FBM1 build - Firebird Bicentennial

[mando76]

Have always wanted a Strat and Firebird from my birth year. Have decided to do the Firebird first.

Purchased the FBM1 kit:
https://i.imgur.com/Xge9Lq8.jpg

Which will hopefully turnout to this:
https://i.imgur.com/ijty2kU.jpg

All the gold parts should be arriving over the coming weeks.

Main differences to the original will be trapezoid rather than dot inlays and different TuneoMatic posts.

Do you think Cooloongatta Gold for natural finish?

[Trevor Davies]

Hi Mando.
Welcome.

Good luck with your build. I love the firebird as well and have nearly finished my FBM-1 (check out the build diary below).

Be aware that the DT Coolangatta Gold will be quite dark on the mahogany (I found this out on my first build which was the FVB-4) but may match the Imgur image well.

Trevor

[mando76]

How good is the internet! Got actual size plans for a Firebird to help with the headstock.

https://i.imgur.com/YKhiEif.jpg

Headstock paddle on the kit is compromised by tuner holes not centered to nut. The banjo style tuners I’ve ordered won’t fit the existing holes anyway. Will plug holes using 1/2” plug cutter from leftover section from headstock and redrill. Overall, it’s a pretty good starting point but not sure if original truss cover will fit without some shaping.
https://i.imgur.com/1Qay22z.jpg

[wazkelly]

Nice kit.

I have used DT Coolangatta Gold on my 1st & 2nd builds and found the colour varied considerably from one batch to the next. Batch 1 was clear and like a very bright yellow ink to look at whereas Batch 2 looked more like satay peanut paste in colour and clarity as it was opaque, and it was used on my EX1 which was on a Basswood body and has now aged to a Korina appearance. Helped considerably due to using Tru Oil for the top coats.

Ozbike has done a number of mahogany builds and it would be handy to check out some of his build diaries. From memory I think he has used Feast & Watson Golden Teak for a similar colour to DT CG. He has also used a natural finish on mahogany which brought out a golden honey shade which looked nice.

Hope this helps in some way.

Cheers Waz

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[McCreed]

Headstock paddle on the kit is compromised by tuner holes not centered to nut.

Overall, it’s a pretty good starting point but not sure if original truss cover will fit without some shaping.

Welcome mando.
You probably know this but, these kits are not "licensed" designs or 100% faithful replicas, so you will find other aspects that are different from the originals they represent. As long you can live with a finished guitar that is a "tip of the hat" to a classic design, you're good.

Best of luck with the build. Look forward to seeing it progress.