ES-3 Build - First Timer

[whalenb]

Hello All,

My first build. Working on getting the neck straight right now to complete a fret level. After running the fret rocker over it god knows it needs it. in the meantime i just finished soldering the electronics together. its all done except the bridge pickup will go in when i put the gear into the guitar.

ill upload more photos as i go along incase anyone wants to follow along.

cheers,

[Wisdom]

I'm watching for sure! I will be getting one soon, can you post some pictures of the body?

[wokkaboy]

Hi Whale, the wiring looks tidy. Let us know if you can get the neck straight for the fret level

[Nickosaurus]

Nice loom mate. Keen to watch this one

[whalenb]

Hey Guys,

Followed some instructions from DB and the neck is dead level now. Going to try and do a fret level/dressing this weekend provided my radius block shows up in the mail.

Photos of the body are attached as requested. Going to finish it with a Wudtone Burst. Mahogany to Saffron high gloss.

Stay tuned folks.

Cheers,

[Wisdom]

Looks Awesome! It sounds like your tight truss rod issues are fixed, so that's great! thanks for the photos please keep posting!

I will be getting the ES-1G, but I need to tool up first.

[peterh]

I'm looking forward to following your build. The ES-3 is one of the kits I'm thinking about getting.
Have you run across any videos of a completed ES-3 kit? I'm curious to hear how it sounds - especially compared to the ES-2V. They're both supposed to be based on the ES-175 but one's hollow the other semi-hollow.
If you don't mind, could you post the dimensions of the body? Mostly curious about the actual depth - I think the real 175's were about 3.5" deep.
One last question - is the entire body made of basswood or is there a veneer on the face?

Looking good so far - good luck with the rest of the build.

Peter.

[WeirdBits]

Peter, there are some basic stats and pics of the ES-3 in this post. The ES-3 is like a 175, whereas the ES-2V is closer to a hybrid Florentine.

Edit: Here are some pics of the ES-2V as well, with size comparisons to an LP on the following page.

[gavinturner]

Kit looks amazing! I love playing my ES-3 and I'm sure you're gonna love yours. Will be following your build thread with keen interest. Your finishing plan also sounds great.

cheers,
Gav.

[whalenb]

Hello All,

Sorry for the lengthy delay between posts. with a 4 month old its tough getting much in the way of progress on the kit build. Ive also been upgrading my workshop as i have gone along to building work tables and picking up used tools from kijiji has taken some time.

anyways….since last time i have completed my fret level, crown, and polish with excellent results. if anyone is looking for advice on how to do it let me know and i can send some instructions.

yesterday i put the first coat of finish on the body and neck. i am doing a sunburst finish with wudtone. the outside colour on the front & sides and back is mahogany while the inner burst is saffron. again if your looking for instructions on what to buy and or how to put it on i can send you some info. wudtone does not have instructions on their website for burst kit….

hope you enjoy and let me know what you think!!

50cm of snow coming today where i live…..ill be busy shovelling.

cheer folks