First Build: TL-1 - Let the fun begin

So what got me started on building my first TL-1. Well, I enjoy woodwork and tinkering on the guitar so a good friend suggested..Why not build a guitar!! After some scouring on the web and recommendations, I elected PitBull was the place to be and ordered my first guitar kit! Being a beginner decided to not overspend as I want to practice techniques and build and finish of guitar is something totally new to me. In anticipation I awaited for my new kit to arrive and can say I had a big smile after finishing work and my new project was delivered and ready for the unpack. Oh, must say Adam has been great with assistance and my friend (so big thanks too). Package is unwrapped, making a list of various items I need (fillers, sandpaper blah blah) as I'm keen to get start sanding this weekend. In parallel I do need to read the guides (hmmmm not big on lost of detail but it must be done). I'm not 100% sure on the final finish but being a 'woodwork geek' a term a friend offers refers to me as, I'm thinking grain enhance with stain. I'm going to do some sample wood pieces to get a feel on what will work best before any final decision. Really hoping I can get the grain to 'pop' as i love the natural beauty wood has and hope to be able to highlight that. Anyway I'll keep all posted with progress and be up for ideas and hints as its all a learning process for me :)

Cool! Enjoy the build. The forum is a great place for asking questions - everyone's very helpful.

What colour were you thinking for the stain?

that I'm not exactly sure, was thinking something with warm hues maybe something in the 'brown jarrah' tone or even a swing to a Gold oak, just not sure how the woods natural pigment will work with each so going to do some swatch trials. The kit if correct is basswood and although a soft wood, understand grain is quite tight so stains sink in and can affect end result with being too heavy. any thoughts or sites you suggest I check out on technique and learnings here?

sounds like you’ve got some nice ideas about colour options. Would definitely recommend doing swatch tests on scrap wood. As you say, the scrap will behave differently to the wood of the kit - when I’ve previously stained wood that I wasn’t sure about I have just built up the stain in thin layers until I get the tone or darkness that I’m aiming for

thanks heaps...will do nice thin layers. Practicing some grain filling..never done this before..a tad messy but hey got to give a go. Have you grain filled? If yes, do you stain pre or post grain fill as I get mixed views.

Ok...first sand of body with 240 - long, even strokes...wipe with soft cloth to avoid natural oils staining body..noticed a tiny knick in the wood..otherwise the surface seems pretty uniform. Very soft wood to sand so slow, even sand strokes and light dust as sanding to avoid clogging and dust everywhere. started with top, then base and then sides. With sides used sponge block for sandpaper however also applied a slight angle sand stroke to keep curve smooth and buff out any flat line between where top and sides meet. will do another sand tomorrow as working on another woodwork project and got a bit of mess to tidy up :)Attachment 24849

Hi Juanita, welcome to the forum.

It's pretty typical to 1/ sand, 2/ grain fill, 3/ sand, 4/ colour (stains or dye) and then 5/ clear coat.

Each wood treatment step is way more involved but it's indicative of the basic outline of steps that many on the forum take. There is also all the hardware fitting issues to consider that only crop up on a guitar build. How the pick guard you have or the metal of the tuners and bridge will sit against your chosen finish.

You have said you enjoy woodwork so I'm guessing you are familiar with the cabinet makers stains often found at most local hardware stores. The Wattyl brand sprang to my mind when you said Golden Oak. Wattyl is a wonderful but very strong wood stain that typically needs only one application and does not darken up much with a 2nd or 3rd coat. There are many other alternatives to colour your axe build such as the Australian Ubeaut wood dyes or those from the USA such as colortone or Keda which do very well with a single colour coat or can be thinned to allow multiple light colour coats to achieve a huge variety of awesome effects... Just a something for you to bear in mind...

I have done a Ash guitar using Wattyl Golden Oak... and a basswood Bass using Wattyl Rosewood stain... very solid and deep colours that do allow visibility of the grain but did not allow for variation of colour across the body of the guitar. If you are wanting any kind of burst or shading across the body then I'd suggest looking at the UBeaut or colortone range of dyes... I'm sure others can suggest other brands and/or techniques such as tea leaves ....

Thanks heaps for the info shared...really helpful! :)

Hi Juanita, Suggest taking it nice and easy sanding Basswood as 240 grit is probably as far as you need to go and allow the timber to absorb some stain. Not a good timber for grain filling as it usually fairly smooth and tightly grained.

