Astracaster First Build FS-1

[Drashkum]

I have had two semi-hollow body builds (both basses) and both had the problem of one of the holes being not fully in the center block. Unfortunately. It's one reason (not the only one, alas) that both of mine have solid color tops.

The stop-tailpiece will not work if the posts are not solidly in the center block. So, your choices are to send it back or try to fix it. If the shipping is not too expensive that may be a decent option, but you will want them to make absolutely sure that the one they send you back does not have the same problem. Since the neck and bodies are somewhat matched, you might want to have them replace the whole kit. Since I am in the US back and forth from Australia would have been about the same as buying a new kit...so I have some experience, for better or worse, at trying to fix this problem.

The problem may be related to the neck is not being precisely 90 degrees to the body center-line. It may be one or two degrees south of that, resulting in the bridge hole being just north of the center block. Not a big deal as long as the holes are in the center block...but a big deal if they are not. I wondered about this when I saw your video but was not sure...but now that I have seen that a post-hole is off the center block...

Attachment 44173

I wasn't sure when I first saw the video, but now I wonder...the side of the upper bout should blend smoothly into the neck with no "step". It looks like there may be a step, which would could mean the center-line was skewed slightly clockwise when they were routing. That might not be a big deal (I had a similar issue on my ESB-4)...

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=5339

...but the post being slightly off the centerblock definitely is a big deal. The post will not stay in place without something to hold its outer edge.

If you decide to keep the body you can glue a small piece of wood in on the side of the center block. I have one in my ESB-4, and it has held well since 2016, so I guess it works ;-)

You need a piece of wood that is about 10 x 2 x1 cm. Slather the side that will be in contact with the center block and the top with tightbond. Slip it through the f-hole and hold it in place for 10-15minutes. That's long enough for tightbond to set as long as there is no tension on the wood. Then leave it for 24-48 hours to dry completely. Because of the curvature of the top, the piece of wood won't be flush with the top everywhere, but it will bond well to the center block. That should provide enough wood so that your ferrule has something to hold it laterally, even if there is a little gap between the top and the piece of wood.

This is doable, and I think it would work well for the bridge, which really just has downward pressure from the strings, so you are really just making sure the post does not shift laterally and the ferrule is tight enough so that you can adjust the post up and down. I am not sure how well I like this solution for the stop-tailpiece, however. The stop-tailpiece has string tension pulling it toward the nut so i would want it to be really firm.

Alternatively, you could plug the holes for the stop-tailpiece, and use a trapeze, like what I did with my ESB-4. If you are really careful, the plugs would be mostly under the trapeze and you might still get away with staining.

I did something more radical with my Jazz/ES hybrid... Doable, and I ended up liking the outcome, but it insures that the top will need to be finished in a solid color.

Jazz/ES hybrid big round dowel solution is documented here...

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ck+gibson+body

Thank you for such detailed reply. I am not sure how much does it take to ship the whole kit to Australia and to get back a new one. That can happen only if pitbull guitars agree. I am no good at wood work as I said earlier. So i am planning the glue way only if the replacement does not happen.
Not one thing has gone right for me to get this kit from them. Firstly there was this kit not coming with trapeze tail piece as in website. Secondly the kit getting held up at customs and me paying 60usd in duties to get it released only to find it come with missing crowning file, then the neck bump and tightness issue and now this issue.

I had been trying to contact them for past 1 week. I have mailed them 3 times already, twice for missing fret crowning file and once for this tailpiece hole issue with my order number (service@pitbull and to @adam ) , have messaged them in insta and fb too. They haven't got back to me even a single time. I am really worried now, if they had put my mail in spam.

Is there anyother way to contact them to get things resolved. Any leads would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Drashkum

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[fender3x]

I have a feeling that Adam may have been away. Last post I saw from him was a report on Chinese factories, so he may have been out. Hoping someone will chime in. Perhaps there is a whatsapp number?

In any case, keep at it. If the kit has problems and it's not actually the kit you ordered, then hopefully they will make it right. The cost of shipping between the US and AUS is ridiculously high. Maybe it's better from India.

[Drashkum]

I have a feeling that Adam may have been away. Last post I saw from him was a report on Chinese factories, so he may have been out. Hoping someone will chime in. Perhaps there is a whatsapp number?

In any case, keep at it. If the kit has problems and it's not actually the kit you ordered, then hopefully they will make it right. The cost of shipping between the US and AUS is ridiculously high. Maybe it's better from India.

There is no whatsapp number. I did try even calling Pitbull guitars on the number listed on their website despite that being international call. It goes to their voicemail and no one is picking up at all, though the voice at the voicemail says best way to contact them is mail to adamboyle@pitbullguitars.com and usually will get a reply in couple of hours. I have mailed them multiple times over past 10 days with no reply.

It's becoming a frustrating wait....

Hope things get resolved soon... Until then I am putting this build on hold...

