BYO Guitar Semi-Hollow: The Impatience Build

[Joe Garfield]

I’ve been waiting almost 5 weeks for my first PB guitar and the anticipation is killing me . Nobody has any idea when it will actually ship but I really want to mess around on an electric, so I just ordered this from the US.

They’re calling it ‘paint grade’ because of a knot in the back. I’d love to avoid painting or doing a burst so I’m trying to think of other creative ways to hide the knot: maybe some fake grain or something? Anyone have ideas/suggestions?

It’s a solid mahogany body, flame veneer over ‘solid’ maple top, 24 fret and 25.5” scale length. I’m assuming it will get all new electronics, wiring, hardware, etc.

[jugglindan]

The knot doesn't look that bad to me.

[Joe Garfield]

Yeah I was happy when I saw the pic, I was expecting worse for ‘paint grade.’ I figure it’s just an opportunity to learn - maybe I can use tinted grain filler or something to help hide it. No big deal at all if I can’t, but if I can, it seems like a good skill to have for future projects.

20 years ago I was a finish carpenter and became a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to wood.

[jugglindan]

I am interested to see how you manage it. My kit is basswood with a most uninteresting grain, so I went solid paint thinking it would be easier. I am unsure if it is, but it has it's own challenges.

[Woltz]

Depends what finish you are thinking about but if you are going to stain I honestly wouldn't even bother trying to hide that knot because it's very small and it's on the back anyway.

[McCreed]

Depends what finish you are thinking about but if you are going to stain I honestly wouldn't even bother trying to hide that knot because it's very small and it's on the back anyway.

+1

ignore this bit, I just needed more characters

[Joe Garfield]

USPS is showing “Delivered” to an address in the state the guitar was shipped from. Hopefully it’s just a label mistake but it’s starting to seem like the universe really doesn’t want me to have an electric guitar (my PB guitar is now delayed 5-7 weeks.)

[GregLane]

I agree +2. Nothing wrong with the knot, it is part of the timber grain. I definitely would not solid colour (Whoops- translate that - color) that kit. Love mahogany.
I'd be Tru-Oil only on the the mahogany but I'm a Tru-Oil lover.
I will be interested in your colour selection on the maple. (Then Tru-Oil again. hihi)

[Joe Garfield]

I like that there's some dark grain around the knot. I think it will be fine, I just don't want the grain around the knot to absorb color/stain and the knot end up glaring. I didn't mean to make that big of a deal about it, but thought if there was a creative way to blend it in more I would try it.

BYO Guitar said all the packages they sent that day are being labeled as 'delivered' so it sounds like a scanning mistake. Hopefully the guitar will be here today or Monday.

[Joe Garfield]

It arrived, and it’s beautiful.

Very hollow - the horns are hollow and it’s light. It should resonate nicely. The neck seems like a perfect fit - a slight tap with the palm seats it and it doesn’t fall out at mild angles. Hardware is as to be expected although it comes pre-wired.

It feels narrow at the nut but matches PRS “Pattern” dimensions (width and depth) so I think it should be OK.

I’m very happy with this.