My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

ErikH

ErikH

Well-known member
I received my SG Jr. kit from Precision Guitar Kits. I gotta tell ya, I'm extremely impressed. The wood is beautiful, nice grain, responds well to the knock test. The neck has a nice profile. It says "slim 60's" on the site and it is slim, but not Ibby thin. Feels good. Excellent looking rosewood on the fretboard. The neck and body fit so good, a really snug fit. They make them to match.

The kit came in at the end of June but I had been so busy that I hadn't had time to do anything with it until now. That and I was doing some homework on how best to approach this. I've done bolt-ons before but this is my first set neck build, or assembly.

After reading through Crusty's thread and paying attention to the step where he put the neck and body together, I know right then how I was going to go about protecting the frets. I don't have the stuff he used to make the fret side block so I decided to improvise and used a couple of soft rags, a couple of wood blocks and of course the clamps.

Here's some pics of the progress. Not much, but at least they are glued together. More pics can be seen on my web site: http://www.erikhansen.net/pgksgjr.php. I am documenting the whole process.

Body:
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Neck:
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Glued together and clamped:
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The planned finish is a Gibson Faded type. No grain filler. Just the sealer, paint and *maybe* a couple thin coats of satin clear. Color is planned to be Oxford White. While this sets up and dries, I need to verify all the hardware and then will get started on the sanding sealer. I'll at least seal it up before painting.
 
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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Aren't you left handed ? Or was that the other guy who was asking about kits just recently ?

I just PM'd you some stuff that might be helpful, including a link to a Youtube video by a guy who does some great stuff in a very down-to-earth way, i think they will help, and they are fun to watch.

After i made my special block ('caul') to protect the frets, i realised that cork would be a good material to use, but it looks like you're past that stage now. Your build will certainly progress quickly now. I would suggest aiming to fully assemble the guitar in raw wood before you start spraying ... that way you can check how everything is going to line up, make any adjustments and.... see if the neck stays in place, hehe. In the worst case, if you had to re-do the neck join, it's got to be better to deal with that before there's any finish to worry about.

Looks to me like you'll have a great little guitar in a short space of time. I look forward to seeing the end result and hearing about how you feel about it.
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Erik's right handed. I'm the southpaw that was asking questions the other day. Still haven't decided if I'm going to do it just yet.
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Just read your PM, Crusty. Thank you so much for that information. That is going to help a lot.

I do need to order the hardware still so while I'm waiting for all that, I can get it sealed and ready for paint at least.
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

This is awesome, thanks for making it available for us to see and read!
I'm really tempted to get one of those kits, can't wait to see you get to the painting and laquer stage. Thats the only thing that keeps me from getting one.
Are you going to finish it in white like in your avatar?
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Nightburst said:
Are you going to finish it in white like in your avatar?
Click to expand...

Yes, it will be white. I'm going for the Gibson Faded look so no filler, just a sanding sealer to fill the wood grain a little and smooth it a bit after sanding. If anything, I might put a thin coat or two of satin clear but that all depends on how the color comes out.
 
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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Those kits from Precision look great... hope you're happy with it!
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Looks very nice! I'm a sucker for those 60's necks. I've never played an SG Junior though.

-gk
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Looks great bro- keep that finish thin- maybe just a coat or two of re-ranch nitro like my Strat was.Good SG's normally resonate like a mofo and with little finish they really project. Should be a screamer!
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

It's hard to not get excited doing this. I'm really testing my patience...LOL.

I'll be placing the order for all the hardware either next week or after we get back from our family vacation next weekend.

As for paint, it's either acrylic Oxford White or the Reranch nitro. Not sure yet.

While I'm waiting on the parts, I'll be at least sealing the wood with some sanding sealer. Thanks for the recommendation on dry fitting everything. I will definitely do that.
 
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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Body and neck are glued and ready for sanding sealer. I picked up the supplies yesterday so it's a matter of getting that done, most likely tomorrow evening. The little piece of blue "stuck" on the face is from the rag that was under the clamp. That'll go away during sanding and even if a little is stuck there, it'll be covered by the pickguard anyway.


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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Nice, it looks great so far. I just got an email from phil confirming that they can make me a double cut LP special w/ a ebony board. If I don't find a guitar I like this weekend, I just might pull the trigger on this build.
 
Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

If this turns out really cool...make me one too? haha

I really want a Jr. as well, but the average 3k price for used is just entirely unreasonable considering my finances (or lack thereof).
 
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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Using Minwax Sanding Sealer, I sealed the entire body and neck, including the control and pickup cavities. The can says let dry for an hour and then sand but since I also have a day job, it's going to sit overnight and I will do the sanding another day, possibly tomorrow night, depends on things since we are getting ready to go on vacation this weekend.

I was planning on hanging it from a C-clamp in the closet doorway of my work room but the C-clamp isn't deep enough so I had to make use of one of the bathroom shower rods. I made sure to put an old towel on the floor to catch anything off the brush during application. A trusty wire coat hanger holds it in place. In these pics, you can really see the grain. It makes me rethink the finish but I'm really set on white.

The next step after sanding is to dry fit the hardware before painting. Hardware will be ordered after I return from vacation. Stay tuned...

More pics can be seen here: http://www.erikhansen.net/pgksgjr.php

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Re: My attempt at a set neck build - Precision SG Jr.

Hahaha. It's going to be a suspenseful next couple weeks as I wait for the hardware. I'm even still undecided on the pickup but I think I have an idea of what I want. Was looking strickly noiseless but options are very limited there.
 
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