| Time to spray! I'm using my bespoke spray
booth (outside the back door of the house!) to spray - the guitar is
suspended from a coat hanger and some wire. I'm spraying away from
the house towards back garden and it works real well - its sheltered
from the wind and any overspray disperses real fast. I'm using an
Earlex HV5000 HVLP spray system. I applied 6 coats of sanding sealer and left it an hour to dry. I then sanded out a few blobs and flies using 240 grit sandpaper. |
 |
| I then mixed up some red, black and blue dyes
and added them to the melamine lacquer I am using. At first it
seemed to have no effect, but after 8 coats the colour is really
starting to build.
I'll leave it to cure overnight, sand out any runs and then give it some more coats. |
 |
| I gave the guitar a wet-sand using 600 grit wet and dry paper then gave her a few more coats of red until I was happy with the colour. Then a dozen coats of clear to seal it in. |
 |
| While I wait for the lacquer to cure I solder up the electrics - I drilled holes in a piece of cardboard to match the guitar and wired the components together. They will drop straight into the guitar leaving only the pickups to be connected. |
 |
| I wet sanded the lacquer using 600 then 1200 grit sandpaper. Sand every surface until it is a uniform matt texture - any shiny spots mean more work. A few more days for the lacquer to totally cure and I will buff it out with compound to a mirror finish. |
 |
| The headstock didn't turn out as black as I wanted so I decided to give it a few coats of black tinted lacquer - now it is much better! |
 |
| I wet sanded the black lacquer flat then added
a Mother of Pearl Gibson logo to the headstock. Yes, I know its not
a Gibson - I don't think this guitar would fool anyone up close. But
it makes me giggle, so humour me! With the logo attached I sprayed a few coats of clear lacquer to seal it in. |
 |
| The hardwear was then test-fitted - I'm pleased to say the bridge went in with no problems. I'm awaiting delivery of the last few components while I wait for the lacquer to cure - I really want to buff out the lacquer but must be patient (not one of my strong points!) |
 |
| The frets needed levelling so I sanded them flat with my cambered sanding block and 120 grit paper. |
 |
| Then I gently returned the crown to each fret using a Vallorbe diamond file. I cleaned up the frets with 600, 1200 and then 2500 grit wet and dry paper wrapped around a block. |
 |
| I've given the paint a buff out using cutting
compound, some water and a little elbow grease. The lacquer has a
nice depth to it and the grain shines though just right - I'm
thrilled! And willing to overlook any small imperfections - they
just make the guitar look like I've owned it for a few weeks :) I've installed the bridge and tailpiece on the body... |
 |
| ..and the tuners at the headstock. I've also fitted the truss rod cover, which completes the "original" look! The nut came pre-radiused so I only had to sand down the bottom of the nut to reduce it to the perfect height - a real time saver! |
 |
| The neck has been adjusted, bridge height tweaked and she plays quite sweetly. The strap buttons have been fitted and the rear cover screws pre-drilled, counter-sunk and fitted. The switches and pots have been fitted and I'm waiting for the pick-ups to arrive - then we can complete the guitar! |
 |
| Pickups soldered in and tested, pickguard
tweaked and fitted and a final tweak of the frets and nut. It's Alive!!!! |
 |
| So the SG is finally finished. I love the
colour - it came out exactly as I had in my mind eye. And the
mahogany is extremely light and resonant - she rings rings out with
a lovely tone and is light to wear for an extended time.
|
 |
| Here's a shot of the back. The strap button on
the rear of the neck gives the SG a slightly neck heavy balance, but
this is countered by its light weight.
I've recorded a quick MP3 of the SG - please excuse the playing. The rythym guitar is the bridge pickup, the soloing the neck. Look out for the jazzy ending!
|
 |