The build is done: https://imgur.com/a/bLyzV8V
32 layers of tru oil, sanding back with 1000 grit at 10, 1500 grit at 20 and 0000 fine steel wool after 30. 2 layers on top to bring back the shine from burnishing with the steel wool. Then, let it sit for a week to harden before using automotive polishing compound, a foam disc and a drill to polish
Replaced the stock pots with 2 CTS 500k pots, which required drilling the holes to 3/8". Replaced the stock pickup selector with one a bit beefier and with a metal tip (though the switch is loose and causes a bit of static when switching pickups...). Replaced the jack with a pure tone stereo jack - for ease of potentially adding a kill switch down the line. I also decided to go out on a limb with a greasebucket circuit on the tone knob. Copper taped, soldered, all seems to work well with the electronics.
The pickup screws it came with were too long - almost as if they were ment to mount on pickup rings. A couple of cents at the hardware store got me some shorter screws.
Setup and intonation was a breeze; however there is some buzzing going on especially on the BEAD strings when fretted above the 12th fret. There is also a little buzzing on the B string on the headstock side when fretting the 2nd and 3rd frets. Chalking this up to the preshaped Graphtech nut I ordered is too short. After cutting the slots it's now too low. To compensate, I have a little more now in the neck than I would like and the bridge is hiked up. I'll likely replace the nut with a full blank so I can shape it to an appropriate size. The bit of buzzing though is hardly noticable when playing through an amp.
Had fun with my first build and definitely looking forward to the next!






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