Feast Watson is another common brand found at large hardware stores and have some nice brown through to gold shades to pick from.

Yep - should be no need / limited benefit from grain filling basswood. I generally sand to 240 - then rub it over with a damp cloth - you'll get a lot of fibres sticking up after it dries - hit with a very light 240 and it'll feel even smoother.

Thanks...did a damp wipe and yep little fibres popping up, so will do a gentle sand. Just a question to and you all has anyone done a shellac then stain with blend of french polish shellac tinted about 10-20% with say a warm brown stain? I've used this technique on a hard wood..just tinkering on the weekend and liked the finish however I'm not familiar with basswood so really up for advice and thoughts. And thanks for all the recommends on stains to check out..I'll be a google staining queen by the end of this..:)

Marcel thanks for the advice re Hardware as completely omitted to think about that with regard to finish. Am I best once I get to finish stage as I gradually move through stages to check hardware fit? sorry not really familiar in this area outside of if finish is too thick is will affect how pieces sit ie too high :)

Basswood is technically a hardwood (though it's physically quite soft), so it should respond in a similar way to other hardwoods. I've seen people do shellac finishes on basswood with no problems.

Finish thickness is not normally an issue with fitting components. The only area to be careful of is the neck pocket. This is normally left unfinished, with just maybe 2mm of the very inside edges having finish applied, to help the finish stick to the sharp pocket corners. The neck itself is finished all over (except for maybe the fretboard, which some people simply wax rather than add a clear coat).

One thing to check before starting any finishing is to check the bridge positioning. You need to do a mock build. this is described in the instruction manual you can download from this web page. https://www.pitbullguitars.com/instruction-manual/

A lot of the TL kits need the bridge pickup rout extended in order to position the bridge so the intonation can be correctly set once it's all put together. This is something that can be done with a Dremel drum sander bit and some care.

Thanks heaps Simon and appreciate the advise on the neck as must say a bit unsure as it seems some are wax, some are clear and one site can't remember which one referenced Indian ink. I'll check the link too!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Basswood is technically a hardwood (though it's physically quite soft), so it should respond in a similar way to other hardwoods. I've seen people do shellac finishes on basswood with no problems.

Finish thickness is not normally an issue with fitting components. The only area to be careful of is the neck pocket. This is normally left unfinished, with just maybe 2mm of the very inside edges having finish applied, to help the finish stick to the sharp pocket corners. The neck itself is finished all over (except for maybe the fretboard, which some people simply wax rather than add a clear coat).

One thing to check before starting any finishing is to check the bridge positioning. You need to do a mock build. this is described in the instruction manual you can download from this web page. https://www.pitbullguitars.com/instruction-manual/

A lot of the TL kits need the bridge pickup rout extended in order to position the bridge so the intonation can be correctly set once it's all put together. This is something that can be done with a Dremel drum sander bit and some care.

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Ok...so where am I on the build well, firstly been a a tad slack so not much however have been testing techniques.
Basswood sample.
Sanded 240 grit then taped into quarters. Why, so can I try test areas to get an idea on result and learnings :) ....very organised for me!
Four samples:
1 - 240 grit sand, shellac (thin coat), light sand, then applied a coat Brown jarrah (brush..not a good brush) - don't mind a bit of the hue of shellac coming through however will need a further light sand and diluted coat of stain before approaching any final finish layers.

2 - 240 grit sand, proof sealer (now did a sand on this - some say don't but I opted to) coat of shellac, light sand, coat of brown japan (brushed on)
For each of these there will be quite of bit of sanding required to achieve a very smooth finish and invest in a good quality brush or using of a lint free cloth for application.
3 - 240 grit sand, tint directly applied (far out this wood is like a sponge), light buff then...yep tried a rough free hand dremel. The wood doesn't have too clunky a texture to dremel on however steadiness of hand is needed as the wood can burr a bit. Haven't done a light sand over yet.
4 - 240 grit sand and then boiled linseed oil..(oh I did place this section over a flame to see if it would enhance colour and texture of wood..was marginal.

