The Jolly Roger - My strat build
- Thread starter CTN
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guitarkid4143
New member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
It's Looking good! Since you have the bridge scuffed up, couldnt you just paintit black?
-gk
It's Looking good! Since you have the bridge scuffed up, couldnt you just paintit black?
-gk
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
It's looking good. You ABSOLUTELY need shorter neck screws for the contoured heel. If you read on Warmoth's site, they even explain this. This is so the neck screws don't go through the fingerboard, which it will if you drill it any deeper in the neck.
http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Body/Stratocaster/Standard/BodyContours.aspx
You will need 2 shorter screws for the thinner side of the heel.
And before you go drilling holes for the pickguard and jack plate, get them aligned then hold them down with painters tape. Mark the holes with a pencil, then drill. Use a drill bit size that is the diameter of the inside post of the screw, not including the thread, so the screw thread can bite in to the wood. No need to go very deep either, just shy of the length of the screw. I usually stop where the angle to the tip begins.
It's looking good. You ABSOLUTELY need shorter neck screws for the contoured heel. If you read on Warmoth's site, they even explain this. This is so the neck screws don't go through the fingerboard, which it will if you drill it any deeper in the neck.
http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Body/Stratocaster/Standard/BodyContours.aspx
You will need 2 shorter screws for the thinner side of the heel.
And before you go drilling holes for the pickguard and jack plate, get them aligned then hold them down with painters tape. Mark the holes with a pencil, then drill. Use a drill bit size that is the diameter of the inside post of the screw, not including the thread, so the screw thread can bite in to the wood. No need to go very deep either, just shy of the length of the screw. I usually stop where the angle to the tip begins.
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CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
That's what I had planned, but as it turns out, chrome doesn't take to being re-finished very well.
To do it properly, I'd have to strip the chrome all the way back to the bare steel baseplate, which imo is more trouble than it's worth. Besides, I have very much warmed up to the idea of chrome accents. It's not something you see every day on guitars, and I'd like to think that I'd be making this as unique as possible.
That's what I had planned, but as it turns out, chrome doesn't take to being re-finished very well.
To do it properly, I'd have to strip the chrome all the way back to the bare steel baseplate, which imo is more trouble than it's worth. Besides, I have very much warmed up to the idea of chrome accents. It's not something you see every day on guitars, and I'd like to think that I'd be making this as unique as possible.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
I got the neck plate and the contoured heel screws from warmoth itself!
but the way the heel is, it looks like I should be using one long screw and three short screws, cuz only one corner is remotely close to the thickness needed for the long screws. all the other holes are of a thickness that would necessitate short screws, imo.
I got the neck plate and the contoured heel screws from warmoth itself!
but the way the heel is, it looks like I should be using one long screw and three short screws, cuz only one corner is remotely close to the thickness needed for the long screws. all the other holes are of a thickness that would necessitate short screws, imo.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
Interesting. On their site they show a pic that shows the two short ones at the top of the heel (closest to the peghead) and the two long ones at the bottom. I would think a short one would be needed for both on the treble side.
http://www.warmoth.com/Neck-Screw-Set-of-22-for-Contoured-Heel-Chrome-P144C847.aspx
Interesting. On their site they show a pic that shows the two short ones at the top of the heel (closest to the peghead) and the two long ones at the bottom. I would think a short one would be needed for both on the treble side.
http://www.warmoth.com/Neck-Screw-Set-of-22-for-Contoured-Heel-Chrome-P144C847.aspx
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
I don't think toothpics are a good idea. The smallest diameter hardwood dowel at the hardware store goes in the bridge screw holes perfectly tight , also use a little wood glue, let it dry and then you redrill. I do use toothpics for stuff like loose pickguard screw holes though.
I don't think toothpics are a good idea. The smallest diameter hardwood dowel at the hardware store goes in the bridge screw holes perfectly tight , also use a little wood glue, let it dry and then you redrill. I do use toothpics for stuff like loose pickguard screw holes though.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
Yep, the treble side and the peghead side both need short screws, so that's three total.
I've tried every possible combination and there's always one long screw that maxes out the mounting hole before being screwed all the way in. gonna see if I can get just get a new one at home depot or somethin.
Yep, the treble side and the peghead side both need short screws, so that's three total.
I've tried every possible combination and there's always one long screw that maxes out the mounting hole before being screwed all the way in. gonna see if I can get just get a new one at home depot or somethin.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
For the jackplate and pg mounting holes, dowel is way too big.
If I actually needed to redrill the bridge mounting holes (and I don't need to) then I'd use dowel.
For the jackplate and pg mounting holes, dowel is way too big.
If I actually needed to redrill the bridge mounting holes (and I don't need to) then I'd use dowel.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
That's definitely a good idea. I'd send them an email stating as such and include pics. They need to adjust their info and/or screws for the contoured heel.
That's definitely a good idea. I'd send them an email stating as such and include pics. They need to adjust their info and/or screws for the contoured heel.
TheLivingDead
Dawn Of The Shred
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
FWIW I've used toothpicks for that same reason a bunch of times with great success. Soak em in woodglue, jam em in there, cut em as close as you can with wire cutters then carefully sand em down. Perfect.
FWIW I've used toothpicks for that same reason a bunch of times with great success. Soak em in woodglue, jam em in there, cut em as close as you can with wire cutters then carefully sand em down. Perfect.
The Dali
MeltedClockologist
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
#1, awesome project!
#2, definitely use the correct screws. I think you got them today, which is good. There is nothing special about the "warmoth" or "fender" screw. Any will do (as long as it is the correct size).
#3, love the bridge and tuner black/chrome idea. I like the chrome tuner nuts with the black knob and tuner. While you are at it, ever think of using black graphtech saddles instead of the crappy GFS saddles?
