Andys ES-3

[iandy]

Hey all! I am just about ready to get started on an ES-3 build. Here are some pre-work photos.

[iandy]

And a couple more...

[lawry]

Cool. An interesting way they've made the neck fit into the body. Looking forward to it, man.

[gavinturner]

Looks great Andy! Very interested to see your build come together. I love this model - great to see it on the PBG roster. How are you thinking of finishing it?

cheers,
Gav.

[stan]

we love a build thread, looking forward to seeing this come together

[wokkaboy]

looks great Andy, look forward to see it stained, what colour you got in mind ?

[iandy]

Thanks for all the encouragement. You all are sure a friendly bunch.

Finish: I'm thinking about just going with Tru Oil on it. Pros? Cons? I don't really want to spray anything and certainly don't want to go too terribly toxic.

Some more photos below, mostly to do with that neck joint. I think I'm going to have to think it over pretty well. I don't like how the non-tenoned side of the neck fits together with the body at all, but it's mostly flush with the cutaway on the other side so I can't do much. But on that other side the fretboard and neck is overhanging the body binding. Any suggestions would be welcome.

[wokkaboy]

Andy looks like you got some work there. DB had to do similar repairs to a similar hollow body so he may have some suggestions. He had to glue thin shims on the side of the neck pocket to fill some gaps. The 2nd picture its a bit hard to work out whats going on, is it above where the neck joins the fingerboard overhangs the binding of the body?
Never seen that happen so not sure on a fix.
I've been happy with tru-oil but aren't sure of how many years will treat it. DB thinks down the track it could crack or lose its clear colour. Might be worth waiting for the new Dingotone clear should be available soon

[iandy]

The problem on the bass side of the neck is that the heel is starting to curve around before it gets to the end of the body. That's not ever going to look good like that. Maybe I can form some wood to glue over that side. Cutting the neck tenon on only one side kind of sucks.

The 2nd issue is as you describe. That small triangle of fingerboard that's casting a shadow on the binding is overhanging.

I need to do some measuring and make sure I know where the center line is and make sure that neck is actually on it.

Is the Dingotone something that could be sent to the U.S.? This one is a learning guitar (especially the electronics) and I don't foresee selling it, so I don't mind taking some chances on the finish.

[west0288]

This is a really tidy looking kit, apart from the unfortunate neck situation. The grain looks really good on the top and the back. Major score there.

There are heaps of helpful people on here Andy, so you should have no problem getting the advice you need.

Looking forward to the journey.