Build #1: DTL-1 (American Ash body)

[craig747400]

Hi folks,

Time to start a build diary.

I bought this kit for myself as a 50th birthday gift. My Dad has Triton workbenches, a scroll saw, etc, so I will be building it at his place. He has just finished chemo, so this will keep him mildly amused (along with me) whilst he recovers his energy etc over the next few months.

As I mentioned in my welcome post, I have a wee guitar collection, and have been wanting to build a guitar for years (but never had a workshop). Hence, moving back home to Brisbane has given me access to my Dad’s set-up. I’ve been researching a fair while, and bought the odd book (including these):



My packaging was all in good shape when it arrived, but still awaiting the decals and shielding that were missing. I have ordered the extra following stuff:
- Grover tuners
- Telerider ‘Hot Classics’ pickups
- Allparts ‘Schaller-style’ strap locks
- ‘Artist’ tweed hard case
- Bone nut
- Copper shielding tape
- Guyker compensated brass saddles
- Through-body ferrules







Test fit of the Grovers, shows the pre-drilled holes ever-so-slightly out of alignment.

Body wood looks quite nice, raw. Neat enough grain, no obvious blemishes.





Nice looking neck. Frets will need a bit of work with the edges. What’s the “-40” on the end?

[craig747400]

I decided to use Tru Oil on the neck, and these products on the body.

Is it just me, or is the search engine on this forum ‘hohum’ to say the least? Hence, any advice on finishing this (i.e. good links to other’s work), would be much appreciated as a reference that remains in my build thread for easy access.

[craig747400]

I’m also planning to keep reference information that I find along the way (for myself and others).

My guitar’s body weighs 3kg, and the neck 560g.

[dozymuppet]

3kg is pretty hefty!

(And yes, the forum search functionality is sub-par, when compared to what one might be used to.)

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

[McCreed]

Test fit of the Grovers, shows the pre-drilled holes ever-so-slightly out of alignment.

I didn't know the little holes for the keeper screws came pre-drilled. You'll just need to plug them with small wooden dowel (eg: hardwood toothpicks) and redrill them.
It's hard to tell that close up, but the centre to centre spacing of the tuners appears to be ok at least.

At 3kg, I'd consider doing comfort contours front and back to attain a little bit of weight relief. The contours don't provide a lot of relief, but they help (and I like the way they feel). I know it's not "traditional" but neither am I!

Don't forget with Ash, it's a very open pored grain and will require grain filling if you're wanting a smooth glass-like finish.

[craig747400]

More stuff:

[craig747400]

Pickguard does not fit very well.

[craig747400]

‘Jumbo’ frets … and that is not a reference to the Queen of the skies that I used to fly.

2.8mm = 0.110”

[craig747400]

Neck dimensions

[craig747400]

Bridge position check. I would appreciate the favour of checking my thought process and measurements before I commit to routing-out the bridge pickup socket.

Nut to 12th = 324mm
12th to high-E bridge saddle = 648mm
Proposed rout pencilled in, awaiting confirmation, cheers!