Astracaster First Build FS-1

[fender3x]

Just one other quick thought FWIW. The Starcaster and Coronado modern players came out at the same time. The original Starcaster had a one-piece bridge/tailpiece, like a fancier version of a hardtail strat bridge. The modern player version had a Gibson-esque bridge and tailpiece like your kit. However, the original Coronados were hollow bodies (not semi-hollow) and had a trapeze (I have one) and a floating bridge. The modern player Coronados kept the trapeze, but added a center block and a bridge like yours. My experience with my bass and with my Coronado is that the trapeze works very well, especially with a post-bridge like yours. Better than the stop tailpiece in some ways, because it puts downward pressure on the bridge. Since it is anchored at end of the center-block it holds the string tension really well as well. I know there are people who think the stop tailpiece provides better sustain. I don't find much difference.

[fender3x]

I have a feeling that Adam may have been away. Last post I saw from him was a report on Chinese factories, so he may have been out. Hoping someone will chime in. Perhaps there is a whatsapp number?

In any case, keep at it. If the kit has problems and it's not actually the kit you ordered, then hopefully they will make it right. The cost of shipping between the US and AUS is ridiculously high. Maybe it's better from India.

[Drashkum]

I have a feeling that Adam may have been away. Last post I saw from him was a report on Chinese factories, so he may have been out. Hoping someone will chime in. Perhaps there is a whatsapp number?

In any case, keep at it. If the kit has problems and it's not actually the kit you ordered, then hopefully they will make it right. The cost of shipping between the US and AUS is ridiculously high. Maybe it's better from India.

There is no whatsapp number. I did try even calling Pitbull guitars on the number listed on their website despite that being international call. It goes to their voicemail and no one is picking up at all, though the voice at the voicemail says best way to contact them is mail to adamboyle@pitbullguitars.com and usually will get a reply in couple of hours. I have mailed them multiple times over past 10 days with no reply.

It's becoming a frustrating wait....

Hope things get resolved soon... Until then I am putting this build on hold...

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[Drashkum]

https://youtu.be/f6C8PS-uU8o

I wanted to troubleshoot on why this has happened on the centre block. If u guys see the video, there is also a hole waiting to happen on the other side too as the wood on the lateral side is just less than paper thin. If i thread in the stud for mock build the wood will chip off on the other side too.
Is this mainly because the the centre block is not as wide enough on the lowerside of the guitar as it should be.

The studs for the tailpiece are usually 82mm apart (centre to centre). But from Outer to Outer of the studs are 93.22mm in my case where as the holes are 92.5mm wide only. So when studs go in they scrape and remove the thin outerwall and make it a hole.

Ideally the centre block should have been as broad as a tail piece (101.5 is standard tail piece), 99.34mm wide ( in my case)

So this looks like I have to reinforce the hole on both sides and I don't think I can get away by doing one side alone.

Should the chinese factory have looked it this? Looks like something that missed the QC check.





Drashkum

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[fender3x]

I agree that the center blocks are too narrow. I have made that observation/complaint elsewhere. However, the hole on the south side of the stop-tailpiece looks a bit more normal. There is normally a small, round hole in that position to run a ground wire, and that's what it looks to me like you have. The top looks like the kind of break-through that you get when the hole is not entirely in the center block, but the bottom may be OK. If it were me I would still reinforce it with a small piece of wood.

The south side of the south hole could be too close to the edge of the center block, but just the fact that there is a hole does not mean it's fatally flawed. With both my bodies it was the south hole that was off the block. If you do glue a piece to the side there is an additional consideration. You need to be careful that the block you glue into place does not interfere with the hole for the jack which is also quite close to the center block.

Here's a dumb question... Have you PM'd Adam? That has been the way I have gotten the quickest response from him in the past. He just posted a couple of days ago so he should be around... Keeping fingers crossed that he gets in touch. Seems quite out of character.

[Drashkum]

I agree that the center blocks are too narrow. I have made that observation/complaint elsewhere. However, the hole on the south side of the stop-tailpiece looks a bit more normal. There is normally a small, round hole in that position to run a ground wire, and that's what it looks to me like you have. The top looks like the kind of break-through that you get when the hole is not entirely in the center block, but the bottom may be OK. If it were me I would still reinforce it with a small piece of wood.

The south side of the south hole could be too close to the edge of the center block, but just the fact that there is a hole does not mean it's fatally flawed. With both my bodies it was the south hole that was off the block. If you do glue a piece to the side there is an additional consideration. You need to be careful that the block you glue into place does not interfere with the hole for the jack which is also quite close to the center block.

Here's a dumb question... Have you PM'd Adam? That has been the way I have gotten the quickest response from him in the past. He just posted a couple of days ago so he should be around... Keeping fingers crossed that he gets in touch. Seems quite out of character.

PMed Adam?. No. I had PMed pitbull guitars in insta and in Facebook. I don't have his number to send a personal message. It's not listed anywhere.

He had replied to me on Facebook messenger through pitbull guitar handle on Saturday that he will get back to me yesterday since it was easter holidays. But he has not done that yesterday. It's past noon today in Australia now and I haven't got any reply from him yet.

Do u know any Other way to communicate with him or with anyone in pitbull guitars? Even their phone goes to voice mail.

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[fender3x]

Easiest way I know to PM on the forum is to go to a thread started by the person you want to PM, like this one:

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ad.php?t=12303

Click on Adam's name and it should offer you the option of PM to that person.

[Drashkum]

Easiest way I know to PM on the forum is to go to a thread started by the person you want to PM, like this one:

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ad.php?t=12303

Click on Adam's name and it should offer you the option of PM to that person.

Thank you.

Finally Mr. Adam Boyle replied. Here is the reply


Now I feel so sorry to have been impatient and sent so many mails and messages to him at the time of easter.

Anyways all is well. I have asked him now if I should ship the kit back.

I did try a total mock fit of the kit with strings before the his mail came today morning. Here are the pictures anyways









Here is a video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/LkPeSQrRFXk?feature=share

I can see that the tailpiece has totally canted to the front. But i am not sure if it is because of the hole or because I just wrapped the inner stud in masking tape.

Secondly the scale length measured from innerside of the tip of the nut to upper side of the saddle. Measures 632mm. I tried to pull up the neck 4 mm. It goes up a mm or 2.

Should the saddle be at mid point of travel on high E or at the top most ( near bridge pickup). I can move the saddle up by 2mm the max most.

Please do let me know your thoughts so that i can use this mock fit as a trial mockfit before the replacement kit arrives to do that real mockfit

Drashkum

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[Brendan]

Thanks @Drashkum. I've sent Adam a text with the link. That said, Friday and today have been public holidays here in Western Australia and as such Adam may not be monitoring his emails as closely as he normally would.

[Drashkum]

Thanks @Drashkum. I've sent Adam a text with the link. That said, Friday and today have been public holidays here in Western Australia and as such Adam may not be monitoring his emails as closely as he normally would.

Thank you Mr. Brendan. Mr. Adam just mailed me that he would send a replacement body and neck.. Thank you for you time and effort. Highly appreciated it.

I owe you guys a beer next time I come to australia

Drashkum

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