Uh-oh? Problems with new build...

[fdesalvo]

My latest build is complete and I'm tired of posting about it, but I have an issue.

My TOM/STP are bottomed out and the action is just getting into range - trouble is the TOM is so low that there isn't sufficient break angle over the thing to keep the strings in their saddles.  It looks like the pocket isn't angled at all.  On top of this, the TOM/STP routes aren't perfectly perpendicular, so there is a slight outward angle to both, making the TOM/STP pieces very difficult to install/adjust.  I had to install the TOM/STP with the pieces on the inserts.

Other minor annoyances include a couple black fibers beneath the clear, bare wood showing in the neck pocket beside the installed neck, dimples in the paint, and some melted looking areas around a few spots along the guitar's top edges. 

I'm taking it in to my luthier for a quick inspection and will report back early next week.  Pretty bummed.  If this guitar was any other color, the defects would have been much more obvious.

 

[Cagey]

You didn't happen to wrap the strings around the tailpiece, did you? I've seen that done before, and it'll reduce the breakover at the bridge dramatically. They're supposed to feed from the rear of the tailpiece and come out the front, heading for the bridge as per so...

Usually, the angle at the saddles is severe enough that you wonder why the strings don't break at the saddle more often than they do.

As for the bridge being too low, a quick fix is to just loosen the strings enough to pop the neck off and put a shim at the body end of the neck pocket. Doesn't need to be much - about the thickness of a medium pick (1mm or so) is usually good. Tighten the neck back on and that'll put an angle on the neck that moves the headstock back and will lower your action enough that you'll probably want to raise the bridge.

 

[fdesalvo]

Hey, KG.

No wrapping here.  Just straight on through.  Still enjoying the neck you did up!

 

[fdesalvo]

Luthier says will need a shim.  No angled pocket, despite it appearing on my order. 

 

[Cagey]

Toldja so. Now, get on it!

 

[BigSteve22]

Other minor annoyances include a couple black fibers beneath the clear, bare wood showing in the neck pocket beside the installed neck, dimples in the paint, and some melted looking areas around a few spots along the guitar's top edges. 

Is that a Warmoth finished body you're talking about?

PS: I'm a big fan of the "Ministry of Silly Walks", LOL!

 

[fdesalvo]

Yes sir.  Warmoth is going to redo the pocket angle for me.  Sending a label.

I love John Cleese so much haha.  Ever see Fawlty Towers?

 

[Cagey]

Warmoth is going to redo the pocket angle for me.

Good deal. That's a better solution than the shim. End up with a better neck joint. And since you have threaded inserts and machine screws to attach the neck with, you may as well have a good surface to attach it to.

 

[fdesalvo]

^ preach it!

 

[BigSteve22]

Fawlty Towers? You must mean "Flay Otters"!

(What ever you do, don't mention the war........)

 

[fdesalvo]

Ha!  :toothy12:

 

[DocNrock]

So did you contact Warmoth and they said to return just the body, or the completed guitar? 

 

[fdesalvo]

I mailed them the body, so they can fix the pocket. I have no clue how they can correct the angle of the TOM studs without refinishing the body.  On that note I ended up noticing some paint runs along the top's contours.

It should hit them next week. Last time I ended up having to send a body back, they had to repaint it and it took about a month.

 

[DocNrock]

I mailed them the body, so they can fix the pocket. I have no clue how they can correct the angle of the TOM studs without refinishing the body.  On that note I ended up noticing some paint runs along the top's contours.

It should hit them next week. Last time I ended up having to send a body back, they had to repaint it and it took about a month.

Ouch!  Hopefully this works out well for you.  Trinity is a sweet-looking axe.  :icon_thumright:

 

[fdesalvo]

Thank you.  They've always made things right in the past!

 

[fdesalvo]

Warmoth refunded my money. Bridge studs were drilled too wide. Gonna start over fresh.  May not do B/W this time.

 

[DocNrock]

Warmoth refunded my money. Bridge studs were drilled too wide. Gonna start over fresh.  May not do B/W this time.

Sorry to hear about the new wait time, but at least they coughed up the dough.  :icon_thumright:

 

[fdesalvo]

Indeed. Warmoth has Amazing customer service.