My first build improvment

Well finally getting around to doing a little of maintenance on my tele that I made last year sometime. As I have come to a time when I need time to do the finish on Taylor.

The problem is it wont play in tune along the neck eg g is tuned yet a on the 2nd fret is high (by a lot). The 12 fret is very close to spot on but the saddles are right back.
I could easily shifted the neck back, but decided to shift the bridge. This will give me a better angle at the bridge as well.

I removed everything off the face, pulled the bridge anchors out. Filled the two holes with some dowel I got, redrilled the holes popped the bridge post back in and it will be hopefully ok after a set up.
Just trying to put a bit of finish on the places where I sanded, don't think it will come out too good but might as well try. Here are a couple of pix.

First is as it was.
Second is holes filled
Third is new holes drilled, the posts had been fitted but removed to do the finishing.Note the "gouge" above the back pup, from drilling a hole to take the earth wire, OH WELL.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...427_222208.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...504_142223.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...504_153819.jpg

Ok, have "tried" to fix that horrible scares, the little bit of burning sun that I had left is no more. However I do have some golden oak (used on Montana's neck), not the same colour, but similar (almost). The two patches looked so far out of place so thought I may as well do the whole face.

WELL! It has changed the colour, a lot darker and looks ....... shocking. But this will do, even if I use it to try, if it's ok then I can refinish the face to a nicer finish.

Tomorrow I'll put some shiny stuff on it and see what it looks like then. UuMm! The pix look better than real life, well, we'll see what it looks like with some gloss on it.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...512_131451.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...512_131516.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...512_131542.jpg

hey Rick, did you check the distance nut to 12th fret was about the same 12th fret to bridge saddles ?
Hopefully moving the bridge back a few mm will solve your intonation issues

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from surfmusic on May 4, 2014, 14:26
The problem is it wont play in tune along the neck eg g is tuned yet a on the 2nd fret is high (by a lot). The 12 fret is very close to spot on but the saddles are right back.
I could easily shifted the neck back, but decided to shift the bridge. This will give me a better angle at the bridge as well.

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The problem at the 'G' string at the 2nd Fret is because your NUT is too high.......

As Wokka asked, did you take any measurements before doing the operation to your guitar?

Measurements, yep it was close enough, and thats where the neck fitted, just wasn't enough adjustment in the bridge.
Would have been easier to move the neck back, wouldn't have had to refinish then. (or remove the hard ware. BUMMER, never thought of that.)

I would have thought about the nut not cut deep enough, but cant remember measuring it, things seem to slip past me these days. I'll do that when it's back together.

Looked at it this afternoon, almost put it in the rubbish bin, but looked through my meager supply of finishing stuff, found some gold hi-lights, which looks as if I mixed it with something else (as there was quiet a bit there) so gave it a coat of that. Also found some gloss top coat, that I never got to use on Montana, so gave it a coat of that.

This is what it is looking like now, maybe after a few more coats of gloss it might pass. Even that ugly scar is reasonable.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...513_152836.jpg

It's looking much better...

the scar doesn't look too bad Rick, once the bridge and bigsby are on it won't be so obvious.
See how the intonation goes once its assembled. Moving the neck forward may be harder than you think as you would have to hide a gap in the pocket. Think you made the correct decision to move the bridge back

AAAaaaaGGggggg! Surprised my self this morning, up early (6:00am) gave it a bit of a rub with 4 X 0000 steel wool have it another coat of gloss.
Came back about 7 hours later, another quick rub and a 3rd coat.
Another coat or two tomorrow, then I might be able to replace all the bits.

Going to take that P94 out of the neck position and put the kit "pup" in there.

Must remember to shift that string "T" and check the height of the 2nd string at the nut.
If every thing turns out ok I'll put up a little demo, like to show you that kill switch. it works well, but I don't use it, just put in for an exercise.
After all it's an experience, and experimental "gadgets" are something to do.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...514_152827.jpg

UUuuMmmm! Gave it another coat of gloss, after a quick rub with the 4 x that is.

Think this is how it will be, although don't be surprised I I give it a coat of the clear spray that I'm using on "Taylor".

Maybe on Saturday I can start to "put it together", I really want to get it back intonate it and try it out. I think this finish gives it an old look.

Just 3 photos from different angles.

Rick
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...515_161054.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...515_161115.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...515_161131.jpg

it looks pretty good now Rick, used but not too worn, I like it and think your repair will look ok. I am about to make the same repair on an ES kit - except that the body was drilled for a righty and the kit is a lefty... so painted top for me

test (trying to send but not going)

test (trying to send but not going)[/quote]

Hope it goes this time, trouble is I have forgotten what I was saying so I'll just send the pics.

1st pic. trying to show off the shine from using that stuff I'm using on Taylor, the pic wont really show how {almost} nice it is.

2nd pic dont know what it's showing.

3rd pic, basically the finished guitar, still fiddling with it a little. Noticed I put .008s' on it so might need to take them a bit heavier.

Never changed the electrics as there was no room left in the control cavity.

SOoooooo! thats it for this little lot of messages. May be I'll put up a little demo in a few days (if I can get the recording going.)

