Ash Les Paul <> ALP - 1 (?)

[rockmof]

Hi Wokkaboy,

Ummm, after an initial sand and coating, then sanding back to bare wood I gave it about three light coats of "French Polish" (shellac) then two coats of polyester, that finished the bit I had left, then with a new tin from Bunnings (I don't like Bunnings) gave it that final coat. Now that it is "dry" it feels soooo nice smooth and bright.

Just remembered reading (about Fender) that a polyester gives a plastic look, and that just about sums it up.

Am happy with the result, I'll leave it for a few days, while I give the back a coat or two. then give it a polish with some liquid car polish I have (maybe) or could use Christine's furniture polish, UuuuuMmmmm thats a thought. I do have some Gibson polish but it's not the same finish as a gibo.

What's the bet if I do use something it will turn it dull, maybe It mightn't get a polish for a long time.

Now I hope that I don't drop some hot solder on it while doing the electrics. But I wont be surprised if I do.

Rick.

[AJ]

take your time and put something between the body and the wires/pots you are soldering Ric. That should keep the unwanted drops etc off the finish

[wokkaboy]

good tips AJ, I've forgotten this a couple of times and paid the price.
Even a sheet of cardboard is generally enough for the solder not touch the body

[rockmof]

[The good part about doing the soldering is it's all from the back so that is not so important, but still need to be careful.

Got up early this morning and, instead of going for a paddle decided to sand and coat the back. a nice wet sand, took off a small run on the side, waited until it was nice and dry then a light coat of the magic stuff. Well don't need to do any more to the back, I cant believe that it came up so good, that stuff is a lot better than the first stuff, I think (may not be but I am having excellent results with it.)

Since that came up nice I did what I decided not to do, and that is "do the neck, with just one coat" now that may have been a mistake. I broke one of the screws that hold the machine heads, not low enough to grab with multi grips so will leave it as it will still stop the head from turning and the nut on the post will hold it. (see pic) If not then will fix at a later time.

Time to start looking at putting the neck in place, will leave that un till Sunday, give a bit extra time for every thing to cure.

Rick.

[wokkaboy]

back is looking nice and glossy Rick. Bummer about the tuner screw snapping, what size drill were you using ?

[gavinturner]

She's really starting to look great Rick. Love that gloss on the back. I don't know how many times I've dripped solder on my perfect finish, and still I never learn..

Cheers,
Gav.

[rockmof]

WOW! A bussy day, work in the garden, shopping, and stuff like that. However this afternoon I looked at the monster and thought it was about time I put the pups' in.
clamped the neck set it with a couple of strings, mounted the pickups and fed the wires through, then decided to glue the neck on as I didn't have anything else to do.
It turned out ok, took a few pics and thats about it.

Think I have decided on what to do with my switches, will just use 3 of then and see what happens.

Rick

[AJ]

looking good there

[gavinturner]

Looking great Rick!

cheers,
Gav.

[wokkaboy]

mock build looks excellent Rick !