First Build SMS-6F

[DaveM]

Hi folks!
This post will be an objective diary of how it pans out from purchase to finish.

Ive unboxed my Xmas present and looks like a really unique and exciting project... should satisfy some tuning and recording needs as well as being interesting to play.

I'm guessing any help/issues with build will be best posted in other areas of the forum is that the way to go?
I tend to get messy though so the issues will likely crossover into this thread.

Has anyone else here taken on this model?
Here's info from my unboxing/inspection:

Firstly, I'm really impressed with the veneer and the styling, I don't think I could expect a better looking guitar.
I would be keen to do a couple of minor modifications to the shaping at the neck joint and cutaway areas but I really like it. Its unique and compact and the woods appear to be amazing quality.

As for the styling i honestly don't know what this compares to but its really cool.


In regards to design I found these things a bit odd:
• until I unboxed it I didn't realise but the routing of the PUPs and neck lies above the centreline of the body(much closer to the upper horn) This takes some getting used to but I'm ok with it. I'm assuming the 7string version has a more centred layout and this is a variation of that template.
• the partial removal of binding in the cutaways seems like a challenge to apply finish to.
• the fretboard ends at a slightly odd angle to the neck PUP. I'm ok with this, it makes sense with the layout.
• I think I've read this about several PBG designs, again I'm ok with this layout - but I would prefer to see the bridge PUP routing right up close to the bridge, as it is with most guitars. I'm assuming this would produce the tightest and most "treble" of tones possible.

There's a couple of things about the test fit I'm not confident about:
• the neck pocket seems way too loose. It almost appears as if the routing was done slightly off because of the arch top. I can fit a 0.8mm pick down one side of the neck. I am seeking advice on how to deal with this(or if it can even be dealt with?)

• the neck appears to sit too high-ie. it lifts the fret board too high above the body, otherwise it appears the bridge is too low, unless the saddles are jacked way up on an angle. I dont think I'll be able to actually test this until things are fitted like the bridge is fastened down, strings fitted etc. Neck bow adjusted.
• again the neck heel appears to sit high in the pocket-so as to loose the clearance underneath the neck PUP. But as above I can't really test this yet. I don't know if any material can be safely removed from the bottom of a neck heel without affecting alignment in other ways.


As for defects:
• there's one that looks easy to deal with - a tiny tear out in the veneer at the neck joint. No problem.
• the one that I may not be able to handle - the fretboard has a gouge across quite a few fret positions and it's in a prominent position.



Excited to get started and hoping that these issues can be solved asap!

[DaveM]

Update

Thanks Adam for promptly assisting with these queries.
Going ahead with the build after some advice and assistance on the kit/parts.

I have taken some averages from my fender and Jackson guitars to estimate scale length setup for the low and high strings in this multi scale setup, hopefully accommodating a decent range of string guages.
I've created these measurements in mm from nut to 12th fret + 12th fret to saddle
* high E(MS 323+324.5)
* Low E(MS 340+345)

So for high E, I added 1.5mm string bend
And for low E, I added 5mm string bend

The bridge placement is preset by the string-through drillings.
So I will set up the bridge first then measure the set-neck position from that.

At this point the neck set position is quite a bit pulled out from the pocket where you would expect. This improves the tightness in the pocket, but it creates a large gap in front of the PUP.

This is not optional so I'm toying with ideas on how to fill that gap if anyone has any input on this? I'm thinking it should be something that's an extension of the neck, or something that's an extension of the pickup itself.( there's no option the have another piece of flame maple inserted in there-I'm not ready to consider deleting the flame maple finish yet)



I don't have another multi sale guitar to reference for the scale lengths so if anyone can critique my calculations I would appreciate it

In the meantime I'll be adding some contours close to the neck join and researching finishes.

Patience is something I'm practicing here!

[DaveM]

This only took a couple hours and I'm ready for sanding
Chisel/Spoke shave/scraper FTW

[DaveM]

With the bridge screwed down and outer strings mounted I can confirm my scale length calculations are true to intonation.
So with the neck pulled to suit, the gap between fretboard and pickup is as shown.

I have begun sculpting a replacement binding/filler for the foot of the neck to fill the space and still look "legit" using black ABS filament.
I dont know if PBG bindings are made from ABS but it should match ok Experiment #1:

[DaveM]

Starting with a black colourtone stain on the maple surfaces.
Still not sure if I want to add a secondary colour.
If it suits I would go for a super dark green in a burst to black.
Then considering running a solid gloss black backside including the neck.

I've encountered a few good glue spots around the edge, and a line is there - along the centre join.
I can confirm that after testing on a few edge grains - timbermate filler takes the stain perfectly so while I'm patching up these spots I'll add some more grain fill where needed in the centre/frontal areas before I continue adding colour.

Here's the repairs so far.
I used some acetone on white rag to soften glue marks(very carefully!) then attacked them with a mini wire wheel on rotary tool(super carefully!!) and it seems good.

Hopefully I can pull off something nice with this fantastic flame pattern!

[Trevor Davies]

The "repairs" look good. Hopefully the clear coats will make the flame Pop!

[DaveM]

Thanks Trevor, I'm hoping I'm not overworking the veneer or losing the figuring!

I'm being patient waiting for stain and more tools to arrive, and I haven't been able to source sanding sealer nearby. Can anyone recommend a place to find that? Online?

Meanwhile Ive procured a chunk of brass, and since the nut supplied requires a lot of work already, im trying my hand at shaping my own.