Building A Neck Thru Body Guitar

oreca · Post by **oreca** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:11 am

I hope you post more pictures! I can't wait to see it done.
It's been a very interesting month with this thread.

I find it would've looked nice Mapleglo, but I think I want to see it become Autumnglo since it's a real nice color.

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 10:24 am

I haven't changed my mind on the strength of those great photos, Dale - Autumnglo!

Scastles · Post by **Scastles** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 11:51 am

Dale, I hope you're not debating about changing the color from what I thought was your original choice. I think Autumnglo would be the way to go, without a doubt!

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 1:36 pm

It will be autumnglo by later tonight.

clearblue · Post by **clearblue** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:05 pm

Utterly beautiful..

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 3:29 pm

Dale, WOW! I can't wait to see it finished and to play it when it's done. It's already a work of art, and I can't wait to see the aged Autumnglo on it!

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 5:55 pm

Dale, the Bigsby would be killer!!!!

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:46 pm

These pictures show the final sanding of the 2nd sealer coat using 320 grit paper. Now it's ready for the color, but 1st it has to be taped off on the areas where we don't want any color on. The body binding gets taped with orange vinyl tape. This is available at most all automotive paint supply stores. After taping the binding, use a razor blade to cut it down to the top edge. Do the same with the neck binding but fold the excess over on the finger board. Then using blue masking tape to cover the top of the finger board. The blue stuff works best because it leaves no sticky residue after it's pulled off. Now we are ready to spray the 1st color base coat. I have mixed a little lemon yellow and tabacco brown together to get a nice amber color for the base coat. Spray the entire guitar with a wet, even coat. Let this dry for 2 hours, if you are using C.V. for your finish. Now I've mixed small amounts of tabacco brown and cherry red with the C.V. for the last color coat. This gives a Root Beer color(Autumnglo) When spraying the top color coat it has to be sprayed at an angle to the edges so it has a higher build up on the edge giving it a lite center to darker on the edges. At this stage the guitar is kind of ugly cause there is no clear gloss coats yet. After this dries over night, then it's time to use single edge razor blades to scrape the body binding edges. This takes lots of practice so as not to cut into the wood. That will be the next stage before the clear coats are applied. Class dismissed till tomorrow. HL DL
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0376.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0377.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0378.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0379.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0380.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0381.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0382.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0383.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0387.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0388.jpg
http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0390.jpg http://photobucket.com/albums/b53/DaleFortune/000_0391.jpg

admin · Post by **admin** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:35 am

This transformation is especially interesting Dale. It also seems as if you get one chance to get it right. I am curious about what happens if you spray a pattern you don't like? Are you stuck with it? By the way, this is going to be a great finish.

basshawk · Post by **basshawk** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:31 am

Beautiful.

bill_yantz · Post by **bill_yantz** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:04 am

Can't wait to see the next set of pics. Very nice Dale.

Peter, I agree with you; "this is going to be a great finish."

Autumnglo is rich, classic color. I would love to see it as COY. Offset with gold plastic, it would look fantastic. Rics look good with either white or gold anyway.

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:12 am

Thanks Guys. Peter, You are very observant. You get 1 chance unless you want strip it and start over or alter the color such as a darker finish or do it a solid color. I think this color with the C.P. inlays will be a very appealing combination.

nick_st_hilaire · Post by **nick_st_hilaire** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 12:57 pm

Dale, your work looks great. The grain on the neck is really starting to "pop". I've only built a couple of guitars, but scraping the finish from the binding edge has gotta be one of the most nerve wracking parts. At least tell me it gets easier with more experience.

ratso · Post by **ratso** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 4:41 pm

Having known you Dale and seen alot of the work you've done over the years, I've come to expect great work from you, however what has really impressed me on this project is how quickly and efficiently you have stepped us through this project! I know you work a myriad of hours at your day job, yet you have taken the time to document, photograph (and to teach yourself how to post pics) and detail every step of the way! How you do all this and still possess your sanity and still have a life outside of this amazes me! You are the man! Thanks for sharing...

dale_fortune · Post by **dale_fortune** » Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:19 pm

Hey Nick, I see in your profile you've got a 481. Man how do you play that thing with the slanted frets? As to the scraping the binding: I found for myself that it takes a steady hand and lots of concentration. Stay at it and you'll get it down, it's all experience you know. I use the type of single edge blades that are used in a box cutters knife, heavy duty for sure.
Watch out Ratso or I'm gonna give this guitar to J.K. to test it out. Thanks my friend, you're the best.