1Q22 Challenge Downbytheriver 335 style from a kit with stains

WezV

That looks much better

downbytheriver

Just need to work on the blending a bit 

downbytheriver

Weekend plan…

Try to finish staining. Smooth transitions on the top, mask and stain sides. Glue line on top - what to do? 

Neck - fill holes on back of headstock, look again at headstock facing. 

Electrics - dry assemble loom and pickups, make sure it will go through the f-hole. Pickup leads too short? 

Hardware - look at bridge fitting - dowel and redrill? 

downbytheriver

Ok I need advice. The glue line between the two halves of the top just won’t disappear. Any suggestions? There is clearly a gap between the two halves. I’m staying positive about this kit but this is a bit annoying! 

WezV

Unfortunately that can often be the case with a veneer.   It's often a tell tale sign, but hidden under a colour coat

downbytheriver

WezV said:

Unfortunately that can often be the case with a veneer.   It's often a tell tale sign, but hidden under a colour coat

Well, I’m already resigned to it staying there - this was a last roll of the dice! 

WezV

You can probably disguise it a bit with an appropriately coloured sharpie... as daft as it sounds, it should work

downbytheriver

Now that’s pure genius

Flip

TTony said:

That certainly looks to be a very good place to start.

I've built six of their kits and only one turned out a bummer due to inaccurate routing but the company's attitude and help were first class. Unfortunately, their prices have recently shot up.

The only other issue I had with most of their veneered models the joins are filled with sustainable glue/filler which only shows when you start to stain. For that reason, I've stopped doing thin veneers.

Flip

downbytheriver said:

One thing I haven’t mentioned is that, disappointingly, there is no large access from the pickup routs - the electrics will have to go through the f-hole - I need to experiment with that to see what kind of loom will fit. 

I have a 335 kit in my pipeline and noticed an excellent youtube video (by the very useful Canadian Brad Angrove) showing the build of a 335 with no back access. The luthier used 'aquarium tubing' to bring the pots etc into position which I thought was ingenious.

GSPBASSES

The glue line between the two veneers can be hidden as PRS do on the early Santana guitar. You cut a channel 1.5 mm deep through the glue line and fill will green Abalone.

https://prsguitars.com/privatestock/gallery_guitar/1029_santana_i

downbytheriver

GSPBASSES said:

The glue line between the two veneers can be hidden as PRS do on the early Santana guitar. You cut a channel 1.5 mm deep through the glue line and fill will green Abalone.

https://prsguitars.com/privatestock/gallery_guitar/1029_santana_i

I fear I might be digging myself a deeper hole here! Neat solution though

DartmoorHedgehog

Or you could put a couple of "go-faster stripes" on it, Shelby style, with one conveniently on the joint line. Might not suit the look you're going for though.

downbytheriver

Long time no post - things have been a bit complex down at chez river but this is where we are. Staining finished (in the end I just stopped fiddling) clear coat added - nitro from manc guit tech (about 5 years old!). Neck just glued in. Let the neck glue cure for a day or two then see what’s what. 

DartmoorHedgehog

That colour looks really good

Roland

Very pretty

elstoof

They’re good those stains, did you use the shots or the big bottles?

ThePrettyDamned

That looks brilliant now the hardware is on, great scheme. 

downbytheriver

elstoof said:

They’re good those stains, did you use the shots or the big bottles?

Big bottles. I’m not sure the pastels are available as shots. (You can actually see one of the bottles in the picture!)

davros

Looking great, the clear coat definitely brings the colours to life.