Kanes first build ST-1M

Here is is my very first build, always loved the strat shape with a maple fret board

Plan is to re-do the Eric Clapton signature series eventually. Pitbull will help me to get there, and maybe make and sell a few in between. A few of the guys that know my character have already talked about making me one for them.

Will post up a few pics in my initial check assembly along with eventual build colours etc.

Thanks for looking and grateful for the support.

Was bummed to see the site down from hackers.



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Not much to report, although I thought there was way too much slop in the neck and bridge cut outs.
After a few quick measurements it looks like it will be ok, however the neck may take some time to get just right.
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Ok! So now i'm itching to start my strat, well it's for my grand daughter. It's on it's way and should get it early this week. (although it may not be finished for a while).
Will be good to check how you are progressing.

Kane - looking nice - if you're going to sell them - put your own moniker on them! You built it - be proud of it!

What colour are you going?

BTW - nice job on the headstock.

Ricmo - I would love to have this one completed and another one ready for work at start of December as I have a month off and want to put it to good use.

Brendan - I have a logo ready just need to sort a decal out, hopefully it will appear later. Colours, well I will add a pic.

I will attach a fender colour scheme, I am looking at the inca silver but will depend on where I can get it mixed. Also I will attach a pick of my grand plan final version.


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Here is my final design, the silver isn't quite there but you get the idea. Was also toying with the idea of gold hardware.

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Here is a mock up

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Nice job on the headstock, very cool shape and not too beefy

Had a few hours to progress somewhat over the past few days. Even the scary neck joint.

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Fitting the tuners.

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Trying to setup the neck. This took 4 hours over two days before I was happy.

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Almost all of the hardware fitted - time for sanding soon.

Talked to the paint supplier to day,will try and catch him on Friday and talk colours.

The let the sanding begin!!
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Well I fully assembled it.

I was pleasantly surprised by the sound considering the action wasn't even setup right. A little fret buzz which hopefully will disappear after I adjust the bridge properly. Should be picking up some colour and clear lacquer on Friday. Sanding in the mean time and on the weekend.

Be patient with the neck setup - intonation/tuning/fret buzz, it can take months for a new neck to "settle in". Also check out some YouTube videos on truss rod adjustment, but be very careful and no more than a quarter of a turn at a time (either direction), then leave it overnight to settle.

Here is my little gun. Been using it last few days. Had a few issues spraying to begin with as as the lacquer dries really fast.

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Trouble is that my clear lacquer levelling wasn't that great. So now I can see every little imperfection. I think next build will consist of some primer/filler.

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If you look too close you can see all the dings & wood imperfections. Tomorrow will add some clear coat.

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Here is a look after a couple of clear coats. Mock build. Haven't worked out my gun for clear yet. Seems to spray sand like. Word has it that pressure is too high (35psi) and not enough fluid flow. More practice tomorrow.


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Go easy, first build, first spray attempt, first of many things. However I should have primed / filled to get the body level, my clear coat attempts didn't work. Looked a little different prior to colour coats. Didn't look that bad. Anyways, next time will be better.


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I'm guessing the main problem with your clear coats is not pressure but flow consistancy. Acrylic lacquer can withstand a large percentage of thinners. Far more thinner than paint, it will then flow evenly and give a much higher level of gloss straight off the gun. I use a cheap touch-up gun which requires a pressure of about 40 to 50psi for all my spraying, just means a bit more overspray in the air. Hence I always use a very high quality respirator...I value my lungs. A filler/primer with lots of sanding, when going for a solid colour finish is a must.
With my builds I have used a stained finish with clear lacquer top coats, so I use a grain filler first.
Hope that helps.
Andy

Looking good mate

Don't sweat it brother, from the pics she looks GREAT!

... and no matter how good a job someone else thinks it is, every builder is always their own hardest critic! (we always know where we screwed up, even if no-one else notices! :D )

Yep I agree with Scott. Everyone is their own worst critic. The pictures look great! I know that photos can hide a lot of imperfections, but it still looks a million bucks. If the clear coat is uneven you always have the option of spraying a lot of coats and then wet sanding it level. There's always some orange peel, even on the best spray job.

cheers,
Gavin.

as gav said, wet sand the final finish for an even better job.
it looks fine though mate, a week of playing and all the dints will simply be character

Well I managed to sort the spray gun. It was a mix of everything. Pressure was too high, fluid flow not enough and the mix not enough thinners.
Thanks Andyport, it came up a lot glossier straight out of the gun.

More pics in the next few days. Then leave a week for curing before final buff and polish.

No worries, glad to hear you are happier with the way things are going now.
Should come up a treat once buffed and polished.
Looking forward to seeing more pics.

No worries, glad to hear you are happier with the way things are going now.
Should come up a treat once buffed and polished.
Looking forward to seeing more pics.

Well all the hard work is mostly done. Sprayed another 3 coats of clear tonight. Total of 6 clear coats. Should provide me with enough layering so I don't fine sand through it before polishing.
Does anyone know if meguires scratch X has silicone in it? This is what I was planning to use for my initial polish followed by one of their other products.
Now to wait until the 20th or so for the lacquer to cure properly.

