Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on March 30, 2009, 11:42:58 AM
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Yes folks it's true, I'm going to build myself a guitar :) Well, when I say build I kinda mean 'assemble' :lol: Sorry Wez/Jonathon/Bob, but a full on custom build is not required at this point!
Mr Bump's creation, and some of Philly Q's work, got me thinking about the TV Jones pickups I have lying around and what I could 'create' rather than buy. I'm just checking out a few details but hopefully I'll be ordering a bunch of stuff tonight :) More details fo follow later......
For now though, how do I seal a raw maple neck? I think I've read that Gunstock Oil (or a Gunstock Oil/Wax combo) can be rubbed into it and then topped up as it wears? If so, where can I get it from? Something like the US brand Tru-Oil?
Also, can I use the same stuff on a guitar body? Or do I need to get something different like Danish Oil?
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Good man, Dave! You'll be giving PRS a run for their money very soon!
Mark.
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Cheers Mark - you've inspired me to give it a go! I like a good project and I had a bunch of parts lying around anyway: pots, cap, switch, pickups, string retainer, straplocks etc
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Good stuff!
I think tru and gunstock oil are basically the same thing, and theres little to no practical difference with danish oil either. I *think*.
And yes, you can use that for maple and the same stuff for the body.
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Great stuff - cheers! I'll use the same stuff for both then, something like Gunstock Oil/Tru-Oil.....
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Yes folks it's true, I'm going to build myself a guitar :) Well, when I say build I kinda mean 'assemble' :lol: Sorry Wez/Jonathon/Bob, but a full on custom build is not required at this point!
Mr Bump's creation, and some of Philly Q's work, got me thinking about the TV Jones pickups I have lying around and what I could 'create' rather than buy. I'm just checking out a few details but hopefully I'll be ordering a bunch of stuff tonight :) More details fo follow later......
For now though, how do I seal a raw maple neck? I think I've read that Gunstock Oil (or a Gunstock Oil/Wax combo) can be rubbed into it and then topped up as it wears? If so, where can I get it from? Something like the US brand Tru-Oil?
Also, can I use the same stuff on a guitar body? Or do I need to get something different like Danish Oil?
You could also use Tung Oil. Ernie Ball use it on the Steve Lukather necks. I've used it on two of my guitar's necks and it seems to have done a nice job.
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I think tru and gunstock oil are basically the same thing, and theres little to no practical difference with danish oil either. I *think*.
And yes, you can use that for maple and the same stuff for the body.
From previous discussions with Wez, I think the first bit's right, Tru-Oil and gunstock oil are basically the same thing. But that's more of a "finish", which actually sets hard, whereas Danish Oil is more of an "oil" (although I think it does have some hardeners in it as well, so it's pretty confusing).
I think you can use Tru-Oil as a finish in its own right, but with Danish Oil you'd need to wax it afterwards. Or something like that. I'm sure Wez will turn up and clarify.
I've always quite fancied trying an oil finish, but wasn't sure (a) how easy it is to c--k up (b) how difficult it is to maintain. I always end up buying pre-finished necks and bodies instead.
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Quite probable, philly, quite probable. Wouldnt have emphasised the *I think* were I certain of the information.
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Tru-Oil can be used on both the neck and the body, gives a nice finish, and is simple to do :)
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Quite probable, philly, quite probable. Wouldnt have emphasised the *I think* were I certain of the information.
Yeah, I'm very much in the *I think* category too. :) But I'm sure all will become clear as the thread progresses!
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You can get Tru-oil off ebay. You just wipe on with a rag, let it dry and then buff it with 000 wire wool which leavs a dull satin. Then buff with Bri-wax or similar for a nice finish.
You will probably need about 5 coats of the oil to build the finish off. You can also either Dye the oil or use a coloured wax if you want to tone down the white of the maple.
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Interesting. I'm after more of an oiled finish, than a 'proper' finish if that makes sense? And as little of it as possible, just ebough to seal the wood. So mentioned in this thread is:
Tung Oil
Tru-Oil
Gunstock Oil
WezV to the Batphone please! :lol:
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Oh dear Twinfan, it's only a matter of time until you get a router and start making sawdust now.
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You can get Tru-oil off ebay. You just wipe on with a rag, let it dry and then buff it with 000 wire wool which leavs a dull satin. Then buff with Bri-wax or similar for a nice finish.
You will probably need about 5 coats of the oil to build the finish off. You can also either Dye the oil or use a coloured wax if you want to tone down the white of the maple.
No - I would use OOOO grade wire wool, and Liberon brand at that
OOO would be too coarse and would leave scratches
Tru-oil has more hardeners in it than Tung Oil or Danish Oil
I sometimes wipe a coat or two of cellulose sanding sealer on first to seal the wood - seems to work well
I smooth that back once very dry with 0000 wire wool and apply tru-oil
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No chance - my woodworking skills are awful!!!!! I can assemble and solder, and that's as far as it goes!
Thanks Jonathon. So I'm looking at 0000 grade wire wool between coats of Tru-oil then? On both the body and neck?
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You'd be suprised how far good templates get you. EDIT: You'll also be bloody good at sanding before you finish :D
Feline - I read once about sealing with gelatine, you ever tried that? Also about burninshing with a stone before finishing? Someone gave me a really old article about finishing guitars.
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You can get Tru-oil off ebay. You just wipe on with a rag, let it dry and then buff it with 000 wire wool which leavs a dull satin. Then buff with Bri-wax or similar for a nice finish.
You will probably need about 5 coats of the oil to build the finish off. You can also either Dye the oil or use a coloured wax if you want to tone down the white of the maple.
No - I would use OOOO grade wire wool, and Liberon brand at that
OOO would be too coarse and would leave scratches
Tru-oil has more hardeners in it than Tung Oil or Danish Oil
I sometimes wipe a coat or two of cellulose sanding sealer on first to seal the wood - seems to work well
I smooth that back once very dry with 0000 wire wool and apply tru-oil
Whats the final ranking between the oils then - what would you use for a whole guitar and under what circumstances would you use each one?
I know lemon oil isnt supposed to seal either, but I've found that at least in maple it does confer some protection against engraining dirt - wheres that come on the scale?
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You can get Tru-oil off ebay. You just wipe on with a rag, let it dry and then buff it with 000 wire wool which leavs a dull satin. Then buff with Bri-wax or similar for a nice finish.
You will probably need about 5 coats of the oil to build the finish off. You can also either Dye the oil or use a coloured wax if you want to tone down the white of the maple.
No - I would use OOOO grade wire wool, and Liberon brand at that
OOO would be too coarse and would leave scratches
Tru-oil has more hardeners in it than Tung Oil or Danish Oil
I sometimes wipe a coat or two of cellulose sanding sealer on first to seal the wood - seems to work well
I smooth that back once very dry with 0000 wire wool and apply tru-oil
Oh, and what about micromeshes? They go down to 12000 grit - give frets a mirror finish and I've tried them on one cheap fretboard - very nice result, very smooth indeed.
http://www.stewmac.com/cgi-bin/hazel.cgi?client=56a0f55686916bf737a98d1af137adc7&action=search&SEARCH_FIELD=NB%3BNM%3BWORDS%3BSPECS&SEARCH_SPEC=micromesh&SUBMIT_ACTION_SEARCH.x=0&SUBMIT_ACTION_SEARCH.y=0
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Cool! :D
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I don't seem to get on with micromesh. I know people that love it for for polish a guitar, it wasn't for me.
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I don't seem to get on with micromesh. I know people that love it for for polish a guitar, it wasn't for me.
Why?
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I used it for polishing a body and the surface area seemed too small to make it worth while as I was really trying hard not to get too close to the edges. You're supposed to go at 90 degrees to the last grade of paper each time so I didn't even give it a go on the sides. Maybe I should have gone in circles, but I actually followed the instructions for a change.
It was probably me as I don't have much patience for such things. Sent the guitar off with a tube of T-cut and a few beers to a mate who owed me a favour in the end. Still, he's not done it, so maybe the micromesh was more efficient afterall :D
I've heard good things about it, but as with a lot of finishing stuff, it's horses for courses. Some people swear by it and some don't, you pays yer money and you makes yer choice.
By the way, that kit in Stew-Mac looks a little pricey. I'm sure I got more sheets as well as a polishing cloth and some liquid poilsh to finish it off for about the same price. Have a look around model shops on the net as model builders use it.
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Interesting. I'm after more of an oiled finish, than a 'proper' finish if that makes sense? And as little of it as possible, just ebough to seal the wood. So mentioned in this thread is:
Tung Oil
Tru-Oil
Gunstock Oil
WezV to the Batphone please! :lol:
Tru-oil is Gunstock oil, True-oil is just the brand and yes Felineguitars are correct, I should have put 0000. In fact I used Liberon 0000 as advised.
Dave if you want to see the finish I have it on the body of my Tele, in fact I have a bottle you could use if you like, would just have to get it back from my mate......
