guitar build, finish advice needed

[Philly Q]

This thread has gone on so long I've forgotten where we started, but presumably that's an alder body, Pete?  Doesn't have the pronounced grain of ash, but it looks good!

[Pete24v]

yes, Alder body.. my initial plan was a La Cabronita meets Washburn N4  :)

[Philly Q]

yes, Alder body.. my initial plan was a La Cabronita meets Washburn N4  :)

Sounds a good idea to me!

[Andrew W]

yes, Alder body.. my initial plan was a La Cabronita meets Washburn N4  :)

Do this, it's a brilliant idea.

[Ian Price]

I love the look of the N4, it sounds pretty decent too! The only problem with a guitar like that is I'd buy it and get disappointed that I sound nothing like I thought I would do when I play it!

I htink this is a very good idea that you have. Keeping an even keener eye on this thread now!

[Pete24v]

i suppose the only N4-ish thing about my build will be the plain Alder body.. I'm sticking with La Cab TV Jones pups and a standard bridge. I didn't like the Floyd Rose on my old N4, i really did like the way it looked different after every gig though  :?

[Philly Q]

What about the neck?  Maple with an ebony board, or are you going all maple like most Cabronitas?

[Pete24v]

ah the neck... I ordered a Showcase neck that was pretty cheep, and thought it would be ok as the specs were close enough.. sadly not.

The original neck was Maple and Pau Ferro, lovely grain on the fingerboard. Sadly the boat contour just feels weird, and the frets are very thin, and the nut width is not ideal.

So, i've just ordered a new one to be made up. My last N4 was Padouk, so..

Warmoth Pro, unfinished Padouk with Pau Ferro fingerboard, Fatback contour, 6150 frets, 42.8mm nut width, bloody basin jasper inlays on the front, abalone on the side.

This is turning into a strange guitar lol  :D

[juansolo]

This is going to be interesting  8)

[Philly Q]

Warmoth Pro, unfinished Padouk with Pau Ferro fingerboard, Fatback contour, 6150 frets, 42.8mm nut width, bloody basin jasper inlays on the front, abalone on the side.

That's..... different!  :lol:

Have you tried the Fatback contour before?  I've always bought the '59 Roundback but I've been tempted to "move up" to the Fatback (or maybe Boatneck if it's not too much of a hard V shape)

[Pete24v]

I have a fatback neck on my main gigging Tele, and love it. I don't find it to big, very similar to the Fender Richie Kotzen neck. The boat neck that I originally ordered did have a very pronounced V shape, too much for me.

I remember enjoying the raw padouk neck on the old N4, buy the contour was thin and flat, not my preference.

I can't wait to assemble it, i just hope I get on ok with TV Jones pickups  :?

[Philly Q]

Thanks Pete, sounds like the Boatneck is not for me either, but I may brave a Fatback on my next Warmoth order (haven't done one for quite some time, remarkably!)

[tomjackson]

Sadly the boat contour just feels weird

I don't like the boat contour either, I like big necks but it's always bugged me how hard that V is in it.  So last weekend I sanded mine down (forunnately it was only true oiled finish) checking as I went with cheap digital callipers to see how much I was taking off.
I used the Warmoth back contour detail page and with the callipers the plan was to take the V away and end up with a 59 roundback.  In the end I only took about 1.5mm off so it's still a bit thicker than a roundback, but it is miles better now.  I wouldn't have thought so little material removed would make such a difference but I'm very happy with the new rounder profile. 

[Pete24v]

Think i'm about finished!

here it is with the final coat of tru-oil



and here is it after the first wax.



I'll probably do one more coat of wax, i'm really happy with it. Kind of wish i'd gone for some sort of figured top now! oh well, next time!

[juansolo]

niiiiiice.