First build, TLA-1

[alienjaz@gmail.com]

Hi all,

I've fixed and modified lots of guitars but this is my first build. It's early days but I'm already running in circles - Is it best to mark up the body and drill pilot holes for the bridge before staining or do the finish first and then start drilling? The scale seems to be spot on - the only issue I have is that the scratch plate doesn't seem to quite fit.

Me confubled

[JohnH]

Do you have any pics of the scratch plate?

[Woltz]

Not sure exactly where your scratch plate isn't fitting but on my TL kit I did have to enlarge a couple of the cutouts. In regards to drilling, you'll get different opinions all for valid reasons. I chose to drill my bridge holes and my neck holes as part of the process of doing a mock build. Then I did the finish (stain and clear coat). The rest of the holes I'll drill after I've polished the body.

[wazkelly]

Presume scratch plate issue might be the big gap between bridge and recess in the scratch plate? This is quite normal on these kits.

[alienjaz@gmail.com]

Thanks for your help peoples...

I think I’ll start drilling tomorrow- as for the scratchplate, it’s a little more complicated than not lining up with the bridge pickup - the pickups fit nicely, the problem is that the scratchplate forces the top/north side of the heel of the neck downwards while pushing the control panel upwards and not leaving much room for the bridge. It’s not really a cosmetic problem but one of setting the scale and string angle. I suppose it’s nothing a Stanley knife can’t fix.

I’ll try to post some pics tomorrow.

Thanks again for your help.
M.

[wazkelly]

I tend to find a file or sandpaper does a good job on modifying scratch plates and safer than using a stanley knife.

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[alienjaz@gmail.com]

Thanks mate, sounds sensible. I’ll have a go with sandpaper before I do anything more permanent.