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I used it for polishing a body and the surface area seemed too small to make it worth while as I was really trying hard not to get too close to the edges. You're supposed to go at 90 degrees to the last grade of paper each time so I didn't even give it a go on the sides. Maybe I should have gone in circles, but I actually followed the instructions for a change.
It was probably me as I don't have much patience for such things. Sent the guitar off with a tube of T-cut and a few beers to a mate who owed me a favour in the end. Still, he's not done it, so maybe the micromesh was more efficient afterall :D
I've heard good things about it, but as with a lot of finishing stuff, it's horses for courses. Some people swear by it and some don't, you pays yer money and you makes yer choice.
By the way, that kit in Stew-Mac looks a little pricey. I'm sure I got more sheets as well as a polishing cloth and some liquid poilsh to finish it off for about the same price. Have a look around model shops on the net as model builders use it.
Fair enough. Just wondering what your experience was with it. I love the stuff.
I'm aware modellers use it, too. It was developed for polishing aircraft windshields though.
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I figured that you'd have some, it's the scientist in you.
Since you're a dab hand with it, fancy polishing a guitar for me. :lol:
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yep - tru-oil is the way to go for this. You want a few coats, leave it for a day or two then rub back with the 0000 liberon wire wool as suggested. The brand is important, i have some 00000 Colron wire wool here that is never going near a guitar again!!!
i do like danish oil and wax finishes on more oily woods like rosewood or zebrano but tru-oil is better for maples
you will be building a modern eagle clone in no time!! ;)
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you will be building a modern eagle clone in no time!! ;)
Inevitable I would say. Only a matter of time.
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I figured that you'd have some, it's the scientist in you.
Since you're a dab hand with it, fancy polishing a guitar for me. :lol:
:lol: no, no, like I said, I've just used it for frets and one fretboard. Great results, but thats a rather limited group!
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yep - tru-oil is the way to go for this. You want a few coats, leave it for a day or two then rub back with the 0000 liberon wire wool as suggested. The brand is important, i have some 00000 Colron wire wool here that is never going near a guitar again!!!
i do like danish oil and wax finishes on more oily woods like rosewood or zebrano but tru-oil is better for maples
you will be building a modern eagle clone in no time!! ;)
Thanks Wez - Tru-Oil it is then :)
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Dave if you want to see the finish I have it on the body of my Tele, in fact I have a bottle you could use if you like
Could I bottle your tele? :D
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Dave if you want to see the finish I have it on the body of my Tele, in fact I have a bottle you could use if you like
Could I bottle your tele? :D
Anytime, it needs a bit of relicing anyway!
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good luck, dave. what are you thinking of assembling?
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Dave if you want to see the finish I have it on the body of my Tele, in fact I have a bottle you could use if you like
Could I bottle your tele? :D
So you can carry it with you, wherever you may roam?
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Dave if you want to see the finish I have it on the body of my Tele, in fact I have a bottle you could use if you like
Could I bottle your tele? :D
So you can carry it with you, wherever you may roam?
And sniff it, lovingly?
No.
:)
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Roo, you're showing your secret desires to us :lol:
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Sounds interesting. I've been wanting to do one for years but got bogged down with indecision from looking at the 100's of options on Warmouth's site :? :lol:
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Wanna some help Johnny, I'm a Warmoth's nerd... this new site I haven't searched a lot, but I know many many options from them, even some that are not shown on the site :lol:
PhillyQ decided to share his doubts and bought a couple instead of single :lol: I'm evil :twisted:
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PhillyQ decided to share his doubts and bought a couple instead of single :lol: I'm evil :twisted:
I've got 4 now! It's all your fault. :(
:wink:
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:lol:
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Well I'm kind of sold (Provisionally) on a Rosewood Tele and a vintage white Strat.
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Well I'm kind of sold (Provisionally) on a Rosewood Tele and a vintage white Strat.
Nice ones!! Solid Rosewood or chambered? This thing weights a ton!
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Yeah, I was just looking at the rosewood Tele bodies in the showcase. Even the hollow ones are heavy! :lol:
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good luck, dave. what are you thinking of assembling?
I've just placed the order with Warmoth :)
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/bodies/medium/t1304a.jpg)
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/necks/large/TN2257A.jpg)
Swamp Ash '72 Thinline body (weight 3lbs 10ounces) and a maple 1-11/16" nut Pro series neck with '59 roundback profile (PRS Wide-Fat, basically) and Stainless Steel 6105 jumbo frets :D
It's having a black-white-black scratchplate, a chrome hardtail strat bridge, vintage tuners, CTS pots, CRL switch, an old paper in oil capacitor, Schaller matt chrome finished straplocks and TV Jones Classic pickups!
Should be fun to put together!
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Lovely figuring on Ash!
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Looks great Dave. Look forward to seeing and hearing at all finished. Nice one! :D
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Cheers guys - I'm looking forward to getting this together. I should get the parts in a few weeks.
Stainless steel frets will be an interesting experiment....
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looks great
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That's going to be very cool, Dave.
Mark.
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Thats some good ass swamp ash!
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wow, that looks awesome, sounds like a great spec too. :)
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Cheers folks :)
Just looking into getting a 70s style "Fecker Testicaster" logo for it :lol:
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Ha ha! Got one!
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/FECKERTesticaster70sstyle.jpg)
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Ha ha! Got one!
That was quick! Where did you get it?
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I've not got it yet, but making payment shortly. If you look on eBay for the Gibbons Less Pull decals you'll find the guy. I emailed him about Tele decals as he can't sell them on eBay any more. Fender kicked his ass :lol:
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:D Cool! I don't need one at the moment, but you never know, for future reference...
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:lol:
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:lol:
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:D
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He's sending me a "Fecker Custom Shop" logo for the back of the headstock too :lol:
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Lovin' the decal :lol:
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He's sending me a "Fecker Custom Shop" logo for the back of the headstock too :lol:
Gotta get me one of them!!!
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I am looking forward to seeing the finished item Dave....and indeed the second one you make shortly after.
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Not sure what I'd build next if this turns out good! It should be a belter. If not, it'll be off to Wez to "fix" it for me!!! :lol:
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Ok, so I've been looking into the finish. A couple of questions:
* Is 250g of Liberon 0000 steel wool enough to do the body and neck?
* How much oil do I need, 0.5ltr?
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that will be plenty of both
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Thanks Wez :D
The decals arrived today - I'm still chuckling :lol:
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The decals arrived today - I'm still chuckling :lol:
Do you know if he has vintage "thin letters" style? :lol:
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Yes, he does.......
http://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=9388.msg118845#msg118845
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:D Awesome!
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The neck and body have shipped from the US and should be delivered on Monday :o I'll be at work, so I'll have to pick it up from Manchester in the evening or on Tuesday.
I've picked up some Danish Oil and Liberon 0000 steel wool today too, so work can start over Easter weekend.
Can't wait :D
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The neck and body have shipped from the US and should be delivered on Monday :o I'll be at work, so I'll have to pick it up from Manchester in the evening or on Tuesday.
UPS might phone you up before delivering, to take payment of the VAT and import duty. Or they may want payment on delivery/collection (I don't know why they're so inconsistent). So don't forget your cheque book! :)
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Yep, that'll be fun paying that :(
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Sorry, didn't mean to put a damper on proceedings! :wink:
Looking forward to seeing the guitar... I'm sitting here playing my black mini-HB Tele and wondering how anyone can not like the things!
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Yep, that'll be fun paying that :(
I'll show the receipts of the ones I paid and you'll feel right :lol:
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According to UPS the parts are out for delivery today, and as I'm full of "man flu" I'm going to dip out of work a bit early. I'll either catch them before they deliver or see if I can head off to the collection depot in Manchester. I'll get some pics up later if I manage to get hold of them.
As an aside, I also picked up some Liberon 0000 steel wool and Rustins Danish Oil (plus plastic gloves and a mixing pot) over the weekend so I'm ready to start the finishing process this week. The plan is to have the guitar up and running in a week's time, by the end of Easter.......
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And here it is. What do you reckon?????
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/Testicasterparts.jpg)
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Not sure about the pickguard :(
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Usually I'm not found on Tele with big pickguard nor the TV jones pickups, but they're looking good together on this guitar! :D
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Oh bloody hell, why does it take me months to do things and you've got it done in a day? :x
(Or did you just pile the parts up in roughly the right places? :wink: )
I don't like the matt-finish knobs (if that's what they are), but that's nitpicking. I do like the way they've left a decent gap between the switch and the volume control, it always bugs me that they're so close together on regular Teles.
Looking forward to hearing/seeing how you get on with the oil finish!
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well, *i am sure* about the pickguard - it all looks great!! :)
i would go for an oil with some sort of tint for the body. maybe red/brown.
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or even blue/purple
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Looks SWEET! I bet that'll sound awesome - and yeah you should definitely give the body a bit of a dark tint.
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I'm going simple with the finish - just natural Danish Oil. Not going mad on a first effort!
