Well it's finally completed. What an experience lol.
Sprayed 15 coats of SCA acrylic. Sanded the usual 400 to 2000, Maguiar's Ultimate Compound the Meguiar's Scratch X 2. Probably could have done a bit better on final finish but after waiting so long I just wanted to play it lol. It would probably end up in that condition after a month of playing it anyway lol.
Have to admit using one of these for the larger clear coat cans made it a lot easier and gave a better finish in my opinion.
Wiring was probably the biggest drama. Think I am an expert in installing wiring into a hollow body now lol. Must have tried to install it about 4 times but had to pull it out and reinstall for various reasons mostly user error. One took me ages to work out. I was getting pickups working on their own but not together. In the end it was the contact on the switch engaging both pickups which was a little bent. Carefully bending contact it worked. Another bullet dodged lol. But to be honest it is a lot easier installing the wiring before gluing neck.
Bridge is low as it goes and string height seems to be about medium. Similar height to the Artist ES335 style guitar I have. So all good there as that is what I am used to. Intonation is spot on. Stuffed up first attempt at sanding nut but luckily practiced on the kit nut first so made sure on the second one lol.
Headstock done in Holden Phantom Mica with Grover vintage style tuners.
All hardware upgraded. Gibson 57 classic pickups, bone nut, CTS left handed pots, Black candy oil paper caps, vintage style cloth wiring, Switchcraft jack and right angled toggle switch.
Was expecting a nice stain finish as that was what I was more comfortable using and had done more research doing stains but after watching hours of videos on using spray cans and having no experience I think it turned out OK and might use cans in more future builds.
Just for comparison, here is a Artist ES335 style guitar and a Pitbull guitar kit.
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