TLA-1 First Build

[wheat]

I just received my kit today and Im as nervous as you are !!!! I was so over the moon because the neck fit the body beautifully which I was worred about should i had to shim it or something. So looks like I am gonna start sanding the body and neck. Any Ideas how a non handy person with few tools and room to work is small ... what finish should I use????

[FCD]

I just received my kit today and Im as nervous as you are !!!! I was so over the moon because the neck fit the body beautifully which I was worred about should i had to shim it or something. So looks like I am gonna start sanding the body and neck. Any Ideas how a non handy person with few tools and room to work is small ... what finish should I use????

Being my first build I don’t really feel qualified to answer this question with a full scope, however, in prep for this build I have done some research. It seems there are a range of “easy methods” for finishing. In terms of adding colour to your guitar there are off the shelf wood working stains both oil and water based, leather dye, clothing dye, ink pad dye, home made colour agents (coffee, tea, mineral spirits mixed with nails and/or steel wool), purpose built guitar stains and many more I haven’t mentioned. There is so much information on YouTube and this forum in regards to application methods (do’s and don’t so to speak). The simple answer is how do you want your guitar to look? And work back with a method that you feel is achievable to your skill level. My advice if in doubt buy some cheap off cut of similar wood and do some test runs.

In regards to the top coat there also many options to protecting your guitars (to different degree’s). Wipe on options seem to make sense to me. Tru-oil, Tung oil, wipe on poly (Satin or Gloss), danish oil and many more I am sure. All effect the look and feel of the guitar to some extent in a different way. Again YouTube and this forum are your friend. And for each product it seems that there are many different application methods like cloth or foam brush, leaving once applied or wiping off once getting tacky or sanding/steel wool in between coats. I have tried several different methods during my build and it seems to all change depending on your technique or in my case lack there off

I have personally found the wipe on poly easy to work with in terms of application and if I have had any small runs or drip’s easy to sand out without stuffing up my work. I am not at the finish line yet so hopefully haven’t spoke to soon!

My best advice is to go slow, be patient and once you have applied something take time to look at it in different lights to find small errors (drips, runs etc.) Dust is a big problem for me but I have found sanding very lightly between coats takes care of the issue. I have also found when in doubt or if you have an issue use a combination of this forum, YouTube and google before making something worse.

I have a long way to go and probably will make more errors. but for me it’s not about having a perfect shop level guitar by the end. It’s about the process and if it all goes to Sh*t then I will buy a new kit and take my learnings from this one.

Hope this helps as it’s all option from someone who is not really a subject matter expert.

[wheat]

Thank you for your advice! I think I have made my first mistake by wearing dirty work pants while sanding. I was using a dingo stain and there were places wear the guitar rested on my pants that did not cover properly with stain. I am currently trying to find a way to fix it, move on and accept the defect, or paint the body with a solid color with spray cans. What to do what to do ...

[FCD]

Hi All,

Have been busy with sanding the guitar body in prep for grain filling. And have just filled with ebony timber mate. I am relatively happy with how this has turned out as I wanted something to pop the grain of the wood.

Next step will be reshaping the headstock and sanding down the neck. Any advice to what grit I should be sanding the neck? I will be applying a wipe on poly over the top of the maple neck.

[McCreed]

That will look great when it gets "the wet look" with some clear on there!

As for sanding the neck, I usually do just a bit of 240 then 400. No need to go any finer IMO. Some folks don't even go that fine, but I think there's still plenty for the finish to grab onto with 400.

[Maverick_aus]

Hi FCD,
Fun to read your progress, as another recent first-timer.
The grain is coming out nicely there with the stained timbermate. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about getting the grain to pop as well. Can I ask why you went with the ebony timbermate rather than a stain?
Good luck with the rest of the project.

[FCD]

Hey,

I used the ebony timbermate as an contrasting colour. From my very limited understanding a stain will pop the grain but more inline with the colour that you are applying. I used the timbermate wood filler (diluted with a few drops of water) to highlight the grain and to really stand out from my finish.

[Maverick_aus]

Thanks FCD. Having had a bit more of a research I think I'll try a black stain, then sand, then coloured stain and see how we go. Good luck for the rest of yours.

[FCD]

Thanks FCD. Having had a bit more of a research I think I'll try a black stain, then sand, then coloured stain and see how we go. Good luck for the rest of yours.

Sounds like a plan. There are so many different options for the finish of a guitar - I think that’s half the fun with the build process. Good luck with your build. I am following your build diary and looks like it will come up a treat.

[Maverick_aus]

Thanks mate. Yes, I agree re: the finishing. It's certainly a learning process. It's so satisfying working on something that is unique and which, when complete represents the journey you went through in creating it.