Build #5 - TB-4

[Trevor Davies]

I have finally started on my TB-4 which was a Christmas present. My plan for this is to create a pigeon pair (or big brother) for my FBM-1. I will use FW stains to create a tobacco like burst. Then coat with tru-oil. Today hopefully I will get to reshape the headstock as drawn.
The logo on the pick guard is a laser printed image covered with packing tape.

[Trevor Davies]

Reshaped the headstock and created a 3-ply laminate for the headstock. I still need to round over the edge of the laminate with wet and dry.

[DarkMark]

Your laser printed images are looking good.
I was going to post in the swap/trade/unload threads that I have a large unopened bottle of tru oil I wanted to swap for enough satin poly to do a neck. Since you’re planning on using tru oil I thought I’d run it by you.

[ChrizK]

Did you do the laser printing yourself? I have a graphic that I would like to put on the pickguard fo my TB-4 but have no idea how to do this!

[Trevor Davies]

Your laser printed images are looking good.
I was going to post in the swap/trade/unload threads that I have a large unopened bottle of tru oil I wanted to swap for enough satin poly to do a neck. Since you’re planning on using tru oil I thought I’d run it by you.

Hi DarkMark. Thanks. Re Tru-oil - Sorry to say that I have a bottle and a half.

[Trevor Davies]

Did you do the laser printing yourself? I have a graphic that I would like to put on the pickguard fo my TB-4 but have no idea how to do this!

Hi Chriz,
Yes I did do it myself. It must be laser printed (not inkjet). Just printed the image on normal paper. Covered it with packing tape (clear tape - we call it sticky tape in Oz!). Cut out the shape. Placed it in water for 10 minutes. Carefully rubbed the soggy paper off the tape under gently running water - making sure all the paper was removed and not to rub the printed part too much. Stuck it on the pick guard. Wiped off as much moisture from under the sticker with tissue paper. (Some folks then clear coat the pickguard to help it stay put).

I think there is also a forum discussion on this!

I'm not sure if it will last very well. Saying that, my Firebird logo still looks good after 6 months. I also used it for the logo on my pine wood explorer (it did take quite a few coats of tru-oil to cover it!!)

[DarkMark]

Hi DarkMark. Thanks. Re Tru-oil - Sorry to say that I have a bottle and a half.

No worries, sounds like you have more than enough.

[Trevor Davies]

Stained the neck and body using FW stains. Body is jarrah with black, and the neck is golden teak. So far have 25 coats of tru-oil , sanded back with 1200 grit and given two more coats. I will start working my way up through the micro mesh pads.

[Trevor Davies]

Today I created a template for a TB truss rod cover - trying to keep it similar to the original design (which is normally difficult to see). The truss rod cover is to go on top of the black head stock cover. I could not decide on the colour so I made 3 different ones! The white may look good with the white pick guard. I think I will decide when putting it together.

[DarkMark]

Looking good and you’ve got your options covered 👍