Another guitar build from scratch. My first! (Finished 26/08)

[fr0styyy.]

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

Thanks! I'm hoping it will look really good with a finish on it.

I have no intention of selling my first scratch build. I will probably sell future builds though.

If you've got woodworking experience, then you're halfway there. I guess I come from the other side. I've been playing for 37 years now and own 13 other guitars but had very little woodworking experience. It's very satisfying building one. If you've got the time, patience and motivation, go for it.

Awesome! I guess I could always make a post somewhere asking for advice/help. My brother's been playing for like 20 years or so but he hasn't played much lately due to his new business and now newborn son, so I can't ask him that much anymore.

[Blackstar1099]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Harbinger

I've spent a good half hour reading this. I commend you, it looks amazing.

Thanks!

Frosty, I'm sure I'm not the best player on the forum. Lots of helpful people here so feel free to ask.

[Blackstar1099]

I decided to continue spraying sanding sealer with the preval. I then sanded it flat ready for colour coats.

I've previously used 3M clear lacquer mixed with stain to get a transparent paint and it worked great. The clear top coats wet sanded and polished really easy but apparently 3M have been bought out by another company and their lacquer is hard to find. I still have plenty of 3M clear in a can but I don't have any 3M black for the burst. It's good idea to use the same brand lacquer for all layers so I went with the Septone brand which the guy at Supercheap Auto told me is the company that bought out 3M and it's the 3M lacquer just rebranded. Not sure if that's true. 3 cans for the top coats might be overkill but I don't want to sand through. I might just use 2. I mixed up a jar of 1 part lacquer, 1 and 1/2 part thinner and a 40/10 drop ratio of cherry red/black stain which was my original stain mix. I'll be putting lots of colour coats on to get the deep dark red I'm looking for.


It's always a good idea to keep the paint warm before spraying especially in a Melbourne winter so I kept it in a container of hot water between spraying.


The first coat of colour. Very light dust coats. My previous attempt at spraying transparent resulted in uneven transparency. I since found out that you need to spray lots of very light coats to get it even.


Starting to build.


Nice and even. It looks like it working. I'm hoping the darker patch of the right side will even out.


I had an issue with a small patch of paint at the lower horn that came off between coats. I don't remember knocking or touching the body so I'm not sure how this happened. I sprayed another coat on top. The black burst will cover that but if it stays as a low spot I might need to drop fill some clear once the final coats are applied.


Getting darker.


And that will do for today. This is about 20-25 coats. I lost count . I still want it a bit darker so maybe 5 or 6 more coats. I'm loving the way it looks. Very happy. I'm now considering not doing a burst at all. You can't get an even fade between the colours with spray cans. I've tried one before with my 7 string kit. It looks good but I want this build to be as good as I can get it. What do you all think? Burst or all red?

[BadaBing!]

Keep it red. My eyes keep getting drawn to those trem holes though...

[ShadowBurger]

WOW. just read this whole thread; your work is amazing! Don't even stress about the holes you got wrong you won't even notice once it's finished

Have you considered doing a black burst around the pickups and the bridge where those dowels are instead of around the outside?

[Blackstar1099]

Thanks for the kind words.

I added 5 or 6 more colour coats on Monday. I really like the colour right now so I'll leave it as is. No burst. It's a little darker than the pictures show, closer to the sample pic that I posted on the first page so I'm pretty sure it'll turn out exactly as I wanted it at the start.


This might be how that patch of paint came off. I must have touched the router mat on the work bench just after spraying a coat.


I've just started spraying the clear coats tonight and should be done by the weekend. Then I'll wait till the weekend after that for it to cure then polish and put back together. I'm in the home stretch!!

[Blackstar1099]

Finished the clear coats last weekend. 2 full cans. About 22 coats. It should be enough.


I drop filled some clear lacquer into some low spots as well. I should have filled more sawdust with superglue during the prep work or packed some grain filler at the join at the end of the body but this will have to do.



I planned on wet sanding and polishing this weekend but the body was still giving off a lacquer smell which means it's not cured yet. It might have been ok as the can says to only wait 24 hours but I'm in no rush. I'll wait until next weekend or maybe during the week.

