FS-1 build

[neverwas]

Been tinkering with this one for a while and finally got around to starting a build diary.
Pics of front and back dampened with gum turpentine.

Flame top is really nice and have only found a couple of small glue spots. Speaking of glue, unfortunately some has run along the back of the body inside the bass side f-hole. Haven't tried to remove it yet, just hope it hasn't stained the timber too much. Still scratching my head as to why someone at the factory would put a pencil thru both f-holes and mark (sign?) the back of the body.

These are minor annoyances and the kit is far too nice to even think about sending back.

cont...

[Dedman]

The store pics show it as having a stop tail , but yours seems to have a trapeze , is that correct?

[neverwas]

There is an odd little hole in the neck pocket which will need to be filled

The tuner holes aren't straight so some plugging and re-drilling required, also some contouring planned.

cont...

[neverwas]

Yep, you're right Dedman. The one that came with the kit didn't do much for me, found one the net but didn't realise the bracket was curved already.

I knew would need to make a spacer for either one to fit squarely on the angled shape of the body. Decided I didn't want mess with bending the bracket on the tailpiece and possibly ruining it and went with a stop piece instead. Best I could tell the centre block is about 100mm wide, wide enough to drill the post holes.

[FrankenWashie]

There is an odd little hole in the neck pocket which will need to be filled

The tuner holes aren't straight so some plugging and re-drilling required, also some contouring planned.

cont...

Immensely frustrating with the tuner holes, what have you planned for the contouring?

[neverwas]

And because there isn't much modification that can be done to the body, the headstock got some tweaking.

Took a couple of mm off the top end and made this curious looking template for routing the recess to make it a bit more like a real one.

Used a round nose bit with a guide bearing to make the recess 2mm deep. Did need to adjust my template to get cut line where I wanted it. Made the lower area a bit wider than maybe it should be as I'll put a name or logo there instead of trying to fit one around the string tree I'm planning to use.

Left the high e tuner hole and plugged the rest and redrilled new holes that should make the string pull a bit straighter (wasn't that bad, but while I was at it figured it wouldn't hurt, did make sure the tuners still fit).

For a final touch, added a flame maple veneer. It would have been far easier (and quicker) to put the veneer on first and then rout the recess but may have got a little carried away and routed prematurely.

cont..

[neverwas]

Hope that last post answered your question Franky.
Also needed to add a veneer to the back now the tuner holes have been moved. It's more yellow than the rest of the neck, might try to colour the neck to match or just leave it as a feature, haven't decided yet.

Took a while to work out which pups to use and went with these (their name may appeal to you Franky), Pabs has made some dress rings to suit.

Now it's sanding time, yaaay.

Grant

[Andy40]

Love the headstock neverwas. Frankentone eh? I bet they are going to sound so sweet.

[FrankenWashie]

Hope that last post answered your question Franky.
Also needed to add a veneer
Took a while to work out which pups to use and went with these (their name may appeal to you Franky), Pabs has made some dress rings to suit.

Now it's sanding time, yaaay.

Grant

FrankenTones eh? Igor approves. Nice contour work and the tuner holes and veneer look schmick! Great Job.

[neverwas]

Thanks Andy and Franky.....and Igor.
The pups measure at 4.7k, so about what you would expect for that type of pup.
Spent some time today reshaping the neck heel. The before shot shows a gap between the heel and body which goes away with a little clamping pressure.


Grant