Erics STarter build

So... I ordered the STA-1M kit from adam a few weeks ago.
Along with the stock kit, i ordered the Grover tuners and a bone nut to suit.
I need to order a bridge, and i like the look of the Babicz FCH bridge.

Day of Delivery :D3
Attachment 12514

Now, i work a bit... so not much happens for the next 4 weeks :(
So.. onto the interwebs i go...

Cue, 1 notched straight edge, fret rocker, fret files, switchcraft output jack, doublesided copper shielding and some tightbond.
About this time I do a mock up (after reading the damn manual...) and realise that my neck pocket is slightly too big ;)

Not to worry, i order a sheet of .4mm veneer and get to work...
Attachment 12515

Attachment 12516

Attachment 12517

and BAM.. a neck that fits properly...
Attachment 12518

So... that was yesterday!

Today I got to work with some 320, 400 and 600 Grit Sandpaper.

400
Attachment 12519

600
Attachment 12520

CBF'd getting my painters tape out of the garage to tape up the neck... but thats next!

Eric

Looking good Eric! What's the plan for the finish on this bad boy?

cheers,
Gav.

Woah!, nice work with the shim. That ash looks incredible. (drool):cool:

Hi Guys,

Finish wise... well it was supposed to end up as a Gilmore-ish black strat clone...
I've since changed my mind a thousand times. I really like the ash grain, so I've bought some ebony timbermate and ill grain fill with that to really bring it out. Once i see how that looks, ill most likely dye it deep red, not quite burgundy and finish with a heavy clear.
If the grain doesn't come out as planned... damned if i know!

Eric

This should be a cracker! I vote the deep red, I really want to see how that turns out.

I worked from home today, so inbetween emails and phonecalls..

Attachment 12540

Attachment 12541

I still need to sand it back again... and again... and again.

That's come up nicely, will this affect your overall plan for coloured finish?

I'll sand it from 120grit up to 300 again.
The timber is coming through but, its still a bit darker than i was hoping for.

For those interested, this is timbermate blended at about 10:1 with warm water, applied with a cloth left to dry until it starts to turn cloudy then wiped away with a second damp cloth.
I left it for about 30mins after the wiping down and sanded it lightly with 120grit paper i'd normally use to sand paint from walls.
It needs to be sanded again a little more aggressively though to get some of the timber back through.

Eric

Looking good and grain is popping nicely

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

So, ive spent some more time sanding, really happy with this now.
Ive give it a quick wipe with a damp cloth to bring it out..
Bring on the red!
Attachment 12572

yup! thats looking cool!

Serious grainy goodness. That should look hot under a red coat.

Dayum, that looks great:cool:

Thanks guys!

Im going for a clear satin finish on the neck and i'd like to keep the neck colour as is - any tips for making the grain pop without affecting the colour would be greatly appreciated.

Eric

Looking damn good so far.

If you want any colour to soak in best to stop sanding at 240 or no higher than 320. Once you get the colour right and start adding clear top coats, that is when you can move onto finer grit wet sanding to make things really nice and smooth all over. Going too fine on the grits before applying stain colour may not leave enough open grain & pores for the stuff to penetrate.

Looking good man.

cheers,
Gav.

Eric looking good you scored some awesome ash grain in the body. Look forward to seeing deep red stain on it should look unreal

Sorry about the lack of updates... Been away for work.

So, about that red yeah, well, it didnt really go as planned.
Mistake 1 was using Ebony to pop the grain.
Mistake 2 was not realising that I had somewhat darkened the timber.
It went the colour of dried blood instead of fresh blood.

Unless i can rescue the colouration, it seems im going to have a boring black strat.

:(

Eric

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EricB

Sorry about the lack of updates... Been away for work.

So, about that red yeah, well, it didnt really go as planned.
Mistake 1 was using Ebony to pop the grain.
Mistake 2 was not realising that I had somewhat darkened the timber.
It went the colour of dried blood instead of fresh blood.

Unless i can rescue the colouration, it seems im going to have a boring black strat.

