Montana

Hi Guys, would like to introduce everyone to Montana.

This is to be my next build, which is to be an 8th birthday present for my grand daughter.

Her birthday is a few months away so I will try to do a better build that the one on my thin line tele, which I really wanted to finish and try it out.

I will post updates as the work progresses.

[wokkaboy]

good work Rick, what colours you got planned for your 8yo grand daughter ? maybe DB could have a conch girl sale coming up ?
Make sure you sand the body and neck heaps, it will pay off if you are planning to apply a wudtone finish

looks like you have a standard strat headstock shape pencilled in

[dingobass]

I have got HEAPS of Conch Girl.... got it in especially for Gavmeister

[gavinturner]

Hey Rick,
Wow that's two parallel girls birthday builds, and both strats!
Interested to see what colour you go with.

Cheers,
Gavin.

ok, well, I am going with Conch Girl, not sure if Montana likes pink but hey, it's a girl colour.
Had a little trouble the pink leaked, made a bit of a mess in side the packet but think there is still plenty left.
Yes I think that is a good copy of a strat head stock. The neck has a bit of a mark on it, sort of a black crack, but still think I'll go with a clear finish, might add a bit of character.
No work on it for a few days now, need to go to get some copping saw blades, but maybe start sanding the body.
Next time I'll turn the pix around the right way.

Yesterday was a bit of a lazy one, all that was done was a trip to Bunnings for some coping saw blades.
Today a different matter, after morning up at the shops, a coffee, and a chat with some friends I came home ready for some progress.

Shaped the head stock, fitted the neck and put all the hardware on, if I had a gig tonight it could be used (except for a little soldering and that).

BUT

Now the work begins.

I have included a photo of that mark on the neck, I don't think I am going to worry about it, just stain and top coat. But if any one has any suggestions I will think about them, so please tell me what you think.
Thanks.

Ok so I didn't turn the photo around, next time.
The bridge isn't mounted, cause when I put it in the right place I couldn't get the pick guard on so I need to move it back a mm or so (just waiting for the glue to dry before sanding them back. I have sanded the neck but will give it a few more rubs, especially on the head stock ends..

[wokkaboy]

Ricmo, I wouldn't worry about the black mark in the neck, that will give it more character. What are you glueing ? There shouldn't be any glueing required on a ST kit. I wouldn't worry about bridge placement until you do the final assembly when you screw the neck in, string it up etc

Oh! Just glued some dowels in to where I I filled in the bridge holes. I am glade you agree with me about that black mark.
It'll make it sort of unique I think.

I like to set it up so there will be no drilling after the finish is applied and polished (but cant polish too good, might need to get some thing to help there).

[
Well, today I fitted the bridge, made sure it was close enough than striped off the hardware and neck.
Finished sanding the neck, and stained the back of it. I decided to use some stuff that I have had kicking around home, added some stuff to thin it a little, and got a big shock when I applied it. I think it looks good, the grain,and faults, in the neck came up to look like a "vintage" one.
However this is not ideal for a 8yo girl, but it will look newer when i gloss it up some.
The pic shows the vintage look but looks better in real life.

Then I sanded the body ready for the staining pink, which I hope will come out ok and still be able to see the wood. I don't want a solid colour.
Properly do that on Monday.

[stan]

that neck colour looks great