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Hi guys,
I ordered my kit on the 4th of November and it bloody arrived by the 12th of December, talk about a winner! After some explaining to the wife, the kit was finally in my hands!
Its an SG Jr with maple neck and maple fretboard, routing for a normal humbucker and the input jack on the side of the guitar, rather than the front.
I'm hoping to get started on this early in the new year, when I have a little more free time.
Maple board and trapezoids!! Very cool!
:D more Juniors! this looks very promising!
Nice - whats the plan with it?
That looks cool!
nice looking kit IK7 and the maple neck looks cool ! Look forward to see how it turns out
The plan was originally to go all out on this beauty, however, I have had a lot of time to reflect and I think I'm going to go a single colour for the body and front of the headstock and keep the neck clear. For the humbucker I was thinking a Super Distortion, however, I think I might go something 59, maybe a PAF or PAF plus.
The bridge wasn't attached when I unwrapped the neck, but it doesn't matter as I'm thinking of replacing it with a bone nut...just a shame I can't get bone in black.
I'm going to start ordering all my sandpaper in after Christmas, however, I have a couple of questions I'm hoping you guys can help me with:
1. Is it easier to glue the neck in place first, then paint the whole guitar, or paint the neck and body separate and marry them up?
2. I'm in the UK, so what clear coat products can I use on the neck and fretboard, I ideally want a glass like finish.
3. Whats the best location for the upper strap button for the least amount of nosedive?
Standard strap button position on SG style guitars is behind the neck joint. Whether that is best I can't tell you.
If the the neck is going to be clear coated, rather than stained/painted, it would be better to finish then glue. Just remember to not finish the areas that will be glued together for a better neck joint.
I put my strap button behind the neck and it tips the guitar forward a bit too much for my liking. Not a huge issue, but if I were to do it again I'd put it behind the top horn ala...
https://www.musiker-board.de/attachm...ck-jpg.246603/
Nice colour pablo. What stain is that?Quote:
Originally Posted by pablopepper
Nice looking kit! Once again I'm inspired to go buy an SG (even though I'm failing to finish any of my current builds...)
We seem to be on the same wavelength there John! They are a cool little kit.Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnH
I was in the same place... so I ordered a custom SG-M kit with the LP style bound rosewood fretboard with trapezoid inlays from Adam, with tonerider Alnico 2 pickups. That fixed the inspiration, even though I have to wait for March for delivery! 😊😊😊Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnH
I have ordered up my sandpaper, steel wool and glue this evening. Hopefully will get started on the sanding just after Christmas, if not it will be the New Year now.
What is the best clear coat to use on the neck for a glass-like finish? And would I also use it on the fretboard? Also, Do I sand the end of the neck that will be glued into the body, or is it best to leave this rough for gluing purposes?
Hello! Not sure I'm qualified to answer any of these but heres some thoughts.
Don't sand the neck joint until you have tried the fit and only then if necessary. It is vital the neck and bridge line up correctly. I get a piece of cotton, tape it to the center of the nut, run it down the centre of the fret markers and check it against a pencil line drawn on the body i
n the centre of the bridge holes. Or you could mount both E string machine heads and strings, using them to sight the line across the bridge.
Don't press in the bridge mounting posts yet as they are devils to get out!!!
There's loads of options for good clear. I like Cabot's polyurethane clear on timber, goes very hard but takes a week or two to really go off. I'm sure others on here can give you other good options.
I use low tack tape to mark out the body, I don't like adding marks to the wood
I have just test fitted the neck and marked the centre of the bridge and neck and ran a bit of string down the line and everything looks bang on.
I'm assuming there is meant to be a slight back angle on the neck when it's seated into the body?
Yeah, neck should angle back 3-4 degrees, that's normal.
Finally going to start this in the next day or two. I've now decided what colour and hardware I'm going for, too!
How do you know when you have sanded enough with one grade of sand paper before moving onto the next grade? Or when you have finished with the finest grade to start painting? Are we talking a couple of hours with each grade, or are we talking sanding over the course of a couple of days?
Its up to you Ik7. Dingobass the resident luthier says, sand until you think you've finished, then sand some more, then give it to your wife to sand.
Ideally, you want to take out all the machine marks and level it then move up the grades to remove your sanding marks.
For the neck I'm thinking of using 'Osmo 1101 Wood Wax Finish Clear Extra Thin' would this do the job if I put on roughly 20 coats, so I can sand back and buff up for a more glass-like finish?
I'd ring Osmo if i were you... the recommended number of coats is 2.... I used some of their stuff on a guitar stand, it's fine, no problem but they told me applying more than the 2 coats is a waste of time....
I took your advice and tried to ring them, but they are closed until the 3rd Jan, so will wait before I purchase it. The only reason I know of this stuff is some contractor chippy's built a custom reception desk where I work and used this on the oak 'slabs' and got talking to them, they really rate the stuff.
On re-test fitting the hardware, I've found the humbucker tags don't fit into the body properly, so will have to sand/file the route a bit so it fits.
See the link mate... I dont want to put you off trying what you want but.... the chippy will love it..I did ..for my home made guitar stand..
https://www.osmouk.com/sitechaptern....er=82&page=253
What did you use on the neck on your Strat build, Chrissy? And was it pretty transparent?
The first Strat (brown)was Wudtone, both the stain and a satin finish... pleased with that, the second one (yellow)was a liberon stain then Tru Oil... I've used Crimson stains and oil too but personally not that happy with the result which could have been my fault btw.
I think all the top coats slightly darken the stain but not by a massive amount. Next one will for sure be just plain tru oil, not even sure i will stain the guitar, a lot more coats needed but for me this gives the smoothest shiny finish
PM sent.....
While doing an all day late at work yesterday I have finally started the task of sanding the guitar down. On first looks, the neck is in really good condition, however, the body is going to need some work. Also managed to widen the humbucker route out.
No idea why the picture didn't attach to the post, but here goes again:
Maple neck and "Hog" body. What a combination. Should end up being a brighter sounding guitar than other SG styles.