First Build - LPA-1

[dingobass]

Hey Sandman,
Will get a new set out to you ASAP

[sandman_thedog]

Great, thanks db

[sandman_thedog]

Slow progress on this one, doing it as I have the time.
Have put Timbermate on and sanded back to 400. May have to give it another crack though, not 100% happy with it.

Big weekend - dove in and did the headstock.
Was a bit nervous, but came out OK I think.











Went a bit close to the line with the jigsaw, but all seemed to work out in the end.
Dug out a few scratches with the jigsaw as well, wasn't quite as smooth as I would have liked, so a bit of sanding to be done...
In hindsight, I think I'd cut from the back next time, just in case.

Tools used:

jigsaw, files, sandpaper wrapped around a Carlsberg bottle....

[wokkaboy]

Hey Sandman I like the headstock shape its original. Hope you drank the Carlsberg stubbie before the sanding the curved face haha

[andrewdosborne]

Nice one. Headstock is very original and pleasing to the eye. I like the contrast between pointy top corner and rounded bottom one

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[Fretworn]

Looking good so far Sandman

[keloooe]

Nice headstock shape there Sandman! Looks great!

[sandman_thedog]

Long time between drinks, this has been very slow process due to, well a lot of things going on.
Checking the dates, I'm amazed how long this has taken me. I'm on a bit of push now to get things rolling again.

Decided to do the stain the top\sand it back thing to get some dark colouring in the flame top.

Progress so far.

Top stained with sepia ink (just purchased from the local craft shop).

[sandman_thedog]

Then, sanded back. I wasn't too sure how far to go. I was very cautious due to reading on here about sanding through the top as it is so thin.

I have ended up about here. Maybe I've taken too much off, I'm not sure. It's a bit patchy in parts, but I think that it should be OK in the end.



You can see a straight line underneath where the volume\tone knobs are going to be. That seems to be actually in the top. I've weighed up whether to keep going and sand it out - but I have a suspicion I could go through the top if I do that, so on balance I will leave it as it is. It's not too bad now, and I'm cautious about going too much further.

I've also put timbermate on the body, and sanded it all back to be pretty smooth. There's just one patch I need to work on a bit more, the top corner where your elbow rests. The wood grain is quite curved, so it's just a matter of patience and working with it I think.

[sandman_thedog]

As for the future plans?

I'm thinking of using Minwax White Wash Pickling Stain on the top, and a lighter coloured stain for the back of the body and the neck.
Haven't decided the exact colour yet, or the type of oil\seal etc. Minwax do a wipe on poly for the top that looks a piece of cake to use, but I have read that it's much harder to use than it's made out to be.

I'm still up in the air about that, so any ideas are welcome.

As for the stock parts supplied (bridge, pickup surrounds etc) I'm leaning towards buying some black ones, as I don't think that the cream that comes stock with the guitar is going to look that great. I'll do the stain first, and then work it out.