Vintage-y ES-3

[neverwas]

Geez - thanks for the replies everyone.
Tweaky - I had the same thought of using a headplate. Taking 2mm off the face of the headstock, making the 'plate smaller around the edges to allow for the binding/purfling, putting the inlay in the 'plate, use locating pins to glue it in place. That way, you have an instant binding channel on the edge of the headstock to work with. Down side is taking material off the neck so close to the scarf joint. As you point out, it will be replaced, but would the same strength still be there? Don't know, so I did it the way I have.
Thanks Andrew and Darth.
Thanks Hugh, three colour bursts look great but can be fiddly to pull off, maybe on your next one (there will be a next one)!
Thanks Fuzz, it's getting there
Thanks DB07, I used Maguires Ultimate Compound and Scratch X 2.0, have to thank GavT for pointing me in that direction. There are less expensive compounds and polishes out there, but the time you can save with this stuff makes it worth it.
Thanks Andy, I used Colortone stains, from stewmac. A mix of vintage amber and lemon yellow for the main colour, then cherry red and black for the burst.
Thanks Weirdy.
Thanks Adam. I think there have been other progress shots put on FB already, but if you want to put these up, go for it.

Thanks again everyone

Grant

[DB07]

Sweet... I think thats the shine I want on mine. Did you use any clear acryllic, or just straight to the Meguiars?

[neverwas]

DB07, you will need to put some sort of top coat over the stains. I used acrylic lacquer but you could go for DingoTone, polyurethane, nitro-cellulose, tru-oil, etc. With the exception of DT, you are going want to protect yourself from the nasties in these products.
A reminder to brush some of your clear coat into any drilled holes before you start wet sanding the top coats prior to polishing - got that tip from the forum, Jarrod I think. Stops the timber swelling, and try to keep the amount of water to a minimum.

(After typing DB07, I'm now thinking of Aston Martins )

Grant

[DB07]

Yeah I'm doing a GR-1SF, trying to get a red mahogany, and think it will look better if I make it shiny.


Thanks for that.

[Fretworn]

Attachment 8689Attachment 8690
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Grant

I think I might just be in lust with this guitar. I might need a clean pair of pants on hand for when we finally get to see the finished product.

[dingobass]

A little bit of wee just escaped......

[gavinturner]

Breathtaking Grant. You've just raised the bar so far I can't see it anymore . Great job. Can't wait to see this one assembled.

cheers,
Gav.

[Nickosaurus]

Wow! That is a stunning sunburst finish Neverwas. I think if we post this on our Facebook page we are going to quickly run out of ES-3 kits very quickly.

Noted.

Very nice build mate. Top tier!

[FrankenWashie]

Man that is some inspiring work, much kudos to you. <Stands and applauds>

[neverwas]

Cheers guys. Have made some progress. Neck has been polished and glued in. Tailpiece screwed on.
Soldered the pups to the wiring harness and installed that.
Some pics. First, earth wire to bridge post, decided to add a bullet type connector to that earth wire in case the wiring ever needs to come out.

Pups mounted.

And fitted the Wilkinson Imperial tuners.

Still need to do a fret level and finish off a few other bits, but it's getting there.

Grant