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Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Wipe on poly over Z-Poxy?

Hello — I would like to finish a mahogany electric neck and body with wipe on poly (probably Minwax satin) and would like to pore fill with Z-Poxy. I can’t find a definitive word on their compatibility. - Can I just wipe on the poly coats after block sanding the 2-3 Z-Poxy coats? - Should the Z-Poxy be sanded all the way back to wood or just smoothed/flattened? - Is a coat of unwaxed shellac between the Z-Poxy and the wipe in…

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Private member
I personally like to do a washout of shellac just in case.
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Cracks in acoustic top

I’ve been building electric for a few years but decided to make an acoustic this time. I have some German spruce panels I was going to use for the top. While running it through my drum sander to dimension it, I noticed that both panels have matching 6-8” cracks so the original blank must’ve had a split pre resawing. Would I still have good results if I glue the panels and move on or should I buy a new top set? (I can’t return what I have…

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Private member
Thanks for talking me down. That’s the right decision. Even though it’s my ‘learning’ build for my own use I need to build it like I would for one of my electric customers. The cheap in me almost won.…
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

What really effects tone?

Ok, I'm a new builder and I've only done solidbody electrics so far, so this question is related to only those. In my opinion, these are the things that have the most impact on tone, listed in order from most influential to least. Have at it! Pickup/electronics, neck joint type, neck construction (including fret size/material), scale length, bridge type, bridge saddle material, tone wood Of course, this only takes into account the guitar.…

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I'm not an expert electric builder but I think I'd go something like pickups 70% Body type (archtop/solidbody/variations thereof) 15% setup 10% vibes 5%
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

TransTint or ColorTone dyes with TruOil

Has anyone had any experience using a color dye in TruOil? And if so, how did it work for you? I have been dying an electric bass body with Rit black dye, but once the TruOil started going on, the color started moving around leaving lighter spots. Any thoughts or advice?

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Ian Davlin
Can confirm, does not work.
Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Source for "Steinberger Gearless" tuners?

Hi! I just made a headless electric ukulele by misusing Steinberger's headstock tuner drop-in replacement: https://www.instagram.com/p/DD0nVr_NWnV/ It's fun, and I'd like to make more, (maybe even actually sand and apply finish to one!) but it sure would be nice to get the tuners at a wholesale rate if there's a possibility of selling an instrument. I got these at 6/$100 from Stewmac (https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-m…

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Private member DiscussionElectric Builds

Set-neck pocket and angle questions

Hi Everyone, I’m working through building my first set neck electric, an LP Jr. I had some build questions… - if you’ve built these Gibson style set necks before, did you cut the neck pocket straight and angle the heel of the neck? Or did you cut the pocket at the angle and keep the bottom of the heel straight? I’m attempting to cut the pocket at an angle, and it isn’t the easiest thing to do, I’m finding out. First, I’ve had some moveme…

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Hi Joe, I would recommend putting the taper in the neck pocket, not the neck. Maybe you need thinner shims to solve your router depth issue. I would glue the fingerboard onto the neck and have that as…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

New member intro

Being new here, thought I would post an introduction. My name is Paul McGill Mcgillguitars.com I have been making guitars since 1976. I have lived and worked in Nashville since 1985 when I relocated here to work in the repair/restoration shop at Gruhn guitars. 410 Broadway, now a novelty shop. I was there a short time before commiting full time to guitar making as I had done prior to moving here. My main influence as a guitar maker was Ro…

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Hope to Paul, We did the 3 amigos show down there last March I doubt we will do it again though. Paul
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Finishing Zircote

Hi Everyone. I am planning to finish my latest electric build which has a Zircote top. I am going to spray Nitro Lacquer. Is there anything I need to watch out for in spraying over such an oily wood? Thanks!

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Private member
Hi Robert: Nothing special to do with Ziricote. You should wipe it down with mineral spirits or naptha and then a light coat of thinned finish or sanding sealer is all that is needed before you start…
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Making A Bird's Beak Joint

Hi, I made a video of how to make a Bird's Beak Joint, in the style of Martins till 1917. I used it for an electric build, but posted in acoustic. Because acoustics are the natural habitat of those Bird'sBeak Joints. If you are interested click here: if you have questions ask me ;-)

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Jacob that is a great video. Thanks for sharing. The video quality is super! Dan Erlewine
Private member DiscussionAcoustic Builds

Power sanding

Hello all, I’m looking to up my RO game and wonder if anyone has suggestions other than Mirka DEROS for sanding. I don’t have easy access to air so an electric option is best. I have a Ryobi RO sander that leaves scratch marks. I have been looking at Mirka and Surfprep but can’t seem to make the buy. I hope all is well _Mike

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On Ro sanders watch for the stroke, 9/64"(3.5mm) 3/16"(5mm) etc.. the smaller the stroke size the fewer scratches. The bigger stroke size if for more aggressive sanding with lower grits. For fine fini…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

Tinted binding steps.

This guitar will have a piano black finish on most of it and translucent black over the red fabric areas. The client also wants the white binding to be aged. I will be sealing and grain filling with a polyester sealer. My thinking is to tint the first coal of sealer to age the binding , then seal over it with clear. Then tape off binding while spraying color coats. Anyone got an easier way? Suggestions?

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Ian Davlin
Cool!
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

ZPoxy & polyester sealer

I do have a question. I want to pore fill Spanish Cedar. I’m wanting a glass smooth finish. Im finishing with urethane. I usually use a polyester sealer that I spray on ( simtec) but it takes several coats. I have some z Poxy. Can I pore fill with it and then spray sealer? What say you all?

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Hey all. I've used zpoxy quite a lot as a sealer both on open grain hardwoods, and soft woods to give it a bit of surface hardness. *Very* thin coats. Usually 3. To combat any adhesion issues I've use…
Private member DiscussionFinish New Builds

It’s so hard

Finish is my nemesis. Anyone else? ?

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2K can be a great product. It sprays a lot like lacquer but because it’s catalyzed it’s more durable and more flexible. Pay attention to flash time, re-coat windows, which solvents for thinning etc.…