robs ST-1 Build

[robin]

Quote from Gavin1393 on April 19, 2013, 14:47
It's a scary task if you arent sure and it will certainly result in a cringe-worth guitar that never plays in tune if you get it wrong. So I hope I have kept it simple enough because it is fairly simple when you have done one or two!

When the time comes to do the intonation then follow the procedure in the intonation setting post.

Thanks Gav, you have demystified the whole process. Being my first build I was/am a little apprehensive, but I'm sure that my next builds (plural) will be much less stressful. Who knows, one day I might be able to hand out advice myself. 8-)

Thank again mate,
rob

[Gavin1393]

Quote from robin on April 19, 2013, 17:30

Thanks Gav, you have demystified the whole process. Being my first build I was/am a little apprehensive, but I'm sure that my next builds (plural) will be much less stressful. Who knows, one day I might be able to hand out advice myself. 8-)

Thank again mate,
rob

My pleasure!
With the only possible exception being DB who was born with luthiers tools in both hands, most of us at some time knew BA about building guitars.
My greatest thrill and I know DB will agree, is to see people we have helped become passionate about helping others! We even have Pest who despite not having completed his first guitar yet is quite capable of guiding others with what needs to be done. I think it may have something to do with the young man having figured out how to hack into the video feed I had secretly installed in DB's man cave!

[Gavin1393]

I predict that Pest will deem this post to be a double post....lets see if I am right!

[keloooe]

Gav, double post mate!
The only reason why I have even put in some advice is because of you and DB!!! And yep, I have a 24/7 live video feed of DB's Man Cave, I watch him while I sand!

[robin]

OK time to put this Thread to bed.

Finally finished my first build - the ST-1.

Actually it was assembled last week, but I was very disappointed with the result. Nothing went right with the final assembly. I had to cut out around the bridge routing, shim the neck and reshape the scratch plate. Nothing seemed to fit. Add to that dropping a stainless steel straight edge on it and other minor abrasions and contusions from various tools, and I have already started to unintentionally relic it.

Time to plug her in and fire up the amp. Utter disappointment and despair. It could not be tuned properly and the action was terrible, and this after more than 50 hours work. I just put her aside to ponder my next move. This project was always all about how she played, and it was a FAIL! :?

Heaps of YouTube research and it was time to try to set her up properly. I adjusted the truss rod again, redid the frets (for the 3rd time), set the bridge height, filed down the nut (this was the main culprit) and then adjusted the intonation.

Result? An awesome guitar 8-) . I started this build with pretty mediocre expectations and accomplished more than I ever expected. It is still early days and I imagine that any instrument will take weeks/months to settle into a final "fit" but for now I have a guitar that is a joy to play!

My only other guitar is a 30 year old Gibson Les Paul (which I love dearly), and since finishing the ST the Gibbo has not been out of its case. Now I can't tell you how close it sounds to the "real thing" but I had a fairly good idea how Strat's sound and this beauty has all the iconic sounds that I was looking for. So different to the Gibson, which is what I wanted, and this with only all standard parts.

So thanks to all those that have helped, advised and encouraged me.

I'm about to start my next 2 projects, a Tele Thinline for me and a IB5 bass for a friend.

But before I go some pics. You will notice that I have not even cut the ends off the "setup" strings. I'm too busy playing it to worry about cosmetics. lol

cheers
rob

[robin]

And here's me trying to be all artsie and take some closeups, indoors, with a mobile phone camera with no flash.

Body Finish - Wudtone - Carmine Gypsy

Neck Finish - 6 coats of Tru-Oil

Headstock Finish - 12 Coats of Tru-Oil

cheers
rob

[Gavin1393]

Just gorgeous Robin!
I but some Tone Riders in my Pitbull Strat and OMG! better than standard Fender pups.....!!

[keloooe]

Yea, Toneriders are great in strats! Fender should buy some and take specs, then Strats and tele's will sound soooo much better!!!

[robin]

Thanks mate, and thanks for the help and advice during the build, much appreciated.

Googling Tone Riders now. But at present I'm happy how she is. Playability was always my target, so I'll wait and see how she settles in, then MAYBE look at upgrades.

But I have enjoyed the build so much, and any upgrades just means less PBGuitars.

cheers
rob

[keloooe]

Upgrade the components if you want, the PBG components aren't high-quality, but at least they work!!!