RD-1 Custom 1st build

[Harpoon]

Hey guys
Got my hands on this RD kit and it will be my winter project for this year.
I´m completely new to guitar building, and I hope I don´t mess this up!
Overall, the kit is fine, some issues with the fretboard (engineered rosewood), micro holes and some handling dent of some sort.
The body looks nice and smooth. I will have a different knob and switch configuration. 2 tone, 1 volume and the selector switch.
I choose all black hardware, for this build. I want to have the guitar alpine white and I think that the black hardware will fit perfect. It was a little bit disappointing to find out that it came with some scratch paint on some of the hardware parts, but I think it can be fixed with some paint and lacquer.
Also, the neck does not seem to fit properly on the body, the fretboard sticks half a centimeter (or more) above the body, not quite sure what to do with it!




The freatboard sticks to far up!



I will try to keep the thread as updated as possible, I still have to order some tools.
Any input or advice is more than welcome, although this is my first build I would like to have a great end result on this project!

Regards

[AlexCab]

Hey Harpoon ! I also got my RD 1 in the mail this week, and it's also my first build, and I was ALSO thinking Alpine White Great minds think alike, it seems...
Anyway, I'll be really curious to see how your project develops. I don't want to mess with the controls, but I'd like to add a pickguard sort of like on the original Gibson model. However, that won't work with the controls layout on the Pitbull, so it will have to be a slightly different shape !
Quick question about the finish : what kind of paint and lacquer were you thinking of using ?
See you around !

[Harpoon]

Hey,
Good to see another RD build here!
I will use spray cans for both paint and clear coat. I hope it turns out ok!

Take care!

[Fretworn]

Make sure you test the neck angle by doing a dummy install of the bridge and running string from nut to bridge. Sometimes the eye tells you the angle is wrong, but the truth is that angle is deliberate. Having said that, it does look like the angle is possibly a bit too extreme. You can dummy install the bridge by wrapping tape around the bridge posts so you don’t have to install the bridge inserts, which can be difficult, though not impossible, to remove.

[Harpoon]

Hey people,
I had a few moments to dedicate to the build. I did a mock install to check for dimensions and general looks and fitness.
I´m not quite sure about the scale length, to me does not look so good, input would be much appreciated.
Overall, looks nice, neck needs really small adjustment, but the frets will need quite some work.
On the neck/body joint, I´m not experienced enough to say how high it should be,looks correct anyway.
The side gap between the neck and the neck pocket is 0.25mm, not much but I think I will do something about it.
Until next time, Harpoon out!

[Fretworn]

Use the high E string to measure scale length. It looks like it might be spot on from here.

[Harpoon]

Thanks for the reply fretworn.
Isn´t supposed the bridge to have an angle? Is it really necessary?

[FrankenWashie]

Hi Harpoon, it looks like you have the bridge set right down against the bushes, you can adjust this up and down to suit the action you want.
If you want higher action then you just set the bridge higher and raise the pickups to suit.

You can see from your side shot there is a slight angle of the fretboard relative to the body and this is pretty normal.
The only reason you'd need to adjust this is if the angle is too great, or too shallow which will create issues for the action as I've described above.

I hope this helps!