Sonics second build - The Major Mitchell Relliecaster

[Sonic Mountain]

Cheers Guys

[Andyxlh]

That looks really nice, the decal perfectly fits the headstock shape.

[Sonic Mountain]

Cut and polish time! Came up really well.

Knocked back with 2000, then cut with machine compound and a cheap electric buffer. This is without finishing polish and I'm pretty happy with it as is. There are a few minor wobbles in the surface due entirely to me rushing prep a bit. I also didn't use hi-fill on this one - just primer as the bass wood seemed fine enough that it wouldn't need bulk grain filling. However there was a bit of variance between the pieces of wood the body was made from. Probably would have been fine if I'd been a bit more patent and done a couple more primer coats - but Oh well - I'm sure the new owner will still be happy, and I want him to use it and not be too precious about it.

Some pics - so hard to get a good photo, the camera cannot cope with all the shades of blue.


Light knock back with 2000 - you don't have to get to fussy as the cut compound is quite aggressive, especially with an electric buffer.



Various in progress pics and a couple outside.













Almost forgot - pre polish mock up

[christodav]

It looks great!

[Sonic Mountain]

Cheers, I'm happy with it. It's been another good trial run in regards to finishing.

Soldering done and body together. Positioned the neck to get the scratch plate right. So thats basically done. The neck is about 70% of the way there. So hopefully full assembly towards the end of next week and lots of time for me to get the setup right before it goes up to Darwin.

[FrankenWashie]

Loving that blue....great work there Sonic.

[nitroburner1000]

Cheers, I'm happy with it. It's been another good trial run in regards to finishing.

Soldering done and body together. Positioned the neck to get the scratch plate right. So thats basically done. The neck is about 70% of the way there. So hopefully full assembly towards the end of next week and lots of time for me to get the setup right before it goes up to Darwin.

Awesome colour and awesome name, its the same as mine!

[Sonic Mountain]

It Lives!



Better pics to follow, its a bit rainy atm. I got a bit of unexpected free time this afternoon so I completed assembly, ball parked the set up with the Chinese strings and gave it a whirl. Really happy.

This neck is a lot better than the Shoegazer. (I've also spent a bit of time on that, I did another fret level and adjustment and it is much, much nicer to play now). This one doesn't seem like it will need much of anything, there is barely any buzz and the action is nice and low.

It certainly has a decent twang to it, particularly on the bridge pickup. But what I think I like most is how light it is. The gazer weighs a tonne.

I'll keep tuning and playing it and then hopefully I'll get some time on Sunday arvo to give it a really good sorting out and put the Ernie Ball strings on it.

Woo!

[wokkaboy]

good stuff Sonic looks great. Is the hardware stock ?

[Swanny]

Great work! It goes to show more preparation beforehand gives a better end product. It's how I'm trying to treat my impatience.