Pariahrob

Cheers @Andyjr1515

And that is why this forum is so good! Thanks @Andyjr1515 that’s a great post. Saved me some experimentation and possible false starts. 

I may still try this method on spare piece but sounds like it could be a winner. The pores in wenge are pretty substantial so a slurry based approach might be best. 

@Norris no problem at all. That’s the exact kind of hijack I like. One I can learn from. 

Ok, so I’ve done a test. Here you can see the neck in its current state. I still need to take a couple of my off the face of the headstock so rubbed a light coat of wax on. It darkened a bit on application but once buffed it lightened up again. Not completely back to natural but near enough. 

I think it looks great and on more refined surface will be just right. I hope! 

Agreed. A wide chisel would be ideal for this. 

Ha! Yep, wenge is def very open. I’ll head into this morning and do some testing on an offcut. 

Thanks for the thought guys. I use renaissance wax for some jobs. Might give that a try. Woukd be nice to keep the open pore feel rather than clog it all up. 

I think gluing a block in was for a really oversized pocket. 

That can work well but as Norris suggested you’ll need to flatten the existing pocket first. 

Question: just thinking ahead to finishing the neck. Wenge has a tendency to get really dark when oiled but I don’t want a shiny finish so need a solution. I’m thinking a simple wax. 

Thoughts?

I’d never have though if shellacking the inside. 

Thats some lovely work you’ve got going there. 

Those are the best and worst learning experiences. You’ll definitely end up with something you’ll love even more now. 

A little progress Today. Shaped the neck blank. The headstock is rough but the truss rod is in and the board is glued and clamped. 

moved on the install the trem and a backstop. Nice Wilkinson vintage trem but push in arm and big steel block. I prefer the bent steel saddles too so this has them. 

Thanks! I’m hoping the sfg will look good with the wenge neck too. 

That conductive paint is great. A tiny bottle goes a long way. 

In the shop tomorrow so hopefully get some progress on the neck. 

Wow. I thought I was a neat freak! That is beautiful!

I use this. I’ve tried a few and this is best. It’s hard to clean up if you slip but worth a little care. 

Today I shielded all the body cavities. I prefer conductive paint to copper film so that’s done and now ontobth fretboard. Only planning a single brass ring at the 12th fret, a bit like the semi hollow I made earlier in the year. 

Also got an order in for one of my 7 watt amps. The guy doesn’t know what head cab he wants so has left it to me. Not sure myself!

ive done a little board shaping on the belt sander. Mostly to save some elbow grease once I start with the beam. 

Congratulations dude!

Wow. Lovely wood choice and looks impeccably built. Looking forward to seeing work in progress shots of the next one. 

Poor course, I’d forgotten I could paste a link! 

Ha! I can’t seem to upload from my phone or I’d have posted photos. 

Client for the superstrat has run into cash flow problems, so it’s sitting waiting right now. 

I’ve just started a new build for myself however. Essentially a Strat but with a few modern elements. Wenge neck with a wide flat D, Ebony fretboard. Staggered locking Gotoh tuners and tusq xl nut. Duncan ssl set with a hot bridge. Wilkinson term with big stainless block and bent stainless saddles. 

I know now it’ll look like a Nick Johnston Schecter but going for sea foam green and off white plastic. 

Some work in progress...

Thanks all. Good to be back in the saddle!

I love the width of the wenge. It's not the most suitable material for thin strips. It's properties for tone wouldn't show much and it's hard on tools. I think this slab will work well. I like how dense it is. Good balance with the maple plus it looks cool!

@Zoltar I really like working with tulipwood. Some blanks can be a bit green and soft. If you get one like that a gentle baking can work well. If you get a thoroughly dried one it's really good. Machines very well, is lightweight and sounds well balanced.

...Meet the Brollichan. It's still rough in places but getting there. Very pleased with the deep cutaway. Might encourage me to play up there more.

Hi all. Well the last couple of months completely got away from me. I got another Harrier built for a client but have mostly been travelling with my day job. 

But im back now and the superstrat is well under way again. It’s also changed a little. Final plans are:

tulipwood body with splayed maple cap

maple/wenge/maple neck

reverse headstock. 10 degree angle with volute and a maple/ebony veneer. 

22 jumbo frets. Jescar wire. Brass eye 12th marker. 

Either a slight brown burst or ‘dip! With hand burnished nitro clear finish in satin. 

All black hardware. Hipshot and locking tuners

bill lawrence l500xl and volume only. 

Set neck (biggest change) with wide  and low profile. Not too flat like a jem but enough for comfortable playing. 

So so that’s my spec. To follow are some progress shots...

Thanks everyone! I've not been able to either do much building or get online the last couple of weeks but really appreciate the support.  

Superstrat build is is progressing very slowly. Fingerboard is slotted and glued on. I might even trim andcradius it today. If so photos will follow. 

No way!!!!

i just saw I won guitar of the month! That's so amazingly exciting. Thank you so much to anybody who voted. I'm seriously touched.