Joe G’s PSH-1 First Build Diary

[JohnH]

Good job on those dents

[Simon Barden]

Looking a lot better. I bet you feel a lot better about it now as well!

[Joe Garfield]

Yes, much better! It’s amazing how a few little things can make such a big difference. I’ll post some pics soon of what I did.

[Joe Garfield]

I have a question about filler. I thought I read that applying a grain filler before stain will reduce the amount of figuring you will see. However I noticed Andy used tinted filler in his PSH build (link below).

I’m wondering if I should or shouldn’t use grain filler first to help hide the scratches I can’t get out. I thought clear grain filler would hide them for a nice smooth surface, but that would negate the flame effect. I also thought if I use a tinted filler it might highlight the scratches.

What do you guys think - what would you do?

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post160199

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post175764

[Andy40]

Hi Joe,

Can you believe that I still haven't finished this kit! whats wrong with me? lol

I was just admiring the flame on your kit then.

I usually find that the tinted grain filler will show up scratches worse. Good job on steaming them out though.

I know that the flame maple veneers are very thin, I actually do sand my veneers to get any scratches out, either very lightly with 240 grit or some 320 grit. just being careful though.

[Joe Garfield]

Thanks Andy. That guitar is beautiful, I hope you’re able to finish it and be happy with it. It might be my favorite guitar on the forum so far (am I allowed to say that?!)

[Joe Garfield]

I don’t see much glue. I saw basically nothing with alcohol, and see this with water. I’ll address what I see, then maybe do a very dilute stain coat to detect other glue spots. Please let me know if you have a better idea or suggestion.

[Andy40]

Thanks Andy. That guitar is beautiful, I hope you’re able to finish it and be happy with it. It might be my favorite guitar on the forum so far (am I allowed to say that?!)

Thanks Joe. You may say that. And just for saying that here it is in its current form. I've got a bit of work to do shaping the bone nut and wiring her up. But I'll get there.

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[Joe Garfield]

It’s really beautiful. Well Andy, I can’t just copy your guitar now, can I?!

Maybe I will have to do something like this:

Uh oh...

[Joe Garfield]

To use that tailpiece I’ll need to a) adjust the neck angle, and b) find a suitable hinge to mount it. B) is a lot more challenging than a).

It would end up with a fairly steep neck angle but not unlike a Les Paul. I can also reduce that by lowering the wood bridge base a little.

The guitar is obviously drilled for a wrap around bridge with 82mm post spacing. The bridge covers the holes but it would be nice to have a locating feature, though not absolutely necessary. I’m thinking a dowel to plug the hole, friction fit or just a drop of white glue, and left just below the surface so I won’t need to sand around the veneer. I can then drill a hole in the plug, and in the bottom of the bridge, for a pin or similar.

I guess I can try without all that first and see how it goes. Real wooden bridges float, so.... I thought it would be nice to have the bridge on more of a solid top, but this guitar isn’t very hollow (top is very thick) so it’s really all for looks anyway.

Oh and I will stain/dye the bridge. Maybe even the ebony tailpiece to see if I can match the fretboard.

If I can’t find or make a robust hinge, none of this happens.