mongrels first time LP1

[DrNomis_44]

Just got the box and it all seems to be there. Pretty excited to attempt this. I know virtually nothing about woodwork, electricity, soldering or building guitars. I just like playin 'em and lookin' at 'em.

Attachment 12664

If you have any problems with the electronics or the soldering, feel free to ask me and I'll be happy to help you out, check out the Multimeter and Soldering mini-tutorials threads I started, there's also one on reading Capacitor and Resistor values too.

[mongreldogma]

Hi All.
I've put a stain on the top and the rest of the guitar as well including the neck. (Coolangatta Gold). I want to have a sunburst effect so I'm thinking I'll have to get some 'red' and 'black' stain to do this? I have the intensifying and final coats from the dingobass kit but will use these later I presume. I would like the back to have a lesser sunburst and the sides to be black and the headstock something like in the pic. (I also carved out a Les Paul shape here too). I would also like a lacquer finish. Can anyone reccommend what stains I should/could use? I've done a design for the headstock decal which I will get done as well. Also, does the neck go on after all the stains are done?
All your responses are much appreciated. Cheers.

[stan]

wow, the gold looks nice

[FrankenWashie]

The gold has really bought up the grain and the flame on that top, its almost a shame to cover it with the burst. Maybe a subtle one just hugging the outer edges?

[mongreldogma]

The gold has really bought up the grain and the flame on that top, its almost a shame to cover it with the burst. Maybe a subtle one just hugging the outer edges?

Hey Franken you may be right there. The stain has really bought the flame out. I've always liked the sunburst thing but for something a bit different I might just leave it. Maybe just a dark stain on the edges and back. Also, all the gear is black (one of the options in the kit).

[FrankenWashie]

Yeah, the Burst is classic but sometimes less is more. Dark edges and rear for sure, really make that top pop against the black hardware.

In terms of the stains and finishes, from a handling point of view, its far easier to get the bulk of your staining and maybe the first couple of coats of finish onto the body and neck as separate components. You'd insure that you don't get any stain or clear coat in the joint or on the neck tenon so that the glue can bind properly when you set it.
Once the neck is set and solid, you can finish you last couple of coats of clear, wet sand and flatten and then final coat and polish.

There's nothing to stop you from setting the neck first, but I found with my Explorer that having to do it all with the guitar in one piece was a massive pain in the butt and it also hampered my work. I ended up having to sand back as I really wasn't happy with the result, and I ended up making a jig to hold the guitar as an assembly while I started the restaining and refinishing.

[mongreldogma]

Thanks for the tips Franken. I will definitely hold back on the sunburst. Any recommends for the black stain? After that I will probably apply the intensifying coat from the dingobass kit and check in again. I don't really do forums much but already I can see the value!
Say if, in your case, you built an explorer and had the same issues, can I check out your thread from previous builds to get fixes? Its probably easier to read through than hassle with questions all the time?

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks for the tips Franken. I will definitely hold back on the sunburst. Any recommends for the black stain? After that I will probably apply the intensifying coat from the dingobass kit and check in again. I don't really do forums much but already I can see the value!
Say if, in your case, you built an explorer and had the same issues, can I check out your thread from previous builds to get fixes? Its probably easier to read through than hassle with questions all the time?

By all means mate, go ahead,http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=4846 this s the entire point of the forum after all!
Feel free to cast derision and disbelief on the fact I elected to chop my very first guitar kit to bits before putting it together!

[FrankenWashie]

Thanks for the tips Franken. I will definitely hold back on the sunburst. Any recommends for the black stain? After that I will probably apply the intensifying coat from the dingobass kit and check in again.

For black, I've used the Black Stump dingo tone, though others have used feast Watson proof tint, various aniline dyes, black shoe dye, shoe polish, inkjet printer inks and all manner of other tints and concoctions for varying shades. I have also used India ink at varying concentrations to help colour maple etc.

[mongreldogma]

Wow! Might have to crush up some charcoal!