Bargeloob's STA-1

[bargeloobs]

pretty sure the supplied bridge also gave too far a distance between 12th fret and saddles.

"re-routed the bridge hole a little more forward" = Nope, that's exactly what I did and whilst it solves the intonation problem you're left with a gaping hole behind the bridge.

"Could have shaved off the neck heel" = Possibly, but one; 6mm off the heel would look really shitty so close to the 21st fret. And two; the neck screw holes were already drilled, so drilling another 4 holes would severely compromise the integrity of the neck.

A lot easier just to get a body without errors in the first place.

[wokkaboy]

ah ok Barge I didn't know you already drilled the neck screw holes and I thought there would be a gap behind the bridge if it moved forward. Could have glued a piece in the rear of the trem hole but presume the finish was almost done

[bargeloobs]

Could have glued a piece in the rear of the trem hole but presume the finish was almost done

Yeah well that's it, if I'd measured the scale length right at the start it would have been a reasonably easy fix, but as you know, those maple veneers are super hard and brittle, and chip outs are inevitable. It was pretty much the beginning of the end once I enlarged that bridge cavity.

[Devon]

Hey Barge,
Sorry to hear about the neck and yes I've been there where I've been broke as a joke but still wanting to pursue hobbies.

So how about this, if your up for getting a replacement neck.
I'll flip $20 or thereabouts and contribute to seeing this awesome guitar get finished.
or if there's a particular paint or laquer you want from ebay up to about the same value, then just post me the link and I'll get it shipped to you. I've learnt alot from reading about your build and would be awesome to see your guitar sing.

- Dev

[bargeloobs]

Hey Barge,
Sorry to hear about the neck and yes I've been there where I've been broke as a joke but still wanting to pursue hobbies.

So how about this, if your up for getting a replacement neck.
I'll flip $20 or thereabouts and contribute to seeing this awesome guitar get finished.
or if there's a particular paint or laquer you want from ebay up to about the same value, then just post me the link and I'll get it shipped to you. I've learnt alot from reading about your build and would be awesome to see your guitar sing.

- Dev

I'm touched by your generosity man, what a really nice gesture dude. Unfortunately there's noo way I could accept something like that, I don't want to seem ungrateful but I just couldn't mate.
I usually try and flick off a build once it's done and that (just) helps fund the next one, but with this little speed bump I've hit I'll just have to move on to a plan B.
My good lady was nice enough to buy me a set of fret pullers and a fret saw. I'm going to make a radius beam and have a go at leveling out the fret board. It may end up as a huge failure but I've got nothing to lose at this point.
My sincerest thanks Devon:-)

[bargeloobs]

Nige I know you are a guy who plays a straight bat with these things and you simply say what is on your mind.

I think I said it previously, maybe not as well, I think this one is a manufacturing fault and as such, regardless of the progress of the build, should be covered by Pitbull.

If I thought I could pull frets and not do further damage, I'd offer to re radius the fretboard and get it right for you (I think I could get the fretboard right, but I've never pulled frets...)

Yeah I'm not sure if it's a design flaw or what Stan but I'm not really known for beating around the bush.
Thanks for the offer matey, I'm gonna have a go myself and see what happens.

[stan]

I dont think it's a design flaw, I think it's bad QC at the factory

I have a 12" radius block if you want to borrow it. Happy to post it to you

[bargeloobs]

I dont think it's a design flaw, I think it's bad QC at the factory

I have a 12" radius block if you want to borrow it. Happy to post it to you

That's cool Stan, I'll figure it out. I'm thinking 9.5" right through. I'm pretty sure these factory ones are a compound radius (correct me if I'm wrong) but I'm not sure of the actual specs. I've owned both 7.5 and 9.5" radius neck Strats in the past and find them extremely comfortable.

[stan]

if you are resanding then whatever you like is the go, it can become whatever
I think standard is 9.5, dunno if the kits are compound...

[bargeloobs]

if you are resanding then whatever you like is the go, it can become whatever
I think standard is 9.5, dunno if the kits are compound...

Yeah well that's what I was thinking, if I'm taking it back anyway why not do whatever. Only problem I foresee is the amount that's going to have to be taken off to get back to level, it's pretty damn lop-sided on the northern left side and might make for a fairly thin fretboard once it's sorted. I can see problems with the dots too, because you just know the factory used the thinnest ones available, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Hey, if this is gonna be my last Pitbull build, one way or another it'll be a good one.