that colour sure makes me want to pee.

Think you forgot to tape the binding there Bassguy.

Oh, SO many mistakes with this one..... 8O

Scalpel present for dramatic effect only... :D

Ahhh, it is good to compare your first attempts with what you produce now.... Almost worth keeping as is ( new gizzards so at least she sounds good) So you will have something to compare your new builds with.

I still have the first guitar I built.... Man is it fugly!..... But it is so useful as it reminds me of how far I have come along :)

DB still has some of my first attempts. Where are they now DB? In a big box marked "Spare Parts"?

Ha ha ha! Actually they are in the corner marked as Miss Fiona's future restoration projects :)

Nearly finished flensing the polyurethane off the body. Next, the sanding.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...obpr-image.jpg

The "flayed skin of St Barnabas"... 8O
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6m53-image.jpg

Looks like a relic now! :)

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on August 9, 2013, 20:51
Ha ha ha! Actually they are in the corner marked as Miss Fiona's future restoration projects :)

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Adam - plus side - not firewood ... yet...

Sanded back to 120 grit. Still a long way to go, but it's already a marked improvement on the original atrocity.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...mrdn-image.jpg

looking better already Bass Guy, with your more refined skills, this will look nice - colour plans?

Unknown at this stage- there's a sealer cap on the top from the looks of things. Any hints on how to remove, or is it "sand, sand, sand" again?

And then sand it again......

Ok, DB, I'll see you in a month... :D

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Bass Guy on August 12, 2013, 16:48
Ok, DB, I'll see you in a month... :D

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Bass Guy, he mean't for you to sand it by hand not use machinery! No short cuts or you won't get the result! 3 months at least! ;)

Sanded with due diligence to 180grit.

Also, suggested headstock shape.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...hli3-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d4jp-image.jpg

Top sanded to 240grit, and stained to bring out stripe. This will be sanded back once dry.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...qfdd-image.jpg

nice work, that headstock looks great

Well there is a flame there, but it's very subtle...
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...7fk8-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...h0jd-image.jpg

As the last attempt to bring out the stripe was a tad underwhelming, I thought I would give it another bash- this time with a different darker shade.

Hence the creation of Savini Blood- a haphazard mix of Amaranthine and Carmine Gypsy leftovers.

We'll see how we go on this one....
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...dsvr-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...95k2-image.jpg

interesting colour blend bass guy, so are you going to cover the entire top with this colour ?

I thought I might use this Lazarus project to practice a vintagey two tone sunburst intended for the Beatle Bass. Best to practice on a "scrap" guitar than the real article. And as this one had the hint of stripe in it I thought I would go all mad professor on it for fun.

Slightly compromised on the headstock shape. Ah well.

Headstock face and body back and sides done.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9l9e-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...o6r7-image.jpg

First coat of CG on the neck.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...7x4e-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...d711-image.jpg

what did you use for the back , sides and headstock?

A substance that dare not speak its name on these hallowed pages..... :D

Bit more sanding of the top and a coat of Amaranthine leftovers. Just to see what happens...

Plus first coat of neck gloss. Faux-mahogany neck coming on nicely!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...so2m-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...rq94-image.jpg

Neck pretty much completed. Awaiting decal decisions...
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...gwpw-image.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e757-image.jpg