TLA-1 arrived today.

As the title says, my new build came today. Unpacked it and every thing appears to in the box, did a mock setup and thought of a few early questions. How are the pickups mounted? is the neck pickup actually screwed through the pick guard, or are the small holes in the pick guard only to access the sprung loaded screws underneath?
Is Copper tape in the cavities always advisable and should an earth be soldered to each? Just thoughts at this stage, as I'm no-where near having to do this.

I will try to keep this build diary happening, but might be a bit short of pics from time to time; after all, you all know the amount of sanding that goes on. As I get closer to choosing colours and deciding how the build will go, I will update.
Jeff

hey Jeff, good stuff glad the kit arrived and seems it's all there.
The neck pickup is screwed in the 2 holes in the pickguard with spring in between.
Copper shielding will lower the amount of background noise and interference.
The pickups are usually ground to a common point, usually the back of the volume pot. The bridge earth wire will be soldered here and any other earth wires from switch and output jack
So this is ash, we are always keen to see pics of the mock build !

great Jeff, will be watching!

Can I copy pics from the computer to this website, or do i upload to Photobucket first, and then download from there?

You can upload from your computer, and photobucket works as well.

From computer:
scroll down to reply box at bottom of the page
Click, Go Advanced
Scroll down past the dialog box down to the option Attachments
Click on the box, Manage Attachments
You will see a box: Upload files from Your Computer
Go from there
Note the size limit for files

All the best

Wot Wokka said.

Thanks Stan :)

For resizing pics to upload I use Irfanview, it's free and works very well

If you're going to upload to photobucket you can also embed your pics by typing [pic] paste url here [/pic] in the quick reply section.

You can also go into Forum Actions -> General settings

Scroll down to "Miscellaneous Options" and change the Message Editor Interface to "Enhanced Interface - Full WYSIWYG Editing"

With that option you can insert pictures into your posts by choosing the Insert Image button and they will be in the post rather than all clumped at the bottom of the post.

https://2ecffd01e1ab3e9383f0-07db7b9...d0e4d572b6.jpg

Available from the B*****gs. Same stuff as the other copper tape, just a bit thicker. Works just as well, but cheaper.

nice one Fretty, when DB sees your post expect minimum 3 month sentence in the naughty room !

Fretworn, Snap! Actually bought the same 30mins ago......

Hello Jeff, enjoy your first Pitbull build and I look forward to seeing this come together. I also have a same kit in my possession but progress painfully slow due to household sickness & now Sydney storm, taken me about 3 weeks to widen the route for full size pots and 1/4 of sanding!

Just a few photos of the body after initial sand at 80 grit. Bit concerned about the added piece on the top horn as the grain is about 20 degrees to the main grain. Underneath I cant seem to sand out the join on this piece. Will try superglue and saw dust to try and make it less noticeable.

http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...pswjnyaxiw.jpg
http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...psyeiiilob.jpg
http://i1193.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3dxbuu61.jpg

nice looking grain there Jeff. Before you proceed any further on sanding I'd do as you suggested and put some titebond or superglue with some of the sawdust over the crack in the join.
I'd also recommed a mock build to check the scale lengths. Some TL models the bridge pup route was a little too far south and the cavity may need enlarging on the neck side of the cavity

kit looks good Jeff, but that top bit looks too much like an add on.
If you are not going painted, personally I'd negotiate with Adam on this one, the grain doesnt match direction at all...

yes I agree Stan that change in direction of the grain has me puzzled. Is this on the back of the upper horn Jeff? is there a join where the grain direction changes ? bit hard to see in the photo it looks like 2 pieces, not 3 pieces.
From the top photo looks like the outside of the upper horn isn't parallel with rest of the body so is that piece with the different grain direction a wedge piece ?

The piece is definitely an add on piece, and there is another small piece partly overlapping the jack hole. The one on the horn looks definitely out of place with the grain direction. Yes I was going to stain this, but some how thought how could I make this a feature?
Wokkaboy, yes I suppose it could be called a wedge.
Will E-mail Adam and send him the pics for an opinion.
Thanks......Jeff

no worries Jeff, I still think you can make a feature out of the different grain directions, I'd concentrate filling that crack in the join first. What colour stain have you got in mind ?

Really hadn't decided, was waiting for all the sanding to be completed first, but I did think of a dark Jarrah stain, or even going to a black. Really dont know at this stage. I do like the Butterscotch. I have Jarrah left over from the previous build, and us poor pensioners have to watch their pennies;)

no worries Jeff, I'd continue sanding after you glue and fill the crack and see how it looks. A black and jarrah burst would look cool !

Thats an idea, but have never done a burst before, will have to start reading how to do with stains

Jeff, a burst isn't that difficult, you just need to practice on some scrap wood and use 3 rags, one for each colour and one for blending the colours.

Well the build diary has stopped for the time being, as I've returned the kit to Adam, and have to wait for the replacement. By the time it arrives, I'll be O/seas for a short time, but will continue when I return......Jeff

thats a bummer Jeff, so was the main reason for the return the grain direction change and the wedge piece ?

Yes, It just looked like it was a completely foreign piece of wood on that horn piece. From the back it was a more normal colour, but the front is what you look at most of the time. Have no complaints on the rest of the kit. Adam said he would try to find a more suitable grain for me......Jeff

fair enough Jeff, the amount of return kits is very low so you were unlucky. Sure Ads will replace it with a cracker kit.

Good decision Jeff, and Adam will look after you for sure. The wait will be tough but worth it

MY TLA-1 replacement arrived today and am very please with the piece of wood used. Beautiful grain back and front, and also a very nice and patterned neck and headstock. I now have to do a complete rethink on what I will do with this to take advantage of the grain, to make a nice guitar.
A big thanks to Adam for supplying this nice kit.
There will not much to update for awhile as I'm about to go O/S for a short time, and wont be able to resume my build diary until I return and start on the kit. I'll try to send some pics.....Jeff

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nice one Jeff that looks like beautiful grain.
Now start sanding mate !

Wow Jeff! Now that is a stunning body you've scored yourself there. Well done Adam!

cheers,
Gav.

One of the nicest grains ive seen from pbg. Lucky fella

Very nice indeed. Watch out for the Tele Napper!


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great body on that one, dont dare paint it!

From the grain, tht actually looks like a single piece body. Could it be?

cheers,
Gav.

Beautiful Jeff, whatever you do... DO NOT put a solid colour on that body!

Definitely would be a shame to cover it. You have to look very, very closely to see the separate pieces of timber, and then only noticeable on the end grain. No joint is visible on the back of the body and all grain goes in one direction.
I do hope I will be able to do it justice......Jeff

Jeff, take your time and never rush it. If you are using dingotone, only have a single pass per coat and leave it to cure for 3-4 days and you will have a stunning finish!

well worth the wait Jeff, I had a closer look at the grain and it does look like one piece, especially from the back.
Don't think it matters what stain colour you use, this will be a stunning looking axe. Good thing you live far enough away from the tele napper !

Wow! That grain is extreme.