The knobs are matt finish, as are the straplocks. I'm using up some parts and I'm mixing/matching hardware. I like the mix, but each to their own!
And yes Phil, I've just piled them up really. Everything is attached to the pickguard, but the bridge is just placed on there as is the neck......
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That is going to look great Dave-nice job.
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I like!
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Thanks for your comments guys :)
Just for everyone's info, the neck/body joint is really good. Not strong enough to pick the body up by the neck without bolts, but it's a nice snug fit.
Even Mrs Twinfan is impressed by the quality of the parts :o
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Just for everyone's info, the neck/body joint is really good. Not strong enough to pick the body up by the neck without bolts, but it's a nice snug fit.
That's good to know - I've got several Warmoth bodies, but they've all got Fender necks (which also fit really well). I might try a Warmoth neck next time.
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The neck's great - a very similar profile to my McCarty Wide-Fats (which is how I specced it). Can't wait to get it all bolted together at the weekend.
Wood finishing starts in the next couple of days......
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Oh bloody hell, why does it take me months to do things and you've got it done in a day? :x
i know the feeling :lol:
getting back to the guitar- that looks awesome. i don't think there's a single thing about it i'd change (without getting sarcastic and saying i'd have tuners and strings on my version ;) ) :D I'm guessing you're leaving it natural?
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i love it. and can't look at this thread again, i'm not allowed to give into temptation. but dayum that looks good.
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Looks hawt but I reckon a white pickguard would look better and maybe a smaller pickguard?
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I'd love to see the outcome after the finish. Looks good.
It's fuelling my Warmoth GAS :)
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Very nice, Dave.
There's a VERY distinct Tele thing going on on this forum at the moment...
On a related note, my Fecker Testicaster decal arrived yesterday!!! Will be applying that at the weekend!!!
:D
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To answer the comments/questions:
The scratchplate is the right size and shape for a '72 Thinline Telecaster - that's what the body is. The cavities are large so it needs a big guard. White pearloid is the normal colour on the Fender reissues, so to be different I chose three ply B-W-B.
Yep, the body will be a natural finish. This was my inspiration for the finish/scratchplate colour combo:
(http://www.rumbleseatmusic.com/images/full%20size%201033w/72fenderteleThinlineNAT.jpg)
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This was my inspiration for the finish/scratchplate colour combo
[jaw dropping] :o [/jaw dropped]
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Do you like it Phil? ;) :lol:
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Well I certainly do :o
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Tis looking good there TF :D
Didn't like the pickguard shape when I first saw it, but it's kinda growing on me.
I am as amazed as Philly over the timescales (with somewhat less experience, and therefore less "issues", than he might have :lol:)
What's happening over nut-cutting and fret-dressing? Are you going to do this yourself? (apologies if I've missed/skimmed over this earlier - I'm going through a "busy patch" at the moment and not able to put the proper attention into the BKP forum :lol:)
Oh, and Philly, on the "switch close to the volume control". I just tried this out on a switch I'm about to replace: Take the knob off, then use a pair of pliers to put a small bend into the blade - I did about 15 degrees at the most. I bent mine "down", away from me when I'm playing. I'd read about this ages ago, but... it actually works! Switch much easier to use with the pinky... (and the switch isn't broken :lol:)
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The nut was fitted by Warmoth and is already cut. Frets were installed by Warmoth too, and having run my hands over the neck it feels like they've done a great job. Lovely and smooth fret ends :)
I'm planning on bolting it all together, getting it fired up, and seeing how it sounds. I'll do any minor initial tweaks myself, but if it looks like it needs a bit more specialist knowledge I'll take it to my usual luthier for a full setup.
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Quick question - should I drill the strap button holes before applying finish to the body? Or leave it until later????
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Do you like it Phil? ;) :lol:
If yours turns out looking like that, Dave - and hopefully it will - I'll be mighty impressed!
Good tip about the switch Andy, I believe that's what Danny Gatton used to do. I might give it a try. Also Rockinger in Germany make a Tele control plate with the volume control moved a little further away from the switch, which is a very sensible idea.
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Quick question - should I drill the strap button holes before applying finish to the body? Or leave it until later????
I don't know what the pros would suggest, but I'd do all the drilling - strap buttons, scratchplate, whatever - before finishing, then just countersink the holes a little once the finish is on.
It sounds like they did a good job on the frets etc. When I had a Warmoth neck - which I kept for about 10 years but never used :roll: - the fret installation seemed really neat but they'd left the ends very square. It wouldn't have been playable without some extra work.
I think I might have to invest in some Warmoth necks. I was looking at one of my Highway One necks last night and I've become so used to the big neck on the ES-339 the last few weeks that the Fender neck felt like a toothpick. :(
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On a related note, my Fecker Testicaster decal arrived yesterday!!! Will be applying that at the weekend!!!
Question for both Mark and Dave - are you going to try finishing over the decals, or just stick them on top of the finish? I know the latter is the old skool way, but personally I'd prefer the thing to be properly sealed in place.
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I'm just putting the decal on after the oiling. I'm not 'finishing' the guitar so it'll look odd if I try and finish just the headstock with clearcoat.
I'll drill the pilot holes before oiling the body then - cheers Phil :)
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I'm getting such Tele gas... Its insane... Never had this before. Makes me want to pick up a highway one or something.
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On a related note, my Fecker Testicaster decal arrived yesterday!!! Will be applying that at the weekend!!!
Question for both Mark and Dave - are you going to try finishing over the decals, or just stick them on top of the finish? I know the latter is the old skool way, but personally I'd prefer the thing to be properly sealed in place.
I've done it both ways. Glen precoats his decals so they are a bit stronger than some of the other after market ones.
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On a related note, my Fecker Testicaster decal arrived yesterday!!! Will be applying that at the weekend!!!
Question for both Mark and Dave - are you going to try finishing over the decals, or just stick them on top of the finish? I know the latter is the old skool way, but personally I'd prefer the thing to be properly sealed in place.
I've done it both ways. Glen precoats his decals so they are a bit stronger than some of the other after market ones.
I've read, but not sure if it's true, that it's possible to spray nitro over something like Tru-Oil? :?
I wouldn't attempt to spray finish a whole neck (too messy, although I have done it before when I was young and patient), but I would be prepared to spray just the face of the headstock and oil-finish the rest.
But I guess the sensible option is just to put the decal on the surface and replace it if it wears off!
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Looks nice but I think the body needs some tint so it doesnt look so bright and unfinished. I really like the look of that Fender you posted :) bwb looks best on natural guitar bodies I think, white looks cheap and horrible.
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Looks nice but I think the body needs some tint so it doesnt look so bright and unfinished. I really like the look of that Fender you posted :) bwb looks best on natural guitar bodies I think, white looks cheap and horrible.
oil will tint slightly, but not much so this will be quite a blonde guitar to begin with... it should age and darken nicely though
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The gun stock oil I used on my strat body darkened the wood nicely. just quickly photoshopped the body a bit darker/redder so you can see how much nicer it will look, Dave :P
(http://i43.tinypic.com/2wncwvq.jpg)
just realised I accidentally had the bridge selected as well though so its gone an odd colour :\
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oil will tint slightly, but not much so this will be quite a blonde guitar to begin with... it should age and darken nicely though
That's what I'm after Wez ;) A nice natural blonde finish from new, but something that will age well. This is just a nice simple build after all :)
I'm itching to hear it, hoping it will be a mix of Billy Gibbons and Malcolm Young.....
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On a related note, my Fecker Testicaster decal arrived yesterday!!! Will be applying that at the weekend!!!
Question for both Mark and Dave - are you going to try finishing over the decals, or just stick them on top of the finish? I know the latter is the old skool way, but personally I'd prefer the thing to be properly sealed in place.
I've done it both ways. Glen precoats his decals so they are a bit stronger than some of the other after market ones.
I've read, but not sure if it's true, that it's possible to spray nitro over something like Tru-Oil? :?
I wouldn't attempt to spray finish a whole neck (too messy, although I have done it before when I was young and patient), but I would be prepared to spray just the face of the headstock and oil-finish the rest.
But I guess the sensible option is just to put the decal on the surface and replace it if it wears off!
It said in the blurb that it should be applied to a previously finished headstock - mines got a satin finish, so I was going to give it a light coat of spray, then the decal, then another light coat. I think that will look OK...
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That tosser out of Franz Ferdinand was on Jools Holland playing a tele very simliar to the one you posted for your inspiration (can't see the pics of yours as I'm still stuck on the works server :(). His wasn't a thinline and had the larger scratchplate that went towards the top horn (or lack of).
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Yep, that's a 70s Custom......
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Is that what you're building? Nice axe, shame about the tw@t :lol:
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i like the 70's customs and deluxes... its what prompted me to spring for the Wide Range humbucker HTH was selling recently. i ordered a blackguard to go with it yesterday so i guess i am building a guitar around that one pickup
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Is that what you're building? Nice axe, shame about the tw@t :lol:
One swallow doesn't make a summer, and one tw@t doesn't make a '70s Tele Deluxe uncool!
