If only you could fit more than 5 pics per post...
If only you could fit more than 5 pics per post...
Wow, that finish is amazing. I think I need a master class in doing that!
PitBull Builds: FVB-4, LP-1SS, FBM-1, AG-2, TB-4, SSCM-1, TLA-1,TL-1TB, STA-1HT, DSCM-1 Truckster, ST-1, STA-1, MBM-1, MBM custom, GHR-1 (Resonator), FH-5V (Acoustic).
Scratch Builds: Pine Explorer, Axe Bass, Mr Scary, Scratchy Tele's.
The little voices in my head keep telling me "build more guitars"
Feel free to post as many times as you need to! Those are great pics. Love the paint job on the back, especially. That's a very cool tailpiece. Curious where you got that? Also curious about the TOM bridge that you are using.
Thanks guys! The tailpiece is from Guyker, I have a gold one of the same design to go on my Explorer once I get back into that. I'm not sure what you mean by "TOM" bridge? I bought the bridge from someone on Trademe, he was selling three brand new ones for $60. Thought it was too good a deal to pass up!
Ah! Tune-0-matic. Got it. The kit actually came with one as well, but there is no way the supplied bridge and stop will fit the guitar... the holes in the body are too big for the posts! They rattle about in the holes.... I reckon the posts are at least a mm too small in circumference. It didn't bother me because I had every intention of upgrading them anyway!
It took me a few nights of copper taping cavities, checking the diagram, soldering, rechecking the diagram, soldering some more and then a little bit more checking, holding the diagram upside down and giving myself a fright and then the relief when I figured I was doing it right in the first place etc.... and now it's alive!! Everything works as it should - I chucked two E strings on it and checked the pots and the switch and then jammed "Whole Lotta Love" for its first tune! It even gave me an epic pinch harmonic on the G when I was mucking about with it. I have to admit, for a kit guitar it sounds pretty damn good! No static, no unwanted noise, no crackles. I just all worked as it should and it sounded great. Very happy! Time for a bit of work on the frets and neck and then finishing assembly.
It's a great thing when you finally get to hear it as well as see it. Nice that it sounds as good as it looks!
This is looking awesome!!
Love to see it
Loving the look
Tony
All the fret work sorted and polished (plus a repaint of the back of the neck thanks to the masking tape protecting the fretboard pulling a strip of clear off the back....!!)
I ended up replacing the cavity covers as you can see... the originals were a cream colour, so that was never going to work! I had planned on using some brushed alloy I have floating around, but it wasn't wide enough to cover the bigger cavity. I have plenty of red perspex, and it dawned on my that it was probably the best choice given the rest of the colours on the guitar. So, out with the scroll saw to make them and then the sandpaper to make them fit in the cavity recesses.
I gave it a final polish over and then installed the strings. It took no time at all to set the action and get the intonation right. It seemed too easy even! Got through some string stretching and had some fun playing to some old tunes on Youtube.
I have to say, this thing plays and sounds WAAAAYYYY better than I expected! Over the years I have owned Gibsons, Epiphones, a ton of guitars from Korea and Indonesia and this thing is up there with the best of them for both playability and sound. Heaps of sustain, lots of grunt from the humbuckers and a beautiful fast ebony neck. It seems a shame to be giving this guitar away!
I'll be back soon with a new build for sure.
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