:(

Eric

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Hi mate, been reading your posts and your guitar looks awesome. If you think that it looks too dark i have some brilliant red water based stain that 1 can send to you if you live in Australia, here is a pic of a sample i did on some tazzie oak. another good sand and 2 or 3 coats of my red might help...

Attachment 12720 Attachment 12721

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EricB

Sorry about the lack of updates... Been away for work.

So, about that red yeah, well, it didnt really go as planned.
Mistake 1 was using Ebony to pop the grain.
Mistake 2 was not realising that I had somewhat darkened the timber.
It went the colour of dried blood instead of fresh blood.

Unless i can rescue the colouration, it seems im going to have a boring black strat.

:(

Eric

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Sanding.....lots and lots and lots of sanding......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nitroburner1000

Hi mate, been reading your posts and your guitar looks awesome. If you think that it looks too dark i have some brilliant red water based stain that 1 can send to you if you live in Australia, here is a pic of a sample i did on some tazzie oak. another good sand and 2 or 3 coats of my red might help...

Attachment 12720 Attachment 12721

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wow! im stoked at the offer mate, much appreciated.
My approach is going to be sand the dye back as much as possible and try again with plain red.

I'll shoot you a PM we can work it out there.

Eric

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Andy40

Sanding.....lots and lots and lots of sanding......

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And then some more :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EricB

wow! im stoked at the offer mate, much appreciated.
My approach is going to be sand the dye back as much as possible and try again with plain red.

I'll shoot you a PM we can work it out there.

Eric

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ok, no worries, ive just replied..cheers

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nitroburner1000

ok, no worries, ive just replied..cheers

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All sent, you should get it in a couple of days. Sent it express post.

Damn dude, you dont mess around! thanks heaps though.
Muchos gracias!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EricB

Damn dude, you dont mess around! thanks heaps though.
Muchos gracias!

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From all the help ive received from the guys here thats nothing, glad to help.

Massive shout out to Nitro.
I'm away from home for work at the moment, my wife told me something arrived a couple of days ago.
I got her to open it up and its some nice looking dye.

Thanks so much, when i get home ill put in a few hours of sanding and start putting some pictures up.

Eric

Quote:

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Originally Posted by EricB

Massive shout out to Nitro.
I'm away from home for work at the moment, my wife told me something arrived a couple of days ago.
I got her to open it up and its some nice looking dye.

Thanks so much, when i get home ill put in a few hours of sanding and start putting some pictures up.

Eric

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Glad you received it ok, the red and yellow stains go really well together, safe trip and cant wait for the pics..

the grain is great on that body, it should come up well

Finally back from far north WA, and dug into some sanding today.

This is how my first attempt at dyeing this sunnovabitch.
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I've done 1 pass at 180grit.
Attachment 12932 vs this pre start Attachment 12933

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GOing to give it another round of 180 and then 240.
Should be right for the colour from Nitro then.

Looks great Eric what colour is the dye? No way to talk about your build. Guitars have feelings too haha

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wokkaboy

Looks great Eric what colour is the dye? No way to talk about your build. Guitars have feelings too haha

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its a brilliant red, should look great with the dark highlights.

Its looking a million times better :D

One more coat....

Attachment 13016

Nice job and brings out the grain

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

hell yea! :D

well done Eric that colour is awesome. Wait till the clear coats go on that ash grain is gonna pop nicely !

Dilemma time.

Im about to order a bridge, not a fan of the stockie and am getting a new set of pickups made and getting them shipped already installed into a pickguard with cts pots etc.

now, black or white?

Attachment 13060 vs Attachment 13061

which means then chrome or black bridge?

my head says white and chrome....

Neck was pretty flat, only minor adjustment required.
Attachment 13062

and i started marking out frets for leveling
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Im off to NSW for a couple of days but this weekend, i should get time to mask and prep the neck before i start staining and oiling.

Eric

with the light coloured neck I think white and chrome

I always prefer light pickguard with dark body, so I'd pick white and chrome.