Agree looks pretty good mate, but as you say you can see all the imperfections that the pics may not show us. You know what if you are not happy with the finish you can always dis-mantle get the sander out and take it back to start and do it again, in my build the colour is not quite what I was looking (it come up a bit grey and I was looking for a more antique colour) for but I am going to play it for a little while and see with some real wear. If it still is not what I want I will take it back to wood and simply spray another colour onto it to get the desired result. I am with you if you are not happy you will never be happy and you are the one playing the axe so be happy with it or take whatever measures you need to rectify it.... My opinion is that is looks pretty good but you have to be good with it, if you are not it will affect your playing on it... guaranteed!

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from kanelangmaid on October 8, 2013, 21:35
Well all the hard work is mostly done. Sprayed another 3 coats of clear tonight. Total of 6 clear coats. Should provide me with enough layering so I don't fine sand through it before polishing.
Does anyone know if meguires scratch X has silicone in it? This is what I was planning to use for my initial polish followed by one of their other products.
Now to wait until the 20th or so for the lacquer to cure properly.

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Hi Kane

Apparently Scratch X does contain Silicone. there is another product called M09 Swirl Remover 2.0. Apparently this one is silicone free.

I used Scratch X on a spray paint build I did over a year ago and was really pleased with how much it cleaned up the orange peel and fine scratches...obviously in retrospect I would have been better to avoid it and use the silicone free swirl remover though. I think the main thing is to use a polish with a mild cutting compound so you don't take all your carefully applied paint off again. :)

I have again built up the guitar so I can show it off to my brother on Saturday. Looks ok. Now have to wait wait wait. Oh, and a little play while I wait.

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Not too shabby
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Very nice. Great colour choice.

that came up really well Kane, looks good

MAJOR SETBACK - Help me

I fear the worst.

Let me explain. Early on when spraying the neck, it fell off the hook that was holding it during the spray. It landed on the very end. It fell from just below chest height onto the concrete garage floor. I gave it a quick sand back hoping it didn't do much and the damage was hidden once installed on the body.

However, when I fully assembled the guitar last night, the neck didn't fit in the same position from my original setup and the strings were skewed a little. Anyway I adjusted to have the strings set right. Then once the strings went on there was some major fret buzz happening. A lot more than my original setup.

Alarm bells started ringing, then I also thought maybe the lacquer had changed the characteristics of the neck and it just needed adjusting etc. Well once the strings settled down I checked the height of the strings (with the 1st fret fitted with capo) and basically the bottom E string has no gap. This is even with the bridge saddles fully up. Not enough back bow. So my fear increased. I then attempted to adjust the truss rod, "lefty loosey", 1/4 turn to begin with. Let it settle for a bit, recheck measurements and the E string still sat on top of the frets with no gap. Ok, adjust the rod another 1/4 turn. More time passes. Nil change to the string measurements. Leave it over night, no change.

Argghhhhh!!!! Not happy today. Looks like I need another neck. So close. Anyways, once work finishes today I will try another adjustment and see what happens.

Thoughts?

I think you are right, a new neck may be required. Especially if you have managed to turn the truss rod a half circle. I am actually surprised your truss rod hasn't stripped.....

Bugger - know that dropping feeling. Sorry to hear and I know how frustrating it can be to be nearly there and to then have to start part of it again...

Well all may not be lost. After sitting in the cupboard all day it seems there may be some movement in the neck. Not as much fret buzz as yesterday and some of the buzzing is located on certain frets. Anyway I will let it sit for a few more days and see what happens. String measurement seems to be moving so it is not flush all across the frets.

Photos you say


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Finally got the spraying sorted

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Always trying to find a decent pose

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Krank is an offshoot of my brothers business name - Krank roofing WA

Also I have decided on "Platinum brother" as a name.
As it is based on my brothers character. Strong, Spanish for silver (parts of his hair), rare, valuable found between gold and iridium (one of rarest elements) on the periodic table.
It was my brother that helped my through one of the lowest points in my life and helped me on my feet again. I saw it as an opportunity to name my first build after him. I hope the sound it eventually plays sings the blues but also some funk to remember those times.

I hope the neck comes good for you Kane (I'd say "fingers crossed" but its bad luck to be superstitious! :D ) ... you've done a great job on her and she's looking really sweet ... just love that "gunmetal" colour!

looks great!
What about a new nut with a little less relief in it for the buzzing string - if you cant fully get it at the bridge end, go for the head end...

Dude that's a classy looking Strat - very nice colour.

Nice strat and nice story behind the name hope allnthe neck issues work out

Thanks for the encouragement guys.
Looks like I have had some movement with the neck. I ended up using my long alley keys with the ball ends. I don't think the alley provided cut it. Decided I will wait until I strip it down for the final sand and polish and I will dress the frets and add a new nut. That should give me a little less buzz.
My super fine sand paper should turn up in the next few days, but won't have enough time this weekend I think to finish it.

Also have some custom made pickups in the planning stage. Just need to order some parts.