Fretworns TL-1TB

[Fretworn]

After trying the wire brush method and discovering that basswood is much softer than that bit of glue I ended up cutting the glue out with a craft knife and the edge of a rasp. I hope the Timbermate can cover a multitude of sins, it has to plug that hole plus all the deep scratches caused using the brush.

I've also enlarged the pickup holes so the pickups will now fit, and I can see now that they are just not parallel. Most people probably won't notice, but except me. But I will have to revisit it before I start with the Wudtone na see if there is anything I can do to fix the problem without making a worse one for myself by damaging the top.

I've also finished sanding the neck (maybe) and it has come up a treat. My neck has some amazing grain figures. I'm really stoked with it.

[Fretworn]

I finally got a reasonable amount of time to do some sanding tonight. I worked out the issue with the end grains. Of the four pieces of wood that make up the body three want to be sanded lengthways along the guitar. But the large piece that goes through the centre of the guitar wants to be sanded across the end, at 90 degrees to the other pieces of wood. Once I started doing this I was able to progress the sanding in leaps and bounds and I am now almost ready for the Wudtone.

I'm not really happy with the colour of the Timbermate I have used though. It sticks out like a sore thumb. I'd like to know what colour other people have had success with matching to Basswood. They all looked too dark, but white would just look silly.

I also found time yesterday to do the fret leveling, which appears to have worked out ok. I was really appreciative of having watched a few videos on Youtube showing how to do it first, though.

[Brendan]

DB recommended "Natural" to me... Did find it didn't hold the Wudtone like the rest of the wood and is a little lighter than the rest for that one spot.

[WeirdBits]

I've found Pine or a Pine & Natural Timbermate mix (or even Oak) to be a pretty good match for Basswood, depending on your particular piece(s) of wood. This colour chart is the closest I've found to the actual colours of the Timbermate I use, although the colours do lighten a bit when completely dry. For example, a 60/40 Maple and Pine mix worked best to match the Alder body of my Tele.

You may want to test some of your Timbermate with the Wudtone colour you'll be using on a scrap of wood, as it usually takes the colour quite well and this should help you decide whether you need a different tint to your Timbermate.

[Fretworn]

Got my first coat of vintage amber on the neck done before breakfast this morning. It's really brought out the great figuring in the grain. Sorry the picture doesn't do it justice I took it with my phone.

[dingobass]

Nice work Fretty!

It still amazes me how much hidden figure Wudtone brings out.
The plainest chunk of timber comes to life.

[Gavin1393]

/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from dingobass on June 22, 2013, 08:03
It still amazes me how much hidden figure Wudtone brings out.
The plainest chunk of timber comes to life.

Aint that the truth! Wait until you see the three previously disadvantaged nitro covered Fenders that are now popping with Wudtone....!

[Fretworn]

If I get the opportunity to make another kit it will be one without binding. All my glue issues have been binding related. The majority of my sanding time has been devoted to the binding area and I have even started polishing the binding so I can start with the Wudtone.

Anyway I've hopefully got the the Timbermate right now. I ended adding white to a medium brown colour that seemed to have the right hue and have ended up with a near perfect match. Just need to wait for it to dry properly now. It's been cold and rainy in Sydney all weekend so it's testing my patience waiting for everything to be dry so I can move to the next stage. It may be mid week before I get a chance to do a second base coat on the neck and hopefully finish sanding the body.

[Fretworn]

I've now done two coats of vintage and one top coat on the neck. I've also done my first coat of Azure Sky on the front of the body. I had been planning to do the same colour on the back and sides, but now I'm thinking it would look better with a different back and sides. Not sure which colour yet.

[wokkaboy]

Looks great Fretty. Wait till you get a couple more deep coats on. The wudtone will bring out the grain even more!