Bargeloob's STA-1

[bargeloobs]

@Stan, thanks man.

Hey thanks for the kind words Brodie.
If you're entertaining the idea of trying something a bit different, after deciding what style you want to go with I normally try and compile a bunch of images of ideas that I like then take the best bits of those until I finish up with a concept I'm happy with.
Then, depending on the techniques involved to actually complete the build, I do more research until I'm at the stage where I'm comfortable enough to put it all into practice.
After which it's just a matter of diving off the deep end and having a crack. As the old saying goes "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
To be honest, being a first attempt at this type of carving I actually surprised myself a little bit:P

EDIT: Have you finished the "Wasp" yet man? I'm itching to see that build all buttoned up.

[west0288]

Hey thanks for the kind words Brodie.

No worries, mate. Quality work deserves quality praise.

If you're entertaining the idea of trying something a bit different, after deciding what style you want to go with I normally try and compile a bunch of images of ideas that I like then take the best bits of those until I finish up with a concept I'm happy with.
Then, depending on the techniques involved to actually complete the build, I do more research until I'm at the stage where I'm comfortable enough to put it all into practice.
After which it's just a matter of diving off the deep end and having a crack. As the old saying goes "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
To be honest, being a first attempt at this type of carving I actually surprised myself a little bit:P

One day, when I have the resources available I will definitely attempt some mods. I like the basic premise of a strat shape, but I feel it could definitely use some refinement, so that would be my first try I reckon - especially given it is the cheapest kit...

EDIT: Have you finished the "Wasp" yet man? I'm itching to see that build all buttoned up.

Ah yes, the Wasp... I have got it together, the clear coat looks smooth as, and the neck wax has cured to make it feel awesome. Still a few problems though:

1. I sanded through the black in a few places on the back (so you can see yellow) so I'm toying with the idea of a repair, but by the same token I don't want to mess with anything for fear of ruining it.

2. I wired it, was running fine, but now it has horrible feedback when no hardware is being touched (grounding issue) so now I have to go back and rewire it all too.

3. The nut makes the action way too high to be comfortably playable, so I have to try and remove that again to shave it down, whilst hopefully still keeping it level.

So, still a bit to do, but I'm as keen as you are to see it done. On an unrelated note, the IB-1 is awesome, and with a decent fret job it will be an incredible player. I'm happy enough with it I would even consider dropping some more $$ on it to upgrade the pups, pots, etc. Just got to sit down and put in the man hours to finish up the fret board.

[bargeloobs]

Ah yes, the Wasp... I have got it together, the clear coat looks smooth as, and the neck wax has cured to make it feel awesome. Still a few problems though:

1. I sanded through the black in a few places on the back (so you can see yellow) so I'm toying with the idea of a repair, but by the same token I don't want to mess with anything for fear of ruining it.

2. I wired it, was running fine, but now it has horrible feedback when no hardware is being touched (grounding issue) so now I have to go back and rewire it all too.

3. The nut makes the action way too high to be comfortably playable, so I have to try and remove that again to shave it down, whilst hopefully still keeping it level.

So, still a bit to do, but I'm as keen as you are to see it done. On an unrelated note, the IB-1 is awesome, and with a decent fret job it will be an incredible player. I'm happy enough with it I would even consider dropping some more $$ on it to upgrade the pups, pots, etc. Just got to sit down and put in the man hours to finish up the fret board.

That's a bit of a bugger about the "sand throughs" man, if the yellow patches aren't too noticeable it might pay to leave it well alone as any patch up attempts may very well compound the problem. The last thing you want to do is a complete respray.
I'm sure you'll figure out the grounding issue, did you shield the cavities? An upgrade to braided, shielded wire might be another option.
The ol' "black marker trick" is a good one when shaving down the bottom of the nut, Colour the entire bottom black that way when you sand (on a nice flat surface) you can see if it's coming off evenly. Just rinse and repeat until jobs a goodin'.
Great news about the bass, you'll have to lay us down a bit of a demo mate;-)

[west0288]

That's a bit of a bugger about the "sand throughs" man, if the yellow patches aren't too noticeable it might pay to leave it well alone as any patch up attempts may very well compound the problem. The last thing you want to do is a complete respray.

Yep, you're not wrong. I think, given my limited expertise in the world of spray finishes I'll leave well enough alone. They are on the back after all, so the important part (the front) still looks stellar. Enough to make Stryper very envious.

I'm sure you'll figure out the grounding issue, did you shield the cavities? An upgrade to braided, shielded wire might be another option.
The ol' "black marker trick" is a good one when shaving down the bottom of the nut, Colour the entire bottom black that way when you sand (on a nice flat surface) you can see if it's coming off evenly. Just rinse and repeat until jobs a goodin'.

Yeah, grounding shouldn't be too hard, just tedious. I'll get there eventually. AS for the nut, the black texta will be coming out tomorrow. I have another one to do on another guitar which I don't care as much about, so I'll experiment on that one first.

Great news about the bass, you'll have to lay us down a bit of a demo mate;-)

As for the demos, I'll try and put something together that resembles music and won't make forumites scratch their ears off. I'll see what I can do.

[bargeloobs]

Attached the neck last night so I could align the bridge and realized the square neck heel against the reshaped body just wasn't working, so out with grinder once again for a quick reshape.
It makes the entire back look a lot more harmonious now, I think once the neck is lacquered it should blend in nicely.

[pablopepper]

Like it was meant to be. Tidy work, Barge. Even the back looks wicked. Tight as f^*k.

[bargeloobs]

Even the back looks wicked. Tight as f^*k.

Thanks man, I kind of feel a bit guilty taking credit for natures handy work on the back, that Ash grain blows my mind.

[pablopepper]

Take it, mother nature ain't calling you out. :P

[bargeloobs]

Got all the hardware screwed up on the front.

[crundes]

Amazing work barge! The altered pickguard accentuates the curves nicely!