NKX Build #1 - The LPA-7
Hi everyone,
My LPA-7 kit arrived a little while ago, but I've been working on the tools and bits I want for the build since my joining the forum. It's all getting close to starting now, so I thought I'd get the build diary up and running.
First thing's first, this is the LP-style, ash body, 7-string guitar. I don't have a seven, nor can I really justify the price of a store-bought seven (due to me sucking when attempting to play one)... so here we go. In case you're not familiar with the kit, you can take a look at it HERE. To save you a click, we're talking a carved-top ash body with maple veneer (and cream binding), rock maple set neck (C profile) with rosewood fingerboard (22 medium jumbo frets and dot inlays), and all the other LP kit goodies. And yes, I know this will be a tricky build, as I plan on tuning this 7-string to B-standard, and it's only a 24.75" scale length neck. As add-ons to the kit, I purchased some of the DT copper shielding, and upgraded to a set of Grover 406C Mini Rotomatic locking tuners... which will hopefully help keep the fencing wire (that I'll need for tension at B) in tune, and keep the hum to a minimum (for when all the gain is added).
I already think it's a pretty nice looking guitar...
But more impressive than looks, is how awesomely snug that neck pocket is, and how little work it seems to require at this stage. It might sit up at the back slightly, but I won't know until I do a full test-fit later. Why later? Well read on...
However, now we get to the ARRRRGH moment. On initial inspection of the kit, while I'm super-happy with the rest so far, this neck looks like it is going to take some serious effort. I didn't realise the nut was going to be like it was (requiring re-setting, sanding/shaping, and filing), so I've hit up StewMac for some nut files. But more scary than that... is that the neck looks like it has a double-bow in it (almost like a twist), and the fret jobs is less than ideal. As such, I've ordered a Crimson Guitars fret kit, and will check everything with my notched fret straight-edge when it arrives. Hopefully some truss-rod tension adjustments, and maybe a fret level will fix all that: Fingers crossed. And yes, I also have a fret levelling beam, triangular file, and fret rubbers in the kit too... so I'll be learning that whole process for this project. Yay.
While waiting for my tools to arrive, I've been coming up with headstock designs and a logo... though I will need to find a way to remove all this glue on the top of the headstock, as I was planning on staining that *sigh*...
The headstock design and logo I came up with seems to work pretty well, so I can't wait to get started. The awesome people over at The Sticker Art were able to vinyl cut my logo, in white, for a very reasonable price... so I already have these ready to go (but can't attach any more pics for this post). My final order of tools, stains, and oils, should all arrive this week. So, yeah... it's getting close to build time now
Reply With Quote