robs STA-1 - Lyn #6 (Serenas Strat)

rob's STA-1 - Lyn #6 (Serena's Strat)

Back Story
Well folks, it's time to start my next build. As you can probably tell by the name, this one is not for me. Serena plays guitar with me at our church, and over the past year has helped me through bit of a rough patch.

Serena's first foray into electric guitars was playing the one and only electric guitar I had ever owned at the time, my treasured Gibson Les Paul. Being influenced by my admittedly biased preference for Gibson's, when it came time for her to buy her own guitar, Serena went for humbuckers.

Since discovering PBG I have discovered the crystal clear sounds of single coil guitars. So which guitar to build for her 21st Birthday? I suggested a 'Strat' style guitar. She thought that was a good idea, especially as she would NEVER buy one for herself. So the reputation of Fender (and all single coil guitars) now rests delicately in my fumbling hands. So no pressure there. lol.

At this stage I have no idea of colour, finish, hardware or even headstock design, as I have left all these decisions to Serena.

So this will be my first 'customer' guitar, and letting go of the reins will not be easy. But there is no way my old fashioned ideas will appeal to the younger generation.

The Build.
The STA-1 kit (like some other Ash kits) is affected by glue, filler and knots. Another problem to overcome will be a neck heel that is not flat and will need some sort of shim to get a good fit. But I am sure that all these issues can be overcome.

The photos below show some of the problems. They are not meant as criticism of the kit, but only the 'before' photos to hopefully show that even amateurs like myself can overcome these minor hurdles.

All in all I'm looking forward to the challenges of this build.

Cheers
rob

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Just a couple more 'before' shots.
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Great reason to build someone a guitar Robin.
Look forward to your build and how you tackle
these minor hurdles

Thanks Tim. Actually it was Serena and Bec that help me get through. Bec got the IB-5 bass and now its Serena's turn.

Hopefully Serena will get the guitar that she deserves. :D

rob

Time for a quick update.

Serena has given me quite simple instructions for this build.

1. No Fender headstock.

2. Satin black finish.

Seeing as she explicitly told me she has NEVER wanted a Fender style guitar I had better deliver on these or I'm in big trouble.

Serena chose a G&L design for the headstock, so chore 1 complete.

I have finished attacking the glue and filler, with mixed success. But I think its just about ready for the next step.

I decided to make the forearm and tummy cuts a bit more exaggerated and I made a rebate for the rear Trem cover.

So far so good. I have spent over 10 hours on the body, neck and headstock. I have bought some Feast Watson Black Japan dye, so will start on that tomorrow.

rob
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and a few more
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looking good already Robin, I like the headstock shape and the recess for the trem cover. Also like the additional tummy and forearm cuts, looks like an older style strat. Look forward to seeing it after the 1st coat

Thanks Warren, the exaggerated cuts weren't in an attempt for a vintage style, heck, I didn't even know that Fender had changed body shapes through the years. Lol, I have so much to learn.

Not too sure how the black dye will go, as it's a pretty big departure to my usual offerings of more natural wood finishes. I thought I'd go with a stain/dye as against a paint to try and get some feature out of the Ash grain. But Serena was very specific with what she wanted, so we'll see how it turns out.

rob

Hi Robin,
seems a real waste of beautiful grain to hide with paint, if the black dye entirely covers the grain I'd buy a ST-1 kit and build that for her. Serena must have seen Bec's IB5 and the popping grain, covering that ash grain could get you a long stint in the naughty corner ! haha

It's looking great Robin, it'll be interesting to see how the dye turns out. The recessed trem cover is a nice touch, what is your clearence like with the trem block? Depending on the block it can sometimes be a pretty tight fit under the cover, especially when the bridge pivots.

Watching this with interest. Not sure what I'm doing next (or if the funds will be released!), but making the journey with someone else is always a good learning experience. Don't stop posting. Ooh, and also, great back story.

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from wokkaboy on November 12, 2013, 16:10
Hi Robin,
seems a real waste of beautiful grain to hide with paint, if the black dye entirely covers the grain I'd buy a ST-1 kit and build that for her. Serena must have seen Bec's IB5 and the popping grain, covering that ash grain could get you a long stint in the naughty corner ! haha

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Lol Warren, its not a waste if that's what Serena wants. We've been waiting for months to get her the Ash Strat and it is already past her birthday. She has seen it (and Bec's) but she has her heart set on a Satin Black guitar.

I have tried not to sand it down too much and tried to keep as much grain texture as I can. So hopefully it will be the texture that pulls it through.

Ahh, the naughty corner, been a while since I did a stint in there. I hope you guys have been keeping it neat and tidy for me.

rob

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from WeirdBits on November 12, 2013, 16:25
It's looking great Robin, it'll be interesting to see how the dye turns out. The recessed trem cover is a nice touch, what is your clearence like with the trem block? Depending on the block it can sometimes be a pretty tight fit under the cover, especially when the bridge pivots.

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Hey Scott, not sure how the dye is going to turn out, hopefully it will look ok. At least it will be different.

