embarking on another build.

[loversmoon]

going with a chambered swamp ash telemaster/jazzcaster. No idea what color im going to go with or not. This will be my first attempt building something that I have to grain fill. That should be fun. My game plan is to sand nice and smooth like a baby's butt. Then hit it with some sand and sealer. sand again. then grain fill. I wanna drop a lil 59 in it. I also had the neck routed to fit a mini bucker. so if anyone has a lil 59 up for grabs

 

[BrianS.]

Re: embarking on another build.

...grain fill. That should be fun.

No.

Chambered swamp ash. Are you going for super light weight, or some specific tonal characteristic?

Cool project.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

Both. I want something light weight cause I am having some back issues and I wanted a chambered body for more sustain. If I can get this done in 30 days (hahaha) and Im not completely satisfied with the tonal characteristic they will refund it fully. Oh and i was being very very sarcastic about the grain filling.

 

[Curly]

Re: embarking on another build.

grain filling is no big deal.
just follow a guide like the one on Luthiers' Mercantile.
my only suggestion is not to let it sit too long before you wipe it off

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

hey curly if i attempt to stain by hand would the steps go... grain fill, stain, then sealer, then final clear? I am back and forth between stain and paint. I know for paint it would be grain fill, seal, then paint. Id like to (if i paint) go seafoam green with automotive paint. I cant stand the smell of nitro. I just dont know where to get that paint. I know it was from like a 57 chevy but where could i get that in rattle can? lol

 

[Curly]

Re: embarking on another build.

some people like a sealer coat first, such as shellac or lacquer ... then grain fill, sand, another seal coat, then stain, then clear

I suggest you check these articles:
http://www.reranch.com/101a.htm

http://www.lmii.com/products/chemcraft-pore-filler-instructions

as far as rattlecans that aren't nitro, I can't say ... Krylon maybe?

 

[darnright]

Re: embarking on another build.

Love the wood!!!!! That will be SO cool when you gwt it done!

-dave

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

yes. Ive read those articles. thanks for the link. I needed a refresher. I was going to hand rub the dye if i do it. ive done it on test wood with some sealer on it and it doesnt seem to get down in the wood as well. But I fear when doin the dye while rubbing it in instead of spraying it that it would pull some of the filler up. IDk. Noob at this whole grain fill thing.
@darnright..thanks I fell in love with the wood grain. as well. that and the shape.

 

[Curly]

Re: embarking on another build.

you don't necessarily HAVE to seal before you dye the wood ... I do my necks like that when I use Tru Oil.

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: embarking on another build.

Try sealing after? Grain filling and sealing are effectively the same thing so you could just do either.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

so essentially i could grain fill, dye it, seal it for the color, 9to insure it doesnt run when clear hits it, then clear coat. sweet. i may dye it after all. ill update when the body arrives

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

body arrived today and I must say im a lil down. Took her out for inspection and found this. Now I realize ash has to be grain filled anyways but its always a bummer to pull a guitar body out of the box and find a nice ding.

 

[jtougas]

Re: embarking on another build.

For an ash, I would grain fill, stain, seal, then clear coat...

 

[Stratman]

Re: embarking on another build.

This is what 16 coats of clear lacquer looks like over a hand stained body…

Notice the deep look where you can see the reflection of the knobs...

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

I plan on surf green. 1 can of color two cans of clear. maybe from reranch if i cant get the local auto store to match it. so far they havent had much luck with the codes I have found online for it.

 

[LonePhantom]

Re: embarking on another build.

body arrived today and I must say im a lil down. Took her out for inspection and found this.View attachment 46207 Now I realize ash has to be grain filled anyways but its always a bummer to pull a guitar body out of the box and find a nice ding.

Can you fix up the ding with damp wash cloth and some heat from a soldering iron for example? It might just pop out a bit more.

 

[jtougas]

Re: embarking on another build.

*nods* he should be able to, with some very careful sanding afterward.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

its she and I believe its too deep for that. Someone from Warmoth on their unofficial forum saw and said to email her that she would take care of it. I could either send it back and let them fix it or they would give me some other options. Great customer service.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: embarking on another build.

got the body all grain filled. I used white because its not going to be a transparent finish. I must say it looks interesting seeing the white in the grain. and for the record WARMOTH rocks! for the ding they are sending me out a pickguard free of charge. Now thats good customer service.

 

[AlexR]

Re: embarking on another build.

The dint might be too deep for it to completely disappear, but I think you'll get a pretty decent result and at the same time save massive amounts of effort trying to fill it with products.

If you want to stain, you could always add some dye to the grainfill. Not only does this accentuate the grain, but it combines 2 steps into 1. Fender did coloured grainfill in the early days to save on the application time of a coat of colour for the sunburst.