Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Neck arrived last night, and put the first couple coats of Danish oil on. Searching for wood filler.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Yeah, that's how it's usually done. I was wondering if it would be possible to get a cool effect over paint. Thinking now that the pain is probably going to be too thick to get the effect.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Not pink paint...stain, to soak into the soft grain. Lightly sand. Then black, and lightly sand. Then grain filler and finish with sanding between coats.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

If I painted the guitar neon pink, then applied black grain filler over top and sanded it smooth would that give me the two tone grain highlighting that I've seen on a lot of ash guitars recently? Or does it need to be grain fill over a stain? Has anyone done that kind of finish with an ash body?

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Here

US $1.80 | 4 Pcs Chrome Electric Bass Guitar Neck Bushing Neck Joint Bushing Ferrule with Mounting Screws
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/tHZMpbDI

I found some locally that were pretty cheap . . . and got them. But the body I ordered already has pre-drilled holes for a regular plate, and unfortunately I think that the ferrules would be too close to the edge of the neck pocket if I were to widen the holes at the top. So I'll have to go with a neck plate. My current plan is just to shave about 1/4 inch of thickness off the neck pocket area . . . sort of like this:



Which I think will give me exactly what I want.



Then if I get really adventurous, I'm going to try and recess the trem cover.

[ehdwuld]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Has anyone painted a guitar with regular rattle can type paint? I've used Rustoleum fluorescent paint before when I was marking pavement for a summer job in univeristy, and it's definately the colour I want.


Also if I'm not getting the body finished I might as well try to shape the heel down into a bit less of an ugly block and then attach the neck without a neck plate. Does anyone know where I can get metal inserts like this:



? Those (along with some short screws) would be perfect for what I want.

Here

US $1.80 | 4 Pcs Chrome Electric Bass Guitar Neck Bushing Neck Joint Bushing Ferrule with Mounting Screws
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/tHZMpbDI

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

StewMac has a good grain filler. But you need to apply it in very thin coats and sand between each coat.

[Mincer]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

I'd also imagine there would be either some tutorials about it online, or some other people have done the same mod. I'd poke around a bit before I got out the grinder.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

So, I bought a jazzmaster body with a regular heel. My plan is to evenly reduce the heel thickness by about 1/4 inch to make upper fret access easier. I'd also like to recess the trem plate.


Some work with a small trim router should be able to handle both of these tasks easily, right?

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

If you want a gloss finish you will most certainly need to grain fill. Ash grain varies a lot from piece to piece, but most are pretty porous and need to be filled. I've made several guitars with ash tops and no grain filling, but finished them in a satin finish and they looked fantastic with the grain visible.

It's not difficult to grain fill with the right filler.

So, what do you use as a filler then?

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

I could be wrong, but reading the SDS for the Testors made me think they are compatible.

A "wet" coat of lacquer over enamel will crinkle the finish. If the enamel coat is completely cured you can get away with several "dry" coats of lacquer on top, but you have to be very careful and very patient.

It's much easier to use a less volatile clear coat like poly.

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

If you want a gloss finish you will most certainly need to grain fill. Ash grain varies a lot from piece to piece, but most are pretty porous and need to be filled. I've made several guitars with ash tops and no grain filling, but finished them in a satin finish and they looked fantastic with the grain visible.

It's not difficult to grain fill with the right filler.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

Whelp, I ordered a neck and body. Two months and they should be here. :P

[Ayrton]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

You really don't want to use lacquer over enamel. It CAN be done if your first 3-4 coats are "dry", but even then you have to be very careful so that the lacquer doesn't "crinkle" the enamel.
I would just use a polyurethane clear coat.

I could be wrong, but reading the SDS for the Testors made me think they are compatible.

[GuitarStv]

Re: Help me build a guitar monstrosity!

How hard is it to grain fill swamp ash? Would it look bad if I don't?