JayT

2nd body cut out, I don’t know why I don’t do one full build at time...well I do know— with limited space setting up tools & workspace takes an hour 

Looking really cool! Nice work so far

indirectly related to this build --- I made a cheap-o, push (no crank) fret bender out of plywood scrap, a cut up credit card (for spacers) and skateboard wheel bearings -- like $12 total cost. And the wire slides through like butter.

Really cool look to this one, good work! 

8 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

Although it can be seen, the grain matches surprisingly well!

I still had the scraps from the rough cutout and made the filler piece from same location ... that seemed to help a lot 

Had (yet another) router screw up - user error! After a few shallow passes and removing the template I misjudged the routing bit bearing height. Whadya gonna do...?

so I did my best to match the gouge and glued it in - thinking I can always shave off the entire  edge square and join a bigger piece or even reshape the horn if the mood struck me

Anyway it came out OK I think, good enough if I use the dark red stain.

I'll just consider it Wabi Sabi

Attached is a zipped up .eps file that I believe you can open with CorelDraw and/or convert to CDR,  Sorry I only use Adobe   -- Maybe not 100% perfect but pretty close.

Screenshot of it as well, Just to show what it should look like (there are more than one variations (I think) Hope it works for you

treelife.eps.zip

On 4/9/2021 at 9:46 AM, jowilmei said:

I'm feeling that it might be a crime to cover up the interesting grain patterns, even though my original intention wasn't a natural finish.

Trust that feeling! Save the paint for 2/3 piece bodies. I'd kill (well not really) for a slab of ash that wide. Where does one find that??

I have nothing of value to add, anything offered would expose my skill level  -- but your work is sire impressive. Looking forward to seeing the finished product. Keep the pictures coming!

I say go for it. Many builders advised me to buy a neck for my first build, but I went ahead a dove in --- admittedly with mixed results, but many lessons learned. Good luck!!

Just a bit of progress ... my work window is limited as my 'workshop' is directly underneath the master bedroom -- and the wife forbids power tools or any sort of "banging around" after 9pm. I gotta get a bigger shed, with power. I dream.

happy this thread was bumped up, such a beautiful guitar! Near flawless work IMO

On 3/20/2021 at 4:19 AM, Bizman62 said:

That's a clever way to glue the scarf joint!

I'm basically going to copy his entire process - just putting that out there with no shame

After a long hiatus I'm finally back at it -- I'm finding that my biggest speed bump is lack of stockpiled wood/materials. If I had it on hand I think I'd be more motivated

Anyway, picked up some ash, enough for 3 body blanks & some some maple enough for 2 more necks -- so I have less excuses now. 

planned it down to thickness and am ready to square up seam edges and glue.

I'm liking this grain way better than the poplar I used on the last builds, that I painted) going to make 2 basses and stain/tint these. One blonde, one red, tweaked the design (again) -- going to have truss rod access at the heel rather than the head...and did some color tests

Wish me luck! I'll surly need it, and don't call me Shirley.

Watch as many YT videos as you can find, within reason, There are so many techniques out there it can be confusing on which is "right" or "the best way" to do every step...*spoiler* there isn't any one way to do any of this!

On 11/8/2020 at 10:41 AM, PRSpoggers said:

...I live about 45 minutes from the PRS factory in Maryland ... 

Oh, hey...we're practically neighbors!

Great to see new blood! Especially since I've been sidelined from building (yet again) due to my back (lift with your legs, kids...you'll regret it later if you don't!) - I couldn't agree more with everything @komodo stated. If I was to pass on any one piece of advice I was given, it would be:

"The phrase 'good enough' shouldn't be in your vocabulary when building"

I want to paint a guitar kit solid white with some small graphics under the final clear coat. Is there any paint/finish combo I should avoid?

I've never done nitro so if I go that way can I lay down the white, let that dry then hand paint some graphics, let that dry, then nitro clear on top? Not sure if that's too long and the clear coat won't "melt in to" the color coat.

Also will the nitro work with say acrylic  paint under the clear or will that have some problems? I plan to hand brush on the graphics but want the cllear coat surface to be as flat/smooth as possible. Considering getting an airbrush but would rather not if possible.

Going to do some tests first but I always appreciate expert advice (or at least advice from someone with any experience)

Question, should I seal & grain fill the back of a neck (set) that I'm going to paint same as the body & headstock?

I've seen that to improve playability of a painted neck you can/should sand it down (1500 grit) to a mat finish. Also that "perfectly smooth" necks have less slide than one with a slightly uneven surface -- less surface area=less friction (oddly claimed to be proven out in one case by a guy painting/sanding the bottom of a racing boat)

So, if I skip the sealing and pore/grain filling on the back of the neck only - then paint along with the rest of the guitar wouldn't that have the same (or similar) results as sanding back after painting?

Very cool! This really has a lot of great layers to it, both in construction and aesthetics. Love the hidden pickup switch too, goo idea.

What's this puppy weigh in at?

I see boxes! Mac Chrome & iOS

I've got 2 builds going on (hey, that's a lot for so don't judge!) and my shop is turning into a sandpaper graveyard.

My current sandpaper storage is a mess -- I tried making a sort of file cabinet type system with a fooler for each grit/size and that works OK for new stuff...but once used they end up all over the place. Doesn't help that I tend to not throw them away even after I think I should, the good stuff isn't cheap!

I did start marking the back with the grit all over incase I cut them in smaller pieces, that helps at least with identifying the scattered pieces.

Are there any tips on what helps makes your sandpaper issues less abrasive?

Thanks in advance!

She turned out stunning! The attention to detail is top tier IMO - super stellar job! ,,, wait, no strap yet? How are you going to do that "spin behind the back" metal move?

OK, I admit when I saw the first renderings of this I comment something like "Wow, this is an amazing design!" but was definitely  thinking "we'll never see this in reality"  --- well, thanks for proving me wrong. Mind blowing and its not even complete!