djhollowman

I've been wondering about something quite similar! In most, if not all of the tutorials I've read the paint is being applied to the body on the downward stroke, ie. as you're submersing the body. You then have to clear an area in the water in which to remove the body, to avoid applying more unwanted paint. I'm wondering how it would work if you submersed the body first, then put the paint into suspension in the water, and then pulled the body upwards through it, so that the paint is applied as the body leaves the tank. I think this is basically the same as your second idea? Gonna have to break out the dipping tank and some wood scraps methinks! DJ

Wow, that's pretty good for a borax job! I tried testing dozens of pieces using the borax method, but I just couldn't get anything that was close to good enough. I kept having problems with "craters" caused by water droplets in the finish. I just couldn't seem to get rid of the water quickly enough or something! Most frustrating! But I think I might resurrect the idea having seen this one! I still really want to swirl my primer-white Washburn mule. Please give some details! DJ BTW - your Strat now resembles a Westone Spectrum in shape! Like it!

That's what I kinda suspected, thank you! Hmm, it's possible yes. So, if that was the case, I'd just have to unsolder the pot, source a suitable replacement and fit it? DJ

Hey all, I have recently been helping a fella with his amp. It's a Marshall 15w combo. He says it kept cutting out, then went permanently dead. I checked the plug fuse...OK, checked the speaker...OK, checked the glass fuse on the PCB....dead. I've replaced it with another one, which made me realise I need to buy more fuses of the same rating, but do I need slow-blow or quick-blow ones? On a side note, having inserted the replacement fuse, the amp no longer cuts out, but it only wants to make noise when the master volume is turned up to 10!! Now, I realise it's only 15w but it's bloody loud at 10, and the pot is acting more like a switch than a gradual change! Any ideas? The pot isn't scratchy. I know Marshalls wanna run at 10 all the time, but this is ridiculous!! Apparently it didn't do that before it died. DJ

Welcome Andy! You really ought to do yourself a favour and make sure your next spend is on the book called "Make Your Own Electric Guitar" by Melvyn Hiscock, can't recommend it enough!! In it he guides you through how to determine the neck angle and all that stuff, as well as countless other things you didn't realise you needed to know. DJ

About 20 seconds or so into Tv advert (on Uk tv, for Olympic games) there's a really nice arpeggio part. I doesn't sound like it's played on a guitar, but it might sound good if it was! Anyone want to try to nail it? Deffo one for the sweep-picking shredders out there! DJ

Looking very nice! Reminds me of my own at that stage, same volute shape and similar headstock: DJ

I feel your pain brother DJ

Cool, no worries! When you're there get some belt sander belts (5 for £1.99), aluminium mini clamps (4 for £1.99), and they always have glues for a good price! They also have the usual screwdriver and socket sets, as well as various "tool kits" in differing sizes - I'm sure you've seen them everywhere! Saw guides as well. DJ

Aw man, I was hoping you were getting the joke bro'! Yeah, I used to be such a F1 fan back in the day. Sir JYS was my big hero. Was there when Coulthard so nearly won his first GP at Silverstone in '95! That was the big year for McRae too! I was genuinely upset when he was killed, he was such an inspirational guy. Jim Clark winning Indy at his first attempt: class. 2 things have dulled my interest in the sport recently: having kids (have so many better things to on a Sunday afternoon!), and the lack of proper racing! Still, I'm well-impressed by young Mr. Hamilton! DJ

I'm totally lost now what are you on about? Did you mean Scottish GOTM wins?? DJ

I didn't actually, although I should have guessed! Cheers for the heads-up! How do you actually do that? When I tried looking it just kept directing me to my nearest store! In return I offer the following titbit: This week they have packs of sandpaper sheets on offer, 20 sheets for 79p a pack! I got 3 packs, must go get more! You just cannot have too much cheap sandpaper! DJ

When I first looked at your sketch I thought "Wow, that'll need more to hold the neck on", and then I realised it's a neck-thru! :D Should look really good, can't wait to see more! DJ

"Welcome to England - winners of the 1963 world cup"! Aahhh yes, the classic 1963 World Cup final....England [ ukfg ]v. Austria [ :auss ]wasn't it? Yeah, yeah, and that George Hurst fella scored 5 goals didn't he? I remember! And who could forget that famous commentary from Kevin Wolstenholme: "some people are on the field....they think it might all be done soon....oh it is....righty-ho then" Still, as a Scot I like to look back and reminisce over Scotlands many great sporting moments as well, for example.....um.....well, there was that time......erm......what about that guy who, oh no............eh.......aye, and we won that thingy for.......... [Curling!!! I knew there was something!] Anyway, back OT: I agree with you, you newly-appointed Moderator that you are! [Nice new avatar BTW! Suits you sir]["ooooh!"] I think it's an awful shame to feel that you can't put a sensible opinion here for fear of being flamed! DJ

ah, you need a digital caliper then my man! DJ

Hiscock even mentions that he mixes metric and imperial in his book! I do it too: eg,"well, that's roughly 3/4", let's measure it....yup, it's 18mm!" DJ

