FB-1M Flames Burls - Mahogany

[gavinturner]

Headstock looks superb Grant. Amazing work as always. Can't wait to see this one complete.

cheers,
Gav.

[neverwas]

Thanks for the comments/ideas everyone.

I think I've combined all suggestions into one and made a switch ring/cavity cover. With the braided wire, the switch doesn't sit central in the cavity but the cavity isn't round either so don't see it as a big deal. Made a paper template, used that to cut a piece of acrylic plastic to size. Had to sand the edges of the cavity smooth to make it look a bit neater. Then used Tarzans grip to glue on a piece of veneer, it doesn't really match the surrounding area but I took the opportunity to add a few more burls.

To mount it, shaped some quad I had lying around to make the recess for it to sit on. Had to file one piece to allow for the wiring then glued in with titebond. Tried to line up the mounting screws with the switch positions.



cont...

[neverwas]

The pup routs were a bit deep for the P90s so made a couple of spacers to bring them up a bit. Still a little low, will try to find some foam rubber to use as fine height adjustment. Had to cut a few reliefs for the wires to pass through.


Neck is on and strung up and makes noise. Still need to do the setup but it's almost there.


Grant

[Dedman]

That is seriously kool! great work mate.

[wokkaboy]

seriously cool build Grant, fantastic example how much you can customise an axe so well

have you replaced the fret markers with MOP ?

[gavinturner]

Seriously cool build Grant. She looks amazing.

cheers,
Gav.

[neverwas]

Cheers Dedman, Wokks and Gav.
The fret inlays are black MOP. By the time they were filed and sanded to match the fretboard radius the black gave way to lighter shades, but that's part of the fun with natural products. A little random shading wise, but still works I think.

Grant

[stan]

I could say this job is awesome, but I can't , it's better than that

[neverwas]

Thanks Stan.
Finally got around to doing the intonation, filed the bone nut down, used the pup pole screws to match the fretboard radius and get closer to the strings. Plugged it in to my little practice amp and had very little volume. After a mild bout of tourettes, realised the switch connections were touching the shielding paint at the bottom of its cavity, small adjustment and problem solved.
The Kent Armstrong noiseless P90s seem to live up to their name, barely a hum or buzz when used in the shed under flouros.
Sounds great, my first guitar with P90s and already changing plans on the next one to include a P90 (there's always a next one)
As for a sound demo, still haven't pulled my finger out and had one done for my last build, let alone this one. Will get one done, just don't hold your breath.
I think the only things I haven't mentioned already are the belly carve, could be deeper but tried to not get too carried away, and made a control cover from some meranti and stained to match the body.
Pics




cont...

[neverwas]

Oh yeah,also greyed out the tops of the knobs to try to make them match in a bit better.

Grant