Lets look at our guitars thread

[vsonix]

Konan said:

Check out that old Electone behind!

Only just got that! It's a ton o fun! Cost me petrol money, still smells of frankincense every time I take the cover off! I've been mostly subverting it (the accompaniment modes are immense) to make house and techno beats...

Edited by vsonix on Saturday 21st October 19:58

[Dr Z]

Got the strat put together.







It sounds totally different to how it did when the pickups were in a previous neck/body. I'm surprised how different it sounds, to be honest! Important differences apart from the woods, from the previous setup are: bone vs plastic nut; gotoh vintage trem w/ full size steel block vs pretty cheap trem w/ thin zinc block; steel vs nickel frets.

It has got a pretty sweet top end now. Loving it.

The second tone knob has a push-pull that gets the neck/middle & middle/bridge in series. The knob needs to be changed or get a mini switch put in as it gets in the way of the trem arm.

[JLC25]

Dr Z said:

Got the strat put together.

Look brilliant! Where's the neck from?

[Dr Z]

JLC25 said:

Dr Z said:

Got the strat put together.

Look brilliant! Where's the neck from?

Thanks, got it from Warmoth. All Brazilian Ebony (they've got a few up for sale).

[JLC25]

Dr Z said:

Thanks, got it from Warmoth. All Brazilian Ebony (they've got a few up for sale).

Ace - been looking for UK equivalent of Warmoth but can't find anywhere with solid reviews - did you get stung by customs at all?

[singlecoil]

JLC25 said:

Ace - been looking for UK equivalent of Warmoth but can't find anywhere with solid reviews - did you get stung by customs at all?

I'm not aware of anyone in the UK in that line either. I considered it myself, I used to do exactly that about 20 years ago and have actively considered starting up again, but there's a couple of stumbling blocks. There's the finishing, the person doing it would need to be skilled and would also need the facilities to handle two-pack finishes. In all likelihood that would need to be someone who was painting cars and if he was doing that he probably wouldn't want to be interrupted by an occasional guitar part.

Then there's the cost. The market would virtually be restricted to the UK and I don't think there's enough people here wanting guitar parts at the prices that would need to be charged to support such an operation.

[JLC25]

singlecoil said:

I'm not aware of anyone in the UK in that line either. I considered it myself, I used to do exactly that about 20 years ago and have actively considered starting up again, but there's a couple of stumbling blocks. There's the finishing, the person doing it would need to be skilled and would also need the facilities to handle two-pack finishes. In all likelihood that would need to be someone who was painting cars and if he was doing that he probably wouldn't want to be interrupted by an occasional guitar part.

Then there's the cost. The market would virtually be restricted to the UK and I don't think there's enough people here wanting guitar parts at the prices that would need to be charged to support such an operation.

https://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/ - this is what I looked at - again not enough solid reviews for me - but seems well priced. I just want to bolt the spec I want together - no questions asked, without worrying about fit and finish. Also lack of Fender license means you have to have an alternative headstock design.

The guy who runs Fraser builds bodies too, but at the price of his guitars you might as well get a complete build from him.

If i had the ability to build I would - I do actually think there is a market - a lot of independent bands etc who don't have the backing of brands but have specific needs for their instruments have resorted to importing from Warmoth or extensively modifying builds.

[Dr Z]

JLC25 said:

Ace - been looking for UK equivalent of Warmoth but can't find anywhere with solid reviews - did you get stung by customs at all?

As you mention above, I also looked at the guitarbuild.co.uk, but I was looking for more fancy woods and they weren't doing that, in addition to the headstock template--that's not too much trouble, but the wood selection is what led me to import from Warmoth. I've had several shipments from them now. Had one via UPS which was very quick but the customs charges were double that from USPS (handled by the more sluggish ParcelForce). You're looking at an extra of around 18% of the value of the goods if you are thinking about Warmoth with USPS shipping.

The back contour was also very important to me, warmoth quote measurements on their different profiles they have whereas I can't find such info on the guitar build website. I now have three warmoth necks, all with different back contours and they feel pretty much how it's described.

