First Build - Precision LP Jnr Kit

[ChrisW]

Expanded the binding channel (again!), and made a little 'jig' for the Stewmac precision router Dremel attachment - basically a strip of 1mm veneer that straddles the opening in the base of the attachment itself so that you can still use it for cutaways... so all in all, expanding the channel was a LOT easier. I also managed to get hold of a pair of calipers, making it a whole lot easier to fit the replacement binding that came through.



5-piece laminate, and it only needs to be scraped about 0.5mm, but that seems to be taking forever... But this is what the body looks like so far, with a bit of naphtha put on there to see what it would be like when finished...

[poro78]

Is this really the same guy who was just finding excuses (no skill, no tools, no place to work...) not to start building?

How does it feel to build?
Looks like you're enjoying and doing a good job!

[ChrisW]

Hahaha! I still haven't got much by way of tools, or anywhere to do anything - my dining table is, right now, full of shavings from the binding! As for skill? I dunno - I'm trying to take my time and get it right, but there's one hell of a lot to learn...

I'm enjoying this one, but the next one will be better... Yep, it IS addictive, ain't it?! Hahaha!

[poro78]

Yep... You're doomed.

[ChrisW]

Gladly so! Hahaha! Next in line is a Tele and then a LP - both kits, probably, but after that one, you never know, I might be savvy enough to do a scratch build - I already know what I want to do

I'm liking Sparta, by the way!

[poro78]

Originally Posted by ChrisW

Gladly so! Hahaha! Next in line is a Tele and then a LP - both kits, probably, but after that one, you never know, I might be savvy enough to do a scratch build - I already know what I want to do

My "must build" list is just getting bigger and bigger every week.
An LP is, of course, a must, but I might have to practise with something easier before that.
Scratch building sounds scary, but I think that after you've made a kit or two you're good to go.
Of course with research and good instructions you can start right from a scratch, but a kit will help you learn a lot.

Originally Posted by ChrisW

I'm liking Sparta, by the way!

Thanks!
I'm just waiting for Sunday, that's when our guests leave and I can continue building.
(What a good host I am. )

[Mungo Park]

Binding looks like a dream, changed the whole look of the guitar. That oak top just leaps getting better, it will pass at a glance as a typical maple top to the untrained eye or at a quick look, the rest will give it the double take and say, Hey that's not maple what is it.
Good on Ya.
Go for a thin line tele semi hollow next would be my vote.
Cheers Ron.

[ChrisW]

Thank you, Ron!

Putting the binding on was really good fun (yeah, right!) - I ended up doing it one layer at a time and have literally just finished scraping it now... I was going to put a 3 tone sunburst on the top, but I think I'm now gonna leave it clear, especially if the nitro has the same effect on the flame as the naphtha did! The only problem I have with the oak is that it's gonna need to be pore filled and the veneer is only 0.5mm thick - the last thing I wanna do is sand through it after filling... But I might at least put a wash coat on it tonight...

As for the Tele... I'm a big Keef fan, so I'm thinking either a modified Custom or a Mikawber-alike...

[Mungo Park]

As for the Tele... I'm a big Keef fan, so I'm thinking either a modified Custom or a Mikawber-alike...
Higher grit sandpaper should be less likely to eat through the veneer.

Smoke em if Ya got em.
Cheers Ron

[ChrisW]

I got 'em, and what else is there to do BUT smoke em?!

I gave it a final sanding earlier on with some soaked 400 grit, just to level it out a bit before I have a play with some grain filler later on...!

[ChrisW]

Bit of an update - I put a few coats of grain filler on, and this oak stuff just soaks it up! But it's on there, and so I relented - I was going to leave it clear and unstained, but then thought I'd warm it up - just a little... So, out comes the golden yellow stain. Thought it needed a little more, so it now has what I'd call quite a subtle burst on it... Should look good with a dark chocolate stain on the back, I think...



I also took the neck and gave it a once-over with some sandpaper, seeing as making sure it's all lined up is going to be the next step after I've got some sanding sealer on the body. I've also re-profiled it slightly - the current neck is a fat 50's profile, and I kinda like the asymmetrical shape of the 2008 LP Standard, so I worked out where it felt like it could be a touch narrower and took it back a fraction. Not much of a difference, but it just makes it that little bit more comfortable...

[Barnaby]

Wow!

That is the business right there!!!

[ChrisW]

Originally Posted by Barnaby

Wow!

