First Timer Build TLA-1R

[Bungee]

I received my kit in the mail, opened it... and my wife said "I thought you were building a guitar, this one is already made" - she expected a block of wood I had to carve

Anyhoo, thought I would start my build diary, looking forward to getting stuck into it, I will do a mock build this week, then start the sanding. On that note, can I use my random orbital sander or should I hand sand the body?

I am hoping that DB's butterscotch is ready soon, I want to use that colour.

Cheers

Ben

[andrewdosborne]

Nice one Ben. Looking forward to the diary. Too funny, you should tell your wife the block of wood comes after at least 10 kits lol

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[wokkaboy]

Hi Ben,
good luck with the first build. I use an orbital sander and sand from 180 grit (120 grit if there are deep machine marks) up to 240 or 320 grit. Then I go over and hand sand with a sanding block 320 and 400 grit is usually enough.
Be careful to keep the orbital sander flat, replace worn paper discs and keep it moving a steady speed and don't stay in one place too long

[Bungee]

Hi Ben,
good luck with the first build. I use an orbital sander and sand from 180 grit (120 grit if there are deep machine marks) up to 240 or 320 grit. Then I go over and hand sand with a sanding block 320 and 400 grit is usually enough.
Be careful to keep the orbital sander flat, replace worn paper discs and keep it moving a steady speed and don't stay in one place too long

Awesome, thanks for that. I wil get started on it today.

Ben

[Andy40]

I received my kit in the mail, opened it... and my wife said "I thought you were building a guitar, this one is already made" - she expected a block of wood I had to carve

Ha ha.... little do they know...very little

Looking forward to seeing how that butterscotch works out.

[Bungee]

Starting to do a mock build and the machine head holes are a little random. Up to 3mm difference.
Have most of you just gone with the slight offset in the holes or plugged and re-drilled?




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[Bungee]

Had to use the Dremel to get the guard to fit, and some of the holes are off. What's the best way to fill the holes that are off? They're under the pick guard and will need to be able to be re-drilled. Shall I mix sawdust with wood glue?



A small gap between the fretboard and the scratch plate. Is this normal or do I need to sand down the back of the neck so it is flush?



I think I will get a wilkinson bridge and make it a string through. Thinking about the tone rider vintage pickups too, anyone tried these?

I am going to replace the nut with bone too.

Really looking forward to building this.


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[Alm_63]

E

Had to use the Dremel to get the guard to fit, and some of the holes are off. What's the best way to fill the holes that are off? They're under the pick guard and will need to be able to be re-drilled. Shall I mix sawdust with wood glue?



A small gap between the fretboard and the scratch plate. Is this normal or do I need to sand down the back of the neck so it is flush?



I think I will get a wilkinson bridge and make it a string through. Thinking about the tone rider vintage pickups too, anyone tried these?

I am going to replace the nut with bone too.

Really looking forward to building this.


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Have a look at Mike Brealey pickups, there hand wound in Adelade, great stuff at a reasonable price.
They sound great in my TL1!

[Bungee]

E

Have a look at Mike Brealey pickups, there hand wound in Adelade, great stuff at a reasonable price.
They sound great in my TL1!

Will do. I assume I can get these online? Do you have a link? I will google it otherwise.

[Alm_63]

Will do. I assume I can get these online? Do you have a link? I will google it otherwise.

Yep, there are a few online shops that he has links to http://www.brierleyguitarpickups.com.au/