Andrews PBG-1

[AndrewA]

So, this is my first PBG guitar build. I have some electronics background, but my woodworking skills would probably better be called woodhacking. Will have to pace myself with this build to get the quality I am after.
I have received the kit and checked everything is there, done a mock build and everything seems to fit just fine.
I'm planning on building a shredder (of sorts), so black on black is the colour scheme. I will be ordering a bone nut replacement soon, and will probably replace the pickups after I've had some fun playing with is as is.
Questions so far: I want to do some sort of matt logo on the gloss body, any ideas on how/if this can be achieved?
I like the look/concept of Dingotone (black stump), but is it worth it if all I want is a black finish? Can you see the grain though the finish? Do I want to see the grain through the finish?

[AndrewA]

I know I'm getting ahead of myself (and asking lots of questions), but how do you get the neck centreline straight with a tune-o-matic bridge? Do the guide holes need to be drilled after finishing the body, or is there a way of removing the bridge after the guide holes are drilled but before applying the finish?

[wazkelly]

G'day Andrew A.

Nice looking kit that would look good natural or in a light colour as straight out the box I am impressed with what you have got there.

For the neck alignment, run both high and low E strings from machine heads, over nut and bridge and through the stop bar tail piece to see how much side to side gap there is at end of the fret board.

Gibson style Tunomatic bridges are slightly offset and may be why you think alignment could be out.

[Andy40]

G'day Andrew,

Cool kit you got there!

I agree with Waz, but I see that its a bolt on neck so I would be surprised if it wasn't aligned already.

When you do the mock build you can hold the posts of the stop tail and the tune o'matic bridge with pieces of rag or vinyl tubing to mimic the bridge post inserts.

definatley string both E strings and measure the distance between the nut and the 12th fret, then the 12th fret to the bridge. the distances should be roughly the same.

heres a pick of my mock build on an LP-1SS(I had to use a clamp because it wasn't a set neck)


Heres a link to Gav's article on building your pitbull guitar. http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1895

read the paragraph on Installing the Bolt-on neck

[AndrewA]

Thanks Andy,
This is exactly what I was looking for. Now I can make sure the neck pocket is straight without worrying about stuck bridge post inserts

[AndrewA]

Just ordered sandpaper kit, black stump DT and clear neck finish. i have a bone nut somewhere that might fit, if it doesn't will have to order one. I hope I have everything I need for this project because the nearest green shed is 3 hours drive away (2.5 on the bike). There is a local Home Hardware, but the range isn't great.

[Fretworn]

There is a local Home Hardware, but the range isn't great.

And yet Dingobass will probably think it's a better option.

[AndrewA]

I have used Andy40's suggestion to check the neck pocket is straight

Looks straight to me with less than 1mm gap each side

I measured the scale length while I was at it, 313mm from the nut to the 12th fret, and 314.5mm from 12th fret (centre) to the bridge on the high E side, 317mm on the bass side. Is this about right for compensation? The neck is pushed all the way in and bridge posts are all the way forward (towards the pickups). The corners of the neck heel are slightly squarer than the neck route, so I may be able to get it in another 1/2mm if I carefully sand back the corners on the neck heel to match the body.

[wokkaboy]

Hi Andrew, those measurements sound pretty good and the neck alignment looks pretty well bang on there is enough fret edge for both E strings. Would be worth sanding the neck heel or the body neck pocket so the heel fits more snug in the pocket

[Andy40]

Looking good Andrew. Just be really careful if you sand anything in the neck pocket. I sanded some extra glue off the neck heel once and I ended up with a bit of unwanted side to side play which just made glueing the neck a bit harder.

Sorry mate....I'd like to say that you got everything you need but chances are (as with all my builds) something unexpected comes up or plans change and you need to drive your 3 hours......