Is it worth it? Yes, I now have guitars that are more tuned to my needs (aesthetics/playability) without having to go full on custom build for a lot more ££££.

ETA; The first neck I got from Warmoth was an all maple tele neck. I had only spec'd a bog standard maple but had a lot of 'custom' features that cost extra money, but what do you know, they had made it out of some pretty cool flame maple, not like AAAA flame, but definitely some very nice figuring.

Also, I have a Jazzmaster neck build with a fancy piece of wenge wood that I selected in their configurator and that has turned out well too. I'll post up pics when I have it put together. Waiting for the pick guard.

Edited by Dr Z on Monday 23 October 15:13

[singlecoil]

JLC25 said:

singlecoil said:

I'm not aware of anyone in the UK in that line either. I considered it myself, I used to do exactly that about 20 years ago and have actively considered starting up again, but there's a couple of stumbling blocks. There's the finishing, the person doing it would need to be skilled and would also need the facilities to handle two-pack finishes. In all likelihood that would need to be someone who was painting cars and if he was doing that he probably wouldn't want to be interrupted by an occasional guitar part.

Then there's the cost. The market would virtually be restricted to the UK and I don't think there's enough people here wanting guitar parts at the prices that would need to be charged to support such an operation.

https://www.guitarbuild.co.uk/ - this is what I looked at - again not enough solid reviews for me - but seems well priced. I just want to bolt the spec I want together - no questions asked, without worrying about fit and finish. Also lack of Fender license means you have to have an alternative headstock design.

I don't think they do finished parts, just bare wood.

[JLC25]

singlecoil said:

I don't think they do finished parts, just bare wood.

Probably should have been clearer on finish - I'm happy painting or staining/oiling any wood - by finish i mean the quality finish on the parts - how much sanding will i have to do, will the neck pocket fit snug etc. But you're right they don't offer finished bodies which is a bit short sighted!

[singlecoil]

JLC25 said:

singlecoil said:

I don't think they do finished parts, just bare wood.

Probably should have been clearer on finish - I'm happy painting or staining/oiling any wood - by finish i mean the quality finish on the parts - how much sanding will i have to do, will the neck pocket fit snug etc. But you're right they don't offer finished bodies which is a bit short sighted!

I should imagine that's because of the aforementioned difficulties of painting 2 pack.

[JLC25]

singlecoil said:

I should imagine that's because of the aforementioned difficulties of painting 2 pack.

Even offering a nitro finish would be better than nothing considering the bulk is fender bodies - but I get you. If you're not getting enough people in on the blanks and enough requests, no point contacting body shops etc. Maybe in the future.

Think I might go after one of the Tele bodies off of Warmoth and throw a Deathbucker in!

[singlecoil]

JLC25 said:

singlecoil said:

I should imagine that's because of the aforementioned difficulties of painting 2 pack.

Even offering a nitro finish would be better than nothing considering the bulk is fender bodies - but I get you. If you're not getting enough people in on the blanks and enough requests, no point contacting body shops etc. Maybe in the future.

I've painted several guitar bodies in cellulose and it's a whole stload of work and time. After the final sanding and grainfilling (quite a task in itself) it's time for the spraying. You can't put it on as thick as 2K so plenty of coats are needed, then you need to leave it several days to harden before flatting and polishing it.

I just can't see anybody apart from well-heeled PHers paying what you would need to charge.

[JLC25]

singlecoil said:

I just can't see anybody apart from well-heeled PHers paying what you would need to charge.

Imagine - a whole section in the shop for Powerfully Built Company Directors, playing tired blues licks through Wood Library PRS into Two Rocks.

Anyway I don't think I've every posted a photo of any equipment. Here's a really old picture of a JA90, The best MIM Strat in the world and a 6505+ head.

Ja90 by joecastle, on Flickr

[Evangelion]

singlecoil said:

I've painted several guitar bodies in cellulose and it's a whole stload of work and time. After the final sanding and grainfilling (quite a task in itself) it's time for the spraying. You can't put it on as thick as 2K so plenty of coats are needed, then you need to leave it several days to harden before flatting and polishing it.

