2nd build - IC Kit -- Daron Malakian

[Barry snook]

Yeah it would need some custom pro settings for sure

[wazkelly]

Saw these in a shop window in Salzburg whilst on holiday there last year.
Being an Aussie this was very amusing.
Absolutely loved our time in Austria. You are fortunate to live in such a beautiful country.
Hope your Iceman build works out as planned.
Personally I would do gloss Black on body & neck and after final polish take 'playing area' back with 1200 or 1500 wet & dry to get the smooth satin feel.
Sure, it may look a little bit dull in that section compared to the rest but only if inspected up close.
Cheers Waz

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[Fretworn]

Welcome Dominik

[JohnH]

Welcome, and look forward to following your build!

[Rammsteiner]

Cheers !

Daron usually uses Ernie Ball Heavy Bottom
An interesting interview btw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfPYrloYyUs

First Pick of the Mock Build



I´ve measured the bridge and tailpiece, ordered some Chinese gold hardware from AZ, with the same dimensions. It has also the same dimension as from an old Epiphone SG I used to own.
Why Chinese: there are 2 different options. Chinese for about 20€ or Tonepros, Gotoh etc. for about 150-200 €  so let’s try the Chinese ones. When the fit of the studs is right, I think there should be no tuning issues.
Tonerider Generator PU are also on the way and will arrive this week, I will also order Push/Pull (or maybe Push/Push) Potis, because why not =)

Greetings from wintry Austria
Dominik

[Rammsteiner]

Greetings !

Update Body:
First, I did another mock build with the new bridge and checked the string alignment
–>everything is fine!




Then I wanted to check which treble/bass shield on the toggle switch Daron uses on his guitar and WHAT!
At a closer look, he has no toggle switch. He uses one tone pot as blender. Good thing - the Japanese luthiers has the same tidiness as the Germans =)



I´ve ordered one blender pot and has filled up the hole.



After that a thick coat of filler and first coat of primer.




At a closer look there were some gaps – no need to worry I have sanding paper for ages =)
Sanded down to the gaps filled it and after drying for another day, and a few minutes of sanding looks quite well. Even with the fingernail I can’t feel any gap.

[Rammsteiner]

Today second try with primer!





Neck:
I´ve changed my mind and will stain the neck black. Feeling > Look =)
After the first treatment looks quite well. Today sand with 400 grit and maybe a second round with the stain or I will start with oiling.
Neckplate will be painted like the body. Here everything looks good.





Offtopic =)
We also visited the Harzberg in lower Austria and .. WHAT



Most important for on Austrian advertisement – Beer and Kangaroos

Cheers
Dominik

[Rammsteiner]

Servus Freunde !!

Yesterday I finished my Kit.

Had to pause the build until the weather gets better in Austria. I tried to paint the guitar with the gun in my workshop – bad idea – to much dust etc. As the temperatures gets above 15°C, I started painting outdoors with a much smoother result. (We have the coldest spring in Austria since 30 Years :P )

Many up and down especially with the clear coat finish. I started with high gloss and after 2-3 tries I changes my mind to satin gloss. And this black satin looks killer. It looks like the guitar is sucking the light like a black hole – AWESOME.

Soldering went pretty smooth, except for the blender poti. I soldered the wires like in the diagram, but each slider is different.
Instead both pickups make noise in the middle position the tone was completely off, so I had to mirror the soldering on the blender poti.

I haven´t played the guitar over my full stack, but via the Red Box it sounds pretty good (tuned down to drop C)

Was an amazing experience ! This forum is treasure chest for guitar building information!
Keep it up !



Cheers from Austria with no kangaroos
Dominik

[McCreed]

Good on ya Dominik! Good result.

[ThatCluelessGerman]

Nice, the gold looks great on this kit. Which kind of finish did you use?