(Another) Build Log - GuitarWorx Strikemaster Guitar Kit - Page 4

pipsqeek · 3rd June 2011, 9:42 PM

I'm assessing a Telemaster kit at work and have noticed that the neck really needs a serious setup/fret cleanup. There's buzzing, and all sorts of noises.

Other than that, the kit has been easy to hook up. The instructions aren't really very instructive. For example, if I was a beginner, I wouldn't have a clue how to wire up the pickups to the control panel.

But for the price, the Telemaster seems to be a nice kit.

Ravennoir · 4th June 2011, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heatpipe

Hey that didn't stop Paris Hilton!

Lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by pipsqeek

I'm assessing a Telemaster kit at work and have noticed that the neck really needs a serious setup/fret cleanup. There's buzzing, and all sorts of noises.

Other than that, the kit has been easy to hook up. The instructions aren't really very instructive. For example, if I was a beginner, I wouldn't have a clue how to wire up the pickups to the control panel.

But for the price, the Telemaster seems to be a nice kit.

Your one came with instructions

Post up a pic when its all done, it would be good to see more

pipsqeek · 5th June 2011, 11:54 PM

Well, the instructions are more like a stapled bunch of pages that don't really tell me anything.

I have got to the stage of the build where I have to adjust the truss rod and it's really stiff. Then I realised that I wasn't actually turning it because the allen head is so far down in the neck that I need to use the long end of the allen key to get in there and reach down to the allen head.

Once I started to get in there, I began to shift the truss rod around and it's so tight it feels like its seized up. I'll have to fiddle some more to see what's going on. I also had the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string snap at the tuning peg while I turned up the guitar to see how the neck was at proper tension. The tuners aren't finished all that well, and the sharp edges caused the thinner strings to snap, while the thicker strings were holding on with their windings heavily dented. So I'll be filing and sanding the turning peg edges where the strings make contact.

Once I have the guitar put together I'll be pulling it apart, then starting on the finish of the body and neck.

This is where I'll more than likely start my build log. But I'll be noting the previously experienced issues. Right now I'm making sure everything goes together well, and so far it's okay for a kit this cheap.

nidz · 20th January 2012, 11:17 AM

Nice work mate. I got one of thse kits and getting it custom airbrushed at the moment. Hanging to see it all assembled. Might make a worklog thread when done.

Nice one!

Ravennoir · 20th January 2012, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nidz

Nice work mate. I got one of thse kits and getting it custom airbrushed at the moment. Hanging to see it all assembled. Might make a worklog thread when done.

Nice one!

Which style kit did you get ?

As an update for my kit build, ive changed the neck on mine for a maple neck due to a weird issue with fretting past the 12th fret (and I also wanted to give a maple neck a go)

Ill post up some picks later

Blackstar1099 · 20th January 2012, 9:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravennoir

Which style kit did you get ?

As an update for my kit build, ive changed the neck on mine for a maple neck due to a weird issue with fretting past the 12th fret (and I also wanted to give a maple neck a go)

Ill post up some picks later

What kind of issue? I'm curious.

Ravennoir · 20th January 2012, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

What kind of issue? I'm curious.

I found that if I fretted the D or G strings at about the 12th fret, they wouldnt ring out (just a dull sound)

but If I fretted higher, then it was ok

I tried adjusting the neck and string height etc a bit, but couldnt get it working how I wanted it and so I had an excuse for a new neck

Blackstar1099 · 21st January 2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravennoir

I found that if I fretted the D or G strings at about the 12th fret, they wouldnt ring out (just a dull sound)

but If I fretted higher, then it was ok

I tried adjusting the neck and string height etc a bit, but couldnt get it working how I wanted it and so I had an excuse for a new neck

Part of one of the frets is probably sitting too high or too low. Uneveness across the fretboard can cause those problems. The frets needs levelling. Not too hard to fix.

When I first set up my tele kit I couldn't have the action as low as I would have liked due to buzzing. I leveled the frets with a straight edge and some sand paper and now it plays really great.

nidz · 29th January 2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravennoir

Which style kit did you get ?

As an update for my kit build, ive changed the neck on mine for a maple neck due to a weird issue with fretting past the 12th fret (and I also wanted to give a maple neck a go)

Ill post up some picks later

I got the strikemaster kit. Probably because it was a little different to the other kit I got and It was also the cheapest kit there. All the parts look of pretty good quiality. I'm having it airbrushed at the moment. It will be interesting to see how it comes out. I will post pics when the airbrusher is done. Might even try and get her some more guitars to spray up.

*MAYHEM* · 31st January 2012, 1:18 PM

Looks like some pretty nice work.

