The Difficult Second Build - Finished with video

Andyjr1515

Beautiful job.  Fast work, too!

TimberG

thanks @Andyjr1515 I started this about 5 weeks ago just been saving up the images for the build thread. It will probably slow up a little now as I have the finishing to doe and then I am making the neck from scratch. 

TimberG

Had a slow weekend in the workshop however roughed out the maple neck blank and finger board and have to say the grain on the maple finger board looks really nice
http://i.imgur.com/FD0YFJv.jpg

and I have also marked out the neck and truss rod cavity 
http://i.imgur.com/EIKk4WC.jpg

Thats it for now looking to route the truss rod this week so will update as and when

TimberG

Bit of an update stated the neck and first off is the truss rod channel 
https://imgur.com/a/Xuizn

and then hen roughed out the shape of the neck, headstock has been a tricky one to design as I wanted something different

https://i.imgur.com/bVz8AYo.jpg

On to the fretboard here you can see me slotting the frets I use a GMC luthier tools fret slot jig
https://i.imgur.com/fU1yrqE.jpg

glueing the the neck and the fretboard together excuse the state of the work shop
https://i.imgur.com/Z1Y6NFO.jpg

next is to trim down the fretboard on the neck and then start the carve on the back

thanks for looking

TimberG

Its been a while since my last update in May (how time flies)

Neck has now been removed from its clamps and the excess finger board material trimmed off

http://i.imgur.com/w6YosYb.jpg

And then the neck profile started using a saw rasp (amazing piece of Kit!)

http://i.imgur.com/JFuAyaK.jpg

Next was sanding and scraping the neck profile (no pictures of this)

Installed the abalone dot markers and medium jumbo frets and then gave the fret ends a little dress up prior to proper set up and levelling etc.

http://i.imgur.com/9ldOvlr.jpg

I couldn't resist the temptation to see what the Schaller machine heads would look like, so I had to do a test fit and they look stunning

http://i.imgur.com/QYjp1b2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/iPOmZWc.jpg

Now next was probably the most difficult for me, originally I was going to oil this however I have not clear lacquered a guitar before so thought why not try my hand at it. GULP!

So first coats are using a Nitro clear coat from Rothko and Frost diluted down to 30% thinners, I did 4 coats and then have let it dry for a week before block sanding down ( I had to due to a couple of runs in the finish).

http://i.imgur.com/oLxfrjY.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XeE8890.jpg

Block sanded the body and neck using 600grit paper and then again used a 30% diluted nitro mix (just to clarify 70ml of clear coat to 30ml thinner) again using an anti bloom thinners. again repeated this for 4 lighter coats this time (learnt from my over exuberance before)

And then Leave - For Two weeks (longest two weeks ever)

Block sanded the body first using 800 grit, then 1000grit, then 1500grit and finally 2500grit papers ( probably didn't need to go through that many but oh well)

Then used G3 cutting compound to polish the body up

This is the result and I am really happy for my first real spray job.

http://i.imgur.com/SMPnSkC.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hSXDXND.jpg

and the back as well.

http://i.imgur.com/S2KJaPR.jpg

Next up is the neck which I have not done yet that for this weekends workshop time. I am on the home stretch now and cant wait to start putting it all together.

Thanks for looking

paulnb57

Bloody hell thats nice, my only dislike is the headstock shape, but thats just my preference, stunning work amd a great finish, crack a beer!

Andyjr1515

Beautiful job . Excellent finish, first time or not!

TimberG

Thanks @paulnb57 the headstock is always hard to do correct and I am trying to get my own mark

looks better in person 

TimberG

@Andyjr1515 are you kidding your build knocks socks off mine thanks for the comment really pleased with the finish 

Andyjr1515

TimberG said:

@Andyjr1515 are you kidding your build knocks socks off mine thanks for the comment really pleased with the finish 

I think it looks great, @TimberG  I never expected that purpleheart to hold its colour like that - and it's not an easy wood to work with.  Respect, mate, respect

Vinylfan

That is a very inspiring build indeed.  Love the colour of the purple heart wood.

Jalapeno

Looking ruddy marvellous so far !

TimberG

Thanks all for the comments - bit of a lull in progress however should be updating with some progress in the next couple of days 

Strat_a_tat_tat

Only just found this thread.

Wow... really nice work. Looks great.

TimberG

Thanks @Strat_a_tat_tat ;

Next instalment coming up 

TimberG

Right then its been a busy 3 weeks and have only just got back in the workshop with the main reason to finish it

After the body had been polished i decided to leave the neck as painted as it came out rather well. the neck was then fitted to the body 
http://i.imgur.com/y17STz0.jpg
then was installing the 3D scholar bridge with the earth wire under the saddle
http://i.imgur.com/gmTX8mJ.jpg
Next was Graphite paint the pick up cavities and the electronics and the back of the control cavity plate
http://i.imgur.com/9azXwyy.jpg
Next installing the Bareknuckle Blue note P90 pickups in the cavity, i used a pair of old hum bucker springs to give the adjustment.
http://i.imgur.com/zRsZX7R.jpg
Installed the Schaller Devinci Machine heads 
http://i.imgur.com/lRjQVdS.jpg
Next up the electrics, this has consisted of CTS 500K pots for both Tone and Volume, Sprague 0.022uf orange drop caps, normal 3 way toggle switch, i thought keep it simple. Oh used cloth wire as well.
http://i.imgur.com/ni3qNjQ.jpg

Tested the electrics and everything worked as it should (its a first for me as I usually wire something up wrong) 

Strung the guitar up and cut the nut slots using the Crimson guitars nut slotting tools.

Then onto string height which was adjusted to around 1.8mm at the 17th fret ( a starting point) and then checked intonation and then locked the bridge off.

Plugged it in and Wow!...I will put some video clips up but have done the arty party shots...i am really really pleased.
http://i.imgur.com/1WDJvve.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/GTxLNpR.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/xnoQrFp.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QIsHtSg.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/l9yz5PL.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/sMjxSfJ.jpg

Phew!

Now for the next Build...Lol!

Just as a pointed this one will be for sale if your interested please PM me.

LaCathedrale_UK

I really love the body appointments - not sure about the headstock design personally but you can't argue how lovely it's come out.

BigMonka

Looks great! Nice one @TimberG ;
The purpleheart is cool, but IMO that back is really lovely, particularly the way you've brought out the figuring with a smattering of black dye
 

TimberG

Thanks both @BigMonka and @WilliamAyerst for the positive comments 

the he ash had a really nice grain so made up some grain fill and added the dye at that stage 

I am really pleased with the Schaller hardware as you would expect its high quality and went together well.

head stock shape is a little different I am probably going to change it slightly for the next build albeit I am going to have to sell this one to fund though

TimberG

Selection of Sound clips as performed by friend of mine there are loads on the TimberGuitars youtube chanel.

https://youtu.be/iSjLe6TvDq0

Bridge pickup selector with clean Amp which is a 40w Fender Blues deluxe reissue 

https://youtu.be/nxg5zOeQQmk

Middle pickup selector Clean

https://youtu.be/yJvijkZVuLM

will post the crunch channels tomorrow