Chuck's JZA-1

[Chuck]

you could always try etching a design into it now... OK, I'll shud up

Ah, Dedman, always pushing the boundaries!

[JB RETRO]

Yep really nice work Chuck, looks pro

[Chuck]

A quick question on staining ash... I've noted that with Basswood it's recommended to not go past 120 when sanding to give the stain something to latch on to. What's the story with ash? How far should I sand before staining? And I'm also assuming that once the stain is on you then do more sanding with finer paper before preparing for the finish (I'm still debating whether to go TruOil or a sprayed gloss clear coat)? This staining stuff is new territory for me!

[wokkaboy]

Hey Chuck I sand ash to about 320 grit, the stain will still take ok. It's a must to grain fill with timbermate, I usually do this after a 240 grit sand. Apply the TM then allow to dry overnight, then sand off with 240 and a final 320 sand. Then apply your stain. No need to sand after the stain has gone on.
I used to use tru oil but have gone off it after hearing all the negative stuff about it. I'd use a spray gloss coat is easier in my books, usually 3-4 coats is enough if you can stop before it runs !

EDIT I recommend using ebony timbermate really brings out the ash grain nicely

[Chuck]

Thanks for that Wok - I'm doing a walnut stain and have some walnut timbermate, but you think the ebony will work better?

[wokkaboy]

Hey Chuck, walnut TM will work ok but the darker ebony will probably pop the ash grain better. Might be worth getting a small tub of ebony TM and do a trial maybe under where the pickguard is and compare to walnut TM and see which you like better.

[andrewdosborne]

Hey Chuck in this build I used FW Jarrah w/ Ebony Timbermate. I would expect it would work equally well with walnut stain

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...t=3985&page=13

[Chuck]

Okay, we’re back on track. The replacement kit arrived, and there were still some issues with the neck pocket. Adam is now working with the factory on this front, but rather than wait for it to be resolved I’m forging ahead. I figure I should be able to get a result with some very careful reshaping of the neck heel (thanks to some valuable advice from Wok, Dedman and Ponch). In the meantime here’s the latest.

First step was to complete a new top rout for the toggle switch; elongating the existing toggle switch rout so I can put a 5-way switch in there; and expanding the trem rout – it needed about 2-3mm taken off each side and the same on the back edge. While the two routs are just about acceptable, the trem cavity is a bit rough after I went at it with a chisel (thankfully all will be hidden under the pickguard). A good couple of sanding sessions, starting at 80 and working my way up to 240 grit had this result.



Next I went with walnut timbermate. I did try the ebony version on a scrap but felt the walnut would look better for what I had in mind. After that was dry I went at it again with 240 and did the first coat of stain.



After 24 hours I actually sanded back with 240 as there were a couple of areas I didn’t go hard enough at the first time. Then I went to 320 grit and then stained again.



I’m pretty happy with this, although I may do a third light stain. It’s almost the colour I’m after so I’ll let this one dry for a couple of days and reassess.

[Chuck]

And I couldn't resist a quick mockup...



It'll have black tips on the toggle, 5-way and trem arm too. The knobs are potentially a little large as they are from a bass rather than the Mustang style (which might mean another order from Realparts!). Lots of fine tuning to come...

[Dedman]

loving it!