PRS-1Q by AxeMurderer

[AxeMurderer]

Hello, good thanks.

My PRS-1Q kit arrived today and I'm very excited to get started. Seems like mine is the first build diary for this kit.

The wood is beautiful and the neck pocket joint is nice and tight.

I guess the first step is a mock-build dry run. I'm thinking I should drill the holes for the tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece before doing the finish. This is the bit I am most nervous about in terms of getting alignment with the neck and getting the bridge position right for intonation. Any tips are welcome.

As far as the finish goes, I plan to use the U-Beaut dyes with an oil finish. Heres the plan;

• Starting with the back and sides and leaving the quilted maple till last
• Sand through 220 and 400. Very light sanding on the veneer.
• Apply one coat of U-Beaut Sanding Sealer.
• Sand lightly with 400, 600 and 800.
• Apply base coat of dye - probably the black/green or cedar colour to highlight the grain
• Light 400, 600, 800 sand to remove most of the base colour highlighting the grain
• Coat of chosen dye colours to required depth of colour.

Then I'm not sure what next. Do I put oil on top of the dye or do I need some shellac to seal the dye in?

I bought a few slices of quilted maple veneer from the bay of evil to try this approach before attempting to murder my axe. I've put sanding sealer and three stripes of dye on one of them so far. Dye drying.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Photos to follow.

Cheers Dean