Custom JM-1 Build

[mike]

Hi guys,

So I'm building one of the JM-1 kits, and the design is going to be a tribute to one of my favourite bands; 'La Dispute'.
I decided on the JM-1 as my band plays emo/punk music and the shape ties in nicely with the music scene. I also already have a Vintage custom tele and an Epiphone Les Paul Custom Pro, so the JM was a nice change.
I decided on a satin white finish, with custom decal, engravings and decoupaged sticker all to be featured somewhere on the guitar.
The decal I'm putting on the headstock is a play on the shape of guitar (Jaguar) and the band the guitar is a tribute to (La Dispute); Jag Dispute. I thought it to be quite humorous, yet suitable.
I'm sticking with all the stock hardware for now, as I don't have enough cash to warrant pickup upgrades or anything of the like.

So far, I have applied the primer/base coat to both the body and front of the headstock, and 3 coats of top coat. I'm aiming for about 6 layers of topcoat all up, and then a nice clear satin finish.
I've also engraved the neck plate with a lotus that is the symbol for La Dispute, which came out quite nicely.

[mike]

More pictures of the primer coat and the engraving

[mike]

After 3 top coats.
Body and Headstock

[stan]

excellent work Mike, this is coming along really well. Love the engraving, nicely done and a cool custom touch

[wokkaboy]

coming along nicely Mike, love the personal touches and the engraving. Should look a treat with red pearloid guard on white

[mike]

Cheers guys. It's my first build, and I'm awful at hands on stuff, so I'm pleasantly surprised at how well it's come out so far.
I applied two more top coats today (totaling 5 now) and will let that set for a while. Going to see how much more I can get out of my spray can, but I'm thinking I only have enough for maybe one more coat before I start putting on the clear.
Still waiting on my decal to arrive from the US as well (the wait is killing me!) so I can actually start the clear coats.

[wokkaboy]

I'd be letting each coat cure for at least a day or 2 in cool Melbourne Mike. If you got no paint runs you are doing very well. Probably need a light wet sand between coats. Look forward to updated pics. You can probably stain the back of the neck or are you going clear satin coats ?

[mike]

Yeah, I've been sanding between coats, and so far only one tiny run, so doing pretty well. I've been bringing the guitar inside into the warm after leaving it for half an hour or so outside to be touch dry, so it's speeding things up a bit.
I'm going to go with clear satin on the neck as my vintage tele has that, and the neck looks and plays like a dream, and I don't think a yellow stain would suit the colour scheme haha. So yeah, clear satin all round. But I won't be applying that til next week by the looks of things. Want the paint to cure for a week, and I'm moving out of home this weekend, so I won't have time to do any and it will force me not to rush it!!

[wokkaboy]

sounds good Mike, probably a good thing to let the top coats cure. Clear neck will look great on the white body.
Rushing a build increases the risk of mistakes so take your time. Each build you will learn a bit more.
I guarantee you it won't be your last build, its a highly addictive hobby !

[mike]

Yeah absolutely. I'm thinking now I might buy another can of spray to give it a couple more coats, as my can is running a bit lower than I first thought!
I'm terrible at rushing things, it's hard to keep myself patient! But I know the wait will be worth it, and I've already decided on my next build, which will be a JR-1. Just gotta leave a little extra cash aside so I can grab it after this one!