That is the business right there!!!

Wow... that's high praise indeed, Barnaby, especially from a master like yourself! Thank you very much! (Thing is, I know where all the little faults are...!)

I've just put a couple of coats of sanding sealer on the front, and *gloop* they've just been sucked right in! One more, then leave to dry, then off to fit the neck, ready for staining and filling tomorrow...

[dmraco]

Very nice so far. I have two of their its. I will be follwing this closely.

[ChrisW]

Originally Posted by dmraco

Very nice so far. I have two of their its. I will be follwing this closely.

Thank you! Don't worry, there's plenty I can (and possibly will) screw up along the way yet! Hahaha! They're great kits though...

[ThePinkEraser]

This thing is righteous! That binding looks stunning with that flame maple veneer!

[ChrisW]

Well they say it comes in threes…

First of all, I start to get the sanding sealer onto the front of the body, and when I start to sand it back, I figure I got a little too vigorous, and went through the sealer and the stain to the bare wood… Bear in mind that the 'bare wood' is a veneer that's only 0.6mm thick to start with…

So I had to strip it back as far as I dare and re-stain. By this time the veneer itself can't have been very thick at all, and you know what can happen when it gets too wet… so one or two tiny areas started to bubble a little bit, which I was NOT happy about! Thankfully they just about settled down, and when the top was thoroughly dry again, I started to redo the sanding sealer, but some of the grain 'lines' started to open a little. Not much, but noticeable. Thankfully, I think they're going to settle down and be okay - they seem to have done with subsequent coats… Here's what it looks like right now...



And finally, in my rush to get some lacquer on it, I wanted to fit the bridge anchors. Dumbass here forgot the damn earth wire to the bridge. So earlier on I tried to lift the anchor out. After searching (unsuccessfully) for a way to do it on here, it dawned on me that the best way (for anyone's future reference) is to insert the bridge pins a little way and fit the bridge so that it's really high. Then slide a block of wood under the bridge and simply tighten the bridge pins. The anchor will lift out, easy as pie, and there's no damage whatsoever to the body… So that's now fitted.

I've got a good sheen on the sanding sealer, so I'm going to leave that a day or two before I do anything that's even remotely related to sandpaper, clean the binding up a little and then fit the neck before staining, filling and sealing that and the back and sides...

[ChrisW]

Been quite busy since the last time I posted here... I got a couple more coats of sealer on the front, got the neck in place and did some sanding before I put the first coat of stain on... a mix of brown, red, golden yellow and black in a 4:3:2:1 ratio, if anyone likes the colour that much!

When that was sanded back to enhance the grain, I applied the grain filler, which I had to tint dark brown as it's the transparent stuff... That went on okay and after leaving a day or so and sanding back, I re-stained using the same mix as before...

When that was dry, I wanted to get some clear on there, although I might do a burst-to-black on the back and sides. As yet, I'm pretty much undecided... I also put a coat or two on the back, sides and neck for the time being... Anyway, here it is so far...

[AndrewLP1081996]

Love the color I want to do a precision lp build as well. How hard is it to put on a binding and a flame top yourself. I would get them from precision if it wasn't an extra 200$.

[ChrisW]

Thanks, Andrew... Putting the binding on would be different for a Les Paul (as opposed to a Junior) cos the cutaway is arched and angled - the router set up I have ( a Dremel-based thing) is good for flat-tops, but you'd need a jig for doing it on an LP. I think Stewmac do such a thing though. The problem I had with the binding channel is that I calculated it before I actually got the binding itself, and the binding was a tad thicker than it should have been, according to the specs. So lesson learned, next time, I'll wait until it's in my hands before cutting anything. I also used a set of calipers to get precise measurements. Test the depth and width of the cut on some scrap before taking it to the guitar body, and then go for it. I did my binding laminates one strip at a time and for the channel, I used the Stewmac precision router kit for the Dremel... I also scored where the channel was going to be cut in case I got tearout on the veneer, but thankfully it didn't happen, even after having to extend the channel... it cut nice and clean.

As for the flame, that's a whole other story. I used an oak veneer, but probably wouldn't again. It's a bitch to get completely flat, it's completely porous, and as the veneer itself is only 0.6mm thick, there's a real danger of sanding clean through it, as I found out. Go for maple. I wouldn't have a clue about shaping it to fit the contours of a LP body though... The Junior was easy - I turned it face down on some greaseproof paper on a flat surface and put weight on the back for a few hours. When I came back, it was set...

