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ObiVan
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Post subject: New Builder with a few questions.
 Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 03:09 PM
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Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 19
Status: Offline
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I've been slolwly gathering parts for a Frank. I just received my KNE body, I have a vintage Floyd plate, vintage Schaller minis and CRL switch, Frank relic pickup, reflectors, etc. I don't have the all parts yet, but I'm getting there. Neck is next up from MK.
Now, one detail where I'm departing 100 % accuracy is in the neck pocket. This being my first time doing this I didn't want to run the risk of screwing up the neck/body alignment with that extra space in the pocket. Given that the neck and pocket will be the same size and snuggly fit, is it still necessary to "dry fit"components before beginning the process in earnest? I ask, because I'd like to start painting the body before I have all the remaining parts. It's just sitting there and I feel like I could be painting it and getting a leg up.
Also, in grain filling the body, does anyone have a suggestion of a filler? I am leaning toward Behlen's water-based. Yay or nay?
Lastly, for now, given this is my first time assembling/building a guitar, might it be wise of me to bring it to a guitar shop for final assembly? I don't think there's anything that I can screw up that badly. But, I defer to the experts. |
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BoiledStrings
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Post subject: RE: New Builder with a few questions.
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 03:30 PM
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Joined: Aug 24, 2010
Posts: 214
Location: Maryland USA
Status: Offline
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Hey Obi - wow, all good questions if you are just getting your feet wet. I'll throw my ideas in, but man, there are so many talented people here, you will end up with even better advice for others.
Assembly - I don't think you can "screw up" an assembly unless you force things together. Seems to me your most critical juncture will be drilling holes in the neck (unless you have it pre-drilled). If it is pre-drilled, no guarantee it's going to be right when you mate them together. Do you have a friend with a drill press? Do you have a friend at a wood shop? That's one I'd think about. I wouldn't necessarily take it to a guitar shop and spend that $$$$ (Ed didn't, after all).....but again, if something isn't fitting right or sitting right, don't force the issue and end up pushing screws in crooked, stripping out a finely drilled hole, etc. If you think that is happening a lot, maybe a guitar shop is the answer.
Grain Filling - Personally, I like/use Timber Mate in the small plastic bottles. Here is what to remember - grain filling CAN be boring. Do not set aside 1 hr to grain fill. Set aside whatever time it takes to fill the grain. Me, I sit outside on my deck with a TALL Seagram's 7 & 7 Up (7 & 7)......pull the Bose Wave Station next to the window and cue up some very righteous music.....and get going on the grain fill. Let is sit for 1-2 hrs, then do it again. Come back the next day, sand it and see where it sits. Do some more (round 2). Until I'm happy. Make it fun, otherwise, it's tedious. I take the Timber Mate and dip it in water and smear it in with my fingers. I take an old credit card (against the grain) to scrape the excess off. No big deal, just takes a couple (or a few days) but it kinda makes you familiar with your new/favorite guitar.
I wouldn't worry about "pre-assembly" at this juncture if you are anxious to get started. But I wouldn't go any further than white-on-black paint before I pre-assemble. You don't want to have a r/w/b nice paint job and start fitting parts - you stand a chance of messing up the paint trying to get it all together. |
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"The turkeys are hitting the pavement like sacks of wet cement!"
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Steve_U1S
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Post subject: RE: New Builder with a few questions.
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 03:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 13, 2009
Posts: 931
Location: Toronto, Canada
Status: Offline
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... truthfully, I don't think I'd ever build something without a dry build-up ever again - that can end in tears (Guthrie Govan) if something needs to be shaved where it's already been painted. A well-fitting neck pocket can really be difficult to 'fight against' if the neck's alignment needs to be nudged one way or the other - especially 'upward' being as the top side-wall is the larger one.
Personally, I'd wait; measure twice, cut once (old but amazingly important adage).
... that's my take, and it's from direct experience both ways =]
In the end it's all up to you. |
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jimi1647
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Post subject: Re: New Builder with a few questions.
