"Starcaster" Build

[pablopepper]

I think this is the thread you need.
http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1895

[stan]

When dying the cap black, you might try doing a first pass with clean water first, then the black. The theory is that the figure soaks up more liquid because the figure grains are longer. The more dye-less liquid you can fill the other (non-figure) grains up with before applying the black, the more contrast you'll get without the need to sand quite as much. Just a suggestion. I have used this technique successfully in the past when popping figure without even the need for a sand back. Just be careful not to saturate the cap as this causes its own issues.

cheers,
Gav.

Didn't know that, thanks Gav

[ihasmario]

Sweet tip Gav, if I can find my cloth, I'll give it a go tonight.

[Fretworn]

Can someone link me to the thread that tells me how to set neck angle (Z axis)? Pic related. I think it's way off and I don't know how to fix it - a shim? How do I measure it? Do I have to put the bridge on first?

Cheers.

You won't know if the neck angle is right or wrong without the bridge. Try installing the bridge with Scott's plastic tubing method so it can be removed easily again before you stain. You may find that the combination of arched top and tuneamatic bridge means that this neck angle is correct, or close to.

[ihasmario]

First pass. Grain pop is so-so. Not bad for first try, I guess. Still wet

[pablopepper]

That looks great. This is going to be a very unique starcaster.

[gavinturner]

What did you use for the blue color? Is it Colortone? Looks awesome!

cheers,
Gav.

[stan]

It's good Mario!
The grain will pop a lot more when the gloss goes on

[andrewdosborne]

Nice work, enjoy the flame popping before your very eyes when top gloss is applied!

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[ihasmario]

Gav, I used ink.

I used the incorrect type of ink for the black, and it's biting me now. IMHO the body is very dark. And I am not sure I am game enough to take more of the veneer off to lighten it. I think staining black first was a mistake for my skill level.

Here's the front of the guitar as it looks now and the back of the neck. I blackenned the fretboard and stained the headstock. I will need to darken the front headstock if I can't lighten the body.

Now that it is more, but not completely dry the body looks boring IMHO. I'll try take some off and add some more blue when it's dry. I can't really remember if colours get less vibrant when they dry, but it's not a very lively looking top right now.

The question now is - Chrome or black hardware?