Custom JM-1 Build

[wokkaboy]

yer don't skimp on coats, get another spray can for sure.
JR-1 looks like a cool kit to build, simple 1 humbucker

[mike]

I was telling my mate (who doesn't play music, let alone build instruments) that I'd already done 2 primers and 5 top coats and he was shocked haha. He seriously thought you only needed one of each. When I told him I'm going to use 2 cans he thought I was mad haha.
Yeah, I used to own an epi les paul jr, loved it, but traded it towards a bass stack. But I love them so much (Big Green Day fan) especially with the P90 that I decided I need to build one.

[Brendan]

Mike - x2 on Wokka's comments - welcome along and don't rush things - if you're anything like most of the people here, you'll be hanging onto this axe for a while, so you might as well take your time to get things just right. Any reason for more top coats - if it's white enough - just go with your clear coats. Remember, however you're treating the guitar - thin coats and as few as you can get away with are really the way to go. With more, at best you're increasing the chances of a run / worse...

[mike]

Thanks Brendan.
Yeah, I've learnt to slow things down somewhat. If I would've started this like, 3 months ago, I probably would've tried to do the whole thing in a weekend haha. I've told my dad to be firm and tell me not to do stuff when he knows I haven't let it set for long enough, so that's helping things! I used some wire wool between coats 4 and 5 and the finish has come up beautifully now. Just going to do maybe one or two more just to get it to the right colour then I'll start on the clear. Thanks for the words of wisdom on keeping the coats to a minimum. I was going to go all out and do as many coats as the can let me! But now you've said that, I've realised it will probably create more issues than anything else, and it probably won't give me the finish I'm looking for!
Will upload a picture of the finish later today when there's a bit more natural light, so I get a nice picture to show off how nicely it's come out.

[mike]

So it way too cold and wet to do anything today, so decided to just put the pickguard, bridge and neck in place (not screwed in) to see how it will look. Gotta say, thinking it looks mighty fine right now. Loving the contrast between the red tortoise shell and the satin white body. Also really happy with how the headstock has turned out.

[wokkaboy]

looks awesome Mike, how I pictured it in my head. Might be worth seeing how white control knobs and switch tip look like, but black is a nice contrast

[mike]

Cheers Wokka,

Yeah I'm thinking of switching out the control knobs at the very least. Want something a little smaller. Not overly keen on the huge Gibson-esque knobs so close together in a small space. Thinking some steel ones that you'd usually see on a tele, in either white or black. Leaning towards black for the contrast though.

[pablopepper]

Love it! Great colours.

[Brendan]

Alternatively - the straight chrome ones knobs be great for it - picks up the chrome in the bridge, pup and control plate. Overall looking great though!

[gavinturner]

Wow Mike, the white looks stunning against the red pickguard. Just awesome! Sometimes you forget how amazing the clean lines of a simple solid colour can look. The white is awesome!

cheers,
Gav.