Ken - nothing to say you can't just use some low grit sandpaper - just going for the speedy route with the Dremel....
Ken - nothing to say you can't just use some low grit sandpaper - just going for the speedy route with the Dremel...
Brendan- tried some sand paper but turns out I had to take a couple mm out... I'm patient, but not that patient. Ha ha! The dremel routing worked perfectly. Could have been terrible, because I couldn't see in the cavity. I just kept going a little more, and looking, a little more...
Rabbitz- thanks for the info! That's very cool. Idioms are fascinating. I think the best way to learn is to listen to what people say when they think they aren't saying anything. There is usually a lot of history and culture behind any expression.
Forgot to post the head. I played around with a bunch of different ideas, then decided I wanted something simple to match the curves of the LP, so I just went with a rounded end.
Spent all day working on sanding and such. I had put grain filler on the mahogany body and neck. By the time I had it sanded back, took the chemical stain off. I think it just doesn't soak in as much as a normal stain. So I re-did the neck, and just left the body. I decided that was a sign to go ahead with the gloss black on the back. I've been flip-flopping a bit about it.
One question about the nut- I had ordered a replacement nut before I got my guitar (didn't order it with the kit because I didn't realize how it could make a difference... Didn't get that deep in the forums at the time). Anyway, I had some finishing supplies I was ordering from stewmac and figured I'd toss in a new nut. I got the gibson nut but it does not seem to be the right one for that neck. It is too wide and the slots are spaced farther apart. The shape seems to be identical though. Any suggestions on what size I should order? I'd order one from Pit Bull, but shipping to the states is kind of a deal-breaker for just the nut. Maybe I'll order it with my next kit... Because I can tell that there will be a next kit.
Last edited by kenfu; 28-09-2015 at 08:54 PM.
Got the first layer of clear on. Thought it looked good!
And I just realized I missed a spot with the tape...
Don't worry about it, taping off pickup cavities is not at all necessary anyway. Neck pocket is the one that is important. Digging how this is looking so far, Kenfu. Flamey, spalty goodness.
'As long as there's, you know, sex and drugs, I can do without the rock and roll.'
I would never buy a pre-slotted nut. Yeah I know you add the cost of the nut files and the string spacer but when you are going to build more or get a lot of use of your guitar it works out cheaper!Originally Posted by kenfu
Plus you have the added advantage of being able to craft your nut according to your string preferences (the diameter of the strings can be proved into the nut - prevents the strings rattling) and you can save $$$ because unsolved bone nuts can be far cheaper. Finally you can adjust the position of the top and bottom strings at the nut and using the string spacer all your other strains can be slotted in exactly the right spots!
looking excellent Ken, this will be a stunner after more clear coats. Black hardware will go really well with your dark cap
Current Builds and status
scratch end grain pine tele - first clear coat on !
JBA-4 - assembled - final tweaks
Telemonster double scale tele - finish tobacco burst on body and sand neck
Completed builds
scratch oak.rose gum Jazzmaster - assembled needs setup
MK-2 Mosrite - assembled - play in
Ash tele with Baritone neck - neck pup wiring tweaks and play in
Thanks for the input Gavin. I had read a bunch that upgrading the nut was one of the best first mods so I thought I could do it easy and cheap. But I guess I'll be investing in some nut files and such pretty soon... Guess for now I'll just see if i can't get this project finished and actually working!
Pablo - I was wanting to paint the cavities with shielding paint. I know not really needed with the humbuckers, but I'm thinking someday I'll probably want to upgrade the pickups and hardware and I have been thinking of using humbuckers I can split to a single coil. While that would be far in the future, I figure it would be easier to lay the ground work now. Pun intended.
Last week was kind of awful. I was super sick, and we had terrible storms complete with floods and bridges washing out and one night I even woke to the sound of water raining into our apartment between the exterior wall and roof... But I managed to get the cavities painted with 6 coats of shielding paint. Now all the cavities are conductive from any point inside to any other point. And I got some foil shielding to put on the cavity covers, so that's good. Painted my headstock design too.
Sunday evening it started clearing up, and I immediately started back with the lacquer... in the past few days I've gotten a few black coats on the back and clear on the neck, and even managed to squeeze in a couple clear on the front. These pictures can't really do it justice. With even just a few coats on it looks pretty cool. I'm really excited about how the chemical wash turned out. The top really has some striking color and grain. I was a little nervous about trying this on the guitar because when the wood oxidizes, it just does what it wants to. You have zero control over it. Like with paint or stain you have some control and can even out blotches and such... With this process, you just roll the dice and let it ride. The wood gods smiled on me.
Most fine projects I've done in the past have been stuff like jewelry boxes and such and a cribbage board for my dad, and in those I used exotic woods and glued them up in interesting patterns and made my own dowels and keys for the joints. After that I just usually hand rubbed some oil and let all the grain and odd little imperfections give it its own character. I have actually never before used lacquer. I think it is coming out pretty well. I've never used grain filler before and after a few coats, I can see where I could have done better. I didn't put any filler on the front, because I was just too nervous about sanding through the top. I figured if it was a choice between a mirror gloss and the awesome grain, I was keeping the grain.
There are a couple spots on the top that have some discoloration due to glue that I just couldn't (or was too scared to go more aggressive) sand out. But luckily they look nice and organic and kind of blend in with the look, so it isn't too bad. There is one big gouge in the top that got filled (or more appropriately, was attempted) with some glue and it wouldn't take the wash and it is not going to look level. Oh well. My dad gave me an acoustic guitar about *cough* 20 years ago that was his first guitar, and it has a few dings and knocks in it. If this is the only gouge in it after a few years I'll count myself lucky.
Love the headstock.
Current:
GTH-1
Completed:
AST-1FB
First Act ME276 (resurrected curb-side find)
ES-5V
Scratchie lapsteel
Custom ST-1 12 String
JBA-4
TL-1TB
Scratch Lapsteel
Meinl DIY Cajon
Cigar Box lap steel
Wishing:
Baritone
Open D/Standard Double 6 twin neck
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