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Six string spalted maple, fretless, and first build ... kit

#301
wraub said:
I definitely applaud your follow-through, and I think you may be on the right track.

I wish you much luck. :)
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Thanks. I think I am:

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I did three coats of the blue spray paint last night, but it wasn't even, so I sanded it a bit this afternoon and did a light coat this evening to cover it cleanly.

I'm happy with this, though, and I think it'll match the body's staining better.

Tomorrow I'll put a waterslide label back down. I printed a fresh sheet and made sure it will go down with the proper white background this time. After that, a few clear coats, some sanding and polishing, and then I put the tuners back on.

And then I'll really be done with the build.

(I think.)
 
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#302
I'm having issues with the white-backed waterslide label (in testing on the same blue paint). After putting it down to dry on the paint, it becomes invisible once spayed with clear. The instructions say to use turpentine, but I'm loathe to use that as it probably will dissolve the paint.

I need to think of a solution to put the White Devil Studio logo on the headstock. Maybe on the truss rod cover?
 
#303
eightyearsapril said:
I'm having issues with the white-backed waterslide label (in testing on the same blue paint). After putting it down to dry on the paint, it becomes invisible once spayed with clear. The instructions say to use turpentine, but I'm loathe to use that as it probably will dissolve the paint.

I need to think of a solution to put the White Devil Studio logo on the headstock. Maybe on the truss rod cover?
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Try adding a light gray outline to it, it might need to react to the ink or something to stay "white" you could also go to a sign makers shop and ask if they could make you a sticker of it, they have a machine that will cut shapes out of vinyl for putting on signs
 
#304
I just printed this, to test with:

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I'm hoping the cat will be visible, and an outline around the text will make it legible.

I'm anxious to put it back together, so if this test isn't successful I'll put the clear coat on the painted headstock and focus my efforts on putting the logo on a truss rod cover.
 
#305
FullSizeRender.jpg IMG_1135.JPG​

I put down the new light-green backed label, and that's the result. I think I'm about to give up on putting a waterslide label on the dark blue headstock. I had challenges with the fingerboard inlay, and I only succeeded because the rosewood is lighter in color than the headstock.

I'll get the logo on a new truss rod cover. Clear coating of the headstock is next, along with restringing through the bridge.
 
#307
I put five coats on, and I'm very happy with it. The auto paint shimmers under it. I'm not even sure I will need to wet sand or polish it. I think I just need to let it cure and then I'm good to go.

I also contacted Frets on the Net about a custom engraved truss rod cover, as well as a set of pickup rings. Those will help me feel better about the routing mistake I did there.

I'll post another picture of the coated headstock tomorrow, when I can take one in daylight.
 
#308
Boom.

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It looks fantastic. It's not fully cured yet, so I'll give it a day to complete before polishing and putting the tuners back on.

I'm amazed how well it matches the body's finish, too:

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Dave from Frets on the Net already replied to my email inquiry about the engraved truss rod cover.

I'm so glad I decided to refinish the headstock.
 
#314
Hopkins said:
I always finish that area, you won't get enough paint in the channel to hurt anything.
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Good to know. I'll remem that in the future, thanks.

Turns out there was a tiny spot that wasn't painted that the old truss rod doesn't cover. If the one I'm getting with the logo engraved on it doesn't cover that spot, I'll figure something out.

As it turns out, you can't see it with the strings on, so I'm not concerned yet about that.

Oh, yeah, I put the tuners and strings back on today. She's done!*

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*Until I get the new truss rod cover and pickup rings, which will be a few weeks.
 
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#316
I'm still waiting on the truss rod cover and pickup rings, but Zhenya had her first excursion into the real world last night, as I brought her along to an audition for a progressive rock band. I didn't play all that well (too much time building, and not enough practicing?) but the bass sounded great in the mix, and got a lot of compliments from the band members.

If I get the gig, which I doubt, I'll switch between that bass and my others, based on the song. She's ready for the spotlights.
 
#319
So, what's the optimal number of broken screws in a headstock? And, what's the best number of broken screws for metal?

I ask, because it happened again today! I had to slightly move the hole for the new truss rod cover, so I filled the hole with a toothpick and redrilled. When I went to tighten the screw, it snapped. Again.

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After a few minutes of disbelief, I decided to move the truss rod cover over by a mm, and all was well. The pickup rings were installed without a problem.

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I took a picture of the bridge pickup to show that the ring doesn't quite cover my mistake, but it hides it well enough that you'd have to look for mistakes to spot it.

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So, I'm done. There are a few dozen thing I'm not happy about, and quite a few things I'd change if I did it over, but I'm extremely happy with her.

Thanks to everyone for your interest, support, and assistance!
 
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