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 04:08 PM
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Joined: Aug 17, 2011
Posts: 686
Location: USA
Status: Offline
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ObiVan wrote:
I've been slolwly gathering parts for a Frank. I just received my KNE body, I have a vintage Floyd plate, vintage Schaller minis and CRL switch, Frank relic pickup, reflectors, etc. I don't have the all parts yet, but I'm getting there. Neck is next up from MK.
Just the mere fact that you are using parts from two different companies virtually mandates a "dry run" build. Trust me, it will allow you to deal with any potential problems at an early and still manageable stage of the build. Once the paint is on and you encounter a problem it's essentially two choices:
1- live with it
2- start over
ObiVan wrote:
Now, one detail where I'm departing 100 % accuracy is in the neck pocket. This being my first time doing this I didn't want to run the risk of screwing up the neck/body alignment with that extra space in the pocket. Given that the neck and pocket will be the same size and snuggly fit, is it still necessary to "dry fit"components before beginning the process in earnest? I ask, because I'd like to start painting the body before I have all the remaining parts. It's just sitting there and I feel like I could be painting it and getting a leg up.
See above.  |
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ObiVan
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 05:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 07, 2012
Posts: 19
Status: Offline
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Thanks for the input. I'm patient and work methodically and without haste. I have no expectation of grain filling or any aspect of the project taking an hour. I'm realistic.
I don't have a workshop handy, but I do have a good assortment of tools. I'm pretty sure that I've got all the tools that I might need on a project like this. I'm not a luthier, but have had some woodworking experience. I'm not concerned about that aspect of the guitar. I'm more concerned about the "fine-tuning" aspect of it...neck alignment, etc. I often feel thaT I'm over-thinking it. The original was hardly cobbled together by expert hands. I just don't want to bugger it.
Maybe I'll just fill it for now and at least wait until the neck is in hand. I am extrememly patient. I don't want to rush the project, but I am a little anxious to get started on the paint as that will take the most time and attention to detail. |
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Nix5150
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 05, 2012 - 09:56 PM
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Joined: Aug 31, 2011
Posts: 1264
Location: indiana
Status: Offline
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Take my experience for example. I don't have all parts yet, but I do have my body and neck. And both are all done with painting, relic and sealing but I will not bolt the neck on untill I get my floyd and schallers. So then I can make 100% sure that my string allignment will be good.
Can't wait to see your build! :] |
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mlannoo
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 06, 2012 - 03:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 17, 2012
Posts: 137
Location: Detroit USA
Status: Offline
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I'd say if you want to get a jump on things while the rest of your parts are coming it I'd fill the grain to a point where you're happy with it first. then mask of the neck pocket and get the black coat(s) on. that's enough there to keep you busy for a bit. then when the neck arrives you can still make any adjustments as needed. if you end up needing to do anything special to get things aligned you still can without too much worry about wrecking the paint job because it's just the first layer. worst case would be having to add one more coat of black - which wouldn't be a big deal at that point.
I personally have about 4 coats of black on mine. I would wet sand each one down pretty good before the next coat. I can still see a little grain but it's very subtle. I also used rubbing compound on the whole body after the black coat cured for a week. Then I began taping off the stripes.
I realized I was getting a little too worried about things with my black coat. When you look at the final condition of the guitar, there is really very little black showing (obviously) - so I had to force myself to be "OK" with the imperfection of the black coat because it'll never bee seen! 
good luck! |
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BoiledStrings
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Post subject:
Posted: Aug 06, 2012 - 07:01 PM
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Joined: Aug 24, 2010
Posts: 214
Location: Maryland USA
Status: Offline
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| Yeah, as has been suggested throughout this thread.....this is a good time to do grain filling (while waiting for the neck). And of course, when painting or relic'ing the body, you can go back over to the neck to work on it - there is a good way to "stagger" the work back and forth so that you don't hit times where everything is sitting in a pile and you can't move forward. |
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