My RCA-4 Build :-)

[Simon Barden]

Right, binding scraped back.
Have to say probably not the highlight of the build so far for me but it has turned out ok. A couple of minor bits of fettling still required but generally looking good.

Attachment 24943

Had intended to fit the neck tonight but footy is on now so will leave it til tomorrow

Looking great! Scraping the binding is a thankless task, but it's worth it in the end.

Did you watch Monday's FA cup match? My neice's husband is Dan Burn, the 6' 7" Wigan captain (whom I've never actually met yet).

[Gary B]

Thanks for the positive comments guys, it is appreciated.
Simon, I didn't see Mondays game as I have an aversion to watching Man City
However, I did enjoy hearing the result! There is a great pic of Dan on the BBC website surrounded by fans on the pitch after the match.

[Simon Barden]

Yes. I'm not a football follower at all, but I keep track of how Dan's doing just to make sure he can keep my niece in the manner to which she's now accustomed.

[Gary B]

Well, a big moment - the neck is in place.
Not without a moment of drama. I had it clamped up and took these phots then, fortunately, took a closer look to make sure all was well and found a gap of a couple of mm between the heel and the edge of the neck pocket. Major panic but I got it sat properly and re-clamped and all is looking well now.
I think the glue, even though I applied thin layers, was enough to make the snug fit of neck and pocket a bit tighter than it had been.
Anyway, disaster averted hopefully!

[JohnH]

Right, binding scraped back.
Have to say probably not the highlight of the build so far for me but it has turned out ok. A couple of minor bits of fettling still required but generally looking good.

Attachment 24943

Had intended to fit the neck tonight but footy is on now so will leave it til tomorrow

Yeah, scraping binding is an...interesting job. Yours is looking really good though

[Gary B]

Took the bold step of un-clamping the neck and it didn't fall off!
This small gap between the end of the neck and the back of the pocket bothered me.



It must be better for the neck to make contact with the pocket as it is less likely to lift once under string tension is what I am thinking.
So made a shim to fill the gap. Started with a piece as at the rear of the pic and ended up with the piece at the front.



A coating of glue on both sides and in it went. Feeling happier with that.



And couldn't resist fitting a few bits of hardware.



Must admit to feeling a bit down now I am getting towards the end of the build. A little bit of soldering to do then it is just screwing a few bits on. Plenty of setting up to do and hopefully enjoy playing it after that. But then what? How to cure the post guitar kit blues?
I think I know the answer

[rook]

Dude the grain pops so beautifully on your build. It's like you are seeing into the wood. I love the look.

[king casey]

How to cure the post guitar kit blues?

You can do what I do. Take out the sand-paper and start all over again.

BTW I was sure you must have used Ebony Timbermate on that finish but there was no mention of it.
Probably a GOTM winner (unless somebody goes and enters an ES-3).

cheers, Mark

[Gary B]

You can do what I do. Take out the sand-paper and start all over again.

Ha that would be a bit drastic but I did that with the Tele I built previously :-)

[Gary B]

BTW I was sure you must have used Ebony Timbermate on that finish but there was no mention of it.

I did think about starting with a dark stain to bring out the grain but didn't in the end, just used the Wudtone deep colour coat then base and clear coats