I just can't see anybody apart from well-heeled PHers paying what you would need to charge.

On the other hand, nitrocellulose bodies sound so much better.









[/sarcasm]

[OldSkoolRS]

singlecoil said:

I've painted several guitar bodies in cellulose and it's a whole stload of work and time. After the final sanding and grainfilling (quite a task in itself) it's time for the spraying. You can't put it on as thick as 2K so plenty of coats are needed, then you need to leave it several days to harden before flatting and polishing it.

I just can't see anybody apart from well-heeled PHers paying what you would need to charge.

I had my old Strat refinished a few years ago by a proper Luthier; I'd already stripped it down to bare wood, but I'm sure there was a lot of work still to do. He had it about 3-4 months I think and did a lovely job of it for £150, even then I think he only did it because it was a connection through a friend and I told him how my parents had bought it for me when I was 17. I wanted it restored back to the two tone 'burst as I'd painted it myself a few times but couldn't do the 'burst effect myself.

I'm sure some would laugh when I say that this is a Squier Strat, but it's been with me through thick and thin, plus these days the early 'JV' Squiers seem to have become collectable in themselves.




I know it would originally have been finished in poly, but as someone else said nitro sounds better.

[Mave]

Dr Z said:

Got the strat put together.







It sounds totally different to how it did when the pickups were in a previous neck/body. I'm surprised how different it sounds, to be honest! Important differences apart from the woods, from the previous setup are: bone vs plastic nut; gotoh vintage trem w/ full size steel block vs pretty cheap trem w/ thin zinc block; steel vs nickel frets.

It has got a pretty sweet top end now. Loving it.

The second tone knob has a push-pull that gets the neck/middle & middle/bridge in series. The knob needs to be changed or get a mini switch put in as it gets in the way of the trem arm.

Very nice! What pickups have you put in it?

[Evangelion]

OldSkoolRS said:

... I wanted it restored back to the two tone 'burst as I'd painted it myself a few times but couldn't do the 'burst effect myself ...

Have a look on YouTube and you'll find a few videos demostrating how to do a sunburst using aerosol cans.

[singlecoil]

OldSkoolRS said:

singlecoil said:

I've painted several guitar bodies in cellulose and it's a whole stload of work and time. After the final sanding and grainfilling (quite a task in itself) it's time for the spraying. You can't put it on as thick as 2K so plenty of coats are needed, then you need to leave it several days to harden before flatting and polishing it.

I just can't see anybody apart from well-heeled PHers paying what you would need to charge.

I had my old Strat refinished a few years ago by a proper Luthier; I'd already stripped it down to bare wood, but I'm sure there was a lot of work still to do. He had it about 3-4 months I think and did a lovely job of it for £150, even then I think he only did it because it was a connection through a friend and I told him how my parents had bought it for me when I was 17. I wanted it restored back to the two tone 'burst as I'd painted it myself a few times but couldn't do the 'burst effect myself.

I'm sure some would laugh when I say that this is a Squier Strat, but it's been with me through thick and thin, plus these days the early 'JV' Squiers seem to have become collectable in themselves.




I know it would originally have been finished in poly, but as someone else said nitro sounds better.

It looks very nice.

My favourite finish to do was a translucent colour such as green, over a nicely figured body. Plenty of coats of clear until all the grain was filled and the surface was flat, then lightly tinted clear (drop or two of opaque in a litre of clear) and apply more coats until the required depth of colour was achieved.

[OldSkoolRS]

Evangelion said:

Have a look on YouTube and you'll find a few videos demostrating how to do a sunburst using aerosol cans.

Except when I resprayed it the second time I hadn't even heard of the internet, let alone Youtube. It got done in solid colours twice as that's what I fancied at the time, black then I did it metallic blue.

I've sprayed plenty of cars over the years, but I just fancied having it done properly...£150 wasn't a fortune really and as Singlecoil says he did a nice job.