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So while I wait for a couple of upgrade parts and the finish to cure on my first build, I'm ready to move on to my second.
I've learnt heaps so far and hopefully I won't make the same mistakes twice. Just new ones.
The second build is an ash body tele kit which I plan to put a forearm and belly carve on.
The kit arrived and the grain looks fantastic.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...1-P1000976.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...e-P1000977.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...3-P1000978.jpg
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On close inspection of the neck, I've found a couple of machine marks that run down the fretboard from the nut around the G string through the first and second frets.
Before I start hacking away with the sandpaper and possibly creating an unintentional scalloped fretboard, is there any advice that can be offered to fix this?
I hope you can see what I mean on the photograph.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...q-P1000987.jpg
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Hi Pedro, Looking forward to watching the build on this. You have some fantastic grain on the body, should look brilliant when stained etc.. But, sorry man, I can't help you with any fretboard advice, I'm new at this game too. Cheers.
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Photograph doesnt really show the depth of the issue, but if its bad/deep scratch then the only way to do it right is to start removing frets but that is a big job. Hopefully its not too serious. More photographs needed to really see...
A gentle sanding with 200-300 grit attached to a paddle-pop stick might make all the difference if it is not a deep scratch.
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Thanks Gav, I don't have the experience or courage to try removing frets yet so I'll try a careful sanding down.
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Hi Pedro, I had the same problem with the SG I just completed ... machining marks running down the length of the fretboard :x ... check out my build diary "SG's SG" and you can seem them in the early-stages pics ... the marks show up a lot more on a rosewood fretboard when its in the raw than on the maple, but I fear that once you got the clear coats on the maple they'll really stand out a lot more than the rosewood.
I didn't end up completely removing the marks from mine but did manage to reduce them down to almost nothing - but it was a frustratingly fiddly job to do (I just couldn't bring myself to have to remove AND then replace the frets! 8O ).
I started by roughing up the whole effected area with a very-fine-wire brush to blend out the majority of deeper scoring (working lightly across and then mostly with the grain) and the finished of with varying lighter grades of sandpaper (with the grain). I think it was Gav that recommended using sandpaper glued to a paddle-pop stick to work in between the frets and that worked really well with no noticeable "scalloping" between the frets.
I didn't end up removing all of the scoring but its very hard to notice unless you're looking for it ... and several good dressing with bore oil did it wonders - now it just looks like it been well-played 8-) .
Hope this helps and good luck
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Good advice Scott, thanks. I'll give that technique a try.
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Ok, so I've spent the last couple of hours on my day off shaping and sanding the body.
I started pretty conservative on both the forearm and belly carve and have progressively taken more wood. I'm fairly happy with how it sits now but I might still shave a little more off as I go.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...4-P1010001.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-P1010002.jpg
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A few people have been complaining about the quality control with these Ash bodies in regards to glue spots and filler, but I must say, I'm pretty happy with mine.
There's only one glue spot which I haven't touched yet but it looks like it's just on the surface.
There's no other filler that I can see.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...g-P1010005.jpg
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Looking good Pedro ,nice job on the carve outs
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Looking good Pedro. Those cuts are doing groovy things to the grain, I like.
I put tummy and forearm cuts on my Tele, and it is just so comfortable to play, I can hardly put it down.
rob
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I've seen yours Rob and it's a thing of beauty so I'm taking extra time on this build to make sure I don't drop the ball.
I'm happy with the way things are going so far, but I have to start drilling holes soon and that makes me a little nervous.
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Here's the first deep colour coat of azure lagoon. As others have said, it takes on a green colour which I don't mind but would prefer more blue. Will try another deep colour coat and see what happens.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...z-P1010021.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...s-P1010022.jpg
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Certainly can't fault the grain in that ash though.
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looks like water at the beach!
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Beautiful grain Pedro, trust me I applied 4 or 5 deep coats of azure and 2 base coats on my ash ST-1A and the colour has hardly changed.
Don't worry the colour will grow on you.
I'm probably going to do my thinline Tele top in azure on basswood should come out much more blue !
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Wow. That grain is beautiful. Gotta be happy with it!
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You're right Wokka. I have done 3 deep colour and 2 base coats and the colour isn't changing but it is getting more even. I don't dislike the colour, I just imagined it to be more blue.
And I am really happy with the grain Lawry.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...x-P1010024.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...6-P1010025.jpg
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wow Pedro that looks unreal, much more blue than my ST-1A, I'd be stoked with that and start the top gloss coats !
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Awesome Pedro. It may not be quite the colour you were after, but the result is just stunning!
Cheers,
Gav.
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Yeah thanks guys. As I said, was expecting a slightly different colour but I'm not disappointed by any means.
The photos taken in sunlight make it look more blue.
And you're right, it certainly does grow on you.
Here's a mock up photo in different lighting that makes it look more green.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...j-P1010023.jpg
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That looks awesome Pedro, loving it.
I have found out that sometimes the wood decides how it is going to take the colour and you just go along for the ride. That is one of the exciting things about making our guitars.
rob
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Hey Pedro. The grain is fantastic and the colour is gorgeous. There seem to have been a few greenies of late, me included. I also noticed with mine that the photos never seemed to catch the true colour. I have a nice bottle green on it but the photos seem to lose a lot of the depth. I guess I'll just have to show it to people in the flesh instead ;-)
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It's been a while since I updated this thread and I'm now getting close to finishing this beauty.
The body is finished and I just need to shield the cavities now.
The neck has had it's last coat of gloss. Then it's a cleanup of frets and assembly is just around the corner.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...a-P1010032.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...u-P1010034.jpg
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looks sweet Pedro, you got to be happy with the results ! colours look sensational
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Love the green with the perloid scratchplate. Awesome!
cheers,
Gav.
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Absolutely Wokka, the more I look at it the more it grows on me.
I can't wait to get it together now and see if I can get some tone out of it.
I'll try and get the shielding done tonight and hopefully have it together for the weekend.
I agree Gav, the pearl really makes the colour pop.
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agree Pedro the white pearloid pickguard does look good but going back on your early pics it covers up some beautiful grain on the ash body, but thats the trade off.
Love the headstock shape is original and classy
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This one is looking really good Pedro, love the headstock shape and decals.
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Really like that green with the scratchplate. It all looks great with the chrome hardware. Headstock shape is nice and simple and looks just right with that size decal.
What kind of nut will you be fitting there?
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I've got a Tusq XL nut ready and raring to go.
Just got the shielding done so I can now get a start on the electronics.
I've got some GFS Neovin pickups with upgraded switch and pots to put in.
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Pedro - not normally a green guitar guy, but I'm starting to come around after this one... Looking great!
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Man I think the colour is dam sweet
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Here's the first finished pic of my TL taken in the fading light of Melbourne.
I'll post some better pics once I have a chance to fine tune a few things and get some sunlight.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...u-P1010035.jpg
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Very nice Pedro, looks a bluesy green
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Nice stuff Pedro...really classy.
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great Pedro, looks like the ocean!
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That's come up a real treat Pedro.
I was in town (Adelaide) after work tonight and spent ten minutes or so looking at a wall of guitars in a shop. Strictly research into colour combinations for a next build of course :) Anyway it struck me that not too many of those guitars really stood out from the pack. Yours certainly does grab the eye as do so many here at Pitbull.
