Welcome to the Next Project! T-Style mod project - Episode 5Lots, and lots of baby steps.
Hope you enjoy this #telecaster to #acoustisonic guitar project.
00:00 - lights, camera, action
00:04 - project intro
01:02 - getting covered
01:59 - where's the bridge?
02:53 - sanding and more sanding
04:00 - dewaxed shellac mix'n
05:00 - dewax on, dewax off
06:09 - oh crap!
07:55 - crap correction
08:30 - doh!
10:02 - are we there yet?
10:51 - neck pocket revival
11:48 - poke'n holes
13:02 - cover up
13:29 - last look, get the lights
As the project enters the later steps, progress seems to slow down. That's not really the case, but the "big" steps are now complete and most of the remaining tasks are small and numerous. You can work all day, look back and feel as if nothing was accomplished, but the small steps eventually add up.
Also at this point in the project, I find myself jumping around from task to task. This video kicks off with the making of the control and access covers. I used the original tele style control plate as a template to cut/rout the new rear cover plate. It was nice not having to make another such template from scratch. The main access cover was a different story, and I started with a simple paper template for sizing, then made an MDF template and on to the (final) cover material.I don't expect that this will be the "final" cover, as I may have to open the access hole up to allow room for some onboard electronics and a battery, still working on that.
Time, a lot of time, for sanding.
I spent up to 2.5 hours sanding the body to a point where I felt it was ready for sealer. Using my (least) favorite tool, an orbital sander.Yes, I complain about stupid things.
With the sanding complete the body was ready for a new sealer coat. I had been researching a number of different sealers and chose to go with Dewaxed Shellac for this project. Yes, other options would have been good as well.
The primary reason I chose shellac, was due to all the end-grain of the spruce top and the very soft and porous body wood. I didn't want a finish that would darken the end-grain dramatically, so I chose Dewaxed Shellac.
Mixed my own shellac, a simple process and actually less expensive than purchasing, which proved to be a difficult topic. Once the shellac was properly mixed, shaken, and fully dissolved, I strained the shellac to capture any contaminants, and started coating the body.After each full coat, I allowed the shellac to dry which was nearly instantly. I sanded between coats with 320 grit paper, cleaned and removed all sanding dust and repeated the process.It was after the 3rd coat that I realized I have made a blunder. I had forgotten to tape off where the new bridge will glue to the spruce top - oh crap! Not the end of the world, I just re-sanded the top with 320, measured for the bridge location, taped off the glue area and repeated my shellac steps.Not completely with the game, I now realized I wanted to change the size of the bridge a bit. So, I cut the bridge to its new dimension, cut the masking tape to match the new glue area, sanded and corrected the shellac application - again.
Finally all the sealer is on the body and neck (didn't show the neck work, rather boring).
Time to jump to the next task.Since this guitar will have a new bridge, has a new fingerboard and new frets, and since the factor neck pocket wasn't cut perfectly. I decided to make an oversized neck pocket shim and glue it in. Using a scrap piece of mahogany, I thicknesses to a fat 1/8" thickness. Then spent some time shaping it to fit neatly into the pocket. Once I was happy with the fit, I glued and clamped the new shim in place. Removed the clamps the next morning and shaped the overhanging shim to the body.
To wrap up the video, I installed the control and access plates on the back of the body. All fit well, and I was able to start "seeing" where the bridge pickup would mount to the access plate. Again, this plate may have to be enlarged when the wiring and electronics are figured out.Please be sure to Ring the Bell and Subscribe so you are notified when the Build Video drops, and leave a comment.I greatly appreciate feedback.
#diykitchallenge22 #diykitchallenge #harleybenton #telecaster #acoustasonic