Cameroo Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I might be the one with the incorrect understanding here, but my impression is that tight-grained woods like cherry won't really accept much grainfill, and therefore it would have no "cool factor" impact on the end product. I worked a piece of cherry for my lap-steel, and there's no way any grainfill was going to remain behind after wiping. So, just to clarify-- is the suggestion actually referring to dying black and then sanding back again so that the grain pattern is emphasized? Not the same thing as grain-filling. Greg I was picturing something like this when I agreed with the red and black idea (Jason's SG)... You're right though, grain filling might be pointless in this case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregP Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 That SG looks awesome except for the one obvious flaw. The finish is bootiful, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 (edited) That sort of finish, though beautiful, isn't really my kinda preference. It's too "artificial" if you know what I mean. I'm more a sucker for the woody hues, well, like the cocobolo's. Edited May 10, 2007 by Pyroiguana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Hmm.. I got two questions. The two main things I need to do now are drilling a hole for the pickup to pickup wire (I just did the pickup to control cavity hole) and thinning down the headstock. To drill that wire hole, you would use a extremely long drill bit, right? But I'm home alone, and the nearest hardware store is quite a bit aways. So, is there any way I could possibly do this without using the long drill bit? And as for the headstock, I'm guessing the best way to do this is just with a belt sander? It only needs to be thinned by around 1/8th an inch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Hmm.. . To drill that wire hole, you would use a extremely long drill bit, right? But I'm home alone, and the nearest hardware store is quite a bit aways. So, is there any way I could possibly do this without using the long drill bit? The only way I know without the long bit or a mini right angle chuck is to route a cavity in the back between the two pickups and drill from the top through each pup recess at an angle into the back cavity. Heaps more work and an extra cavity cover to make, I'd just hang fire until you get to the shop for the long bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmarlin Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 The thing I have learned about guitar building is patience, wait till you can get what you need to do it right. I have made a few mistakes with my first build because I get excited about it and rush through things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattharris75 Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 I hear ya...Same problem I have. Probably a pretty common thing for beginners...Right now i'm waiting on a tool to finish my headstock, but I really want to rush in and jury rig the whole deal. Must....fight....temptation.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted May 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Yeah I guess I am trying to rush things. But when I get so close to finishing only to have to wait like a month for the last bit, it kinda irks me. But no matter! Luckily, I found a friend who'll drive me to a home depot today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petrol Posted May 12, 2007 Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 Yeah, if you can't wait, instead of rushing call on a favour Can't wait to see this one finished, the woods you have are beautiful and I'm a fan of the shape as well Keep it up! Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted August 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2007 (edited) Well, I've been pretty lazy. I probably coulda got this done months ago : P Well, anyways, I'm gonna finish it now. After seeing just how dark cherry can get aged, I've decided to just do a simple natural finish. Here's some pics after (almost) final sanding and such (and a older one of it put together) However, I decided I might round all the edges a little more. School starts for me next week, so I'm gonna try and get as much done as possible in the next 5 days. Back Control Cavity With Hardware* *Yeah it's insanely messy in there! I've cleaned it up since, don't worry. Edited August 7, 2007 by Pyroiguana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheIRS Posted August 8, 2007 Report Share Posted August 8, 2007 Thats really quite a fantastic job you've done there. You have a hell of a lot of talent for a first timer, and that control cavity is quite clean looking. Excellent work, I'm in awe of your project here, I hope mine can get this good lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Yeah with that beaut grain a clear finish is the way to go, are you going with thick and glossy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oblaty Posted August 9, 2007 Report Share Posted August 9, 2007 Pyroiguana I like your guitar.. mostly the grain of wood and the body shape. It really looks great. Can´t wait to see it finished Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xanthus Posted August 31, 2007 Report Share Posted August 31, 2007 I'm just wondering how you're going to get in there and shield that multi-leveled control cavity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted September 6, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2007 Alright, well I finally got some time to finish it... Right now, it's coated it danish oil and buffed. I was thinking about urethane, and ended up deciding I'd see how it goes with the oil finish before moving onto that. Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll get time to work on the soldering... And I gotta hunt down a new neck screw cause one of mine mysteriously dissapeared... : / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vinny Posted September 6, 2007 Report Share Posted September 6, 2007 Geez Pyro, you're doin a terrific job! and 14 years old,??? Dude you RULE!!! You and Godin (15 I think) are gonna carry the torch when us geezers peeter out, -Vinny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted September 7, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2007 Thanks alot Vinny!! and I'm 15, actually. I really enjoyed doing this project. I'm actually thinking of starting another one soon, planning a neck through semihollow bass. Which makes sense, cause I play bass in my band : P Well, can't finish today, my parents are having a bunch of people over. So this weekend. Saturday? I'm really anxious to get this done... When I do my next guitar, I'm gonna try not to drag it out this long. And I'll get a chance to try out building a neck and carving. I keep thinking to myself, if I can get good enough, maybe I could start selling them in a while... So I don't have to work at McDonalds for the next 5 or so. We'll see. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted September 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 Yay!!! I finally finished it. Well, except for the nut. Thats all thats left before i can string 'er up. The electronics were a bit time-consuming... Around 40 solders coupled with a crappy soldering iron and a tiny tiny control cavity tend to make the whole deal a little troublesome. And, of course, the shielding was a little difficult too considering the weird shape I did, but with a combination of aluminum shielding tape, a huge screw, and duct tape, it was successfully shielded. (No noise at all!) I was so surprised, there wasn't a single crossed wire, electrical error or anything the first time round! I'm gonna get the nut done this weekend. (That string may seem a little misplaced to some. Used it for testing the electronics : P) Control Cavity Back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 Good job dude! It's fantastic that you're building guitars at age 15. Keep at it; your skills will improve with each project. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oblaty Posted September 29, 2007 Report Share Posted September 29, 2007 Wow! so many wires Looks great... (my GOTM tip ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyroiguana Posted September 30, 2007 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Thanks guys. Tried doing the nut yesterday... And failed. Rather than buy a ton of equipment to do it, I used a set of.. uh, fold-out sized metal plates that measure gaps. Don't know what they're called. Basically, they go down to very small sizes and they have a rounded edge, so I filed notches in the ones that match the string width, so now I've got some homemade nut files. They work perfect, just the right size. Problem is, I miscalculated a depth and ended up going too low down... So I went out and bought a couple more nut blanks to work with. I think I'll be able to get it right next time though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted September 30, 2007 Report Share Posted September 30, 2007 Good luck with the next go at the nut, the last piece of the puzzle. The guitar looks fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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