Guitar Build #1 - 3/4/2015

WRAP-UP AND LESSONS LEARNED

Welcome to the final post of Guitar Build #1. What a journey this has been for me! In the beginning I was inspired by my father to build a kit guitar and was hoping to learn more about the inner workings of an electric guitar than I've ever been motivated to learn about in my nearly 30 years of playing...not to mention saving tons of money by NOT buying a Gibson. I would have been perfectly happy with a well playing, great sounding Frankenguitar. In the end I strongly feel that I came away with so much more...

Not bad! Although I think I want a new pickup ring in the bridge position...

This guitar, while intended to look like an antique or relic, is truly beautiful. I definitely achieved the relic look with the exception of the nut and bridge/tailpiece. Both of those components look very new, but the features and functionality that they brought were necessary. I will say that after much curing on the surface, the finish has matted down a little more than I wanted. The finish is still beautiful but could use just a little more gloss...I guess she has that "aged 50 years" look right outta the box, so to speak. Lesson learned #1: apply more varnish than you think you need! Honestly, if I were to build another relic, I'd use the exact same supplies and processes (except pre-wash the rags more to avoid lint...FUCKING LINT MAN!). However, if I were to build another guitar I'd probably opt for a more modern nitrocellulose spray lacquer finish over the top of dewaxed spray shellac (this would bring out the grain more than just clear lacquer alone).

Pretty glossy...but still has an aged look to it!

 Speaking of lessons learned that are indirectly related to the finish....Lesson learned #2: drill the hole for the bridge ground BEFORE finishing the top. This would have saved me some damage to the finish, which on this build is being explained off as "character" or "age" haha. More finish-related lessons learned...Lesson learned #3: do a better job taping the binding and other surfaces that aren't supposed to receive a particular finish. There are a couple spots on the binding that have the mahogany color from the back that I was not able to scrape off with an Xacto knife. Once again..."character". Lesson Learned #4: buy a kit with binding all the way around the guitar, neck, AND headstock. This would have made the headstock much more appealing in the end as this build has a pretty rough looking finish on the headstock. More on the headstock, especially related to the next possible build being spray lacquered, Lesson learned #5: don't purchase the maple veneer on the headstock. This will ensure uniformity between the back of the headstock and the face.

The Switchcraft toggle switch is REALLY nice to use! So are the knobs...

Lesson learned #6: pore fill the mahogany back! This build I wanted a more antique look so I didn't pore fill, but if I were to opt for a more modern look I would certainly need to pore fill in order to ensure a glass-like finish. Finally, and possible most importantly in regards to the finish, Lesson learned #7: SAND THAT MOFO DOWN to 400 or 600 grit BEFORE finishing to ensure a very smooth surface AND to knock off any residual glue from the factory. This glue remnant left a few spots on the face of the guitar where the finish didn't fully take...which, in the end, looks like light spots on the finish...no bueno!

See the light spots in the red by the binding?? Glue residue...

Moving onward...filing down a teflon coated guitar nut is really not friendly to the lungs. Lesson learned #8: wear a protective mask (this also applies to finishing as well since the fumes aren't very nice either). Additionally, protective gloves are a good thing (I wore them for a while, but after I ran out I didn't buy them or wear them anymore...)! Now on to electronics...

The Gotoh 510 bridge/tailpiece set is really amazing!

Lesson learned #9: if you want boutique pickups, order them in advance of the project. They often take 4-to-6 weeks or longer from order date to arrival date. Due to this, I actually opted for Seymour Duncan Antiquities (even though I was originally going to get the Whole Lotta Humbuckers) which are surprisingly a hand-wound set of pickups! I must say that the tone of this guitar is absolutely amazing! Ballsy, fat, expressive, and just has that bell-like chime when you really dig into the strings...I've not heard a tone like this from a guitar in person, EVER. I've heard it on old albums, but never in person, not even from a real Gibson. I don't say this out of pride of building this thing, I say this out of nearly 30 years of playing and hearing TONS of guitars! You could say I'm happier than a pig wallowing in its own shit in regard to the tone of this guitar!

Looks like something straight outta 1959!

Lesson learned #10: my hands are not well suited to wiring, or maybe I just need practice. HIRE someone to wire the guitar. Had I listened to myself this time, I could have saved myself $65 (the original quote was $60 to wire, but was upped to $125 as all my wiring had to be ripped out and re-done) and one electrocution. 

And last but not least...Lesson learned #11: measure twice, work once. I measured for aligning the tuners as well as the input jack...all of which ended up crooked. But, alas there's that "character" thing I keep speaking of.

Not a performance demo, just seeing how my newly built axe sounds! Lots of buzz though...perhaps new tubes are in order...

Thanks for tuning in! I've had a lot of fun and do believe that I will do this again! I really, REALLY like the electronics and tone in this one, but I'm not sure the direction I'll take the next one. For sure it'll have the upgraded AAAA tiger maple cap (MORE GRAAAAIIIINNNSSS), and also have binding around the body, neck, AND headstock. Tune in!

Cheers,
Dean