benh

First 2 coats! Please try and ignore the very untidy shed...

Thank you! Not 100% decided on finish yet but I think it's going to look pretty good once finished 🤞🏻

Did a few stain tests with colours I had, the amber looked a bit "dirty" when trying to blend a burst in. Settled on blue!

Getting there! Neck bolts/inserts drilled and installed, and fretted. Neck carve to do next, and lots and lots of sanding

Looks great! Love the front jack plate, looks different but fits in really well 🙂

Well, got delivery of the tang nippers yesterday - why oh WHY didn't I buy these 2 years ago!

That is gorgeous. I don't know how they do it for the money

29 minutes ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Hmmmm....I don't think Chris Alsop does them.  I think I got mine from Tonetech.  When I have a moment, I'll have a check.  All I remember was that they were quite expensive...but I wouldn't be without them. 

Thanks Andy. Looked at Tonetech and a few others, they seem to vary wildly in cost. Ended up biting the bullet and ordering some from TLC guitar goods in Holland earlier today

2 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

Are they different to the fret cutters then? Cutters to cut off a bit of fret tang to allow the fret to go into a bound neck?

 

 

Exactly right - or in this case, so I have a small bit to fill on the edge of the fretboard to make "blind" fret ends, much more pleasing than seeing the tang in the edge of the fretboard. Have done it before by filing the tangs but it takes a soul destroying amount of time!

15 hours ago, tauzero said:

 

@Andyjr1515 posted a link in Repairs and Technical - https://www.chrisalsopguitar.co.uk/shop/guitar-tools/fret-pullers-and-fret-cutters

Thanks - I already have his fret cutters and crowning file, as Andy says he doesn't do nippers unfortunately 

7 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

How about further coats in stripes to see what a burst would look like?

Yeah that's the plan!

Stain test, this is just amber over brown, I quite like it

Side note, does anyone have any idea where to source some fret tang nippers in the UK? 

Making a start on the body now. All glued up ready to cut the body shape out. Exciting!

1 hour ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Very nice.  What timber is it?

Thanks! It's tigerwood (goncalo alves)

43 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

I do like the fretboard. 

Thanks, me too 🙂 inlays started now too!

Some neck progress

On 10/03/2023 at 08:01, Jimothey said:

Cheers mate! I found it wasn’t too bad but I use a modern C shaped router bit in my router table to shape the neck, it took about an 1 1/2 hours to radius the fretboard tho but I suppose that’s no difference to Ebony! 👍🏻

Just the thought of using a router cutter that big gives me the shivers, table or no table 😂

Looks great! How did you find the oak when shaping the neck? I used oak as a fretboard and found it a bit splintery

I did consider that. Unfortunately it lands right on the top horn if that's the case - at least this way there's some symmetry! May even do a burst to hide some of it. I don't mind it to be fair! 

In other news, the top has arrived. Think this is going to look quite special when finished. Planning on attempting a kind of "tiger eye" colour with black, brown and amber stains (which I already have).

If only! Might cause some issues having one active and one passive pickup though 🙂 think I've settled on the EMGs for this one. Just means I have to build another for the Aguilars to go in. Oh well, more time in the shed!

Decisions decisions... I already have the EMG pickups to hand, but now have a pair of second hand Aguilar DCBs and an OBP2 preamp winging it's way to me. Which to use?