Witto's 2nd build.. The Mossie is here !

[wcieslik]

I see you've dowelled and re-sited the bridge posts, presumable as they were slightly out of line with the roller bridge ? I wasn't going to bother but with the anniversary of Johnny's death last Saturday lots of photos kept appearing on social media. It was only then I noticed that the stop on his white guitar is a lot further back, past the lead jack socket. I've decided to put mine there too and also take the opportunity to check the bridge posts now I've screwed the neck on as it appears to be about 1mm out of square when measured from the last fret. They're also a little bit loose.

Yes. I had to dowel the bridge posts too. They were really loose. Too loose to use as they were. Have decided to go without a trem. But am changing the pickups to 2 x humbuckers. So making a new scratch plate to suit. Also had to dowel a hole I put through the back... Oops. Long funny story.

Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

[wcieslik]

Finished the scratch plate last night and have done a test mounting/fitting...

[wcieslik]

failed on the decal (red on black... not a good color choice for DIY decals), and resorted to making a sticker instead....


Strap locks, wiring and intonation next !

[wcieslik]

Well the Mossie has come up a treat !
It's very different to play compared to the Ricky330.

I put Dimarzio locking / auto trimming tuners in the head, and they work great ! But they are heavy !!
The nylon guitar strap I used for this one will swap out for a leather one, hopefully to help stop it tilting forward when you let the neck go.

It may have been a mistake to use a 'Moslike' bridge as the arch of the strings is quite apparent. Also seem to be getting a 'buzzing' noise with the strings, which I think might be related to strings at the zero fret.
Just going to play it as is for now, and when the strings come off next, I'll have another go at deepening the nut slots.

I did have two pretty major issues with the finish !
So happy was I with the silky slick shiny smooth finish...
Then...
[1] when I hammered the bridge and stop posts in... ouch. Enough stress on the wood between the two top posts and the two bottom posts, that the beautiful slick black finish developed stress cracks after a few days. [perhaps should have re-drilled the holes a little bigger ]
[2] a couple of holes developed swelling under the finish around them - mostly hidden under the scratch plate ! [wet sanding too wet]
[3] about two weeks later random cracks appeared elsewhere in the finish. (I think this is called 'checking') and may have been due to either the massive temp. fluctuations we had as I was finishing the finish.. or even heat build up from the buffer.

I can't control the temps. as I try to finish the 'Nez off, but I am planning on NOT using the buffer when I cut and polish. Also not going to wet sand, just very lightly dry sand and try to be real careful !

Like they say 'all you can do is try' ...
and if at first you don't succeed... there's always TV and beer !

[dave.king1]

failed on the decal (red on black... not a good color choice for DIY decals), and resorted to making a sticker instead....


Strap locks, wiring and intonation next !

Very nice but that decal would knock you out of GTOM, just putting it out there

[wcieslik]

Thanks Dave,
Out of curiosity, decal too cheesy, or too badly applied ?

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks Dave,
Out of curiosity, decal too cheesy, or too badly applied ?

One of the cardinal guidelines on logos is that you don't apply an actual brand name logo, it's a deal breaker for GOTM.

Looking at it i think you've emulated the style of the original (circled M logo, with text after) it lacks the "Mosrite" name and the "of California" tag line, but the M in a circle is the brand identity alongside the actual guitar shape.

I would consider it an "homage" to the original but under a strict interpretation of the rules for GOTM, I think Dave may have a point. you'd need to get a ruling from an admin (Brendan, Adam are you listening?) before you submitted it for GOTM they may allow it or they may consider it too close and rule it out.

Best to check, send them a hi res close up of the logo/head stock and let them decide.

[wcieslik]

Oops...
This might be too close to the bone too then ...


Although I've made such a fist of the 'Nez, I don't think it would qualify as a starter.
Wait for the Tele ! I'll get that one right !
(Don't tell my missus!)

[Sonic Mountain]

Yeah, black is a really hard colour to do well, so live and learn. Otherwise, it looks like a weapon, these are a cool looking kit.

Buzzing might be on the TOM style bridge. The one in my SG/AG build rattles and buzzes a fair bit. It's scheduled for an upgrade as it annoys the crap out of me. But lowering the nut slots seems sensible if you think its coming from that end.

[wcieslik]

Thanks Sonic,

I did wonder about the bridge, (and even the saddles, as there heaps of moving parts on the roller bridge)..

In relation to the paint 'checking', I made a small experiment with the Mibanez yesterday, and tried a small short buffing (with the buffer). Nowhere near as firmly or as long as I did on the Mossie... the surface temperature result was surprising! The buffed area was considerably hotter (not just warm), than the surrounding, untouched, areas. I think this rapid heating and cooling is what led to the paint cracking ! (Lesson learned !)
Hey, some people actually pay for this 'aged' effect !