In fact, I'm not sure there are enough tw@ts in the world to make a '70s Tele Deluxe uncool....
(I don't think Franz Ferdinand are all THAT terrible anyway...)
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I'm not building a Custom/Deluxe, I'm building a Thinline ;)
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Leaving yourselves open to Roo abuse here folks :lol:
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Is that what you're building? Nice axe, shame about the tw@t :lol:
One swallow doesn't make a summer, and one tw@t doesn't make a '70s Tele Deluxe uncool!
In fact, I'm not sure there are enough tw@ts in the world to make a '70s Tele Deluxe uncool....
(I don't think Franz Ferdinand are all THAT terrible anyway...)
You're getting this the wrong way round, fellas... It's the Tele that makes the player look like a tw@t! Simple fact, nothing you can do about it, other than ditch the tele...
Hey ho.
Roo
EDIT I hit the post button and the little red line came up telling me that someone else had posted.... How did you KNOW, Andy?! :D :D :D
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I dunno, using "tw@t" and "tele", in the same sentence... repeatedly...
Just asking for trouble... :lol:
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Leaving yourselves open to Roo abuse here folks :lol:
Ah, bollox to Roo. :twisted:
Tele Customs, Deluxes and Thinlines are cool as fvck..... Franz tw@tting Ferdinand, bulbous bits and all.
(Sorry Roo, no offence!)
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Leaving yourselves open to Roo abuse here folks :lol:
Ah, bollox to Roo. :twisted:
Tele Customs, Deluxes and Thinlines are cool as fvck..... Franz tw@tting Ferdinand, bulbous bits and all.
(Sorry Roo, no offence!)
Lol at 'Franz tw@tting Ferdinand'
:D
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:lol:
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So, tele lovers and haters can unite with mutual hatred of Franz tw@tting Ferdinand?
Seems reasonable to me.
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Yeah, I'm happy with tha too. tw@t haters of the world unite.
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I hate Franz Ferdinand. Though every time Roo or one of his tag alongs disses teles i'm gonna post a picture of me looking badass with a tele.
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/crushingtokyo/IMG_0211.jpg?t=1239225626)
Suck it Roo.
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I hate Franz Ferdinand. Though every time Roo or one of his tag alongs disses teles i'm gonna post a picture of me looking badass with a tele.
Suck it Roo.
:lol:
lol
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So, when are you going to post a pic of you looking badass?
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I hate Franz Ferdinand. Though every time Roo or one of his tag alongs disses teles i'm gonna post a picture of me looking badass with a tele.
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/crushingtokyo/IMG_0211.jpg?t=1239225626)
Suck it Roo.
that's a long strap...
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That is a long strap. I'm guessing if I put it on, that Tele would be brushing the ground like Phil Mitchell's knuckles....
But anyway, I don't actually hate Franz tw@tting Ferdinand, but I'm happy to go with the flow. Nice to have a bit of harmony on a Tele-related thread. :P
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went to see franz ferdinand a few years ago, they were supported by editors and graham coxon.
Editors where awesome and completly eclipsed FF who may have the odd catchy song but just cant play live (i know that because actually i have been to see them a few times)
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I HATE Editors. The singer is so monotonous and they all seem so posh :lol:
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Just watching Tuesday's Jools Holland; Franz Ferdinand are opening and reminded me of this thread. All I can say is WOW - TONE. Really REALLY gooooood tone.
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seriously... probably the best tone I've ever heard!
All three guitars (including the bass) are the best sounds I've EVER heard.
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I HATE Editors. The singer is so monotonous and they all seem so posh :lol:
they are a bit posh and i really didnt want to like them, the guys voice is very impressive live - a huge 3D sound that fills any room (or field for that matter). i felt sorry for Franz going on afterwards, it was always going to sound thin in comparison
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Kind of on topic. I had the good fortune to see Graham Coxon a while back in Queen's Uni, Belfast, and the man does produce some seriously tasty live tone. It's one of the few times I've heard a Marshall and thought "Aha! So that's what people mean" about them.
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I hate Franz Ferdinand. Though every time Roo or one of his tag alongs disses teles i'm gonna post a picture of me looking badass with a tele.
(http://i645.photobucket.com/albums/uu178/crushingtokyo/IMG_0211.jpg?t=1239225626)
Suck it Roo.
Hey badger, what is it that you're looking longingly and lovingly at? The headstock? :)
Roo
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Yeah I love the headstock. It's beautiful. And thanks for commenting on the length of my strap :) I'm 6'4 and like my guitars low, so the strap is the biggest Levy's one i could find.
i'm really looking forward to seeing Dave's tele finished, I have plans for a thinline tele, maybe mahogany body with a set of Abraxas pickups in it.
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Kind of on topic. I had the good fortune to see Graham Coxon a while back in Queen's Uni, Belfast, and the man does produce some seriously tasty live tone. It's one of the few times I've heard a Marshall and thought "Aha! So that's what people mean" about them.
I like Graham Coxon's stuff. Very talented and underrated IMO. Much better than when he was in Blur, I get the feeling he was stifled quite a lot.
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Yeah I love the headstock. It's beautiful. And thanks for commenting on the length of my strap :) I'm 6'4 and like my guitars low, so the strap is the biggest Levy's one i could find.
i'm really looking forward to seeing Dave's tele finished, I have plans for a thinline tele, maybe mahogany body with a set of Abraxas pickups in it.
Nice strap, Mark - I'm also a fairly tall chap, and struggle to find a good long 'un - both fofr my tele and my Yam SG. Where did you get yours from?
Mark.
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Yeah I love the headstock. It's beautiful. And thanks for commenting on the length of my strap :) I'm 6'4 and like my guitars low, so the strap is the biggest Levy's one i could find.
i'm really looking forward to seeing Dave's tele finished, I have plans for a thinline tele, maybe mahogany body with a set of Abraxas pickups in it.
Nice strap, Mark - I'm also a fairly tall chap, and struggle to find a good long 'un - both fofr my tele and my Yam SG. Where did you get yours from?
Mark.
Just a standard Levys nylon web thing. Got it from a local music shop. Got them on almost all of my guitars, nothing worse than having your strap too short and looking like a nonce.
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Yeah I love the headstock. It's beautiful. And thanks for commenting on the length of my strap :) I'm 6'4 and like my guitars low, so the strap is the biggest Levy's one i could find.
i'm really looking forward to seeing Dave's tele finished, I have plans for a thinline tele, maybe mahogany body with a set of Abraxas pickups in it.
Nice strap, Mark - I'm also a fairly tall chap, and struggle to find a good long 'un - both fofr my tele and my Yam SG. Where did you get yours from?
Mark.
Just a standard Levys nylon web thing. Got it from a local music shop. Got them on almost all of my guitars, nothing worse than having your strap too short and looking like a nonce.
I totally agree with you on that, Badger! I use the same straps, for the same reason. :)
Roo
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heyyyy - I like my straps short :(
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I keep my guitars quite high, so as I can play em right :lol: (Then I do use quite a bit of reach fingering - nothing extreme but precludes low guitars.
When all I did was bash powerchords and play in the box, then it was low ;)
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So, tele lovers and haters can unite with mutual hatred of Franz tw@tting Ferdinand?
Seems reasonable to me.
Who's dissing Franz Ferdinand? I like a couple of his songs
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I keep my guitars quite high, so as I can play em right :lol: (Then I do use quite a bit of reach fingering - nothing extreme but precludes low guitars.
When all I did was bash powerchords and play in the box, then it was low ;)
Yeah, I think it's a compromise between having the guitar high enough to accomplish what you need to technically, and not having it so high that you look like a dork.
I personally am long in the body and short in the leg - if I wear a guitar too high (and because I'm tall, normal straps are often too short) I look like a complete tw@t.
And I didn't pick up the guitar to look like a complete tw@t. I can do that well enough without one, thank you very much...
Mark.
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Roo's guitar would look really odd played high up... i think that goes for most ofset shapes
i like the fact badger is clearly giving us the finger :)
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Couch Guitar Straps are pretty long as well and look cooler than nylon straps :P - http://www.couchguitarstraps.com/
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Roo's guitar would look really odd played high up... i think that goes for most ofset shapes
i like the fact badger is clearly giving us the finger :)
Yeah when bashing powerchords it helps to give the wanky metal fans the finger :)
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(http://www.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2005/4/5593_110494426822.jpg)
If you can't play it at that height, you are officially wanking :lol:
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I keep my guitars quite high, so as I can play em right :lol: (Then I do use quite a bit of reach fingering - nothing extreme but precludes low guitars.
When all I did was bash powerchords and play in the box, then it was low ;)
This man speaks reasonably. Players who hold it at their knees just look like douches, Dime's and drunks. And I mean that with no disrespect, I'm sure that's what they are going for.