You've got me worried with the Trem cover now lol. I did check it before doing it but now I'm not so sure it was a good idea. I'll check it again in the morning, fingers crossed.

rob

Thanks for the encouragement Glen. I must admit I'm finding it a bit hard to stand back from the decision making. But I did promise Serena that she could choose whatever finish she wanted. Me and my big mouth lol.

rob

Got the first coat of Black Japan done. Still a bit patchy in places so I'll do another coat later today. Unfortunately the black does cover the grain but so far the texture is showing through. So maybe a shorter stay in the naughty corner.

I will check with Serena to see if she wants me to give it a light sand down to bring out the grain, but that will spoil the solid black finish. Unfortunately I won't be able to see her until the weekend so she can see it in the flesh. I might be stymied until then.

rob
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Hi Robin,
that looks excellent, you can still see that ash grain, I think make a decision the body needs a sand before next coat for sure. So glad the dye didn't cover the grain. I think DB will let you off a stint in the naughty corner !
Can't wait to see next coat. A light sand and the patchy areas should take the dye better next coat

Robbin, the grain should still pop with the japan black stain, especially with a satin gloss as final coat. (It just wont be as prominent as a lighter colored stain.

I've got the second coat of Black Japan done. It doesn't look a lot different, just a smidge darker, and lost a bit of grain. Hard to tell with the photos from the rubbish phone camera. In the right light though the texture of the grain looks OK.

I also checked the recessed Trem cover for clearance, and it looks fine. Thanks for the heads-up Scott.

Probably have to wait now until the weekend, then I'll check with the Boss and see what she wants done.

rob
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Looks Amazing Robin. Loving the way the grain is showing on this ,very cool

yes agreed you must be happy how it looks after 2nd coat Robin, I was really worried the grain would be covered with the dye but it has turned out looking excellent. Keep it up Robin and sure Serena will be stoked with the progress.

Thanks Tim and Woks.

When Serena said she wanted it black I thought "Oh no, that lovely Ash grain". I tried to talk her out of it but she obviously knew more than me (nothing unusual there) but I am a bit surprised myself how well the grain is hanging in.

It's hard to tell from the photos, but in real life its more of a textured finish rather than a colour finish, if that makes any sense. Now I'm beginning to think that she may also be right with the satin finish when I was trying to talk her into a gloss finish.

Oh no, if it turns out OK I know she will never let me live it down. lol.

Thanks guys.
rob

Looking Awesome Rob. The black is nice and deep and yet the grain is still popping. It's the best of both worlds. Can't wait to see it with the clear on!

cheers,
Gavin.

Time for an update.

I have now put 6 coats of Minwax Wipe-on Poly Satin finish on it (hello naughty corner). I chose that finish because Serena used it on her IB-1 to get the finish that she was after and that's what she wanted on this one.

It's darn near impossible to take a decent photo of it. At one angle the grain shows through as almost brown, at another is looks black and it can be anything from satin to almost a full gloss depending on the light source.

I was given two instructions for the body, 1)black and 2)satin finish. Sorry Serena, lol. I guess I can always hit it with some sandpaper or steelwool if there is too much gloss.

Anyhoo, I am trying to keep the grain texture a feature and am not sure how many more coats to put on. More coats = better protection, but too many and I will lose the grain feature. I think I will proceed with caution from here on.

rob
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that looks awesome Rob, well done. Love how you sanded away under the headstock logo. If Serena has any criticism of this axe then too bad, it will look fantastic all buttoned up

Looks amazing rob. Love the black. Just the right amount of gloss IMO.

Cheers,
Gavin.

Looks great Rob, especially the headstock.

Well its time to get out the old faded blue sheet ounce again. Its Photo time. ;)

This build has gone fairly well for me, except for a few minor headaches (but isn't that always the case) lol.

This is the most difficult guitar to photograph. None of the shots show it in its true colour, it is actually quite black with dark brown highlights. I must admit to being the worst photographer, but in my defense I wasn't helped by the naff phone camera.

Specs.
Headstock and Body dyed with Japan Black and finished in Satin Minwax Wipe-on Polly. Serena had specifically requested black so I didn't grain fill as I wanted to feature the beautiful Ash grain. So I went for the "exposed" grain effect.

Neck finished in Tru-Oil.

Tonerider Pickups

Orange Drop Cap

7 Sound wiring mod.

Happy Birthday Serena

Cheers
rob


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And a few more
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Wow rob, that looks spectacular - I'm blown away! Serena will be very pleased with it!

cheers,
Gav.

Thanks Gav, when you start one of these builds you are never quite sure how they are going to turn out. For myself I don't care, but as its for someone else I'm glad it turned out OK. I'll find out on Sunday if it passes muster.

Cheers mate
rob

Black on black looks great, she was right rob....

Thanks Stan. After all these years you would think that I should have known that the ladies (young and old) are ALWAYS right. Lol

rob

That's rule number one mate...

Looks the goods though, you've done a nice job.

the darker wudtones really give that more textured finish - I like it

Great job, as usual.