New Warmoth neck and a PRS S2 Vela/Reclaimed Copy build

[dmraco]

I ordered a neck today.  I wanted to go crazy with some unique woods but there is so much going on with the guitar I stayed simple.  I ordered a Gibson scale Warmoth style in Mahogany with a Ebony (Macassar) fretboard.  SS fret of course.  I have a piece of Walnut I will use to veneer the headstock to match the body.  This will be my 1st with MOP dots.  Hardware will be Silver.

I am debating if I should go gloss or an open grain satin finish.  Obviously the satin is easier.  I would love some input.

 

[bagman67]

My Martin DM came with a satin finish that has worn to a glossy sheen on the back of the neck for obvious reasons.  Over the long haul the texture of the grain has become increasingly evident and it's kinda making me a little nuts. I have no idea what the original finish was - lacquer or some other product - so I don't know whether your poly treatment will behave similarly in the long run.  But my vote, in any event, is to fill the grain well whichever way you go.

 

[dmraco]

My Martin DM came with a satin finish that has worn to a glossy sheen on the back of the neck for obvious reasons.  Over the long haul the texture of the grain has become increasingly evident and it's kinda making me a little nuts. I have no idea what the original finish was - lacquer or some other product - so I don't know whether your poly treatment will behave similarly in the long run.  But my vote, in any event, is to fill the grain well whichever way you go.

Good points.  Your finish was likely nitro.  I have sprayed a guitar with satin poly and it had stayed satin for a long time.  I think the issue you had is a similar issue with the satin nitro necks from Warmoth.  They will shine up over time.  I will likely fill the mahogany.  The other woods have to tight a grain for it to make a difference.

The funny thing is one of the 1st builds I did had a maple neck that I sprayed with nitro.  I did a less than perfect job sanding and polishing the neck.  After years of playing it is like glass....still my sons favorite guitar despite some of the finish flaws.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

This is such a cool thread, what a project! Going to be an amazing guitar, without a doubt.

 

[dmraco]

Time to clear.  I tested some scraps and when I add a shellac base, the grain pops better under the clear poly.  Maybe because something is actually soaking into the wood.

This is after one coat of shellac.  Satin poly is next after a light sand.  You can see the flame on the Purple Heart and basswood really popped.  The Walnut really looks rich.  I love the little knot in the walnut.

The control cover will be Purple Heart too

 

[rgand]

Those woods really came alive with a little finish on them. Looks great.

 

[dmraco]

Thanks.  The neck arrives Wednesday. 

I will add a walnut veneer to headstock.  I am debating of if I should fill the grain on the mahogany neck.  I am going for an open grain satin finish on the body.  I am not sure what would feel better while playing.  :guitaristgif:

 

[dmraco]

I am starting assembly using another Warmoth neck for alignment purposes.  Cavities shielded (1st time doing this).  I have the P90 (Slick Jr, I love these from GFS) installed and waiting on a chrome pickup ring for the humbucker (Duncan '59).  Both pickups have an aged look because...well....they are.  I did even out the P90 a bit to remove the gloss.  Nothing shiny on this guitar.  I have to work on the bridge a bit to give it a brushed look.  I love this Schaller.

I started the wiring (Don't Judge) and using that GIANT ORANGE CAP!  Lots of room in the control cavity for it.  I will tap the humbucker for single coil use.  I did this on a previous build with another guitar.  It was not a '59 but when I selected the middle position selecting the P90 and bridge in single coil mode it sounded too good not to do it again.  The tap will on on the tone knob.  I hate when they use push-pulls on volume.  I am also using a 330 volume pot.  Some people recommend 250, other say 500.  So I split the difference. 

I love the satin finish.  So smooth in the hand and really durable.  Plus it is so much easier than gloss.

 

[rgand]

This looks good. I do like the finish with the walnut and purple heart. Nice. With a humbucker and a P-90 it should sound good, too.

 

[BigSteve22]

Wow, that really looks outstanding! Gotta agree with Rgand about he purple heart with the walnut, very nice.

I started the wiring (Don't Judge) and using that GIANT ORANGE CAP!.....

And it looks particularly HUGE with that small pot!  :icon_jokercolor:

 

[dmraco]

It's a standard push-pull.  I think it is just in the background a bit. 

Neck arrives tomorrow.  I need to cut a nice section of walnut lam for the headstock.  After I glue that on it should go quick.  A quick sealer of shellac to even things out a bit then the clear poly.  The satin finish goes on quick and I let cure for 2-3 days.  I only need a few coats since I am not after a super level finish.  I want some grain just like the body.  I can finish the wiring during that time.

 

[dmraco]

Some nice aged brass screws and bass neckplate from Doug.  My hardware will all be brushed chrome with brass screws.  It is a nice contrast.  It was a bit nerve-racking taking the sanding sponge to my Schaller bridge :toothy11:

My debate is if I should use brass or brushed chrome knobs....or one of each... :icon_scratch:

 

[dmraco]

OK...WOW this took a while.  Even going with the satin poly finish saving weeks of dry time and polishing.

The guitar is complete.  I am SO happy with the results.  It feels, plays and sounds fantastic.  I really like the P90/Humbucker combo.  The clean sound with both pickups selected with the humbucker tapped for single coil is amazing.  Everything went together very well considering I made the body from scrap pieces of wood.

The mahogany neck with satin finish and open grain kind of feels like a wenge neck I have played before.  I would say this is on the heavier side but certainly not the heaviest guitar I have.

The Schaller bridge is so cool and so adjustable.  I used my lazer level to shine a straight line down the body so everything is nice and centered, and the adjustable saddles on the bridge really allow me to adjust the string spacing.

One area of improvement and I think I am just being anal here, is the bridge is off by about 1/32 of an inch.  It's centered but one side is down just a bit.  You cant see it but I did measure and it is off.  It does not effect intonation or playability, its just not PERFECT! I am sure you all know what I mean.  I could easily redrill but for such a small amount, I doubt it is worth it.  Beside I still may not correct such a little amount.    I will probably forget about it after a few weeks of playing.

You may notice the small notch on the control cover.  This is because it is held on by little magnets.  I carved a small channel to make it easy to pop off.

I hope you all like it.

 

[Verne Bunsen]

Tht's a really impressive piece, congratulations and well done!

 

[Logrinn]

Very cool. I love the magnet idea. I was actually toying with that exact idea just yesterday.
Well done. You've made a beautiful guitar.

 

[Cagey]

'Tis a wonderful thing you have created, Mr. Raco! Well done!

 

[BigSteve22]

Very nice Brother, very nice indeed!  :glasses9:

 

[rgand]

That came out great. I don't know if I like the laminations or the all-around bevel best. Looks like a nice one to hold onto.

 

[DangerousR6]

ccasion14:..... :hello2:

 

[stratamania]

Congratulations on completing the project  :icon_thumright: