nAte's TLA-1R Build Diary

[bUffpUnk]

Just received this bad boy today.
Can't wait to get started!

Checked the kit and the boys at Pit Bull have totally lived up the expectation so far.

First step obviously is sanding.. being a newbie at building guitars, is there any pointers or things i should keep in mind while preparing?

any help or comments would be greatly appreciated

cheers,
Nate

[wokkaboy]

Hi Nate welcome to the forum. Where are you from ? feel free to introduce yourself in the welcome section.

so is that an ash or alder body ? I know R is for rosewood neck. Get sandpaper of grits 120, 180, 240, 320, 360 should be enough. Sand any deep machine marks and scratches with 120 grit and slowly work through the grits to 320 or 360 grit and wipe off the dust and run your fingers to feel any marks/scratches. Sand with the grain.
Best of luck

[bUffpUnk]

Howdy. thanks for the welcome.
From Melbourne and i have picked up the ash body TLA. Pretty excited to get started.
Thanks for the girt and sand tips.

I'm sure i will have more questions as i go - one that has just popped in my mind is when i start painting.. do i need to put a stain or a dye on prior to painting? just that i am hearing a lot about bring out tone etc in the dingo-tone tutorials and i am getting a little confused as i don't really want to stain the light colour of the wood.

cheers

[JB RETRO]

Gday Nate always good to see another Melbournite on board. A stain or dye colours the wood by being absorbed into the timber. A paint colours it from the outside. Both usually end up with a clear coat for a glossy or satin finish. What are you trying to acheive.

[Simon Barden]

You can also mix stains and spray paints. A lot of sunburst finishes have the base colour stained and the burst colour(s) sprayed. And then all sprayed with clear coats.

[bUffpUnk]

Awesome. Thanks, i thought as much.. just getting a little confused.
i just was not sure if not doing something would mean less resonance or tone.

At this stage i was going to try to go for something a little more artistic than bursts or fades. I have an idea to get an ink bleed effect from the grains in the wood and was hoping to keep the 'whiteness' of the Ash wood so this could be more predominant and then go for a hard gloss coat to finish.
You mentioned you were from Melbourne too.. wondering .. i totally didn't realise that i need to get the head stock cut and shaped, do you know of any places that would be able to help out with that?

Cheers,
Nate

[Fretworn]

Welcome Nate

[JB RETRO]

Cutting the headstock isnt that difficult with a coping saw and lots of sanding. Just come up with a design and away you go. Cut outside the lines you mark and sand back to the line

[bUffpUnk]

here is a couple of work in progress shots for anyone interested.
Just finished sanding with the 180 grit. Prior i had sanded back with the 120 grit and applied a coat of Sanding Seal.
The last shot is a new coat of the sanding seal on the front side and sides.

The shot of the side of the body is where i am a little unsure of which direction i should be sanding in.. currently i am sanding with the flow of the dark grains.. but as the topside is running the other direction, should i following that direction instead. :/ ?

[bUffpUnk]

sweet. thanks for the tip. I thought i had a coping saw lying around but turns out i didn't. Haha.
but have just found out that my mate may have a band saw - i guess depending on what condition it is in that would be easiest.. but yeah, coping saw may be the the alternative.