Got my ST kit the other day, started working on it. It's my second build (first was a Tele Deluxe from Fretwire) and I'm going with sort of an 80's shred vibe with it. I've got a mirrored pickguard and a Seymour Duncan Screamin' Demon pickup, and I'm in the process of painting it right now. The headstock took the paint really well, the body on the other hand....well I didn't even bother taking a picture of it in it's current state. Anybody have any tips for painting Ash?
That looks like basswood, not ash. That is a very ‘80s approved shred guitar wood. I’m not the expert at painting guitars, but I know that you cannot skimp on the prep work. Let us know what paint you are using and your method of application and someone will be able to help with the information you need.
Current:
GTH-1
Completed:
AST-1FB
First Act ME276 (resurrected curb-side find)
ES-5V
Scratchie lapsteel
Custom ST-1 12 String
JBA-4
TL-1TB
Scratch Lapsteel
Meinl DIY Cajon
Cigar Box lap steel
Wishing:
Baritone
Open D/Standard Double 6 twin neck
Upon rechecking the website the kit is listed as ash, but the body definitely looks like basswood, I believe you are right.Originally Posted by Fretworn
It's the STA-1R kit, so it is indeed ash, or atleast its supposed to be lol. As with my Tele I'm just using Krylon and Duplicolor spray cans. The Tele turned out great, but the Strat is so far looking like a translucent finish even after about 6 coats of primer, which while I wouldn't be opposed to it it's not what I'm looking for.
Did you do a mock setup to check the guitar's allignment prior to applying finish? You may want to double check the cavity routed for the bridge. It seems slightly off from your picture. It may just pickguard positioning playing a truck on my eyes.
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I did, it lines up fine. The pickguard is sitting kinda funky here so it looks that way.
Progress is at a standstill, paint is being difficult
Is it particularly hot/cold or humid where you are? The paint shouldn't be milky like that - it generally means that you got some moisture from the air condensed in the paint as you were spraying.
If you notice it while its still wet it is possible to fix it with a gentle application of a hair dryer, but otherwise you probably need to sand it back and try again.
Build 1 - Shoegazer MK1 JMA-1
Build 2 - The Relliecaster TL-1
Build 3 - The Black Cherry SG AG-1
Build 4 - The Sonicaster TL-1ish
Build 5 - The Steampunker Bass YB-4
Build 6 - The Howling Gowing ST-1
"What I lack in talent I make up for with enthusiasm"
100% looks like that to me as well, if the body is ash what did you use for a grain fill if your using lacquer it will shrink back big time as some said use a high fill primer but use a grain binder 1st then use the high fill 5 or 6 coats and dry sand it with 240 alloy oxide paper when it's good enough to take a colour coat do 5 or 6 coats of colour and wet sand that back with 600 W&D when it flat give it 8 to 10 coat of clear so you have enough to sand it back when it shrinks back then leave it a month to cure them 1200 up w&d then polish it till your arms feel like there going to fall off
If your using spray can you may need to leave it a bit longer to cure as the use a retarder in them so they cure slower
Last edited by phrozin; 21-07-2018 at 02:59 PM.
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112 guitars done so far still going, 30 Starts, 24 Teles, 20 Les Pauls, 9 SGs, 8 Hollow Body, 21 Super Strats
What type of paint are you using?
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