I'd say you have done better on your first attempt with the paint than I did on my first paint jobs.

As for gluing the neck, it's a personal preference thing. I'm doing a Flying V kit righ now and glued the neck then conoured and shaped the body sides into the neck. It'll still get the bolts through it but I like the smothness of the transition from neck to body better and the glued joint will add to the sustain and resonance.

On the other hand, part of that strat sound comes from the bolt on neck and it's not something I would really recomend to a first timer.

Keep up the good work.

Ravennoir · 25th April 2012, 2:22 PM

Just a quick update

I finally got the maple neck sorted, there was some adjustment needed as it was a bit thicker than the kit neck

once I got the neck on, I had a few sets of strings that wouldnt tune right

did a setup this morning and its sounding good now

I will need to probably retune it a few times to get it right, but im happy for now

Heres a quick pic with my phone (ignore the mess

)

Click to view full size!

Blackstar1099 · 25th April 2012, 6:51 PM

Part frankenstrat/ part telecaster. Interesting.

What are you going to do with the other neck?

3rd June 2011, 9:42 PM	#46
pipsqeek Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 684	I'm assessing a Telemaster kit at work and have noticed that the neck really needs a serious setup/fret cleanup. There's buzzing, and all sorts of noises. Other than that, the kit has been easy to hook up. The instructions aren't really very instructive. For example, if I was a beginner, I wouldn't have a clue how to wire up the pickups to the control panel. But for the price, the Telemaster seems to be a nice kit. __________________ Now with Awesome Bar!

5th June 2011, 11:54 PM	#48
pipsqeek Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 684	Well, the instructions are more like a stapled bunch of pages that don't really tell me anything. I have got to the stage of the build where I have to adjust the truss rod and it's really stiff. Then I realised that I wasn't actually turning it because the allen head is so far down in the neck that I need to use the long end of the allen key to get in there and reach down to the allen head. Once I started to get in there, I began to shift the truss rod around and it's so tight it feels like its seized up. I'll have to fiddle some more to see what's going on. I also had the 1st, 2nd and 3rd string snap at the tuning peg while I turned up the guitar to see how the neck was at proper tension. The tuners aren't finished all that well, and the sharp edges caused the thinner strings to snap, while the thicker strings were holding on with their windings heavily dented. So I'll be filing and sanding the turning peg edges where the strings make contact. Once I have the guitar put together I'll be pulling it apart, then starting on the finish of the body and neck. This is where I'll more than likely start my build log. But I'll be noting the previously experienced issues. Right now I'm making sure everything goes together well, and so far it's okay for a kit this cheap. __________________ Now with Awesome Bar!

20th January 2012, 11:17 AM	#49
nidz Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 288	Nice work mate. I got one of thse kits and getting it custom airbrushed at the moment. Hanging to see it all assembled. Might make a worklog thread when done. Nice one! __________________ Photography - My Flickr Page

31st January 2012, 1:18 PM	#55
MAYHEM Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: OHIO, USA/Sydney, NSW Posts: 13	Looks like some pretty nice work. I'd say you have done better on your first attempt with the paint than I did on my first paint jobs. As for gluing the neck, it's a personal preference thing. I'm doing a Flying V kit righ now and glued the neck then conoured and shaped the body sides into the neck. It'll still get the bolts through it but I like the smothness of the transition from neck to body better and the glued joint will add to the sustain and resonance. On the other hand, part of that strat sound comes from the bolt on neck and it's not something I would really recomend to a first timer. Keep up the good work. __________________ Just stop with all the fretboard acrobatics and the whammy bar heroics and play the song.

25th April 2012, 2:22 PM	#56
Ravennoir Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 4,195	Just a quick update I finally got the maple neck sorted, there was some adjustment needed as it was a bit thicker than the kit neck once I got the neck on, I had a few sets of strings that wouldnt tune right did a setup this morning and its sounding good now I will need to probably retune it a few times to get it right, but im happy for now Heres a quick pic with my phone (ignore the mess ) Click to view full size! __________________ i7 970 - Gigabyte X58A UD3R - 12Gb GSkill 1333 - 240Gb SSD - 2x GTX 280 - H50 - Logitech G19 Logitech G9x - Silverstone TJ11 - Silverstone 850W - Dell U2410 - Win 7 Ultimate (64bit) PSN ID : Ravennoir / BattleTag : Ravennoir#1705 I'll take crazy over stupid any day

25th April 2012, 6:51 PM	#57
Blackstar1099 Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Melbourne Posts: 157	Part frankenstrat/ part telecaster. Interesting. What are you going to do with the other neck?