KWS Strat (first build) completed!!!

[jlegnor]

Man you did a really nice job with that! Did you not have to tape off the sides because of the "binding"? Can you explain how that works to me?

Again nice job, really awesome color! :icon_thumright:

You need 3 strips of vinyl tape to make it.  If you look at my first set of pics, I took a strip of vinyl tape along the edge of the maple top.  Then butted a 2nd strip up against(below)  that. This is where the faux binding will be.  After that put a third strip butted up against the 2nd strip(below the 2nd peice).  Then remove the 2nd strip of tape.  (Middle tape strip)  Mask off the top, bottem and sides.  Then use lacquer, shellac, or any sealer that won't mix with whatever finish you're using and apply that to the bare wood(faux binding)  I used Zimmer's clear shellac from the can mixed with 50% denatured alcohol and applied with a piece of old T-shirt.  After that dries, lightly sand it smooth, then tape back over it and remove all other tape.  I used Water based stain from Stew-Mac, so the thinned shellac penetrated the wood enough so that the water stain would not bleed under it.

Someone else might be better at explaining all this.  I'm just not that good with instructions.   :icon_biggrin:

Oh!  And here's the tape I used.  http://www.tcpglobal.com/3m/itemdetail.aspx?itemno=MMM+6405

 

[MUYFUE]

WOW! this is coming out very nice!

KLEEN lines dude!

 

[jlegnor]

WOW! this is coming out very nice!

KLEEN lines dude!

Thanks.  I admit I was kind of shocked myself with how it's turned out so far.  Almost finished with the sanding sealer.  Debating on wether or not to put a thin layer of Trans. Cherry Red lacquear on top or not.  It's not quit as red as I was hoping for, but not sure what it would look like if I tried it.  Back will be black. 

 

[rapfohl09]

Yeah man those are some CLEAN lines, it doesnt even matter how awesome the wood is and how great of a dye job you did, if you dont have clean lines, its crap. Great job.

But on the colors, I really like the transitions of colors there is now, but im a sucker for wood showing, not a huge fan of solid colors. The top with some red would look really good though.

 

[MUYFUE]

MY vote, fwiw...is to leave off the red...Just imagine how the top will look with a nice clear coat on it (and yous gots the skillz!)...should really bring out the color and grain.
It's yo thang tho....ther aint no way to get this here geetar to look bad, it's a beaut!

 

[jlegnor]

Here's the latest update.  Got 2 heavy coats of Black gloss on her and letting her dry out.  Gotta say I really like the way it turned out.  If all goes well, will be starting the clear coats tomorrow evening.  Had to make a makeshift paint booth out of my tool shed because it's been pretty windy here.  Just opened the door to it and staple plastic drop all over the place to protect everthing. 

These are the best pics my little cheap camera will take.  Also the top is still covered with the sanded down sanding sealer, that's why it looks so dull.

 

[bbl4ck]

Man, that geetar is lookin' great.  You have really done a nice job on that baby and should be proud of your work.
That clear mask binding you did is excellent.  That must have really been one of the nerve racking parts of this job!
I do love the wood as it is, but also think a itsy, bitsy, bit of red would look killer.  :headbang1:
Good luck & keep the pics a rollin'
:kewlpics: :rock-on:

 

[jlegnor]

Man, that geetar is lookin' great.  You have really done a nice job on that baby and should be proud of your work.
That clear mask binding you did is excellent.  That must have really been one of the nerve racking parts of this job!
I do love the wood as it is, but also think a itsy, bitsy, bit of red would look killer.  :headbang1:
Good luck & keep the pics a rollin'
:kewlpics: :rock-on:

Cross eyed is more like it.  I'd get tape on one side, and have to take a smoke break.  Took almost 30-45min just to tape and mask off the top. 

 

[Nando Vallart]

gezuz!!!

 

[rapfohl09]

Oh my gosh, this is looking sooooo good. I cant even believe how great this thing is turning out :icon_thumright:

 

[m4rk0]

nice job!!!

 

[MUYFUE]

Ok. whenever the next contest is I'm voting for this one!
"looks dull" you Crazy, that looks real good so far! the clear will make it POP!

 

[rapfohl09]

Ok. whenever the next contest is I'm voting for this one!
"looks dull" you Crazy, that looks real good so far! the clear will make it POP!

+1, AND I just noticed that its direct mount pickups.



Sooooo much win.

 

[jlegnor]

Not out of the woods yet.  Strange thing has happened.  I can SEE the texture of the Alder wood on the back and tummy cut.  But if I close my eyes and run a finger nail across it I don't FEEL anything.  I didn't use grain filler cause didn't feel I needed it.  Now inside the horns, all the sides and bottem are baby butt smooth.  So the end grains are fine(apart from the tummy cut)  And that's with a thin coat of lacquer to seal it, 4 coats of sanding sealer, plus 2 HEAVY coats of gloss black.  So it's not see thru that's for sure.  Don't want to sand it back cause I"m afraid I'll run out of beginners luck and not get it as nice as it is now.  Maybe the Alder is soaking up the lacquer too much.  Don't mind the textured look at all.  Just don't want to have issues with buffing out the clear coats.  May lightly sand the black to see if it evens out. 
 
Funny thing about this whole project, I haven't touched a guitar since I started it.  I'm what you would call a "Bedroom Player".  During my day dreams, I'm the best guitar player ever.  But in reality, mediocore at best.  But I have fun, and love making noise!!! arty07: :guitarplayer2: :headbang1:

 

[muttznmongrelz]

LOOKING SWEET! That'll be kickass when it's done.  :headbang:

 

[kboman]

That really is looking professional. I love how the top goes darker at the edge...

(edited for intelligibility :tard

 

[jlegnor]

Well I've have a minor setback.  In trying to correct the problem of the grain soaking too much lacquer in sections, I more or less made it worse trying to fix.  So I've stripped the black off, sealed with thinned shellac, grain filled, sealed again with thinned shellac, and am now waiting until I can apply sanding sealer again.  Then will re-apply the black.  I'm just not sure how it's going to turn out now.  Should know by next weekend.

 

[jlegnor]

No pics yet, but back on track! :headbang1:  I just went ahead and sanded the whole body down and started over.  But this time went with just an Amber top.  Just have to wait for the weather to clear up so I can start my clear coats.  Will post pics and give more details when I can take some outside pics.

 

[jlegnor]

Finished with my clear coats a few days ago and now just waiting for it to cure before final wet sanding and rubbing out.  The neck looked just too plain, even with the Bird's eye.  But didn't want to paint the whole headstock so I sort of did a bit of masking and shot some black along with some satin to lessen the gloss.  Now I just sit back and wait.

Redid the photos so they are smaller.

 

[Nando Vallart]

This finish is pure sex!