I hope that helps - but remember, there are plenty of others here that can answer questions better than I ever could!

[AndrewLP1081996]

Ok thanks the lp kit looks like it has a little flame so I'll probably just do it like it is since it will be my first kit build. The only experience I have with this sort of thing is I stripped and repainted my first guitar. It was a pawn shop guitar so I just spray painted it which turned out to be a learning experience. It has a lot of flaws but I take pride in it. I'm new to the forum so I haven't figured out how to post pictures from a camera yet. Thanks again
Andrew

[ChrisW]

Hey, this is my first kit build as well, but I wanted to make it something slightly unusual too... And when you do your own build, just ask away and there are plenty of people who will jump right in and help with encouragement and advice. That's what I found!

As for the $200 price tag for a flame maple cap, don't forget - Precision also do an eastern flame maple... put that into google image search and see what comes back!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot - importing an image. You can either attach it if you click on 'Post Reply' and select the paperclip icon in the next window, or, if the image is hosted somewhere on the net, click on the little yellow mountain/landscape icon and type in the image url...

[AndrewLP1081996]

OK might post some of it later and thanks again. Saving up for several things. The kit a new bow and I neep to pay off my car. Im 16 so i dont really have a great amount of income. Maybe ill get the kit for christmas.

[AndrewLP1081996]

Attachment 67526 Here is the guitar I was talking about. Its a Aria guitar not a popular brand i dont think. Added my own personal touch to it last night with model car paint and alot of patience. Not perfect but its mine!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ole'Lefty]

I'm begging you not to burst over what looks like a perfect job of getting fill and color. I can see that back and neck in my mind's eye with clear on it- it will be deep and rich.

You just nailed it-congratulations!!!

[ChrisW]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

I'm begging you not to burst over what looks like a perfect job of getting fill and color. I can see that back and neck in my mind's eye with clear on it- it will be deep and rich.

You just nailed it-congratulations!!!

Wow! Thank you, O'L! There are two things about the back and sides that are kind of annoying me, and they're both where I couldn't quite colour match where the router slipped while doing the binding, which I'm kicking myself for. They're slightly less noticeable with a couple of coats on though, so I might just leave it as it is and live with it. Not ideal, but I'm kinda liking the colour as well!

What's concerning me more is that the bloody oak top has got a few spots where it looks like the grain is cracking a little, lengthways... The lacquer seems to be doing its best at filling it, and I hope it manages it with enough coats... Other than that, I'm really liking the build and can't wait to start another!

[Ole'Lefty]

To hide those owies on the sides, you might consider your clear with some red mahogany tint added.

On the top--some folks can use thick lacquer and drop fill and level WHILE clearing the top. Ask others because I am not a sprayer.

[ChrisW]

Originally Posted by Ole'Lefty

To hide those owies on the sides, you might consider your clear with some red mahogany tint added.

On the top--some folks can use thick lacquer and drop fill and level WHILE clearing the top. Ask others because I am not a sprayer.

Thanks again, Lefty! I've been toying with the idea of getting some kind of spray gun and compressor set up, so maybe a second gun with a fine nozzle would be in order too... (Yes, I have given it some thought, and if the end result is likely to be better than with rattlers, it has to be worth it, and with plans for another 3+ guitars...)

Talking of which, I've put another couple of wet coats on the top, and instead of hanging the guitar up to dry, I've laid it flat - more of the lacquer seems to be filling the little cracks now, which is good, but I'll see if I can ask Gator or Freddy - I did see one of Freddy's nitro repair videos and it kinda blew me away!

[AndrewLP1081996]

I agree with ol lefty i would leave color as is and wouldnt do a burst I hope when I do my kit it will look this good!IMG_0281.jpgHere is that guitar i Was telling you aobut HAd to repost because it didn;t load properly sorry.

[ChrisW]

Thanks, Andrew! The Aria looks good - I used to own one of the PE models years ago - it was sweet as a nut, and a friend had one of their Strat copies which played effortlessly well...

I got some spray equipment on its way, including a touch-up gun, so I'm gonna see what I can do with the router ****ups... I do like the colour...

I was going to use a LP Standard headstock overlay (none of this silkscreen stuff on this piece!), but have decided to do my own thing instead. But other than the overly, there's not a great deal I can do with it right now, other than a bit of a mock-up... I'm gonna enjoy playing this one - Even with the hardware, it's as light as a feather!