Attachment 25423Attachment 25424Attachment 25425

Ok...so where am I on the build well, firstly been a a tad slack so not much however have been testing techniques.
Basswood sample.
Sanded 240 grit then taped into quarters. Why, so can I try test areas to get an idea on result and learnings ....very organised for me!
Four samples:
1 - 240 grit sand, shellac (thin coat), light sand, then applied a coat Brown jarrah (brush..not a good brush) - don't mind a bit of the hue of shellac coming through however will need a further light sand and diluted coat of stain before approaching any final finish layers.
Attachment 25475
2 - 240 grit sand, proof sealer (now did a sand on this - some say don't but I opted to) coat of shellac, light sand, coat of brown japan (brushed on)
Attachment 25476
For each of these there will be quite of bit of sanding required to achieve a very smooth finish and invest in a good quality brush or using of a lint free cloth for application.
3 - 240 grit sand, tint directly applied (far out this wood is like a sponge), light buff then...yep tried a rough free hand dremel. The wood doesn't have too clunky a texture to dremel on however steadiness of hand is needed as the wood can burr a bit. Haven't done a light sand over yet.
Attachment 25477
4 - 240 grit sand and then boiled linseed oil..(oh I did place this section over a flame to see if it would enhance colour and texture of wood..was marginal.

I'm guessing that you are using Feast Watson stains, so yep, Basswood totally drinks that stuff when applied direct, but thankfully it doesn't usually drink it too deep.

Love the dremel work. Hopefully you'll be able to seal it in like that without the stain drifting into your crafty artistry...

Thanks Marcel :) ...I couldn't believe how the wood soaked the stain up (Feast and Watson)...going to try a few other stain colours and techniques as thinking the dark stain may be too heavy, mind you I do like the contrast you get with engrave. avoiding stain fill will be hard, so going to hunt around for best product to work with. Any thoughts? also might be crazy but going to do a test swatch with filling engrave in a contrast colour...far out...I think I'm crazy sometimes. :)

OK...I may have gone a bit out there and this is only first paint (swatch) ...but the dremel pic stained in earlier thread I have sanded back, then engraved again with slightly larger burr, diluted brown jarrah (light wipe on) when dry sanded again with a 400 over dremel, 240 and then 320 then 400 remaining body. Reason I didn't go higher is more I'm still testing effects. I then applied an oil sky blue with a tiny brush..to see effect and do love the contrast of blues and browns..thoughts? am I crazy.. :) Attachment 25509

OK...I may have gone a bit out there and this is only first paint (swatch) ...but the dremel pic stained in earlier thread I have sanded back, then engraved again with slightly larger burr, diluted brown jarrah (light wipe on) when dry sanded again with a 400 over dremel, 240 and then 320 then 400 remaining body. Reason I didn't go higher is more I'm still testing effects. I then applied an oil sky blue with a tiny brush..to see effect and do love the contrast of blues and browns..thoughts? am I crazy.. :) Attachment 25509

very nice creativity there juanitasanch , looks good

thanks heaps :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Guvna19

very nice creativity there juanitasanch , looks good

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That’s looking really cool, very original!

I can see this being a very cool project. Good luck and I hope it works out the way you plan.

Robbo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by juanitasanch

OK...I may have gone a bit out there and this is only first paint (swatch) ...but the dremel pic stained in earlier thread I have sanded back, then engraved again with slightly larger burr, diluted brown jarrah (light wipe on) when dry sanded again with a 400 over dremel, 240 and then 320 then 400 remaining body. Reason I didn't go higher is more I'm still testing effects. I then applied an oil sky blue with a tiny brush..to see effect and do love the contrast of blues and browns..thoughts? am I crazy.. :) Attachment 25509

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Nup! ... Not crazy ....

HI Juanita i really like the concept you're pursuing, but now i begin to wonder if the Dremel is the right tool? I like where this is going but i'm thinking the Dremel doesn't leave a distinct or crisp enough line?
I wonder how that design would look done with small carving chisels or knives? some deeper delineation at the bottom of the lines maybe? Just throwing ideas out there.

I think it's looking good there Juanita

Quote:

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Originally Posted by FrankenWashie

HI Juanita i really like the concept you're pursuing, but now i begin to wonder if the Dremel is the right tool? I like where this is going but i'm thinking the Dremel doesn't leave a distinct or crisp enough line?
I wonder how that design would look done with small carving chisels or knives? some deeper delineation at the bottom of the lines maybe? Just throwing ideas out there.

