Toshi's first build: PBA-4

[wazkelly]

Ash is such a nice bit of timber to work with and the grain definition is awesome.

[FrankenWashie]

>>Hi Wokkaboy and Waz,
Thank you so much for advice and specific instructions. Well noted with those. I will continue sanding out those spots and mark carefully to remove them. as i see grain getting better look, it is really a joy of building.

Most definitely. The transition from the raw body to a sanded one is hard work but immensely satisfying work. Seeing the grain definition start to come through reveals the true character of your work piece. Sometimes you find beauty, other times a beast. all part of the fun.

[Nekogen]

>>Hi Waz, yes, exactly true. When I chose the kit from Pit bull g shop, Adam gave me the advice to select Ash if I would like to go for stain transparent finish. It was right advice and I fully understand why now.

>>Hi Frank, yep agree! since i am doing at my small room, even only sanding work will be a cause of mess of house, of muscle pain and of the anger of my wife. Yet, seeing transition of grain will be worth of all!

[andrewdosborne]

Toshi, it's well worth all the sanding effort. You'll be rewarded with a beautiful finish especially with the ash

Sent from Android Nougat

[Nekogen]

Hi Andrew, thank you for encouragement. yea, this building guitar experience is really one of kind

[Nekogen]

While I continue sanding body marks and spots, parallel working on head stock shaping.

I took reference from the one from Milancon guitar and drew the shape on the front and back of head.



have only hand-saw, slowly and carefully cut it out, taking buffer from the line. but very weirdly done...



bit difficult to cut small and thin part, have decided to go for using file to shaping head.





After long and hard work, finally it became look like guitar head stock...still did not reach to my expectation though.

[wokkaboy]

original headstock shape Toshi looks pretty cool. I'd probably do a bit more sanding to get the curves flowing and try and eliminate any rounded edges that aren't round, if you understand what I mean. Sorry buddy but you will be a sanding expert after this build hhaa
Another thing you can do is place the headstock over the body shape and I try and emulate some of the curves of the body and horn shapes.
You have done a good job with limited tools and I assume in a small apartment where you can't create too much dust without upsetting the wife !

[Nekogen]

Hi Wok, Thank you for your advice as always! Thats the direction i needed. hahaha hope to be good sanding expert. yup, I would place the headstock over the body shape and amend little by little to make it as nicer as possible. wish my wife patience last longer.

[FrankenWashie]

I believe we ALL wish for wife's patience to last longer!

If you can get a hold of a small spokeshave:

a cabinet scraper:

or just a Stanley knife blade and some good gloves:

then you may be able to use them adjust the curves slightly to get it exactly where you want it.

I've done a lot of headstock shaping work with scrapers and they can be handier and less work than files, as with files you've then got to smooth out the file marks. Don't know if this helps but I thought I would suggest it as an option for you.

[wokkaboy]

hopefully Toshi your wife will appreciate the finished product and when you belt out some nice bass tunes when it's finished hahah