I like the look you guys are going for. Satin black looks great on pretty much any guitar, and having the natural back and sides is something I've never seen - it's a really good contrast. Keep it up, can't wait to see it finished.
I like the look you guys are going for. Satin black looks great on pretty much any guitar, and having the natural back and sides is something I've never seen - it's a really good contrast. Keep it up, can't wait to see it finished.
We are just about ready to start the wiring process, are there any videos that you guys recommend that you think would be helpful? Thanks again.
Any intro to soldering or guitar wiring video/guide will help if you're new to soldering.
Here's the Pitbull Intro to Soldering video, and 'How To' thread with related video links. And, Doc's Mini soldering tutorial for step by step through the process.
Take your time, work out where things need to go/reach, prep your wire lengths and surfaces, don't over-heat parts, ask if you need help.
Scott.
Always great to see family builds
I must say your son has awesome taste - this is exactly the look that suits an EX and you guys are doing a great job.
I did 3 coats of Danish oil on a repair project ( the Martin repair in my signature) and it was enough to give good coverage and a decent semi gloss finish - would also suit your plan for a rubbed back matte one.
Enjoy - this looks killer
Stan's LP Build for my Sister: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3146
Benson Pickup Strat mod: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=5229
Epiphone LP headstock fix: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3410
Martin Backpacker Repair: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...?t=5038&page=3
'57 Harmony Jazz guitar project: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=2972
A good mechanical connection is the basis for a good soldering connection. Wherever you can, poke the bare wire ends through the holes in the components e.g the holes in each of the three metal lugs on a potentiometer, and wrap it back round so that its holding itself in place. Solder isn't particularly strong, so if there's already some mechanical strength in the connection, it helps when the wire's caught on something and the joint is put under strain.
Where there isn't any means of making a mechanical joint first e.g. wiring ground connections to the back of a potentiometer, then clean the metal as best you can first, as there's bound to be some oil on it, if even just from your fingers. Rub the pots down with a medium grit sandpaper (as well as removing any oxidised metal, the scratches will increase the surface area and so provide a better grip for the solder).
Making a template for the potentiometer holes in a piece of cardboard and doing the bulk of the wiring outside of the guitar make it a lot easier, even when it's only two pots and a selector switch. You can also wire up the pickups to the selector switch whilst the pots and the switch are out of the guitar. It gives you a lot more room to move the soldering iron around in, plus as it's a father/son build, it means that one person can help hold the wire and components together (using thin nosed pliers) whilst the other does the soldering. Soldering is always a job requiring a minimum of 3 hands to make it easy.
Use a decent sized bit and fairly powerful soldering iron when soldering to the back of pots. Too low a power (which is best for small connections) and the metal takes too long to warm up. the heat then has time to spread throughout the pot and too much can damage the carbon track inside. So it's often a good idea to have the sides clamped in some metal grips as a heat sink. A more powerful iron can heat up the area quicker, so that it has less time to spread. Soldering wires to the back of pots is one of the times that having another pair of hands holding the wires onto the back of the pots is a real benefit.
This is looking really nice, loving the flat black with natural wood back... I've had the new Metallica album on repeat for the past few weeks and i'm getting an explorer itch haha.
Good job guys
Been trying to hammer out Atlas Rise a wee bit. Not sure the Nuns next door appreciate Metallica as much as I do. It will sound better through my EXA-1 I'm sure.Originally Posted by zeromick
FrankenLab
Hand crafting guitars, because Death Rays are expensive.
yes! \m/ I'm sure my neighbours love me thrashing away on "spit out the bone" all the time as well haha
Thank you, I'll check those links out!
Thanks again you guys for all the help, it's definitely taking some the stress out of the whole deal!
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