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Right - to get this thread back on topic!!! :lol:
I've just drilled the screw holes for the jack socket, and the strap button holes, into the body. The bottom button hole has missed the centre line by about 1mm as the drill bit drifted. No biggie, and by the time the straplock is on it'll be barely noticeable.
Just got to drill the holes in the neck for the tuners and I'm ready to start oiling. A few people have mentioned putting a light stain on the wood first, but I'm just going 'au naturel'. Mrs Twinfan says leave it as it is, so that's a good enough reason for me!
First coat will be a 50/50 mix of white spirit/Rustins Danish Oil to let it soak into the wood better as a sealant. I'll be using some cotton rags to apply it. I'll put some pics up after the first coat is done later today......
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Just got to drill the holes in the neck for the tuners and I'm ready to start oiling. A few people have mentioned putting a light stain on the wood first, but I'm just going 'au naturel'. Mrs Twinfan says leave it as it is, so that's a good enough reason for me!
I agree with Mrs Twinfan :D . The grain of the swamp ash is going to come out beautifully with a natural finish anyway.
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(http://www.findagrave.com/photos250/photos/2005/4/5593_110494426822.jpg)
If you can't play it at that height, you are officially wanking :lol:
ah, at the time i thought steve clarke was just the coolest man alive! i used to sit and watch the in the round...in your face live video every week! he did ruin a lot of lovely old gibsons with kahlers though! at that height i can barely manage a couple of open chords, never mind anything more challenging, so i have no idea how he did it. i've only seen Duff Mckagan (coincidentally, another tall bleach blonde alcoholic!) wear a guitar as low
Twinfan; that guitar is looking great! intrigued as to how the tv jones'll sound in it.
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I watched it last night as I couldn't sleep :D
I don't think he actually retrofitted any Kahler's himself, bought them like it, or were made for him.
Its not actually that hard when its that low, something feels comfy.
Good to hear progress on the guitar TF, you should have challenged Phil to a race, it may have inspired him
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Good to hear progress on the guitar TF, you should have challenged Phil to a race, it may have inspired him
:lol: :lol:
It takes a lot to inspire me, and I'm not naturally competitive... impending death or the kidnap of one of my (non existent) children might just about do the trick.
I might try to finish off the Mira or something this weekend, if I don't get invited round by my blessed ol' parents.
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OK - first coat is on. This stuff is REALLY easy to apply. Like seriously easy! I used a little plastic mixing bowl and watered the Danish Oil down with white spirit, somewhere between a 25%/75% and a 50%/50% mix. This is so it would soak in and seal the wood better. The ash body lapped it up, the maple neck less so as it's less porous. The second coat (of straight Danish Oil) will be going on around midnight tonight.
Meanwhile, here's the pics of the first coat while it's drying. The neck is bit ordinary looking and hasn't changed much so I won't bother photographing it again. The grain in the body has really popped out through, which is nice :D
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat1_body_front.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat1_body_back.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat1_neck.JPG)
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It's looking good Dave, very good indeed!
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Cheers Ian! The pic of the front is a bit lighter than it really is as it's right next to the window. It's closer to the colour in the back pic.
I'm just off to start putting the electrics together.......
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It's gonna be awesome, I can feel it in my bones!
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That really is some fine ash.
But you have a book on slash?
Wtf?
Does it say "Pentatonic", over and over again, on every page?
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Nope, it just says "Heroin" :lol:
I'm a big Slash fan. He's the reason I play electric guitar.
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looking good :)
i don't keep my strap that high, but there's surely a happy medium between "round your neck" and "round your knees"... :?
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Nope, it just says "Heroin" :lol:
I'm a big Slash fan. He's the reason I play electric guitar.
+1!
I thought it was a great read.
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Yo Dave nice plank bro looks like another Manchester meet to christen it
cheers
keith
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Cheers Keith :)
Update for the evening: the second coat is on and the electrics are all wired up except for the output jack.........
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat2_body_front.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Electrics_back.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Electrics_front.JPG)
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Penultimate oil coat is now on :D The body and neck feel much tackier as I wipe the excess oil off now so I'm clearly in the "layer building" part of the finish. The wood is now sealed and it's building up the protective coating.
I'm out seeing the folks for the rest of today, so the final coat will go on tomorrow morning. Everything's looking good for a first assembly on Monday. Woo hoo!!!!
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat3_body_front.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat3_body_back.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat3_neck_back.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Coat3_neck_front.JPG)
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Is that guitar 3 stories tall, and is your kitchen in fact upside down?
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Ha ha!
The neck is hanging from a lampshade over my kitchen table :)
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Looking good. :D
Only 3 coats though? My Eggle took about a dozen using Danish oil.
Are you rubbing back between coats?
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Looking good. :D
Only 3 coats though? My Eggle took about a dozen using Danish oil.
I was wondering about that, I've read articles talking about 10-15 coats, even with Tru-Oil (which I think builds up more?).
I'm going to try to find a proper "how to" article somewhere, I'm sure Jonathan and/or Wez have gone into it in some detail in the past.
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I'm doing exactly what it says on the tin for the finish, using a mixture of interior/exterior use prep:
* Thinned first coat with white spirit
* Undiluted 2nd, 3rd and 4th coats
* 3 undiluted coats are all that's required
* No rubbing back required between coats
* Final coat will be applied with Liberon 0000 steel wool for a smooth finish
10-15 coats sounds mental! :o I guess it depends on the exact finish used, and how close to basic Linseed Oil it is. This Rustins one has extra polymers etc to speed drying and I guess thicken the finish: http://buildyourguitar.com/resources/tips/danshoil.htm
Also, I'm not going to be gigging it heavily every night for 40 years so protection isn't a major issue. If it was, I would be after a hard finish. I'd like this one to be just protected enough to not damage the wood with normal use, and relic/age really nicely :D
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Well, I don't know, I read so much stuff I forget which bits are "good advice" and which bits are "don't do that". :lol:
Building up numerous coats is certainly what I'd do with a spray finish - you "cut it back" every few coats with wet/dry paper to keep the surface totally flat, so even though there are lots of coats the paint isn't just getting thicker and thicker.
But I don't know how much of that principle can be applied to oil finishes. I think you still do "cutting back", but I'm not sure if you have to do it with wire wool or if you can use wet/dry paper.... and there was something about buffing the final coat with wax, but I can't remember that properly either. :roll:
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Well, I don't know, I read so much stuff I forget which bits are "good advice" and which bits are "don't do that". :lol:
Building up numerous coats is certainly what I'd do with a spray finish - you "cut it back" every few coats with wet/dry paper to keep the surface totally flat, so even though there are lots of coats the paint isn't just getting thicker and thicker.
But I don't know how much of that principle can be applied to oil finishes. I think you still do "cutting back", but I'm not sure if you have to do it with wire wool or if you can use wet/dry paper.... and there was something about buffing the final coat with wax, but I can't remember that properly either. :roll:
thanks for this incredibly helpful post philly :lol: :lol: :lol:
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thanks for this incredibly helpful post philly :lol: :lol: :lol:
:oops: Well, it was packed with ideas.... even if none of them turn out to be applicable. :P
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:lol:
I've just applied the final coat, using steel wool. After leaving the oil for around 10-15 minutes, I wiped off the excess with a fresh piece. This should give a nice smooth finish without any 'nibs' of oil build up. Hopefully I won't have buff down the finish when it's dry now :)
Assembly starts tomorrow, after I've drilled the holes for the tunes in the headstock.......
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Final_coat_body_front.JPG)
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tru oil and danish oil give very different oil finishes. Danish oil sets in the wood and cannot really be built up. Tru oil will set on the wood and can be built up to a lacquer like high gloss.
when using danish oil i use a lot of coats wetsanded with the oil into the wood and buff off all the cr@p. After i day or two i finish it off with a rub down with briwax and wire wool
When using tru oil i wipe it on liberally, leave if 15 minutes and wipe off any gunk and give it an hour or so before repeating. I do this between 5-10 times depending on the wood then it gets buffed off after a couple of days rest with the wire wool. If going for high gloss i would repeat this process till the finish was quite thick, doing 5 or so coats before cutting back and doing some more. the final coats would need to be done with some skill.
So yeah, a few coats on the maple neck and a few more than that on the swamp ash body would be what i would do. but you cant really go wrong with it, if it feels dry give it more. if it gets too shiny take it back a bit with the wire wool!!
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Thanks Wez :) It doesn't feel dry at oil, it feels like there's a nice layer of oil protecting the wood. I think the 4 coats I've given it will be fine. It it wears off too quick or starts to look dodgy, I can always strip it down and re-oil it. I don't think I'll need to do that though.
Can't wait to start getting it bolted together tomorrow! :D
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Tele-hatred to one side for the minute (though not out of the foreground...), that wood does look very nice. I like the grain.
Roo
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Yeah, it's a cracking piece of wood - really distinctive. It looks even better in the flesh.
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Yeah the wood looks superb. The bulbous bit particularly looks great.