[Stewey]

I can't wait to see it polished out either but I would be waiting as long as possible for it to dry, especially over winter. I would give it at least three weeks, preferably four.

[Blackstar1099]

That's a good idea. I've waited this long. I can wait a few more weeks. It was 6 months ago yesterday when I did the first work on the body.

Since it doesn't give of much of a smell now, I'm going to bring it inside the house where it's warmer.

I've been doing some work on a Schecter for a work colleague of mine and I told him I was building a guitar from scratch and wants me to build him one. He wants a simple 1 HB in the bridge, 1 vol control, 24 fret, metal guitar. That'll be my next build. He wants a light body, so I'm thinking chambered mahogany with a tassie blackwood cap which I think is a beautiful wood. We only spoke about it last week we're still finalizing things.

Shameless plug for a friend:
He plays in a great local band "Feed Her To The Sharks". The vocals aren't really my thing but the music's great. He's the guy on the right. In fact the guitar he's playing in the video is sitting right next to me as I type this.

[Blackstar1099]

I'm not sure the imbedded youtube clip is working, so here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS-G5oFDspQ

[WoodyGirl]

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

Did some work on Thursday night.

The portable drill stand was cheap and wobbles a bit so it was impossible to drill exactly where I wanted it. I tried my best. I mentioned earlier that I needed a bigger drill press but I'll have to wait until my workshop is finished before buying one. I'll just have to live with holes that aren't lined up right.

Blackstar1099 you're work is really inspirational. Thanks for the detailed steps, they're very informative. I can see the value in a portable drill stand, it beats trying to told a square against the drill to keep it perfectly vertical!
You've prompted me to buy a portable drill stand. May I ask were you purchased the portable drill stand? I notice you're in Melbourne, get you get it locally. You're advice much apreciated

[Blackstar1099]

Originally Posted by WoodyGirl

Blackstar1099 you're work is really inspirational. Thanks for the detailed steps, they're very informative. I can see the value in a portable drill stand, it beats trying to told a square against the drill to keep it perfectly vertical!
You've prompted me to buy a portable drill stand. May I ask were you purchased the portable drill stand? I notice you're in Melbourne, get you get it locally. You're advice much apreciated

Thanks. I'm still learning.

I got the drill stand from Bunnings but have recently bought a better quality one from Carbatec in Springvale. I haven't tried it out yet but I'm sure it's better.
http://www.carbatec.com.au/portable-drill-guide_c21832

[WoodyGirl]

Thanks, will look at Brunnings tomorrow night.

[Perko]

Originally Posted by Blackstar1099

...so I'm thinking chambered mahogany with a tassie blackwood cap which I think is a beautiful wood.

My mate built an explorer out of blackwood, it sounds amazing. Very much like koa. Alot of the stuff that was stockpiled down here was bought by Taylor guitars due to shortages of koa timber a few years ago.

I'm not sure how it would pair with hog, it'd be worth getting some advice if you go different top/back; I've seen good intentions have unforeseen consequences!

Be careful if/when you are working with it, particularly when you're sanding. Its nasty nasty stuff if it gets in your lungs and throat.

[Blackstar1099]

Originally Posted by Perko

My mate built an explorer out of blackwood, it sounds amazing. Very much like koa. Alot of the stuff that was stockpiled down here was bought by Taylor guitars due to shortages of koa timber a few years ago.

I'm not sure how it would pair with hog, it'd be worth getting some advice if you go different top/back; I've seen good intentions have unforeseen consequences!

Be careful if/when you are working with it, particularly when you're sanding. Its nasty nasty stuff if it gets in your lungs and throat.

Thanks for the info. I use a dust mask pretty much all the time when sanding anyway.

I think I might use a carved maple top as he wants a bright sound and an opaque black finish.

As for this build, I may not be cutting and polishing this weekend as I've got some kind of virus and feel like shit. One test I've read about that can determine whether lacquer is ready is to press a fingernail in a inconspicuous place and see if it dents the finish. I've tried it and it leaves a very small imprint. It still gives off a smell but lacquer can take months to fully "gas off". I may start on it tomorrow if I feel better.