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...516_200521.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...516_200544.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...4.57.03-pm.jpg

looking good Rick, be interested to hear how the intonation is now that you moved the bridge rearward.

nice to see it done Rick - put it in GOTM!

I got a feeling Stan this axe may have already been entered but I could be wrong.
Sure Rick can confirm that

Hi Guys, Yep it was on GOTM last year some time,

Strangely enough, Wokka, I'm still not happy with the tuning, it keeps going out. Might have to put a curfew on it. (ha ha)
Just not too sure why, maybe when the strings stretch in a bit it might be stable.

Rick.

Quote:

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/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from surfmusic on May 20, 2014, 19:09
Strangely enough, Wokka, I'm still not happy with the tuning, it keeps going out. Might have to put a curfew on it. (ha ha)
Just not too sure why, maybe when the strings stretch in a bit it might be stable.

Rick.

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How quickly do they go out of tune? Are you using the Bigsby, using lots of string bending, or strumming heavily before they go out of tune?

yer Rick good chance its not the bridge position causing it to go out of tune quickly, run the strings in so they stretch on the pegs and could be the neck setting in as well

Rick, leave it for a few weeks and keep tuning it up, it eventually does want to stay in tune

yeah, Thanks Keloooe, noticed it is getting better. Won't be using light strings again.

Been trying to makea demo but don't seem to be able to get a sound that I am satisfied with.

It's either too distorted or too much bass. (and it could be my ears, too deaf)

Rick.

Not wanting to hijack your thread here, but 'strings going out of tune' can mean many things. Take for example my recent trip to South Africa where my niece (who plays piano and is learning guitar) asked me to take a look at her guitar. This is a 40 year old vintage Korean built classical guitar.
So first things first, check out the tuners.....perfect.
Ah, maybe the bridge is pulling up when being tuned.....check it and nope it stays dead level.

Hmmm...action is pretty good, nut needs replacing as it is a bit worn, but why would it be going out of tune so quickly......ADE, yep...was in tune, now completely out. Check the tuning on open strings....dang! Still in tune? No! Can't be.....could it?

I need a ruler, nut to the 12th fret 285mm, ok! So 12th fret to bridge we are expecting 288mm..........and it's only 280mm!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoever built the guitar in Korea stuffed up. The bridge in 8mm to high up the neck and has NEVER played in tune its whole existence.

Easily solved, remove the bridge with steam, mark everything 8mm further down, reglue bridge with Titebond aliphatic glue and custon bridge clamps, finally redrill bridge pin holes. Too easy!!! Small problem.........man cave and tools are 10,000kms away in Perth and I'm in South Africa.

Steamer required to steam off the bridge!

Check!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...j4q1-image.jpg

Wedged a metal paint scraper and it came off the soundboard a lot easier than expected.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...3972-image.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...ys34-image.jpg

Aliphatic glue required and no-one in South Africa has heard of Titebond.....

Research revealed this.......


http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...02o6-image.jpg

No bridge clamps so what to do?

I know ! I'll just do this!


http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...pxna-image.jpg

Once dry, i got the strings back onto the guitar and there were some anxious eyes on me as I started to tune the guitar without a tuner.......not my strong point!
Got it in tune on the open strings and then proceeded to play a few chords and riffs! All smiles. A 40 year old guitar finally gets its voice and makes a young girl happy! (my niece-not me) before any of you ask!!!!

Hi Gavin, seems like you did a very good job, much more success that I have had.

But that is what we do for our Niece (s) and grand daughter (s).

Rick.

We do indeed. The look of satisfaction once the strings were back on and tuned up with worth the scrounging around to find and 'make' tools that would complete the job. Not quite the Kenyan dude who we saw on youtube but lent some inspiration to the task!

Hi!

Just a shortie, trying to see if I could shift a photo from my "photo Booth" to the forum.

Am happy with the set-up, except will drop the action a little, if that is possible.

Ok looks as if it is there, so that means I don't have an excuse not to put up a demo. Will do that in a few days time.
I'll gave the lights on which should help the quality.

Hopefully, it will be ok.

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...at-1.12-pm.jpg

its a very dark photo Rick !
Look forward to the demo in the coming days !

Ok! Hi again, Nothing has happened since my last post.

I have tried to post a few demos but, after a very long time it just disappears to where no one knows.

Anyway the demos I did were very amateurish the sound shocking, so it's just as well they didn't go.

So here are a few pix of my two pitbulls', the tele thinline and Taylor, which is almost finished, just needs a set-up.
will need to file a few frets as the action starts to buzz (not a real buzz just the same note) around the 14 - 16 fret on the low strings, shouldn't be to much of a problem.

First pic shows the gear I'm using just now, a Fender G-Dec siting on a fender blues jr.

both guitars are fed in to a 8 channel Mackie mixer (really only 5 ch as 3 of them are stereo) then in to the amps.

second pic shows the guitars and the mixer

3 pic the tele, and a bit of a Boss FZ-5, which I blew up but still makes a noise so it's 0n an insert line from ch1. (the LP at present)

Rick.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...628_163126.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...628_163153.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...628_163240.jpg