Just for you Perry: Personally, I think he looks more like a Ghostbuster with those goggleses. Syd Little? ...or even Pete Waterman? But do you think The Stig uses inches or millimeters when judging braking points on the track? "...and on that bombshell, goodnight!" FWIW, I like Dan Erlewine. I have some of his books, and I really like the way he explains things. Also, as pointed out earlier, he does actually credit people where appropriate. I have no access to fully trained luthiers as such, and it means that any info I can get, either paper-based or 'puter-based like t'internet, I am grateful for. DJ

Yeah, there were things I liked about all the entries, even though they were diverse guitars! May as well have a wee run-thru myself: scottyd: finish and wood choices are awesome! The covered pickups look very sleek. I'm not a fan of the large upper half, but maybe it needs it to balance the design?? Canuck Brian: well, it's a big ol' bad-ass seven! Yeah! Love that nut, never seen that before. EMG's rule my world, that's for sure! Whole design kinda reminds me of the Dave Weiner Ibanez 7 string. (Maybe cos of the large inlay??) Loved it the second I saw it. zyonsdream: (are your photos down now??) loved the mixing of styles, v.cool for a Tele (not normally a Tele man as such) [can't really comment on my own entry ] RFR: reminds me of a Westone from waaay back, and that's a GOOD thing! That top is beautifully done and finished so nicely, it really suits the colour too! I'd really want to hear this one! Not normally sold on double cutaways like that, however I do like this one. eveguitars: very much my kinda axe! Pointy! EMG's! METAL! Loving the wood choice! Design reminds me of the ESP George Lynch one, the baritone, can't remember the model name. Very clean execution of the hardware etc. I could easily have voted for this one. pukko: wow, where to start??!! TBH, my heart kinda sank when I saw this one entered! ("Doomed, we're all doomed!")So many nice touches: the matching truss rod cover, the pickup selector knob, the pickup rings, the jack plate, the flame, the way the volute wraps the tuners, the inlay front n back. Not sold on the lower cutaway I have to say if I'm honest. I also would have not chosen that particular bridge as my first choice. But really nice headstock design - thought I'd seen all the nice 3+3's I was gonna by now! The binding really sets it all off so well. Worthy winner, no mistake. jjucius: better quality photos would have helped I'm sure! Anyway, looks like a beautiful maple neck. The colour of the hardware really suits the colours of the woods. Top looks a little "sided" from the photos, maybe it's not really?? Like the stripe through the ash body visible on the rear. Just some thoughts! DJ

it seems to be the point of GOTM to me. I suppose its my teacher side that tries to find something good and bad about each one but i started doing the detailed thing for each one because its really what i wanted when i entered Amen to all that, bruthas! DJ

Hey all, Just want to say a large THANK YOU to everyone who gave me a vote in this months comp! This was my first build, and my first entry to GOTM. I would've been thrilled to have gotten a single vote, so to get 7 was simply incredible!! pukko's guitar was a worthy winner, and I would have voted for it myself as well. (Out of fairness I cast a null vote) I'm so impressed with the variety and standard of all the guitars there. I'd be proud to have any of them! A great experience, and I'll certainly be back! (And I'll make better use of the "only post 4 photos" rule too! ) I loved the way that some members (avengers63, wezV and others) gave a detailed reaction to each guitar. I think that should be encouraged. They pointed out things I hadn't previously noticed, in some cases. Very worthwhile info IMHO. DJ

Bump! Yeah, I've bought several tools from Lidl too! In fact, the control cavity sheilding tape on my first build (Capricorn R7t) came from there. I've also bought handsaws, a profile gauge, straightedges, notebooks, compasses/protractor set, and last week I even got a wee drill press vice for a fiver! Thought about the wee Dremel-type thingy they have, but I want to get one that you can make into a mini router, for doing inlay work. And their Bran Flakes are awesome! Tip: don't bother with the rechargeable batteries, I know they're cheap but they are shite! Happy shopping! DJ

Hi, and welcome to the forums! Yes, photos would definately help! Always try to post photos if poss. What you need to do is upload your digital photo(s) to an online photo hosting site (I use photobucket.com), from there you copy the image tag bit, on photobucket it's called IMG Code, and when you come back here you click the "Insert Image" button just above the box you're typing in, paste the code, and wayhey! Try it, it's fun! ....and really helps the rest of us! Have you already fitted the fingerboard? If not, you could possibly relocate the fingerboard and re-cut the area for the nut. I think the real problem here is that, by your description of it, you will have removed quite a bit of wood. This means it may not be as easy as simply filling up an area and sanding it flat - you may have changed the level of the head surface. You could veneer the front of the head, having built it up level again and sanded it flat. I'm sure some of the more experienced fellas will chime in and help out as well. Hope this helps! DJ

You mean Ace behind the wheel of a motor vehicle ? Yeah, that doesn't always end well. HAHAHA! I nearly fell off my frickin' chair laughing at that! You ever see that classic video of KISS on the Tom Synder show in 1979? Oh man, Ace is wasted but he's so funny! Or, to quote Ace himself "Ack!" [This is my topic and I'll hijack it as much as I want!] DJ

+1 on Ace Frehley - you can't love guitars and not love the Spaceman! However......that doesn't excuse the atrocity in the middle of this page! ....shakes head in disbelief.... DJ

Yup, nothing to dislike here! Go for it, and please post photos as you build it! DJ