verhoevenc Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Loving the headless design! I need to find some time one day to work on my headless idea Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 9, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Thanks Chris! I think I'm mainly leaning toward the headless 8 first, I just feel that it'll be super fun to work on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Frets installed: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I think the colours and figuring of the fretboard and body coordinate beautifully. I can't wait to see it when it's had its finish applied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 The dark brown in the Wengé will go super deep. This will transform overnight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psikoT Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 That fretboard looks amazing... you guys have access to some sexy woods. It's a pity that you had to route the little corner at the end, I would file the pickup instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Easy to hide; turn the end of the fretboard into an S curve to distract from the shape. There are enough curves elsewhere to make this unobtrusive! This one's always been my favourite. Not to hide anything as such, however I enjoyed leaving a partial fret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djobson101 Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 That guitar is just gorgeous, amazing work! I would be very interested to see what you do with that headless 8 in terms of wood combinations and what not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 I'm sure it'll be something to behold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Thank you so much, everyone! Maybe on the next one I'll just extend the treble side of the fretboard to meet the pickup cavity and add a partial 25th fret. That's one more, innit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2.5itim Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 ^^ this was my thinking! Just extend the treble side to meet up flush with the pickup cavity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psikoT Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 1 hour ago, KnightroExpress said: Thank you so much, everyone! Maybe on the next one I'll just extend the treble side of the fretboard to meet the pickup cavity and add a partial 25th fret. That's one more, innit? I wanted to suggest that but I couldn't find the right way to say it, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Nothing too flashy today, just took care of the fret ends. Everything has been filed flush, beveled, and finally smoothed out with an ultra-fine file. Next time: hardware and string installation, followed by Katana fret level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 Grainaliciuos, what pups are going in this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 This one is getting a Seymour Duncan Pegasus/Sentient set. I can't wait to hear it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 15, 2016 Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 So 7th position is denoted by the black line? Subtle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 15, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2016 There is actually a dot there, but I did pick a lighter piece so that line would stand out more. The black MOP I used here is some cool stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Alright, time to get back to work. Tonight, I test-installed the hardware and strung the guitar up. This allows me to ensure that the neck alignment is good, plus I use the Katana fret leveling system, which works under string tension. On to pics! And wouldn't you know it, everything lines up properly. Setting relief and Katana leveling Now I have to drill the mounting holes for my machine screw inserts. Say goodbye to stripped holes! As ever, I start with a template and use a transfer punch to locate the drill locations. Drilling for the flange, then the body. Pressed in with a bit of CA to anchor everything Matching wenge cavity cover And of course, some full body shots to round out the evening. I still need to get the fretwork all squared away, then I can move on to final sanding. I can't wait to get some oil on this guitar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 How does the Katana system of fret leveling work? SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 review review review review 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Scott- Essentially, it's an aluminum beam with a truss rod inside and abrasive along the bottom edge. The idea is that you dial in the proper relief under actual string tension, then adjust the Katana to match your neck's curve. Once everything matches, the Katana slips between each pair of strings and you just slide it along the string path to level the frets. The process is repeated for each string pair until you've leveled everything across the board. Carl- Ok, I'll write one. The dancing pirate banana is very convincing! I took a bunch of pictures of the process with the intent of writing about it, so hopefully I can get that going this weekend. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psikoT Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I'd also interested to see how that katana works... I think that small tripod adds an extra relief to the neck, due to the weight of the body... I'd say it's better if you level with the neck in the air or at least avoid any support which raises the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 3 hours ago, KnightroExpress said: Scott- Essentially, it's an aluminum beam with a truss rod inside and abrasive along the bottom edge. The idea is that you dial in the proper relief under actual string tension, then adjust the Katana to match your neck's curve. Once everything matches, the Katana slips between each pair of strings and you just slide it along the string path to level the frets. The process is repeated for each string pair until you've leveled everything across the board. Carl- Ok, I'll write one. The dancing pirate banana is very convincing! I took a bunch of pictures of the process with the intent of writing about it, so hopefully I can get that going this weekend. "Convincing dancing banana pirate is convincing" It would be great to read your opinions on how it worked as part of the build once this is past the finishing post really. They're a high ticket tool, and need to provide return that justifies the outlay. I'm on the fence with this. Banana pirate might convince you, however you need to convince us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted April 20, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Hahaha, I'm not sure if I can match banana pirate's persuasive power (or dance moves!). Really though, I've already used the Katana on the red guitar. I had good results with no buzzing, but I don't think they're any better than any other properly done fret level. It's got a nice 'gee whiz' factor and I like using it, but if you've already got a process that works well for you, I think you could make better use of 200 bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Your pragmatic approach and honest opinion will produce a fine review, I am sure. Banana pirate has your back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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