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Hi Franken...Thanks for your advice..I've also tried using a wood burner a bit tricky to work with but an interesting effect. I like the idea of craving with chisel...maybe something I need to invest in . :)

Hi everyone..Well I have been patiently working through different finishes with the Basswood trying different grain filler, sealers, stains and oils in the end...I found the result not what I had hoped for. Main issue seems grain filler not great as the grain is tight, the stains didn't apply as I hoped.

I do like the blue and dremel..so haven't dismissed that concept yet :)

However today's adventure was veneer...Tasmanian Blackwood.I purchases some samples from the local wood merchant (always fun) and fitted to the body of the guitar that I"m practicing on.

I tried a range of fillers and stains on swatches from acrylic paint mixes with fine plaster board filler to timer mate.
I really liked the oak timber mate, a subtle contrast without making the wood grain look 'dirty/muddy'.

Here are the results from today...oh and a big thanks to my friend who actually cut the 'aluminium pick guard' (very cool)

I'm also seeking any feedback on use of binding as a feature for the guitar body...I'm thinking a wild contrast possibly 'toffee apple red' or maybe even the sky blue..

veneer adhered and trimming to shape
https://i.imgur.com/sE5Ooj5.jpg

All finished :)

https://i.imgur.com/FIazyqJ.jpg

Grain filling with timber mate (oak) diluted with water, massaged by hand, then scrapped with an hotel key card..lol
https://i.imgur.com/yAjSOqz.jpg

Testing with grain fillers and colours
https://i.imgur.com/0sBm3uq.jpg

Sanding down to 240grit
https://i.imgur.com/xMXbIxD.jpg

Ready to stain
https://i.imgur.com/5qIPEcg.jpg

Lint free cloth, long even strokes of Walnut (waterbased) - got a true oil kit from a gun store (that was an experience)
https://i.imgur.com/s1X5uRd.jpg

Two coats of Walnut no oil yet. Did a test on hardware (got to like the aluminium pick guard (too have final polish) Pretty Happy with my effort and what I've learnt today :)
https://i.imgur.com/7h7abCb.jpg


If you are wondering on the other swatch that is Maple, so open to thoughts on each. Like the workbench...I made it :)

This is looking great. The experimentation is half the fun.

Bench is cool as well. Certainly makes life easier having a decent work area.

EDIT: Call me crazy..but that blue colour of the tape looks really nice against the brown. If you were super keen you could two tone it......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sonic Mountain

This is looking great. The experimentation is half the fun.

Bench is cool as well. Certainly makes life easier having a decent work area.

EDIT: Call me crazy..but that blue colour of the tape looks really nice against the brown. If you were super keen you could two tone it......

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Thanks Sonic..:)
I think the blue looks good too! thinking of a binding but not being familiar with doing binding thinking do I the whole side in blue? what are your thoughts?

This is guitar is going to look wild.

really nice veneer you've used there. And I like the walnut stain.

Did you get the Birchwood Casey sanding sealer/filler to use before the Tru-Oil goes on? I'd recommend it, using two coats and then sanding that before applying the Tru-Oil. It really helps stop the first coats of Tru-Oil sink in to the wood.

But I'd finish the rest of the body with stain or any other finish you plan to apply before putting any Tru-Oil on, so you can apply it over the whole body at once.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

really nice veneer you've used there. And I like the walnut stain.

Did you get the Birchwood Casey sanding sealer/filler to use before the Tru-Oil goes on? I'd recommend it, using two coats and then sanding that before applying the Tru-Oil. It really helps stop the first coats of Tru-Oil sink in to the wood.

But I'd finish the rest of the body with stain or any other finish you plan to apply before putting any Tru-Oil on, so you can apply it over the whole body at once.

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Hi Simon..thanks for the tips...I didn't realise there was a birchwood casey sanding sealer. This is a test guitar body so not too fazed if a bit rough. Really appreciating all the hints shared.

