Andys Build #3 : JR-1DC

First proper build diary for me. Usually just post once complete.

This is for my DC Junior eBay bargain...sorry Adam! 8O
Have decided to go with a vintage sunburst finish, haven't seen the DC with this finish only the standard shape junior...but what the heck, something different.
Jase just did a great job of the TV Yellow, so that was out, and having just finished my ES in Cherry, that was out too!

Checked the fit on the neck joint, scratch plate and pickup...all good!
Only problem I found was the right hand side tuning peg holes were considerably out, when compared to the left hand side. After taking measurements the actual headstock had been cut with slightly more timber on the right hand side. Fear not...trimmed off the excess, then shaped and sanded...all good!
Have attached before and after photos.

After basic sanding of the body I mixed up grain filler (Timbermate) and applied all over.
Hung and left to dry. Will madly sand tommorow.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...eadstock-1.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...eadstock-2.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...ain-Filler.jpg

wow Andy well done with the workaround on the headstock and the shape looks very Gibson. What colour timbermate did you rub over the body ? Can I please borrow your ride on mower in the background, might make a boring chore more exciting ! haha

Thanks Wokka, I'm very much the traditionalist with my builds, hence the headstock shape. Done all Gibson builds so far. I do like the Jazzmaster kit though, might have to head down that road next, maybe. Not 100% sure on the Timbermate colour, will check tomorrow...in front of the TV now enjoying a lovely glass, or 4, of Barossa Shiraz.
Yeah you're right, the ride on does make a boring job a little more palatable. Have got a lot to mow though so its a necessity.

Very excited to see how you will do it this time again Andy!

Great choice on the sunburst. I look forward to your diary build and you can enjoy the DC Jnr as much as I do.

Great choice on the sunburst. I look forward to your diary build and you can enjoy the DC Jnr as much as I do.

After many hours, sanding is complete...

How do you tell someone is a guitar builder?
One arm is bigger than the other.
I swear, after all this sanding we are all going to look like crabs...one huge arm!! :D

@ Wokka...the Timbermate colour I used is Teak. Dries similar to basswood in colour, slightly deeper.

That will probably be it until next weekend...see how I go timewise.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...anding-Fin.jpg

Another great build in the making

nice so far Andy

Looking good Andy. Great work on the headstock, and the body is coming up a treat. Has the timbermate made the grain stand out just that little more? Should suit your sunburst idea perfectly.

cheers,
Gavin.

looking great!
with using the timber mate as a grain filler, do you thin it down, or use it straight?

Hi AJ
Yeah, thin the Timbermate down with plenty of water till quite a thin runny paste.
Then wearing a disposable glove I just rub it over the whole body of the guitar.
Have also seen it applied using a plastic filling blade. Whatever works for you I guess.
Once dry it does take a fair bit of sanding, but it comes up as smooth as.
Then when doing the final wet sanding and polishing of the lacquer, you'll find the Timbermate has filled every tiny pore in the grain, enabling a mirror finish.
Cheers, Andy

Ty, Andy, is a little late for me to try this with the TL, but sure I will be able to get another kit in due course, (when the OIC of finances allows me to, and that will mean having to sell a few guitars.like the Yamaha and the old Cort when that's refinished.) I would like to get one of those 338's then

Looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

Got some time tonight after work to get my hands dirty by splashing a bit of stain around.
Finished the sunburst...ready now to spray the clear coats on the weekend.
Hopefully the painting will be completed by the weekends end.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...9gk9-Burst.jpg

Looking great Andy. What colour stains did you use if you don't mind me asking? Great combination.

Cheers,
Gavin.

Very tasty.

Hi Gav, I used Feast Watson Proof Tint Old Baltic for the lighter colour and Walnut for the darker.
Mucked around a lot over the past few nights trying to doctor up my own custom colours but kept going back to this combination. I think once the clear coats go on it should really come up a treat.

Got the first lot of clear coats on this morning...happy with things so far.
Will wet sand tomorrow and spray the final coats.

http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...lear-Coats.jpg

This has got star status written all over it already. Excellent work Andy!

Hey Andy, have you checked the spacing of the bridge holes on this kit? We had a couple of these that were drilled for a Tune-O-Matic bridge and not for the bridge that comes with this kit. Maybe just check before proceeding any further.

Hey Adam, just checked the bridge hole spacing and everything seems fine.
Thanks for the heads up though.

Good news. Gavin T had one that was out and we have two here that are also mis-drilled, so some must have been made on a Friday after a long liquid lunch.

Looking pretty awesome Andy. That walnut colour - it looks pretty close to black here, but is it really? I'm trying to find a black stain suitable for a maple cap for a burst, so it needs to be able to blend and fade. Would this be any good?

Hi Glenn,
The walnut probably isn't as black as it looks in the photo...definitely a very dark brown, which I was after.
In the Feast Watson Prooftint range, which these stains are, they do both a Japan Black and a Black.
I have got the Japan Black and it is very black. Think it would be fine for what you're after.
They are available in very handy little 50ml bottles for about $7 - $8, more than enough or a few builds.
I did the blend on this burst by rubbing the stains on with rags, and they blended really nicely.
They are a dye based stain. Try both the blacks on some offcuts and see what you think.
Cheers,
Andy

The Burst looks great Andy.

WOW that burst is something else.

Finished the clear coats this morning.
Got quite a nice level of gloss straight off the gun.
Will leave now for a week to cure properly and then cut and polish.
During the week I can make a start on the wiring...get the burn cream ready!! 8O
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...r-Finished.jpg

Wow! your burst looks freaking awesome with the clear on Andy. Another superb result. Congrats.

cheers,
Gavin.

Have had no time during the week to do anything on my build...but got a bit done this weekend.

Cut and polished the clear coat on the body and neck.
Completed all the shielding and wiring.
Fixed the bridge in place.
Lowered the nut height.
Screwed on the output jack and the control cavity cover.

Fairly productive really for the small amount of time I had to spare, between working till Saturday arvo and the rest of the time trying to grab glimpses of us demolishing the poms!! :D

Will hopefully try and get the headstock decal done one night this week.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...g-Complete.jpg

Beautiful!

Fabulous burst Andy.

I'd be interested to know your technique for applying the shades. Did you do the Old Baltic first then go around with the Walnut? Or did you do them at the same time? How did you get the blend so neat without sharp lines?

Anything you can tell us would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Darren

Beautiful Andy. That body is something else. Your burst looks sprayed on - I can't believe you did it with stain and rags! Amazing stuff.

cheers,
Gavin.

wow wow wow wow wow!!!
Oh, forgot something here, WOW!!! Great burst there Andy, that's the colour I dream of on my Juniors!!!

agree with everyone Andy that looks sensational, you nailed the burst and the colour selection. Can't wait to see it strung up !

Andy, I just have to agree with everybody else. Simply gorgeous.

Just one question, are you going to use the standard P90 or are you going too upgrade?

rob

Thanks guys for all your kind words...really appreciate it.

@ Darren, I will try and find time this week to write down my method of rubbing on the burst.
I think the main thing to remember is I've been a signwriter for 30 odd years, so I have always dealt with paint and blending colours, etc. But I am more than happy to pass on any tips.

@ Rob, I wasn't going to upgrade the P90, although I did briefly look at the GFS P90, and its very reasonably priced.
I'm a fairly basic player, especially compared to those in the video threads, so I don't know how much benefit I would get from upgrading.

Looks amazing, very classy finish already! Did you spray the clear coat from a rattle can or gun and compressor?

I always use a compressor and a touch-up gun for clear coating.

Another gorgeous guitar Andy - I love how that burst has a lovely warm glow in the sunlight.