Newbie saying hello and need some advice please

nutbox · April 2014

Hi there, This is my first post on here ,I have been looking through the forum for a while and have decided to take the plunge and buy my first guitar body project. It is a alder ibanez body which I think is an rg model it is in hsh configuration and I am very excited about it. Here are some pics of the body http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/nutbox76/Mobile Uploads/2014-04/20140404_194536_zpsb5evzv0o.jpg http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/nutbox76/Mobile Uploads/2014-04/20140404_194556_zpsvnol8flq.jpg http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/nutbox76/Mobile Uploads/2014-04/20140404_194602_zpsb5md5ba2.jpg http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk170/nutbox76/Mobile Uploads/2014-04/20140404_194610_zps0t8ni8eu.jpg As you can see it has a few defects on it which are the knot on the front and a few marks on the back which will sand out. As for plans I am looking to veneer the front of the guitar with flamed maple and would like to dye it red and use black around the outer edge for a burst effect,how easy is this to do? I have watched a few YouTube vids on it and it don't seem that bad,what is the best path to take on preparing the body for this process I.e sanding ,grain filler ,sand sealer and the like. Also where would the best place to get a ibanez or a neck that would fit this body which has a aanj pocket? Anyway all help appreciated because this is going to be a big learn curve for me and I look forward to showing you all what I have done. Thanks dazz

Adam_MD · April 2014

Welcome to the site. I can't help you with the veneer but in terms of finish wudtone seems to be quite popular round these parts. It looks great when finished and is suitable for a home DIYer.

Good luck with the build

nutbox · April 2014

Thank you Adam .

TTony · April 2014

Hey Dazz

Wudtone gets a big vote from me. For a DIYer who doesn't have the skills or tools to do "proper" spraying, Wudtone is a great option, IMHO.

I posted a few of mine a while back ... here

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

Hi. I don't have the links handy this evening but will post a few tomorrow of both applying veneer and also using red calligraphy ink for a fabulous red finish on maple. Doesn't get much easier or cheaper...or better :-)

ThePrettyDamned · April 2014

I'll plus one wudtone, and andyjr1515 with his ink is simply incredible. If you have spraying facilities, you'll get a flatter and shinier finish, but wudtone still looks good. There are other oil finishes, too, which can be sanded back with micro mesh to a pretty great shine, too.

No need for grain filler with wudtone, and you only sand to 240-320 grit, and it's easy and family friendly to do. No nasty smells.

nutbox · April 2014

Thank you for your suggestion,ttony thanks for the link I like the quilt top very nice. Andyjr1515 I shall look forward to your links it sound interesting. Thank dazz

Richardj · April 2014

As to necks, if you check out the good old Ebay there are a few places in the 'States that sell parted out Ibanez's, I'm sure I've seen S and RG necks going for well under £100. Of course you have to factor in shipping and potential customs fees.

nutbox · April 2014

Thanks Richardj ,I have looked at eBay and seen some I like but just wondering if there was anywhere locally. It's always the way the USA has all the custom stuff I like. Also on another note,what is the proper way to add photos on this site? Thanks dazz

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

Hi, Dazz

Here's my latest. This one is a solid maple top, but the effect would be the same with veneer:

It is red ink wiped on with a cloth; good old ronseal hardglaze varnish, watered down by 1/3 with white spirits and wiped on using a microfibre cloth (£2 for a pack of 3 at Homebase).

This is a myrtle veneer on top of an ash body. Same technique:

...and here's the back...

The chap I did this for wanted the grain to still show but to get full gloss, it just takes more coats of varnish and sanding 'flat'.

For a sunburst (did one but no shots) you would use black ink and then at the overlap, red with a tiny bit of black added.

Ref veneering, I think you can view this forum (guitars.co.uk) without being a member. I did a 4-step 'How to do it'. Let me know if you can't get in and I'll copy and paste it:

http://www.guitars.co.uk/blog/veneering-step-by-step-part-1

It's a great forum, by the way

Hope this helps

Andy

nutbox · April 2014

Hi andy thank you,and may I say wow on the sg,that is beautiful and I would be happy if I could get a result like that. Is that calligraphy ink and where do you get that from? Cheers dazz

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

Hi, Dazz

The actual ink I used for the two above was:

I'm pretty sure that standard red Quink would do just as well. As long as it is 'permanent' ink rather than 'washable', I think the colour-fastness will be as good as any other stain.

Andy

nutbox · April 2014

Cool,just reading your blog and it seems to me that this is going to become very addictive (don't tell the wife lol). As for prepping the body do I need to just sand the body or is there other steps I need to take? Thanks dazz

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

nutbox said:

Cool,just reading your blog and it seems to me that this is going to become very addictive (don't tell the wife lol). As for prepping the body do I need to just sand the body or is there other steps I need to take? Thanks dazz

Just standard sanding. It's worth looking at all of the parts of the blog if you haven't already - pretty much covers it all

nutbox · April 2014

Cool thank you.

nutbox · April 2014

Can any body suggest a good place to buy some sheets of flamed maple ,I have look at eBay but can't see anything I like. Cheers dazz

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

eBay usually has something. There are some direct suppliers - I'll have a look when I get a moment. Also worth trying David Dyke - he's a very reliable supplier of most things luthiers...

nutbox · April 2014

Hi andy, I am bidding on these at the mo http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181374763421?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2648 Would they be good for the purpose ? Also the body has a small knott on the top would that need treating befor putting on the veneer? Cheers dazz

Andyjr1515 · April 2014

Hi, Dazz

Looks OK to me - just check the width of your body, allowing for a little bit of curve round the edges and a bit that you might need to sand straight so there are no gaps in the bookmatch join. Sycamore should stain very nicely.

Most of the veneer I have used is 0.6mm but can't see why 1mm would be a problem - the iron probably will need to stay on the veneer a little longer to make sure the glue is hot enough.

Nothing will need doing to the knot other than sanding it smooth so there are no bumps showing under the veneer.

nutbox · April 2014

I shall do buddy, and at least I ll have room to sand for mistake lol.

nutbox · April 2014

Hi andy just have a question,would the waterproof pva be ok to use for glueing the veneer on? And would I need to grain filler the veneer before I dye it? Cheers dazz

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Newbie saying hello and need some advice please

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