Astracaster First Build FS-1

[Drashkum]

Hi, I am starting my build diary on the day I ordered my first PBG kit, a FS-1. I am from india, Chennai (Madras) to be more specific. I am an orthopaedic surgeon, obsessed about guitars that now after few years of learning, I have been smitten about building guitars. I did build a partscaster last year without any experience from a Finished GFS kit and a Chinese neck which came out better than I expected.

Now moving on to my next build after so much research. I dont have a Hollow body in my collection and so went ahead and chose a FS-1 despite advice from PBG site on not to buy a Hollowbody if completely new to building.

Guitar kits, tools are hard to get in india. Even for my previous build I had to source things from all over the world. I really have only experience working with bones and never on wood. This is going to be my first experience in glueing the neck, staining the guitar and finishing the guitar

I am slightly overwhelmed. I will for sure need more help than I think. I hope to learn a lot from this building experience. I have been lurking in this forum since evening looking at all the starcaster build diaries of others and every one seems to have done a fantastic job.

Keeping my fingers crossed to recieve a good kit and I am very excited to start my build.

I have a few questions.

Most of the stains that are available easily abroad are not available in India. The PBG too doesn't ship the dingo tones and truoils internationally. I am looking at pointers to get the colours in india. I did search the Internet. There are wood stains available in India in name of

1. MRF vapocure Wood stains
2. Asian paints wood tech wood stains
3. Berger wood stains

I am not sure if I can use one of these.

Can someone help me by looking at these in Internet and tell.me if I can use these to stain my FS-1 kit? Or if not what brand stains do you usually prefer? Alcohol based or water based?

Thanks in advance. Looking forward to interacting with you all

Drashkum

[Trevor Davies]

Hi Drashkum.

As far as the stains go - I do not think it matters! All sorts of stains, and all sorts of finishes, have been used by members of this forum. Just test them out on scrap pieces of timber first.

There are a number of recipes for Homemade tru-oil online in needed! But most wood finishes are probably going to work.

[Drashkum]

A few more questions before the kit arrives.

1. Does someone here know, normally after how many days after the order the PBG kits get despatched? Will they provide a tracking number?

2. When shipping will sanding sealer be applied over the veneer top? Do I have to sand the sanding sealer with 600 grit before staining?

3. I have read the posts here and many say that the veneer is so thin 0.6mm and any sanding, it's likely to go through them. I am already afraid. Any tips and tricks to do that?. Do I need to get a orbital sander Or just hand sand the veneer before/ after the stain

4. I have bought a few stains here. But stains say it can be diluted with NC thinner. But all I see here are dilution of stains with water or alcohol. Are these stains OK to dilute with thinner? Or should I get only stains that can be diluted with water or alcohol?

5. What type of stains alcohol based or water based do u guys prefer?

Thank you all for helping us build our first dream guitar

Drashkum

[Drashkum]

Finally got a message from Mr. Adam Boyle asking me if I am OK with a the FS-1 kit with a Tom bridge as he has doesn't have a kit with trapeze tail piece as listed in the website. He has chosen a good kit with good book match. I have confirmed to him that I am OK with it. I have ordered a fret crowning file too. I hope it gets shipped soon.

[Trevor Davies]

The maple top looks great.

[Drashkum]

The maple top looks great.

Thank you. Hopefully I should do justice by staining well. Do u think the maple veneer is thick enough to base stain with black and sand it and then give it another colour on the top?

Thanks

[Trevor Davies]

Thank you. Hopefully I should do justice by staining well. Do u think the maple veneer is thick enough to base stain with black and sand it and then give it another colour on the top?

Thanks

Others have been able to do black base, sand, and then add the top stain. I assume the sanding needs to be very careful!

Check out Dozymuppets build diary at https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post209750.

[Drashkum]

Others have been able to do black base, sand, and then add the top stain. I assume the sanding needs to be very careful!

Check out Dozymuppets build diary at https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post209750.

This is amazing. Loved the way he stained it. Will ask him technicalities.

BTB, the kit got shipped today along with neck glue, Fret crowning file and Copper tapes. Hopefully it should be here in a weeks time. Keeping my fingers crossed.




Have got a blue light to see if there is a glue on the veneer. Also have gone to the local hardware shop to get a few woodstains of various colours and few pieces of scrap wood to try to stain and get aquainted with shades and mixing. Will try to stain these woods and see which shades to stain for the guitar

[Drashkum]

Has anyone created a back panel/ cavity access through the back in a Semihollow body. I am Trying to get a Tune-o-matic Piezo pickup with active buffer amp for blend pot. Looking to house a battery inside the cavity so thought back access would be great for space and access.

Has anyone been there and done that? Is that advisable? Any pointers on how to go about it?

Drashkum

[Drashkum]

After a lot of research figured out I need something like this

https://www.alegree.co.uk/products/a...lectric-guitar

So as to blend the pick up or use it in what ever combination I want to use. This buffer amp has a buffer for magnetic pickups and preamp for the piezo too. They have the piezo pickups too for 30 gbp along with this costing 70gbp.

https://www.alegree.co.uk/products/p...-matic-bridges

I have to check if this is a legitimate site to buy and ask them if they will support me with wiring diagrams for it.

I also have to find a way to route the battery box inside the guitar body so as to hotswap 9v battery iwhen ever it runs out of juice

Any ideas for routing for battery box guys?

Drashkum