REPOST (1/2) -- the above post seems to have broken images after a system update. Copy pasted into multiple posts below.
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Hi everyone! Warning - long post. Warning - lots of big pictures. Sorry (?) about that.
So I recently got a promotion, and was thinking of what to do to celebrate. I wanted a new guitar... but after spending lots of time at the local stores, I didn't see myself compromising on such an expensive guitar. I wasn't happy.
So, I thought I'd try my first build.
A shout out to Spike who advised me and suggested changes to my order. His advice was spot on.
So, this is what showed up in the mail!
That's a roasted flame maple neck with vintage tint, and a figured zircote board.
Here are the other bits:
That's a roasted swamp ash body with a koa top. Chambered.
This was the idea:
So! I get to work.
First, I decided to shield the cavities *(EDITOR's note: it's still as noisy as my unshielded strat*). 3 coats.
My fret rocker wasn't that happy with the frets, so off I go to do a fret level. Not my first, but certainly the part of the job that gave me the most anxiety.
DISASTER STRIKES
While removing the tape....
I give warmoth a call. Give them all the details. Explain what I did, which tape I used.
I knew that tape can pull finish off, so I removed it very carefully, but the finish basically flaked off! (!!).
Warmoth said to send it back they'll take a look..
drumroll! verdict: rare poor finish adhesion. They'll strip and re-finish the neck, send me a care packet (go warmoth shirts!), extra tape, and they even cleaned up the fret ends for me (I guess they could see that I was an amateur).
Thanks to Spike and Jeff for all the help.
While I wait! I learned to drill the finish. My technique: 1) drill backwards first to scrape finish off without lifting. 2) use a countersink bit by hand to scrape a cone of finish away from the hole. 3) drill. 4) wax the screws before putting them in
Another trick I learned that saved me: don't trust drill bit sizes and screw sizes. I just used my calibers to measure inner and outer diameter of the screw, and the bit, and found a bit in the middle.
I also installed he string knob thingies. They didn't want to go in and I was shy of shattering the finish. I used a small flat file to remove the finish from around the hole and they went in well.
Neck comes back, looks beautiful, ready to rock!
I quickly install the bridge and neck. Again, I cleaned out the holes with my countersink bit and file where needed. I also slightly over-drilled the holes in the neck pocket since it's all roasted and I'm nervous of splitting the wood. *I had to order more screws since its a contoured heel and my screws were too long.
I also added a screw to the body in each cavity, crimped a wire on it, so I can connect it to ground later (star layout).
OK - time to drill out the pick guard.