• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Planning a new guitar

Ok I've got some things worked out on a guitar I've been thinking about for a few years since the La Carbinita body style came out and here is what I've got so far for ideas.  I want the PowerTron humbuckers from TV Jones pickups, Hip Shot chrome bridge made of brass, these cool gold shot gun shell casing knob's gold, 2 500 k CTS pots, 3way switch and the finish is going to be black.  The body is swamp ash that I'm not planning on putting wood filler in because I want to see the pores on the body show throw.

so I need help deciding on a couple things one is pickguard.  I don't want a white guard so I've narrowed it down to 2 looks.  Here is a Warmoth designed picture of what I invision the guitar looking like.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … guitar.png This is with an aged pearl pickguard.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … kguard.png and this is no pickguard. 

So which one do you like?  I highly recommend going to the warmoth site to play around with bodies if you've never done this before it really gives you a good idea of what your looking at.  Plus its free unless you build the guitar with them.

Next does anybody know what they suggest for a cap value on TV Jones pickups???  I have to go with them because the body is routed for no ears on the pickups, and I wanted to totally stretch out on this one.  All American made parts and my labor.

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  • From: Canterbury
  • Registered: 2010-05-27
  • Posts: 310

Re: Planning a new guitar

I am actually to build one of these as soon as I have time. My design for the pickguard would have it from the edge of the body to the pickups and then gently tapering off at the knob end. (similar to a 61 SG PG but less drastic a taper.

  • From: Finland
  • Registered: 2011-09-09
  • Posts: 4

Re: Planning a new guitar

Wow, the one with the aged pearl pickguard looks amazing! Go on, do it!  big_smile

Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster, Epiphone Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom, Epiphone Tommy Thayer Spaceman Les Paul Standard
Takamine EF341SC acoustic
Blackstar HT Studio 20 Combo
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Planning a new guitar

I wouldn't go no pickguard. do you want scratches from your pick in the paint, or on a replaceable piece of plastic?

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2010-11-16
  • Posts: 366

Re: Planning a new guitar

I say go for the patina and do it without the pickguard.

How many scratches you get is probably highly dependent on many things, but overall I think the look is better without the pickguard.

Good luck, I just started a strat style build myself.

conorb

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

I'm leaning toward the pickguard myself.  But I've shown it to friends and family and its been very 50/50 so far.  I'm not worried about scratches (have you seen my sunburst strat?)  I just want a bare bones no holds bar Rockabilly guitar.  Before Eric Clapton my hero was Mike Cambell and I wanted a Telecaster.  This will be fill a child hood guitar I've always wanted.  I just have to decide on a neck now.  Is it going to be Rose wood or a maple neck.  I'm a big fan of Maple 1 pc necks.  But then again some of these hard wood necks that require no finish is tempting me on the warmoth site.

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  • Registered: 2009-10-27
  • Posts: 250

Re: Planning a new guitar

Here's my T9 La Cab build I did earlier in the year.

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g43 … ronita.jpg

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g43 … abback.jpg

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

Love IT

I want mine to be simular to this but with 2 pickups and a pickguard.  I love that quarter sawn neck!

t92780 wrote:

Here's my T9 La Cab build I did earlier in the year.

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g43 … ronita.jpg

http://s1101.photobucket.com/albums/g43 … abback.jpg

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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

Ok, like I said I want a grain finish to show through the body.  No plastic look for my body.  I just got the body in and I decided to keep the body sanded at 220 grit.  Next I got a hanger and hung the thing in the basement with all te doors open and windows too.  I've started spraying it with the black lacqure spray can.  I like it but the thing looks like it was spray paint from walmart so far.  So I think I will have to buff to get the look I want but its getting there.

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10 Reply by Pete The Cabby (edited by Pete The Cabby 2011-09-23 00:24:28)

  • From: Essex
  • Registered: 2010-01-11
  • Posts: 2,119

Re: Planning a new guitar

AD3THREE wrote:

Ok, like I said I want a grain finish to show through the body.  No plastic look for my body.  I just got the body in and I decided to keep the body sanded at 220 grit.  Next I got a hanger and hung the thing in the basement with all te doors open and windows too.  I've started spraying it with the black lacqure spray can.  I like it but the thing looks like it was spray paint from walmart so far.  So I think I will have to buff to get the look I want but its getting there.