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Yeah the wood looks superb. The bulbous bit particularly looks great.
:lol:
I think I've said this before, but I do like the way it's centre-joined with that almost bookmatched effect. Warmoth take great pains over that (although I have a solid-colour one which is still two-piece, but with the join well off centre - fair enough, sensible use of timber).
I've seem some new natural-finish Fender American Standards where the ash bodies are two- or three-piece but they've made absolutely no effort to match the grain patterns.
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Looks great Dave.
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Looking really cool! :D
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Yeah the wood looks superb. The bulbous bit particularly looks great.
Chuckle!
:P
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Great job Dave, real nice chunk a wood. Looking forward to tomorrows pics! :)
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It doesn't feel dry at oil
Oh dear :roll:
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Dodgy typos again!
Doesn't feel dry at all, it's slightly gummy as it's drying.
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That wood finish looks really cool Twin you will soon be dumping all those PRS factory models for your own fine work :).
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That wood finish looks really cool Twin you will soon be dumping all those PRS factory models for your own fine work :).
This could be true Dave. You should get a "Twincaster" headstock decal made up for it.
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^ I like it!
Quick update - it lives!!! :D :D :D :D
All wired up, scratchplate and output jack fitted, tuners in place, bridge on etc etc. Just fitted the bass E to check the electrics work and they do! Woohoo! All looking good :)
Just going to fit the decals now, then string her up and fit the string tree. Then it's time for a full setup. Pics and a tone report later today........
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And? and? ... you've had nearly two hours now :lol:
Looking forward to it...
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Quick update - it lives!!! :D :D :D :D
All wired up, scratchplate and output jack fitted, tuners in place, bridge on etc etc. Just fitted the bass E to check the electrics work and they do! Woohoo! All looking good :)
Just going to fit the decals now, then string her up and fit the string tree. Then it's time for a full setup. Pics and a tone report later today........
All that whilst I've been filing down two pickup rings (to match the string angle) and filing the edges of the scratchplate to fit my Mira.
Ah well, if a job's worth doing, it's worth... overdoing. :|
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Ha ha! Been busy then Phil!
All up and running now, just going to have some lunch and then do a full setup. I've tested every is all OK by playing along to Tres Hombres ;)
Full report to follow later, but here's a teaser for you all......
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_headstock_front.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_headstock_rear.JPG)
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Holy balls! Slot head tuners. I like! Show us the whole thing you dirty tease.
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Slot head tuners.
Is there any other sort? :lol: (I wish those gibson types used 'em as well - expecially on an Explorer...)
Show us the whole thing you dirty tease.
Amen to that, brother :D
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Oooh, it's lookin' good.
I must get some of those decals.
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Right - she's all done and photographed. May I present "Honey" :D
Some front pics:
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_front1.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_front2.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_front3.JPG)
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I love the branding twinfan!
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And some back pics:
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_back1.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_back2.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_back3.JPG)
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this tele looks roo friendly with that controller layout
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Some info on the build:
Everything I ordered was in the "Showcase" so it was ready to go. All they had to do was to fret the neck and add a nut. From ordering to delivery it was 2 weeks.
The quality of the wood is very, very good. It's nice and light - Warmoth quote the body weights of Showcase items on their website and mine was 3lbs 10oz. Most importantly for a home build, everything was perfectly done. The body and neck were sanded completely smooth - I had to do NO work to the body and neck at all, other than to oil it and drill a few holes. The neck fits the body pocket EXACTLY, all the holes are in EXACTLY the right place and are of the right diameter etc. I literally just oiled it up and bolted it all together. It was that simple! Tonally the wood seems excellent, and I think it'll only get better with use.
The only slight downside to the build is that it feels like a brand new guitar! It needs wearing in a bit, especially when compared to my CS Relic. But then you'd expect that I guess ;) :lol:
Tonally - well, it's like a bigger, more ballsy sounding Tele with an acoustic woodiness from the semi-hollow body. Very raunchy, and great for Texas Blues styles. It would make a great indie-style rhythm guitar too.
It'll be getting it's first run out next week at my new blues band's first rehearsal, and will probably be the main guitar for that band :D
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result! the oil has darkened the swamp ash, and it looks less anaemic.
what bridge did you go for? the vintage or narrow spaced? if the normal hardtail spacing, do you find the high and low E too close to the edge?
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Don't carried away there JDC :lol:
It looks grand TF - hope it plays as well as it looks.
It's great when you manage to get something done over the Easter break (that's not cleaning/ironing/decorating :lol:), isn't it?
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gwEm - It's vintage (wide) spacing, as that's what the body was drilled for. The strings are fairly close to the edge near the 22nd fret, but it plays and feels fine :)
Andy - yep, it's been a good weekend!
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I've been waiting to see it.. Lovely job!
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Turned out great, and I'm amazed how quick you were.
Now how does it sound?
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Read a few posts up, Phil ;)
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Read a few posts up, Phil ;)
Ooops. :oops: The posts were appearing so fast I missed that one.
I see your point about it feeling new. But it should wear in fast with the oil finish, I guess. :)
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excellent, that looks great :) any particular reason why you went for the strat-style saddles?
and don't get it all covered in grass stains... :lol:
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Tis truly a magnificent specimen there Dave.
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now that i like a lot.
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excellent, that looks great :) any particular reason why you went for the strat-style saddles?
Cheers Dave. It's got that bridge as it's correct for a '72 Thinline Tele and that's what Warmoth drilled the body for ;)
Thanks for the kind words folks - I'm off to play it again.......
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Looks awesome Dave - I'm now planning a warmoth strat. Thanks!
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Looks awesome Dave - I'm now planning a warmoth strat. Thanks!
You'll probably have it finished before I get mine done! :roll: :wink:
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Looks awesome Dave - I'm now planning a warmoth strat. Thanks!
You'll probably have it finished before I get mine done! :roll: :wink:
I very much doubt it Philly! I need money first - will be selling some stuff soon, including the Signature LP I bought from Dave a few months ago :? Bloody GAS is a nightmare.
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Looks great Dave, I'm impressed how quickly you got this done! :D
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inspired by twinfan, i just gave my Warmoth Jazzmaster a good hammering :evil:
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Looks great TF! When will we be getting a sound clip?
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I'll see if I can get a clip done tomorrow evening and bung it up on YouTube.....
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:o Awesome!
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Sorry Dave, late to this party.
That looks really nice, I hope it works for you as well!
Sue was looking that the warmoth site tonight, and I'm blaming you...
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That looks awesome Twinfan!! Time for another???
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Dunno what I'd build if I did another! I would definitely do it again :)
Just to close this off, a couple of final pics.
The inspiration:
(http://www.rumbleseatmusic.com/images/full%20size%201033w/72fenderteleThinlineNAT.jpg)
And the pretender ;)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Copycat.JPG)
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Nice stuff Dave - that's a nice looking thinline you based yours on. Did you have a spare relic case lying around waiting?
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Ha ha! As if!
That's one of my McCarty Rosewood cases. It's been used, shall we say!
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Cheers Dave. It's got that bridge as it's correct for a '72 Thinline Tele and that's what Warmoth drilled the body for ;)
Thanks for the kind words folks - I'm off to play it again.......
ah, ok, yeah that makes sense, thanks. :lol: i'm not too well up on vintage specs, haha :D
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Do you know what would be good? well same guitar with P90 type- so get to it my good man.
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I've tried P90s, but I just can't get on with them. Too fat in the bass for my playing style, I just accentuate their character :( The TV Classics are similar in that they're clear and zingy, but they don't have the flubby bass :)
The guitar doesn't sound that humbucker-y, I'm getting some really good SRV tones out of it :o
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dammit dave, i really like my tv jones filtertrons for what they do. i am planning a parts guitar like a decent version of a squier 51 with a original tele wide range in the neck and i already ordered a blackguard 50 for the bridge but you just made me think i should order one of those tv jones tele bridges to use the pickup i already have.... if i do that i need to build something for the blaggard too
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if i do that i need to build something for the blaggard too
build a trans-yellow swamp ash jazzmaster, white pickguard, with the blackguard horizontally like a jaguar...
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if i do that i need to build something for the blaggard too
build a trans-yellow swamp ash jazzmaster, white pickguard, with the blackguard horizontally like a jaguar...
Gwem you just gave me a semi.
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if i do that i need to build something for the blaggard too
build a trans-yellow swamp ash jazzmaster, white pickguard, with the blackguard horizontally like a jaguar...
Gwem you just gave me a semi.
Go and polish your tiny tele headstock, that should finish it off :)
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so which one of you is paying for it!!
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Where do you get those kind of stickers, like Testicaster etc? Are there any companys that make custom stickers etc?
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if i do that i need to build something for the blaggard too
build a trans-yellow swamp ash jazzmaster, white pickguard, with the blackguard horizontally like a jaguar...
Gwem you just gave me a semi.
Go and polish your tiny tele headstock, that should finish it off :)
Will do, I'll race you whilst you polish all the penile extrusions from your guitar. I think I'll win this race.
