robs TL-1TH build

[robin]

Well, I’ve started on my next build, the beautiful “Tele Thinline”.

I must admit I was a tad disappointed when I inspected the kit, there were some bad glue stains and plastic filler to spoil my day. But undeterred I decided to accept the challenge, hoping that the rewards would be that much sweeter.

To remove the glue I have tried every method suggested here, sanding, acetone, sanding, those little metal brushes and sanding, but it seems that the glue has gone so deep that I just could not remove the glue without damaging the wood. There was also a nasty glue stain that covered about a third of the first fret where the nut had been glued in, and I had decided that there was no way to combat that without risking severe damage to the maple fretboard. As for removing the plastic filler and replacing it with a colour matched Timbermate concoction, failed on that one too. No matter what I tried I could not get a good colour match with the Timbermate.

So once again, it was decision time. Wudtone was now not an option because of the glue that remained and the butt ugly Timbermate, and I presumed that staining would be a similarly disaster. The easiest solution was to paint it, but I had decided when I first started building these kits that my guitars would feature the beauty of the wood. So painting was an absolute last resort, an admission of defeat.

Seeing I’d had great success with Tru-Oil on the neck of my “Strat” (everybody who picks it up just raves about the slick finish) and I had wanted to try doing a body in Tru-Oil so I figured that the “Tele” would make a great first candidate. I figured that I had nothing to lose by trying it.

So I stopped attacking the glue, just used plain untinted Timbermate to fill the holes and decided to embrace the uniqueness of my guitar. I had started the process of building my natural woodgrain “Tele”.

I had sanded, poked, dug, filled and generally mutilated the body for over 10 hours, by now taking it to a satin, baby bum smooth, 600 grit finish. I have already applied 18 coats of Tru-Oil to the body but it will not give me the gloss finish I am looking for. As a bit of a novice it’s not unexpected, so I will do a little more research on the internet while I wait for those coats cure. Hopefully I will be able to post some pics of the finish when I have had a bit more success.

Already I have grown an affection for this guitar, and although it has fought me all the way I am determined to spend as much time as it takes to get it right. I have a vague feeling that this might end up being one of my favourite guitars. Like the little runt of the litter that you end up loving. Not because it’s beautiful, but because it isn’t.

I’ll just include a few before shots for now, so hopefully the after shots will show how this ugly duckling has turned into a graceful ugly swan.

Cheers
rob

[robin]

Just a couple more "before" shots

[keloooe]

Trying to follow in Scott's footsteps are ya?????

[robin]

Quote from keloooe on May 25, 2013, 12:27
Trying to follow in Scott's footsteps are ya?????

Haha, nothing that ambitious Callum. I have neither the patience nor the skill to match Scott.

rob

[Gavin1393]

Hi Robin

I have to admire your perseverence. What are you doing about the glue stain on the fretboard?

[Brendan]

Robin - looks like you've got a doozy - I agree - the more work, the more you'll probably love it...

[robin]

Quote from Gavin1393 on May 25, 2013, 14:08
Hi Robin

I have to admire your perseverence. What are you doing about the glue stain on the fretboard?

Perserverance, stupidity, ...... Tomato, potato.

Not much I can do about it Gav. Too late now anyway, I've given the fretboard about a dozen coats of Tru-Oil and it's enhanced the stain and brought it out a treat. It's made a real feature of it lol.

It's not like it affects the value, it's never going to be sold. Admittedly it will be flawed, but like my Strat, it will be made for playing. Anyway, now I'll always be able to pick it out in a crowd.

Just for future reference, was there anything I could have done?

Cheers
rob

[robin]

Quote from Brendan on May 25, 2013, 14:39
Robin - looks like you've got a doozy - I agree - the more work, the more you'll probably love it...

Absolutely Brendan, beauty is always in the eye of the beholder. With all it's faults I'm starting to love it already.

rob

[WeirdBits]

Wow, Rob, I can certainly sympathise. Looks like you really have your work cut out for you, but that makes the end result all that much sweeter.

Quote from robin on May 25, 2013, 12:53
[...] I have neither the patience nor the skill to match [...]

You seem to be doing ok on both. For me, I have the former (sometimes), but the latter is often sadly lacking. However, I think it's safe to say we both share a certain level of tenacity. Good luck with the build.

[robin]

Quote from robin on May 25, 2013, 12:53
[...] I have neither the patience nor the skill to match [...]

You seem to be doing ok on both. For me, I have the former (sometimes), but the latter is often sadly lacking. However, I think it's safe to say we both share a certain level of tenacity. Good luck with the build.

Haha, thanks Scott, but unlike you I have basically given up trying to repair the problems. They are far beyond my meagre talents, and tenacity alone isn't going to do it. The problem is my pigheadedness to refuse to use paint.

But that's OK because for some twisted reason this guitar is already special to me. Luckily the problems are mainly on the sides but the top is OK. and as I have already said how it looks is irrelevant as it will never be for sale.

Sanding down to 600 grit I was actually able to polish the area around the worst of the glue stains and, unlike Wudtone, it has blended in a little with the Tru-Oil. If I can get the gloss I'm after with the oil it might hide it a bit more.

Thanks for the encouragement mate.

rob