Electric Guitar Project - Almost Complete!

[Philly]

Yeah, not forgotten your warning.... :lol:

Probably going to bind the body, think it will look better. I've started inlaying the fingerboard. I just routed out the majority of the waste freehand and then finished off with a small chisel and knife. More pics soon.
Cheers
Philly

 

[Philly]

Another update!
I've bound the body (using Allparts UK binding - lovely stuff and easy to fit!)

I gave the guitar a good sanding, stained the top and gave it a coat of sealer to keep it clean. Need to finish off the fingerboard inlays and I can move it along a little more.

Cheers
Philly

 

[JonnyD]

Thats looking great philly. You and the other guitar builds going on have inspired me to get out my melvyn hiscock book and start making a few plans for a build of my own.

Theres some good youtube links here for more industrial production

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRsr8QN-0BI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYN_K9dVYVQ

Jon

 

[thedonutman]

That's looking really good! The shape is really interesting, reminds me of a cross between a Dean and a Vox.

 

[Ironballs]

Looks like the binding worked well Phil and you've got some nice flame going there. I'm cleaning up the inlays with a chisel and it's slow work, I'd post some pics up but I think they'd bore people!!

 

[Philly]

Righto - managed a little more on the weekend when the Missus thought I was busy :lol:

Finished inlaying the fingerboard, fitting the pseudo-frets and gluing on the fingerboard. I also drilled the headstock out for the tuners. Had a quick go at making the bridge today and should have that fitted tomorrow. Then I'm ready for some lacquer!
There are more pics on my website for those of a suitable disposition :wink:
Cheers
Philly

 

[Ironballs]

Excellent Phil, you're going much quicker than me. Also a good idea to cut the fret slots after cutting out the inlays, I suffered a couple of small breakouts into the frets when down the business end of the fingerboard. Another glueing job before I can carry on... :roll:

 

[Mikey R]

Good tip, I wouldnt have thought of doing the inlays before the slots.

Looking good!

 

[Philly]

Thanks Guys!
Only did the fret slots the way i did because I don't know how I should be doing things.... :lol:
Made a bridge for it yesterday, only to find I'd messed up the string spacing. So will be making the MK II version tomorrow. Then I can get the spray gun out
Cheers
Phil

 

[Philly]

Been waiting for a steel delivery today so made some more guitar progress.
First up, the bridge. Made the first one with the wrong string spacing, so, after kicking myself, made it again. But correct.

Then glued it in place....

After a final sanding I masked off the fingerboard and bridge and got out the spraygun..

And I just need to sort out where the controls are going to go.

Cheers
Philly

 

[TrimTheKing]

Hey Philly, looking at you in that window, were you on that trampoline when you took that pic?

Looking nice btw, finish looks lovely and shiny on the body. Is that straight from the gun or do you get out the autosol and wet'n'dry to shine it up?

 

[OPJ]

That finish is looking great, Phil - I really must get around to trying my Earlex some time! :wink:

Great tip on hanging the guitar ready for spraying - with all the fumes going outdoors, I may just keep our up-and-over garage door after all!!

 

[Philly]

Trim
Ha! Spotted me :lol:
I rubbed out the finish with 400 grit wet and dry, then a wipe over with cutting compound to polish it up. This lacquer (Chestnuts Melamine) dries real fast, but stays softish for a day or two. I like to rub out the finish early on then leave it a day or two to cure. The a final burnish with compound gives a fantastic gloss finish.

Olly
Thanks - working outside was a great choice. I had two tiny specks of dust on the last coat, even though it was a breazy day. So I'll be doing this again - and hanging it up meant I could spray the whole guitar in one go.

Cheers
Phill

 

[Mikey R]

And I just need to sort out where the controls are going to go.

Cheers
Philly

Hey Phill, how are you planning to to avoid chipping the finish when drilling for the pot holes?

Nice gloss finish!

 

[Anonymous]

Awesome Phil!

Masking tape to avoid chipping?

 

[Philly]

Mike
I like to leave a huge disaster right 'til the end.... :lol:
Little drill, bigger drill, up to finished size should stop any chip out . And as Tony said, masking tape over the hole helps a lot, too.

I'm beavering away on a plane at the moment and the guitar is sat looking at me and calling me. :roll:

Cheers

Philly

 

[Setch]

I also like to dirll for controls after finishing - with a sharp bit it's no problem, and I usually drill undersize then ream to final size with a tapered reamer.

If you drill first, you can get a nasty build up of finish and compund around the holes, and this needs to be removed, which can be just as likely to result in chips.

 

[Mikey R]

Mike
I'm beavering away on a plane at the moment and the guitar is sat looking at me and calling me. :roll:

Yep, thats what guitar projects do.

I also like to dirll for controls after finishing - with a sharp bit it's no problem, and I usually drill undersize then ream to final size with a tapered reamer.

If you drill first, you can get a nasty build up of finish and compund around the holes, and this needs to be removed, which can be just as likely to result in chips.

Cool - I'll try that next time.

 

[Philly]

Another update - she's almost completed!
Fitted the electrics, nut, tuners and strings. Had a quick play and I'm over the moon!
Need to make a cover for the control cavity and tweak the bridge and nut a little and I'll be a happy bunny.
More pics on my hobby website......
www.philsville.co.uk
Cheers
Philly

 

[Ironballs]

Looking good Phil, work on mine has ground to a halt since finishing my class, need to kick myself up the rear and get on with it.

For my personal taste I'd have made the headstock a little wider and I wonder if you might be tempted to change the pickup rings...

You have a guitar that is all warm darkish woods and the bridge and fingerboard match, but then you have a set of very bright and cream pickup rings. I reckon they'd look better if they were closer in colour to the rest of the guitar, perhaps make some yourself or age the existing ones to tone them down a bit?