RB's LP-1S Build

So my guitar has now arrived so I guess it's time to start one of these.

I am sadly a bit underwhelmed. Having seen so many spalted veneers, not to mention the one shown in the ad, I can't help but feel a bit short changed by the top of this one.

Attachment 21927

What do you think? Am I wrong?

Don't get me wrong, I do think that it will still make a beautiful guitar, if I do my bit properly, and I do love the feel of the wood (I need to stop stroking it before I get it irredeemably greasy :)), but I was hoping for a bit more contrast in the grain.

All that aside I now need to make a proper plan of action, as having opened the box I suddenly feel a bit overwhelmed with the task ahead. I'm not sure that I'm going to be in a position to do any more of these, so this one needs to be right first time.

So that'll do for now, my barrage of questions will start below.

RB

I wouldn't worry too much. I think it still looks cool. And besides - you'll end up loving it no matter how it looks. Trust me


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Thanks Darryl, I know you're right of course :)

Give the spalt a wipe over with methylated spirits or turps etc. so you can really see what you've got when it's wet. That should help you see the true figuring and give you an idea what direction to take with the finish.

I've got white spirit Scott, will that be ok? Will that help me find any glue spots too? What can I get in the UK to remove the glue spots?

See, I said the barrage of questions would start :)

White spirit will be fine. And you can get Goof-Off in the UK as well at non-inflated prices, though there are other glue removal products available but I really have no idea how they all compare. Look on Amazon.

And a look at the top shows that the join line is pretty straight down the middle, so you're better off than some there.

This might be a top where a bit of stain could bring out some more of the figuring.

Thanks Simon.

So here it is with a bit of white spirit rubbed on

Attachment 21930

There are a couple of areas of slight concern, firstly this one

Attachment 21931

I am going to use Crimson Guitars Stains and finishing oil, I don't know the pros or cons of trying to fill this, or whether the oil might do the job for me if I do enough coats?

Then there is this one, is it a bit of glue residue?

Attachment 21932

Cheers

RB

I'd probably use a small bit of grain filler on that small tear, it would take too much filling with oil and would probably still be visible.

My guess would be glue residue, though it could also be a patch that's become rather polished so doesn't take up the white spirit as readily. You could try a very light scrape with some medium grit sandpaper and see if that improves it. If not, assume glue.

Personally I think the spalt looks real nice especially wet as in the pic, looks almost a finish with a clear coat to go on..
Let me know how you get on with the crimson stains, i have some for an SGM I'm picking up Tuesday

Thanks Simon. The grain filler I've found is white spirit thinned. This doesn't cause any problem with the water based stain does it?

Also when you say medium sand paper what sort of grit are you talking? ( Sorry to sound dumb).

Your right chrissyinbkk, it does look a lot better with the spirit on. I'm definitely happier.

RB

I asked Crimson if they recommend a grain filler to fit with their stains, the reply was "Applying the fourth or fifth coat of oil with some 1200 wet or dry should fill the majority of the pores that need filling. Hope this has helped" Not too sure I will be doing that on a veneer though.... but then again i think a few guys have successfully tru oiled the veneer using similar methods,, I haven't got the bottle to try it yet...

That's not a pore, it's just a tear in the veneer which is a lot deeper. I've seen people say that it takes a stain, but you might be best waiting until the stain arrives and you can try a test piece on some scrap. The veneer won't need grain filling apart from in that slight tear, so only fill that small area. I's try 180 or 240 grit, nothing smaller, and nothing to coarse either. You just want to try and rough up the surface without removing any depth, so drag it across the top applying only minimal downward pressure.

Looks nice RB, as someone suggested you will love it no matter what because it's your build

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So I've made a proper start and shaped the headstock. I imagined that it would be bigger and that I would have to saw a reasonable amount away, but in the end there wasn't that much so I stuck to files and sandpaper.

I've tried for understated and classic looking, what do you think?

Attachment 21966

Attachment 21967

Attachment 21968

RB

A good start, thats the job i hate most is shaping the headstock,

I quite enjoyed it. Just took it nice and steady, I've not really done anything like it before. :)

I hadn't, first one I did with a jigsaw, ended up with files to get the cut from front to back straight, rest of the build I love especially the sanding and staining

Yup, that's next. I'm a bit nervous, but I think I'll start with the back, at least if it goes a bit wrong it won't be seen as much!

Is it a basswood body?...

No mahogany I think

Lol.. you think?... I'd make sure.... mahogany you will be sanding to 240 or so, basswood 180
My LP 1S was mahogony, the one I'm doing now the LP1F is basswood
All I can say is if unsure just ask, a lot of the guys put me right and solved all the issues I had,

No, I am certain it's mahogany, neck too. :)