First build ES-1GT

[Eric]

Hello,

Today the kit arrived with the mail.
An ES-1GT with gold hardware, upgraded the tuners for grover locking tuners.

(Does it matter which way the screws in the pickup are facing, other then the looks?)

This is not my first guitar build, I have had a Stratocaster kit I have built before.
But that kit was not from Pit Bull, it was some unnamed kit from china, very cheap.
It turned out ok, after a lot of work, so I thought to go for a bigger challenge.

Unboxing everything I noticed this kit is of better quality then the strat mentioned before.
But its not perfect.

After test fitting I saw the pocket for the neck pick-up is to small.
The pickup extensions for the mounting screws are bigger then the hole for them.
I did not want to cut in the wood so I decided to file a little material from the pickup.
Not even a mm on each side was enough and there is more then enough metal around the screw to hold it.


I also think all the holes for the pots, tunes and switch a bit to big.
I would have preferred a tighter fit.
But maybe after applying a few layers of lacquer that will work out fine, I will wait and see.

Now I have to decide if I want to shape the headstock, not really thought about it yet.
And I am waiting on some stains I have ordered, here in the Netherlands most stuff you guys use is unavailable or very hard to get.

To be continued...

[Eric]

I Don't like the way the nut is glued on.
One side is standing on the binding, the other side is not.


I need to find a way to fix that...

[Andy40]

Hi Eric, your build diary is here!! Nice kit score bro.

As for your question, Does it matter which way the screws in the pickup are facing, other then the looks, I belive the answer is yes, but i'm happy to be corrected. It has to do with the phasing of the pick ups, ie which way the north and south of the magnet in the pick up are facing. Usually both pick ups will be the opposite way that you have in the photos (ie screws outwards), but I check my pick ups with a compass before fitting them. If the pick ups are mounted out of phase when you select the toggle on both pick ups the tone will be thinner.

As for the pick up rout, I used my dremel (rotary tool) to lightly sand the rout a bit bigger so the pick ups fit snuggly.

As for the pot holes, the washer and nut with the kit will hold them perfectly in place.

As for the plastic nut, I'd replace that with a bone nut or Tusq nut. but its up to you.

I think theres a few guys from the Netherlands on the forum...Arzi maybe?

Good luck eric.

[Eric]

I cut a little between nut and fretboard with a thin knife and gently tapped the plastic nut till it came off.
Clean brake, should be no problem to replace it.

The nut was standing on a small piece left of the fretboard, but it was not long enough so there was a little gap between nut and headstock. I hated that, so not replacing it was not an option.

And because the cutout on the fret board was at an angle, the binding on one side was so thin it broke away, also leaving a tiny gap.
I have ordered a big bone nut blank so I can cut a new one.
Should be here tomorrow.

I am going to cut away the thin fret board piece so I can mount the new nut directly on the neck wood.

[wokkaboy]

welcome to the forum Eric, kit looks great with the upgrades. Good start to your build. Best of luck !

[Eric]

I cleaned up the place where the new nut will be and shaped the top of the headstock.
Its not perfect symmetry, but me and woodworking never have been good friends so I am satisfied with it.
For now.


Now its time to start some sanding....

[wokkaboy]

looks good Eric, that's the beauty of a hand built guitar they aren't supposed to be factory perfect. The top has a bit of a slant (or maybe because the image views upside down) but that is original. Good work

[FrankenWashie]

I think theres a few guys from the Netherlands on the forum...Arzi maybe?

Good luck eric.

I thought Arzi was in Finland?

[Eric]

When I got tired of the sanding I started on the electronics.
Had some braided shielded wire and also a pair of orange drops capacitors from a previous build.
The wire was not enough to finish it, but more is on its way.


While soldering the mailman delivered the nut blank.
Nicely oversized, will fit great.


Cut it, roughly shaped it and glued it on.


Have to wait till my fret files arrive, then I can cut the slots and see how much it needs to be rounded more to the headstock.


Certainly not the best looking nut job, but its my nut and I think its a big improvement.

I hope the stains will get here later today....

[Eric]

Time for an update.

Used a darkened grain filler on the neck and body.


Sanding again....


The back really came out nice.


Applied some stain, the top did not show the amount of flaming I had hoped for, but I am pleased so far.
Here its still wet.


One side did came out a little darker then the other, but its not that big a difference like it shows on the picture.
But there is a thin line where the 2 halves are glued together that will not take stain.
Tried some more sanding and the wire brush trick but it only got wider.