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[Drashkum]

https://youtu.be/f6C8PS-uU8o

I wanted to troubleshoot on why this has happened on the centre block. If u guys see the video, there is also a hole waiting to happen on the other side too as the wood on the lateral side is just less than paper thin. If i thread in the stud for mock build the wood will chip off on the other side too.
Is this mainly because the the centre block is not as wide enough on the lowerside of the guitar as it should be.

The studs for the tailpiece are usually 82mm apart (centre to centre). But from Outer to Outer of the studs are 93.22mm in my case where as the holes are 92.5mm wide only. So when studs go in they scrape and remove the thin outerwall and make it a hole.

Ideally the centre block should have been as broad as a tail piece (101.5 is standard tail piece), 99.34mm wide ( in my case)

So this looks like I have to reinforce the hole on both sides and I don't think I can get away by doing one side alone.

Should the chinese factory have looked it this? Looks like something that missed the QC check.





Drashkum

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[fender3x]

I agree that the center blocks are too narrow. I have made that observation/complaint elsewhere. However, the hole on the south side of the stop-tailpiece looks a bit more normal. There is normally a small, round hole in that position to run a ground wire, and that's what it looks to me like you have. The top looks like the kind of break-through that you get when the hole is not entirely in the center block, but the bottom may be OK. If it were me I would still reinforce it with a small piece of wood.

The south side of the south hole could be too close to the edge of the center block, but just the fact that there is a hole does not mean it's fatally flawed. With both my bodies it was the south hole that was off the block. If you do glue a piece to the side there is an additional consideration. You need to be careful that the block you glue into place does not interfere with the hole for the jack which is also quite close to the center block.

Here's a dumb question... Have you PM'd Adam? That has been the way I have gotten the quickest response from him in the past. He just posted a couple of days ago so he should be around... Keeping fingers crossed that he gets in touch. Seems quite out of character.

[Drashkum]

I agree that the center blocks are too narrow. I have made that observation/complaint elsewhere. However, the hole on the south side of the stop-tailpiece looks a bit more normal. There is normally a small, round hole in that position to run a ground wire, and that's what it looks to me like you have. The top looks like the kind of break-through that you get when the hole is not entirely in the center block, but the bottom may be OK. If it were me I would still reinforce it with a small piece of wood.

The south side of the south hole could be too close to the edge of the center block, but just the fact that there is a hole does not mean it's fatally flawed. With both my bodies it was the south hole that was off the block. If you do glue a piece to the side there is an additional consideration. You need to be careful that the block you glue into place does not interfere with the hole for the jack which is also quite close to the center block.

Here's a dumb question... Have you PM'd Adam? That has been the way I have gotten the quickest response from him in the past. He just posted a couple of days ago so he should be around... Keeping fingers crossed that he gets in touch. Seems quite out of character.

PMed Adam?. No. I had PMed pitbull guitars in insta and in Facebook. I don't have his number to send a personal message. It's not listed anywhere.

He had replied to me on Facebook messenger through pitbull guitar handle on Saturday that he will get back to me yesterday since it was easter holidays. But he has not done that yesterday. It's past noon today in Australia now and I haven't got any reply from him yet.

Do u know any Other way to communicate with him or with anyone in pitbull guitars? Even their phone goes to voice mail.

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[fender3x]

Easiest way I know to PM on the forum is to go to a thread started by the person you want to PM, like this one:

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ad.php?t=12303

Click on Adam's name and it should offer you the option of PM to that person.

[Brendan]

Thanks @Drashkum. I've sent Adam a text with the link. That said, Friday and today have been public holidays here in Western Australia and as such Adam may not be monitoring his emails as closely as he normally would.

[Drashkum]

Easiest way I know to PM on the forum is to go to a thread started by the person you want to PM, like this one:

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ad.php?t=12303

Click on Adam's name and it should offer you the option of PM to that person.

Thank you.

Finally Mr. Adam Boyle replied. Here is the reply


Now I feel so sorry to have been impatient and sent so many mails and messages to him at the time of easter.

Anyways all is well. I have asked him now if I should ship the kit back.

I did try a total mock fit of the kit with strings before the his mail came today morning. Here are the pictures anyways









Here is a video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LkPeSQrRFXk?feature=share

I can see that the tailpiece has totally canted to the front. But i am not sure if it is because of the hole or because I just wrapped the inner stud in masking tape.

Secondly the scale length measured from innerside of the tip of the nut to upper side of the saddle. Measures 632mm. I tried to pull up the neck 4 mm. It goes up a mm or 2.

Should the saddle be at mid point of travel on high E or at the top most ( near bridge pickup). I can move the saddle up by 2mm the max most.

Please do let me know your thoughts so that i can use this mock fit as a trial mockfit before the replacement kit arrives to do that real mockfit

Drashkum

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[Drashkum]

Thanks @Drashkum. I've sent Adam a text with the link. That said, Friday and today have been public holidays here in Western Australia and as such Adam may not be monitoring his emails as closely as he normally would.

Thank you Mr. Brendan. Mr. Adam just mailed me that he would send a replacement body and neck.. Thank you for you time and effort. Highly appreciated it.

I owe you guys a beer next time I come to australia

Drashkum

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