Hi All,
Have been busy with sanding the guitar body in prep for grain filling. And have just filled with ebony timber mate. I am relatively happy with how this has turned out as I wanted something to pop the grain of the wood.
Next step will be reshaping the headstock and sanding down the neck. Any advice to what grit I should be sanding the neck? I will be applying a wipe on poly over the top of the maple neck.
That will look great when it gets "the wet look" with some clear on there!
As for sanding the neck, I usually do just a bit of 240 then 400. No need to go any finer IMO. Some folks don't even go that fine, but I think there's still plenty for the finish to grab onto with 400.
Making the world a better place; one guitar at a time...
Hi FCD,
Fun to read your progress, as another recent first-timer.
The grain is coming out nicely there with the stained timbermate. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about getting the grain to pop as well. Can I ask why you went with the ebony timbermate rather than a stain?
Good luck with the rest of the project.
Builds:
Under way - EXM-1
Hey,
I used the ebony timbermate as an contrasting colour. From my very limited understanding a stain will pop the grain but more inline with the colour that you are applying. I used the timbermate wood filler (diluted with a few drops of water) to highlight the grain and to really stand out from my finish.
Finished shaping the headstock - happy with the result - kind of a telecaster flavour without a total copy of the fender headstock.
Good luck with the new build FCD. Can assure you there is a whole heap of help on this forum as my great-sounding Resonator attests. Wouldn't have had a clue otherwise. Received my TLA-12F kit today as I am interested in how a home-built 12-string sounds.
Thanks FCD. Having had a bit more of a research I think I'll try a black stain, then sand, then coloured stain and see how we go. Good luck for the rest of yours.
Builds:
Under way - EXM-1
Sounds like a plan. There are so many different options for the finish of a guitar - I think that’s half the fun with the build process. Good luck with your build. I am following your build diary and looks like it will come up a treat.Originally Posted by Maverick_aus
Thanks mate. Yes, I agree re: the finishing. It's certainly a learning process. It's so satisfying working on something that is unique and which, when complete represents the journey you went through in creating it.
Builds:
Under way - EXM-1
Hi All,
I have started finishing the body of the guitar. I started with a few coats of danish oil and was happy with the colour that was achieved. I will be applying a few coats of some wipe on poly to the guitar. I am working in a small tin shed and have noticed that lots of dust is settling on the guitar body in between coats. I have been using a tack cloth to get the dust of the top but some small spots have dried in. What is the best approach to dealing with this?
I will be attempting to straighten out the neck of the guitar today at some point and may apply some wipe on poly to this too. It seems I will need to do a full level as the frets are all over the place in regards to hight. Anyone have any tips on the neck straightness. I am assuming this is a critical point in playability and needs to be dead on for fret leveling.
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