#1, awesome project!
#2, definitely use the correct screws. I think you got them today, which is good. There is nothing special about the "warmoth" or "fender" screw. Any will do (as long as it is the correct size).
#3, love the bridge and tuner black/chrome idea. I like the chrome tuner nuts with the black knob and tuner. While you are at it, ever think of using black graphtech saddles instead of the crappy GFS saddles?
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
These are the screws I got from Home Depot, on the left. I wanted to get Phillips head screws, but they didn't have any in the size/thread I need.
bastards. I almost never find exactly what I'm looking for at home depot. Always have to compromise. These particular screws have the right thread size and diameter, and even the right size countersunk head. but they are robertson head. For you Americans/rest of the world people who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Robertson head was invented by a Canadian dude named Robertson. The screwdriver NEVER slips. EVER. It's a friggin awesome design, but it's also a pain in the ass having everything other screw on the guitar be a phillips head, and having only the neck screws be robertsons. Check it out:
Given my absent mindedness and lack of toothpicks, I did the only other things I could: Finished filing down the fret ends and masked up the frets themselves, as well as the body cavities.
Ok for serious, tomorrow I'm going to get those damn toothpicks, finish dealing with the misaligned holes, and then get ready to prime/paint/clear coat.
Speaking of which....I'm using oil based primer/paint/clear coat. I'm guessing much like almost any other type of sprayed finish, I will need to wet sand, polish and buff the final clear coat. My problem here is that stupid home depot doesn't sell ANY polishing compounds, and they don't even know what I'm talking about when I ask for an abrasive polishing compound. They sell all the lacquer and polyurethane you could desire but no way to bring it up to a flawless high gloss. Go figure.
Does anyone know if I would I be able to use an automotive polishing compoud like Meguiar's?
These are the screws I got from Home Depot, on the left. I wanted to get Phillips head screws, but they didn't have any in the size/thread I need.
bastards. I almost never find exactly what I'm looking for at home depot. Always have to compromise. These particular screws have the right thread size and diameter, and even the right size countersunk head. but they are robertson head. For you Americans/rest of the world people who have no idea what I'm talking about, the Robertson head was invented by a Canadian dude named Robertson. The screwdriver NEVER slips. EVER. It's a friggin awesome design, but it's also a pain in the ass having everything other screw on the guitar be a phillips head, and having only the neck screws be robertsons. Check it out:
Given my absent mindedness and lack of toothpicks, I did the only other things I could: Finished filing down the fret ends and masked up the frets themselves, as well as the body cavities.
Ok for serious, tomorrow I'm going to get those damn toothpicks, finish dealing with the misaligned holes, and then get ready to prime/paint/clear coat.
Speaking of which....I'm using oil based primer/paint/clear coat. I'm guessing much like almost any other type of sprayed finish, I will need to wet sand, polish and buff the final clear coat. My problem here is that stupid home depot doesn't sell ANY polishing compounds, and they don't even know what I'm talking about when I ask for an abrasive polishing compound. They sell all the lacquer and polyurethane you could desire but no way to bring it up to a flawless high gloss. Go figure.
Does anyone know if I would I be able to use an automotive polishing compoud like Meguiar's?
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
I've seen the Robertson screws before. Ingenious to say the least.
It probably would have been better to drill the screw holes after painting. It forces you to be more patient and make sure everything is lined up perfect before any drilling is done.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
I've seen the Robertson screws before. Ingenious to say the least.
It probably would have been better to drill the screw holes after painting. It forces you to be more patient and make sure everything is lined up perfect before any drilling is done.
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
Thanks dude!
funny you mention the graphtech saddles, cuz I have a set on my strat, and it's got almost exactly the same look as what I've got planned for the Jolly Roger. I really dig them, they add a bit more beef and warmth to the sound of the guitar. That said, I think I'd rather see how the Jolly Roger does with regular saddles first, and then decide if it's worth spending the money on graphtechs. They're like $60 a set here.
Thanks dude!
funny you mention the graphtech saddles, cuz I have a set on my strat, and it's got almost exactly the same look as what I've got planned for the Jolly Roger. I really dig them, they add a bit more beef and warmth to the sound of the guitar. That said, I think I'd rather see how the Jolly Roger does with regular saddles first, and then decide if it's worth spending the money on graphtechs. They're like $60 a set here.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: The Jolly Roger - My strat build
YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH B*TCHES!!!!!!!!! Ah dun got me summa dem tootpecks!
I still haven't found a polishing compound. This is beginning to worry me a bit because I'm getting dangerously close to the finishing stage, and if I haven't got it all planned out perfectly, I'm not going to start.
Went to another home depot today, they had no idea what I was talking about when I asked for buffing creams or polishing compounds. Went to Lowe's, and they had no idea either. WTF?!?! Does nobody here buff their clear coats?!
I ended up emailing rustoleum for advice, and Meguiar's too (they make automotive polishing stuff), and I also posted a message on facebook addressed to a few luthiers I know in the hopes that I might be able to get some sort of answer.
YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHHH B*TCHES!!!!!!!!! Ah dun got me summa dem tootpecks!
I still haven't found a polishing compound. This is beginning to worry me a bit because I'm getting dangerously close to the finishing stage, and if I haven't got it all planned out perfectly, I'm not going to start.
Went to another home depot today, they had no idea what I was talking about when I asked for buffing creams or polishing compounds. Went to Lowe's, and they had no idea either. WTF?!?! Does nobody here buff their clear coats?!
I ended up emailing rustoleum for advice, and Meguiar's too (they make automotive polishing stuff), and I also posted a message on facebook addressed to a few luthiers I know in the hopes that I might be able to get some sort of answer.
