November 2015 Guitar of the Month

[Ejay]

Woops. Posted it in October.
This is my IB-5. Its the first time I have made a Kit before.
I was going for a slightly rubbed antique look as a Warm up to maybe doing a steampunk project in future. As per usual first stage was to sand it. I then spay painted it with black paint. Then rubbed most of that out ( Not all. Still left some in the grain to make it look as if it has been restored/ Old) I made my own Stain using 2 Off the shelf Colors from Bunnings. for the finish I used shellac with a bit of the same stain in it. It has about 12 coats of shellac on it. after each 4 coats I rubbed it with 0000 steel wool. the result is the uneven shade through the face getting darker on the edges.

[wokkaboy]

great job Ejay, so looks like you didn't recess the control cover ?
A similar looking IB-5 built by Robin 2 or 3 years ago won GOTM !

[stan]

very nice bass Ejay. Looks like an old violin. excellent first build

[andrewdosborne]

A great bunch of GOTM entries already and only half way through the month. Good work everyone!

[Ejay]

As a first kit I did not really know how to improve it being a noob and all. However, after completing it I now have a lot of ideas like what you have suggested. Even small modifications can improve things quite drastically. Only after installing the jack plug (for example) I realised that it doesn't sit totally flush as standard. If I were to do it again I would have recessed the 1/4in Jack slightly so that it mounts onto a flat surface.

[Ejay]

Thanks stan.... I think building guitars could become an addiction. Loads more fun than restoring old furniture.... Might have to learn how to play now LOL...

[Fretworn]

Very nice there Ejay

[kenfu]

My entry for GOTM. First build, and the Les Paul is one of my favorite guitars of all time, and spalted woods are one of my favorites, so the LP-1S was a no brainer. I used a chemical wash to oxidize the wood and give it an aged look. Black lacquer on the back, and then a bunch of clear over all. The fretboard I died with ink and then put ColorTone fret oil on. Seymore Duncan Hot Rodded pups, SD Triple Shot mounting rings, and Gotoh 510 tuners. This has been way more fun than I expected and I think the start of an obsession... Already planning future kits!

[wazkelly]

Wow, that looks great Kenfu.

[stan]

love the treatment to the spalt Ken, great looking guitar