..before i was a cab driver i was a cabinet maker... i like the 'no filler'! ...if wood had no grain it would have no beauty! ...so why try block it out!? ..especially if you are colouring it black! ...may i dare suggest to ditch the Grit and use wire wool ...the finest grade first and step up to coarser if need be... de-dust with turpentine ... well thats what we used to do with the Fiddleback and Cats Paw Yew!  wink err.. back in the days when we had a furniture industry that is!  hmm

Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living de-geniuses them.
R. Buckminster Fuller
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

Where do they sale steel wool in fine grades?  Thats the exact look I'm going for is an old cabinet.  I could leave it the way it is today if I wanted and would be totally happy with it, however it did spit some on the last couple of coats I put on it.  So it could  use some work but I'm really happy right now. 

All the hardware came in yesterday as well and sadly I do not plan on doing any more business with Musicians Friend ever again.  First a few months ago I bought a Delta Lab pedal that was the stupid deal of the day, turns out it was a used pedal that was returned with no box.  Next I bought a used Keeley Fuzz Head pedal.  I used it a couple of times then sold it because I hated it.  The guy that bought it told me it was not working correctly and I had to refund him $15 for repairs!  And now my newst issue with Musicians Friend they sent my bridge to me and it was missing 1 bridge saddle, and 4 set screws!  Also I bought 2 CTS 500k pots and they sent me something made in china.  They got a call on that one and my new bridge will be in next Tuesday and the pots were free as a gift for all my troubles.  So I might use them to get started I don't know.

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  • From: Essex
  • Registered: 2010-01-11
  • Posts: 2,119

Re: Planning a new guitar

...ok this a link to a UK site... http://www.kensyard.co.uk/products/cate … tAodAnkjew

...but there must be similar in the States... or try a specialist painter and decorator outlet, they should stock it too!

Everyone is born a genius, but the process of living de-geniuses them.
R. Buckminster Fuller

13 Reply by PSmith1946 (edited by PSmith1946 2011-09-24 03:57:18)

  • From: East Lancashire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-06-24
  • Posts: 3,019

Re: Planning a new guitar

Daft as it sounds when I was last in the US I needed wire wool for a similar thing and Lowes stock it.

Come on the Blades (sorry Idolbone just had to borrow your line)
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

My moms got me covered.  She works at a paint store and knew exactly what you guys are talking about and might even give me some tips on doing this if I bring it to her house.  Gotta love family!  I didn't get any work done yester day because I had a surprise birthday party for my dad where I was playing a mini set for him in his honor of his favorite songs.  That went well but now its time for my real love working on instruments!

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  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

Well I might have went to heavy on the steel wool in some places but the rough stuff is gone, just got to do the 0000 super fine steel wool to get it shining again.  I'm winning a pickup on Ebay for it that ends Tuesday so I'll at least have a pickup in the bridge position.  The neck plate holes don't line up to the holes in the body so I drilled the holes out and plugged them on the body.  Will transfer the holes from the neck I got to the body tomorrow.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Planning a new guitar

Ok so here is the latest on my new project guitar.  Its got paint and has been sanded but not to a bright luster more like a dull beaten dog look by accident.  The neck is a 50's Stratocaster MIM neck, the pickup I've got is a Power'Tron TV Jones in the bridge, and I'm going to wait for a neck pickup see how they are expenisve.  The pots are 250k volume and tone CTS, and the cap is a .047 RS Guitarworks paper oil cap.  Only thing really lacking is the bridge.  I ordered one and Musicians Friend screwed up the order so I sent the bridge back to them.  They were supposed to send me a new bridge after they got the one back with missing parts.  But MF decided to issue a refund of $60 back to my card instead of doing what they were supposed to do.  Now I'm waiting for the money to be refunded so I can proceed to buy my bridge over again hopfully with all 6 bridge saddles and setscrews.  Here is some pictures of my guitar so far.  Note the custom pickguard, I stole the shape of a firebird pickguard and made it out of aluminum.

http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060071.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060072.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060073.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060075.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060076.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060078.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060079.jpg
http://i321.photobucket.com/albums/nn38 … 060080.jpg

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