First build EX-1E

[juan_ibanez]

Hi everyone. Today I received the kit I am going to build over the next couple weeks.
I have always loved the explorer style and decided to do that one. but since its my first time doing this I got a couple questions:
1. in regards to painting. Originally wanted to use nitro(no special reason why). but once I realized it was that expensive (around $250 for the sealer, colour and clear coat cans) then I started having my second thoughts. so the questions is: What sealer/primer/color/clear coat would be a good combo (seen videos where they say to use 2k poly but seems its hard to get by).

2. in regards to upgradability. was thinking at some point I might want to give active humbuckers a try. has anyone ever tried adding a second cavity for the battery? or maybe I can fit all in the existing one ?

cheers

[Alexej]

Hi Juan! Wish you good luck and much fun with the kit! I have not that much experience in finishes, but maybe some other stuff that I made for my explorer can help you. It was my first build and I also made a second cavity for the active humbuckers. Greetings!

[juan_ibanez]

Ahh nice. so I guess that answers the question if I need the second cavity... sounds like I do. What did you use to open the new cavity ?

[Alexej]

Yes, you need usually a second cavity for the battery. As I used a set of EMGs, there was just no space in only one cavity. You can even buy a special battery compartment, for a faster battery change. But I just made a smaller cavity with a hand milling machine, parallel to and in the shape of the main cavity.

[juan_ibanez]

ahhhh funny stuff I was actually thinking about installing EMGs to this one. Did you have to modify the pickup cavities to fit the EMGs?
I don't have a milling machine unfortunately was thinking about using a dremel to cut through.

[Alexej]

As you can see in my build, the cavities should be big enough for the EMGs. And you also can see how much space is needed for an EMG set.

[juan_ibanez]

ahhh nice. the pickups should be delivered soonish, so will do a final check when they are delivered but seems like it will be OK.

now there are some updates
have done the initial sanding of the kit and have done the fret leveling and have opened a cavity for the battery (with a Dremel and drill... so might not be the best work ever )




Now, I am going to glue the neck, fill the gaps between the neck and cavity (to have a smooth finish) with wood putty. and if time allows will do the grain fill.

But, during the mock build I did notice that the neck heel has two diferent surfaces, at an angle, and depending on where I clamp, I will get a different neck angle... so not sure which way it should go.

Feels like once fully installed it would be better to have the one where the strings are just 1 mm away from the frets (as I could raise the bridge). but would be nice to get some advise.

[juan_ibanez]

the difference where I clamp is like this, there is a photo of when I clamp clsoe to the edge of the neck (one angle), and when I clamp in the pickup cavity.

[Trevor Davies]

Feels like once fully installed it would be better to have the one where the strings are just 1 mm away from the frets (as I could raise the bridge). but would be nice to get some advise.

I also think having the strings set lower would be better - definitely easier to raise the bridge. But how was the bridge held in position when the photos were taken?

[juan_ibanez]

Hi Trevor.
It was at the lowest possible as it was not en en screwed, but rather had lots of masking tape around the posts.


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