There is. You'd only need a small 3oz bottle. Even with one coat of the BC sanding sealer on my ES-1, the Tru-Oil still sunk in quite a lot, so I'd advise 2 coats. It saves having to add a lot of Tru-Oil coats just to get the finish level.

interesting build you dont need a grain filler with basswood or maple its a tight grain you will only be giving yourself work you dont need and if your going over it with a lacquer it will swell the timber mate and give you issues down the track just spray it strait up give a couple more coats than normal, give it a wet&dry sand with 600 after 6 coats which will flatten every thing for you then another 3 coats as you'll need to wet sand it with 1200/1500/2000 what ever floats your boat i use 1500 or 2000 before the polishing stage, leave it for a good week if your using spray gun and 2 weeks if your using rattle can, to do basswood sucks as a nice grainy wood if your trying to bring out the grain I haven't really found a good reliable way to do it yet and i have been trying lol

you could give it a coat of binder if you feel you need it i don't use it on basswood

so far great work you look like you got you're head around it 👌

Hi Juanitasanch, just wanted to say how impressed i am with your professionalism, veneering is not an easy thing to do but youve cracked it, great job, the guitar looks great.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by juanitasanch

Hi everyone..Well I have been patiently working through different finishes with the Basswood trying different grain filler, sealers, stains and oils in the end...I found the result not what I had hoped for. Main issue seems grain filler not great as the grain is tight, the stains didn't apply as I hoped.

I do like the blue and dremel..so haven't dismissed that concept yet :)

However today's adventure was veneer...Tasmanian Blackwood.I purchases some samples from the local wood merchant (always fun) and fitted to the body of the guitar that I"m practicing on.

I tried a range of fillers and stains on swatches from acrylic paint mixes with fine plaster board filler to timer mate.
I really liked the oak timber mate, a subtle contrast without making the wood grain look 'dirty/muddy'.

Here are the results from today...oh and a big thanks to my friend who actually cut the 'aluminium pick guard' (very cool)

I'm also seeking any feedback on use of binding as a feature for the guitar body...I'm thinking a wild contrast possibly 'toffee apple red' or maybe even the sky blue..

veneer adhered and trimming to shape
https://i.imgur.com/sE5Ooj5.jpg

All finished :)

https://i.imgur.com/FIazyqJ.jpg

Grain filling with timber mate (oak) diluted with water, massaged by hand, then scrapped with an hotel key card..lol
https://i.imgur.com/yAjSOqz.jpg

Testing with grain fillers and colours
https://i.imgur.com/0sBm3uq.jpg

Sanding down to 240grit
https://i.imgur.com/xMXbIxD.jpg

Ready to stain
https://i.imgur.com/5qIPEcg.jpg

Lint free cloth, long even strokes of Walnut (waterbased) - got a true oil kit from a gun store (that was an experience)
https://i.imgur.com/s1X5uRd.jpg

Two coats of Walnut no oil yet. Did a test on hardware (got to like the aluminium pick guard (too have final polish) Pretty Happy with my effort and what I've learnt today :)
https://i.imgur.com/7h7abCb.jpg


If you are wondering on the other swatch that is Maple, so open to thoughts on each. Like the workbench...I made it :)

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Hi Simon..I've ordered some sanding sealer...have I read correctly you apply this after the stain, then sand before the Tru Oil? I did google and couldn't see it clearly detailed. I usually seal before stain but hoping you can help out here..thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Simon Barden

There is. You'd only need a small 3oz bottle. Even with one coat of the BC sanding sealer on my ES-1, the Tru-Oil still sunk in quite a lot, so I'd advise 2 coats. It saves having to add a lot of Tru-Oil coats just to get the finish level.

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Hi phrozin
thanks for info share, I'm going an oil finish and trying lots of different swatch effects...got to say have found the basswood a bit temperamental to work with but hey...always up for a challenge. Thanks for the encouraging words too :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phrozin

interesting build you dont need a grain filler with basswood or maple its a tight grain you will only be giving yourself work you dont need and if your going over it with a lacquer it will swell the timber mate and give you issues down the track just spray it strait up give a couple more coats than normal, give it a wet&dry sand with 600 after 6 coats which will flatten every thing for you then another 3 coats as you'll need to wet sand it with 1200/1500/2000 what ever floats your boat i use 1500 or 2000 before the polishing stage, leave it for a good week if your using spray gun and 2 weeks if your using rattle can, to do basswood sucks as a nice grainy wood if your trying to bring out the grain I haven't really found a good reliable way to do it yet and i have been trying lol

you could give it a coat of binder if you feel you need it i don't use it on basswood

so far great work you look like you got you're head around it 👌

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I Love that shiny pickguard with the chrome hardware, gonna look good!