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Nice going of tele's but that is pretty
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Where do you get those kind of stickers, like Testicaster etc? Are there any companys that make custom stickers etc?
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I got mine off a guy on eBay. Look onthere for Less Pull......
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Where do you get those kind of stickers, like Testicaster etc? Are there any companys that make custom stickers etc?
His name is Glen Ellard and his email is 'artyfarty1@blueyonder.co.uk'
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Just a quick update on the tone of this guitar. I took it to Doppelganger rehearsal last night and Martin reckoned it sounded very 335-ish, and had a real bit of charcter. It sounds nothing like you'd expect it to, and it's a really great guitar!
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I keep forgetting to ask, Dave - how are you getting on with the compound radius?
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Pretty well! I don't really notice it when playing leads. The only thinkg I'm learning to adapt to at the moment is that some chords get out of tune if I play my usual sloppy style and I slightly bend a string or two. The flatter radius and the skyscr@per frets mean it's easy to sharpen notes.
I'll get used to it and play more accurately!
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Sounds OK - I was thinking I might try a compound radius next time, just because 95% of the necks in the Showcase are compound radius!
I just (half an hour ago) got my new Warmoth Strat neck :D . Looks good, lovely timber! As you said, though, it feels very, very new!
The SRV profile is a little slimmer-feeling than I expected, but still chunkier than a Fender C-shape. The fret job is much better than I anticipated - the last Warmoth neck I had, years ago, had really square fret ends, there's no way it would've been playable "out of the box".
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After just a couple of hours playing on mine it feels much better now - not as new. It's also starting to get some worming and buckle rash on the back, which is cool. I want to get this one nicely worn in :D
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Oooh that does look nice...
I wish they did better bass stuff.
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I wish they did better bass stuff.
???
better or more options???
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I wish they did better bass stuff.
???
better or more options???
More options...
No one ever seems to get bass stuff quite right.
Not saying that I can either... I'd just buy a Warwick Corvette $$ and have done with it if I had the cash, Lol.
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Wow - I never knew Warmoth did a PRS a like 7 string!!! and the neck is 25" too, WOW!
Now this is something I'd get a Warmoth for... something that you just can't get...
This has me rather excited. Look at me, I'm oozing with excitement. Ooooooooze.
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If you ooze onto your guitar you may spoil the finish, I think Ibanez do an ooze proof finish but it costs mucho $$ extra
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I wish they did better bass stuff.
???
better or more options???
More options...
No one ever seems to get bass stuff quite right.
Not saying that I can either... I'd just buy a Warwick Corvette $$ and have done with it if I had the cash, Lol.
more options come from custom builds!!!... i am currecntly doing myself a fairly standard bass but its nice to have options like an A neck (very skinny nut but just right for the average guitarist). that will be partnered with a nice alder body, maple nck and fretboard, BKP P-bass pickup and i am toying with the idea of including an ACG/john east preamp to turn a simple P-bass idea into a tone monster
bass stuff can be done alright... if you pay your dues to the vintage fellows and also throw some modern playability and tone shaping into the mix it can work quite well.
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I wish they did better bass stuff.
???
better or more options???
More options...
No one ever seems to get bass stuff quite right.
Not saying that I can either... I'd just buy a Warwick Corvette $$ and have done with it if I had the cash, Lol.
more options come from custom builds!!!... i am currecntly doing myself a fairly standard bass but its nice to have options like an A neck (very skinny nut but just right for the average guitarist). that will be partnered with a nice alder body, maple nck and fretboard, BKP P-bass pickup and i am toying with the idea of including an ACG/john east preamp to turn a simple P-bass idea into a tone monster
bass stuff can be done alright... if you pay your dues to the vintage fellows and also throw some modern playability and tone shaping into the mix it can work quite well.
I'd love to see pictures of that one at some point! I've never heard of an A neck before though... or is it like a V shaped neck?
Ultimately it's a case of 'i don't know what i want but i know it's not this' with me. The Warwick Infinity NT is pretty close to what I'd want actually. Hmm.
The proportions always look just slightly skew iff, and it really naggs me. It seems either you go Precision, Jazz, Music Man or ReallyWeirdUglyThing
I'm going to spend some time with some paper and see if i can rough out an idea I'd actually like...
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Think Wez is talking about neck sizes, not profiles. If i remember Fender necks can be A or B, A being smaller than B at the nut. Fender shortscales (musicmaster, bronco, mustang etc) had these designations.
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yeah its nut width not thickness/profile. i think A-necks are just over 1 1/2" wide at the nut
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I know this is an old thread, but here's a quick update for you all.
The "Testicaster" has got quite a few hours playing time on it now and it's really settled into being a musical instrument. Tonally, it's got a lot of character to it and quite a unique sound. The Filter'Tron pickups are low output and you get a really nice "335 crossed with a Strat" neck tone, and a clear-yet-beefy bridge. It sounds nothing like a Tele! Both Shobet and MartinW were pretty impresed with it when they played it.
The only slight issue with guitar has been the neck. It's a fantastic profile, really chunky like a PRS Wide Fat, but as I bought the Warmoth Pro Series neck it comes with a bi-way truss rod. Fine, nice and modern, but it weighs twice as much as a regular one-way! This combined with the semi-hollow swamp ash body means it's neck heavy, and enough for me to be annoyed by it.
So a plan has been hatched......
I've just ordered a second neck from Warmoth as a replacement. It's made from Goncalo Alves which is also known as Tigerwood or South American Zebrawood. I fancied something a bit different and with some interesting grain to go with the highly figured Swamp Ash body. This one is from the Vintage Modern series and has a regular thin profile plus a vintage truss rod - that should stop the nose dive issues! Plus it doesn't need finishing either as it's a bit like rosewood (a bit waxy/oily) which is great for feel and maintenance!
As for the current chunky neck? Well, let's just say there's a plan underway, so watch this space ;)
Anyhow, here's the replacement neck that's heading off to have stainless steel jumbo frets and a graphite nut fitted shortly...
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/necks/large/vmt1733a.jpg)
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/necks/large/vmt1733b.jpg)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete_front2.JPG)
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Clips.....so want some tv jones
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I'll get some clips done when I've swapped the necks over. I'm about to start taking it to bits.......
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Interesting looking wood, but Im not sure how it'll look with the lighter-coloured body.... and I wouldn't fancy the Standard Thin shape.
I've got a couple of Warmoth Pro necks (not fitted to anything yet of course!). They'll be going on solid bodies, but pretty light ones, hope I don't get the neck-heaviness issue.
Sorry for being all negative. Looking forward to the pics in due course!
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No probs Phil! The body isn't actually that light in the flesh, it was a really sunny day when I took those pics.
I'm quite happy with regular profile necks, and the new one isn't Ibanez Wizard thin. More like a regular C shape Fender neck.......
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I was just starting to get comfortable with thinner necks, but then I got the ES-339 and now the Fender C shapes feel like toothpicks! I can live with the standard C shape, but I probably wouldn't buy another Fender now unless it had a fatter neck.
(Hmmm, wonder what the neck on that relic is like? :wink: )
I think the '59 Roundback is the only Warmoth shape for me, really. I have an SRV one - which in theory is the thickest after the Fatback, Boatneck and '59 - and even that feels a bit too skinny.
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that's an interesting-looking neck. :)
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I was just starting to get comfortable with thinner necks, but then I got the ES-339 and now the Fender C shapes feel like toothpicks! I can live with the standard C shape, but I probably wouldn't buy another Fender now unless it had a fatter neck.
(Hmmm, wonder what the neck on that relic is like? :wink: )
I think the '59 Roundback is the only Warmoth shape for me, really. I have an SRV one - which in theory is the thickest after the Fatback, Boatneck and '59 - and even that feels a bit too skinny.
I'm considering getting a thicker neck for my strat as I'm getting really comfortable with them now. How thick are the roundbacks? I'd like to have some idea before pulling the trigger!!
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The '59 roundback that I have is thick, a bit smaller and rounder the the huge U on Shobet's Tele if you played that at the Manchester meet...
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I certainly did and found it a little too large for my liking!
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Pretty well! I don't really notice it when playing leads. The only thinkg I'm learning to adapt to at the moment is that some chords get out of tune if I play my usual sloppy style and I slightly bend a string or two. The flatter radius and the skyscr@per frets mean it's easy to sharpen notes.
I'll get used to it and play more accurately!
I have always loved those one-of-a-kind woods! A great looking neck, it brings a great visual character to a guitar.
I noticed that you have stainless steel frets on it, big ones. True, they force one to play with a lighter touch on the left hand. This results in less finger fatigue and also less fret wear, which is a true bonus. Of course, now that you have stainless steel frets on it, I doubt you'll have to change them on the next couple of decades 8)
How are you liking the SS frets? My upcoming custom guitar is gonna have SS frets, tall AND narrow.
