Hi, my name's Howard (usually just "H", hence the username), and after a bit of hassle with Aus Post, my first kit arrived yesterday. Thanks Adam for your help sorting out the postal stuff and answering my first stupid questions!
I play a fair bit of bass, but the other week while cleaning out the spare room I found my old 6-string. The guitar's a horrible bright yellow, so I started to look around online about re-finisihing guitars, stumbled across a PBG video about building one, thought "that looks awesome, I wanna try it!"
I might not be completely lost when it comes to electronics, and to describe my woodworking skills as "rough" would be generous, but reading various websites and especially the forums here made it seem like others in the same boat have done pretty well, so... here I am with this kit.
I've gotta say that I expected everything to be a lot rougher than it actually is. Did a quickish mock build last night to check everything was there (it is!), and to my clueless eye it looked like everything fits together really well - I was extremely worried about trying to get the neck joint right, but it looks like it won't be too much hassle. If it's not already obvious, I'm really impressed with this kit and I'm itching to get started.
I have some beginner questions though! Starting with something really simple, does this sound like the right order to do things in?
1: Mock build (done)
2: Position neck, clamp, drill and install (with tuners for high/low E to make alignment of bridge easy)
3: Position bridge (check scale length and sideways alignment), drill and install
4: String and check that it plays
5: Disassemble then start on headstock shaping, sanding and finsihing etc.
Or do I sand/finish first and then drill? Should I get the holes for the pickguard, strap buttons, etc done before starting to sand and stain, or after?
Second question, placing the bridge:
In my mock build, I measured the distance from the fretboard side of the nut to the center of the 12th fret, and got 323mm. I then placed the bridge (not much play in it with the pickup in) so that the distance between the center of the low E saddle and the center of the 12th fret was also 323mm. As far as I can tell, that's the correct position for the bridge. The question is: To get that measurement, I had to place the bridge as far forward as I could (with the pickup in it), and move the saddle to its maximum forward adjustment (pic attached, I think!) Is that an OK position? Is there a chance that I would need to move the saddle forward to adjust it after the build is complete and be stuffed because it won't go any further?
Again, sorry for what are sure to be silly questions. I'm sure there'll be plenty more.
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