Drummerdude's first build.. TLA-1Q. Wish me luck

[Drummerdude]

Thanks guys for the kind words.. the knobs I found on Guitar Fetish. I also got the pickups there.. very reasonable prices.

The poly is a high performance polyurethane from General Finishes..

[wazkelly]

Wow, ton of depth in that finish. Looks absolutely stunning.

[Drummerdude]

Thanks Waz....

[gavinturner]

Love the finish man. Wish I could get a shine like that from poly! Great job.

cheers,
Gav.

[Drummerdude]

Thanks Gav.. that was my first time using poly and I sprayed it light coats with about an hour and half between coats with light sanding between. I did 6 coats then let sit for 2 days and level sanded and then started over with a little heavier coats with sanding between. Then I level sanded and wet sanded going up to 2000. I used Naptha instead of water. Then I used 3000 grit on a drill attachment and that really gave a pretty good finish. I waited almost a week and used 3m finesse it to cut the finish further followed by zymol wax and buffed with buffing pad on the same drill attachment. I think I am going to build a buffer. I had to replace my heat pump so I kept the blower motor. I think I can use it to build a double head buffing station. I know you probably know all this stuff looking at your builds but just thought I would share for some newbies like me.
Love you build Gav..

[Drummerdude]

Well still waiting on my decal so I went ahead and started the fret job. Leveled with a beam with sand paper 180 grit on one side and 400 on the other. Then re crowned, sanded with 600, 800 and 1500. After I get the last few coats of TO on neck I will end dress and then use the dremel with a polishing wheel and really polish the frets and then the set up.

[Drummerdude]

Ok well after long delay my decal finally arrived.. I am going to definitely just make my own from now on.. I'm just much more comfortable working with wood than technology.. so here it is.. now just some more clear on neck to set the decals and then assembly and setup.. and at least 1 project should be complete..

[Kick]

Nice decal! Did you design it yourself?

[Drummerdude]

I designed it but had some else make it with the metallic inks.

[Dedman]

wow! coming along awesomely