Zandit's First Build Thread

[dingobass]

Sound OK.
Always a good idea to sort out the neck and drill before you start on the finish.

[Zandit75]

Alright, thanks for that DB.

[wazkelly]

Thanks Waz, it's actually Mahogany back and neck, so would that go alright with the timber mate?

Mahogany definitely has more grain than Basswood.

If not too late don't over do the sanding on back, sides and neck as you want something for the timber mate to get stuck into, therefore 120 or 180 is plenty. 24 hours after timber mate has been left to dry is when you start again with the grit you finished on and work upwards to 240 to really smooth things out. Depending on grain definition and what you will use for staining 240 may be enough but no higher than 320 if you want any colour to really soak in.

[Zandit75]

I haven't started any sanding yet, so thanks for the timely advice!

[Zandit75]

I'm trying to get my neck pre drilled, but I'm wondering if I should be worrying about shimming the neck cavity. If I drill it as it is right now, I will have a very fine gap up either side of the neck. Is this normal? What can I use to fill the gap?
Thanks in advance.

[WeirdBits]

Post some pictures the the gaps that you're concerned about. It's often easy to misinterpret what's being described in text so images help to ensure you are given appropriate advice... and with neck related issues it's usually better if we can look before we leap

[Zandit75]

I might be over thinking things, so you're right, here are some pics







In this last pic, I can slide a piece of 400grit sand paper between the body and neck without it grabbing.

From some videos I have seen online, ideally I should be able to lift up the guitar without any screws in the neck. But while there is a pinch point where the cutaway meets the neck, I have quite a bit of movement side to side in the neck.

I clamped the neck, strung up the 2 E strings, and drilled the holes, but I don't want any unsightly gaps.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[Zandit75]

Some update pics..
Shaped the head stock to my liking.
Sanded the veneer to 400grit extremely lightly. I've only gone as far as 180 on the back and neck so far. 240 next time around, then it should be ready for some black stain.


BTW, I spent too much time removing scratches off the sides of the body that I put there myself! Don't go across the end grain!!!

Was watched pretty closely by my supervisors, although they didn't like being ignored!
I kept just as close an eye on them to ensure they didn't cock their leg on anything in my shed!


Please, if anyone has an opinion on the other photos in my previous post about the gaps around the neck joint, please feel free to chip in.
Thanks again!

[wokkaboy]

looking great Zandit, so what are your plans black back sides and clear veneer and headstock face ?

I had a look at the gaps in the neck pocket, they look pretty narrow gaps. Its good to have a big of wiggle room in the neck pocket as your bridge location is fixed so you can even up the E string offsets on the fingerboard. Doubt the gaps will be that noticeable when it's assembled

[Zandit75]

looking great Zandit, so what are your plans black back sides and clear veneer and headstock face ?

I had a look at the gaps in the neck pocket, they look pretty narrow gaps. Its good to have a big of wiggle room in the neck pocket as your bridge location is fixed so you can even up the E string offsets on the fingerboard. Doubt the gaps will be that noticeable when it's assembled

Thanks Wokka, I thought I might be over reacting to it all.
I'm still unsure what to do about the front. I like the green I had picked out, and just hoping DB's new batch of brighter colours comes through soon, and they're exactly what I was after, but that other photo I posted earlier with the clear finish just looks magic!
I'm so torn at the moment!
Anyway, in the mean time I'll just be sanding , sanding, and maybe some more sanding!!