First build! - JRM-1DC

[John McBee123]

Hello world

First build since 1998(?) so easing back in with this Junior style kit.
It's going to be a present for my Dad, so no pressure.
Lots to relearn, lots of questions, can't wait to dig in.

Day one:
Test fit neck, machine-heads, P90

Neck fine, tight with a little gap, pegs fine so far, pickup is too big for routed cavity, so some adjustment needed there.

[Andyxlh]

Looks like a nice kit. Good luck with your building

[Trevor Davies]

Hi and welcome John.
How are you intending on finishing it?

[John McBee123]

Hey Trevor

I'm thinking a stain and oil finish that I can rub on (don't have spraying space/kit at the moment). Hoping for a matt-ish/satin-ish finish rather than gloss I think?
I'm also going to try some Monty's Relic Wax to rub into the grain and get a bit of extra depth/'texture' but we'll see ;-)

[Trevor Davies]

I like the wipe on stains and finish also. I have tried rattle can spray - but prefer wipe on. Good luck with the build.

[John McBee123]

Day two:
(a week later...)

Tiny bit of sanding with 180 on the sides of the neck pocket and the neck fit is much better.
Either the wood adjusted to the house conditions or its the awesome power of gentle sanding - either way, this feels like a small victory ;-)

Got the neck safely clamped, measurements next.
Want to see if the (too small) pickup cavity is centred ok before I start sanding/routing at edges...
Onwards.

[McCreed]

I'm thinking a stain and oil finish that I can rub on (don't have spraying space/kit at the moment). Hoping for a matt-ish/satin-ish finish rather than gloss I think?
I'm also going to try some Monty's Relic Wax to rub into the grain and get a bit of extra depth/'texture' but we'll see ;-)

Hi John.
I've not used the Monty Relic Wax and not sure If I interpreted your statement above correctly, but if the MRW is a genuine wax, I think you will have to choose one method of finish or the other (relic wax or stain & oil) not a combination.
Also if by "oil finish" you mean a hardening "oil" (which are not really oils) like Tru Oil or many Tung Oils, I'd be concerned that it would not adhere over the wax.

Just putting that out there...

[John McBee123]

Thanks!
Yeah, still reading around it ;-)
I'll be v e r y careful

[John McBee123]

Hi John.
I've not used the Monty Relic Wax and not sure If I interpreted your statement above correctly, but if the MRW is a genuine wax, I think you will have to choose one method of finish or the other (relic wax or stain & oil) not a combination.
Also if by "oil finish" you mean a hardening "oil" (which are not really oils) like Tru Oil or many Tung Oils, I'd be concerned that it would not adhere over the wax.

Just putting that out there...

Hey McCreed - thanks again for flagging this. Checked in with Monty's directly. They think (water-based) stain first, then relic wax (layers of sanding, re-waxing etc) wax will be fine so I'm going to go for it. Pictures and details as soon as the stain arrives in the post.
Thanks again!
J

[McCreed]

Cool. Look forward to seeing the results!