-Zaned
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I like 'em, they do seem a bit harder though which is odd, I wasn't expecting to notice any difference! Just a different feel I guess....
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Awesome!
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The '59 roundback that I have is thick, a bit smaller and rounder the the huge U on Shobet's Tele if you played that at the Manchester meet...
Agreed, the big Tele necks are very deep at the nut, which I don't like - in fact they're pretty much the same same thickness for the whole length of the neck. I'd guess the Fatback would be the Warmoth equivalent.
The '59 Roundback is like a Gibson neck, almost a semicircle in cross-section, nice and fat at the 12th fret but only about 22mm at the nut.
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:D think could look good with that neck or something alike in color!
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I have a goncalo alves neck from Warmoth on a tele (though I got a Kingwood fingerboard on it). It has the SS frets too. I really like the feel of it and I am sure you will enjoy playing it. Mine has the Clapton V shape.
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I think this one looks the best:
http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseNeck.aspx?i=vmt1706&Body=1&Path=Neck
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/necks/large/vmt1706A.jpg)
But this could also be cool:
http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/ShowcaseNeck.aspx?i=TN2360&Body=1&Path=Neck
(http://www.warmoth.com/Showcase/images/necks/large/TN2360A.jpg)
Both don't need no stinking finish :D
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That is pure guitar porn, Fernando!
I bet that style would work really well for this sort of finish: http://www.amfisound.fi/amfisound_galleria/artist/jonne_routa/jonne_routa.htm
Those Amfisound guys are building me a guitar, and they offer that 'Wooden' -style finish as a regular option. Won't be on my guitar though.
Sorry for the off-topic, Twinfan!
-Zaned
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Cheers PhilKing - I'm getting a Fecker decal too ;)
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I knida like the v..wood on it is very nice.....damn guitar porn
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Cheers PhilKing - I'm getting a Fecker decal too ;)
Where from? I was looking for one for my parts-o-caster but couldn't find one. :?
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Look for decals on eBay, and you'll find the guy doing "Partscaster" ones etc. If you get in touch with him, you can get Fecker ones. He's not allowed to advertise them ;)
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This is the chap:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FRANK-N-STEIN-DECAL-FUN-LOGO-FOR-YOUR-PROJECT_W0QQitemZ120438003271QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0aaa1647&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-FRANK-N-STEIN-DECAL-FUN-LOGO-FOR-YOUR-PROJECT_W0QQitemZ120438003271QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Guitar_Accessories?hash=item1c0aaa1647&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1683%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)
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Interesting looking wood, but Im not sure how it'll look with the lighter-coloured body....
Well the neck's here and I think Phil was spot on :oops: However, with chrome machine heads fitted and shiny strings it'll break the colour of the neck up a bit. I'm just waiting on some tuner bushes that should arrive tomorrow or Saturday, so I'll get it finished on Sunday.....
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Front%20partial.JPG)
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Rear%20partial.JPG)
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that looks ok (quite nice actually), i don't really see what the problem is (unless it looks different in real life, of course!). :) i guess you could do a slightly darker coat on the body if it really annoys you? I have no idea what kind of work that'd entail, though :lol:
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I love it!
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On that pic it looks close to the maple in colour... looks cool, perhaps a little less light can help to get the real color :)
But NOW it's looking awesome!
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Looking good- especially the bulbous bit.
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Looking good- especially the bulbous bit.
I'm sorry, I realise I'm a little late here, but I've never been quite sure which bit is the 'bulbous bit'... Is it the top horn?
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It looks fine there in the sunlight, but I guess the colour difference is more pronounced in more subdued lighting?
I quite like the way the grain patterns make it look almost like a worn, dirty old maple neck. I think it would look great on a black body, but it'd be a shame to hide the grain on the ash body.
That's the problem with Warmoth stuff isn't it? You buy a neck, you buy a body.... then you think "hmmm, maybe if I had this neck on that body, but then I'd need another neck for this body".... and before you know it they're breeding like rabbits. :lol:
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Looking good- especially the bulbous bit.
I'm sorry, I realise I'm a little late here, but I've never been quite sure which bit is the 'bulbous bit'... Is it the top horn?
The upper bout, where the switch would be on an LP. I think. :lol:
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Looking good- especially the bulbous bit.
I'm sorry, I realise I'm a little late here, but I've never been quite sure which bit is the 'bulbous bit'... Is it the top horn?
Well Indy I am not entirely sure myself but yes I think that is the bulbous bit that offends. Rarely have I seen such a good one though.
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and before you know it they're breeding like rabbits. :lol:
:lol:
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Cheers guys - it is a bit more pronounced in the flesh. It was very sunny when I took the pics, for a change in Manchester! That guitar seems to bring out the sun :D
I think a slightly darker body stain would just make it perfect. I'll leave it for now though and re-oil it when it wears a bit...
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It's looking good.
Probably only you can tell at the moment on the dark/light thing, I can't really judge from photos.
I'm wondering whether one of the things unsettling you might be the patterns though? The grain on both pieces is pretty, but maybe they don't complement each other too well? However, I think you're right about tuners, and especially strings - that'll break it up a bit. I've got a feeling you're going to be alright. :D
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Yeah, should be OK in the end I think. Looking forward to getting it finished!
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Clips
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It needs to settle in, and I've got some fret buzz issues, so clips will have to wait a little bit. May take it to a tech for a full checkover. Looks and sounds pretty darn good though! You can feel the neck resonating in your hand as you play, and it weighs hardly anything!
(http://www.doppelganger-rock.com/Twinfan/Warmoth%20build/Complete%20Part%20Two.JPG)
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Seems England is sunnier than Brazil is nowadays :(
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Seems England is sunnier than Brazil is nowadays :(
It has been nice! It's 28 degrees in my room right now with all the windows open (at 1.33am!). Don't know what's going on!
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Seems England is sunnier than Brazil is nowadays :(
It has been nice! It's 28 degrees in my room right now with all the windows open (at 1.33am!). Don't know what's going on!
It was that temp in my office on tuesday, i'm fairly sure that can't be legal...
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Bah of course, there is summer... here is winter...
But completely gray and wet :(
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Bah of course, there is summer... here is winter...
But completely gray and wet :(
Wanna swap? It's going to be 30 degrees this week, they reckon. :(
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Bah of course, there is summer... here is winter...
But completely gray and wet :(
Wanna swap? It's going to be 30 degrees this week, they reckon. :(
30 is easy! If it only was cold here now I would be really alright, but hate gray sky and rain... even more than 30+ degrees
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Bah of course, there is summer... here is winter...
But completely gray and wet :(
it's like that here all year. :lol: except for the roughly 5 days a year when it's nice, and then it's unbearably humid and muggy if the temperature hits much above 20C. :(
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Bah of course, there is summer... here is winter...
But completely gray and wet :(
it's like that here all year. :lol: except for the roughly 5 days a year when it's nice, and then it's unbearably humid and muggy if the temperature hits much above 20C. :(
I like the sound of that. I could always go away somewhere colder for those 5 days.
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you kinda don't realise it until the day, which makes it hard to go anywhere :lol: plus i probably exaggerated a bit, it's more than 5 days in a year, and often it's unbearably humid even when the weather is cr@p :lol: ... we've actually had pretty good weather so far this year, this is the second heat-wavey kind of spell. But the humidity makes it unbearable. I actually think it's worse than england in that respect, even when I've been in england in heatwaves much hotter than it ever is here, it's been more bearable than here. :lol:
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Yeah, humidity's a big problem in London as well - especially on the Tube, which is absolute torture from May to September (and isn't very pleasant the rest of the year either). I grew up near the coast in South Wales and don't remember humidity ever being a problem..... although I course I wasn't a moany old git then.
People always go on about some hot countries having a "dry" heat which allegedly isn't so bad. But I'm not about to find out. :lol:
(How off-topic can you get? :lol: )
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:lol:
yeah, if you ask me the humidity here is worse than london. Bear in mind, that's only from the ~3 weeks i've been in London. But it's never that hot here without being unbearably humid.
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by wet I mean raining without end :( but here is beach, so high humidity...
I like coldness but hate rain and grey sky...
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Looking good- especially the bulbous bit.
I'm sorry, I realise I'm a little late here, but I've never been quite sure which bit is the 'bulbous bit'... Is it the top horn?
got to love the bulbous bit.. roo does!
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Here I go, resurrecting this thread again...
Just coming back to the neck-heaviness issue, I've been wondering if it's more down to the trussrod or the actual neck profile? There's quite a lot more wood in a '59 Roundback than in a Standard Thin.
I was just looking on the Warmoth forum and apparently the dual-action rod only weighs 1.6 oz more than the vintage rod. That's not a lot really, especially since it's distributed along the full length of the neck.
(Yes, I am trying to decide between a Vintage Modern and Warmoth Pro neck! :wink: )
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It's probably a combination of the two things Phil. The neck was certainly noticeably heavier than its replacement.....
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any clips
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Not yet - it needs a fret dress.......
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ahh