Well the painting is finished but there still remains wet sanding the "fish eyes" out of the finish before I can seal it with polyurethane the wood used to make this guitar was pure crap I experienced this the first time I painted it candy apple must have a short memory I am not exaggerating it took me 6 times to get a finish that was acceptable next time i order a body from Guitarfettish for 50 bucks and save the agony I will start wet sanding tomorrow with 1500 grit and finish with 3000 then coat it that another day of drying so the soonest I can put it back together will be tuesday never again but i had to do it
1,277 2014-05-10 02:23:26
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
Right now as I type the top coat is drying on the front side and sides in a few minutes I will turn it around and apply the top coat to the back and bottom after that dries(in 1 hour) I hit it with polyurethane this has been a difficult job the wood is a composite of several woods and they react different I have had 4 fails by this I mean I had to strip it bare each time this is the 5th attempt and its going very well I switched from gloss to satin not as shiney but still cool I am going to finish it tonight hell or high water 
1,278 2014-05-09 06:07:28
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
dino48 wrote:
sounds like it is close too being done.
Once the coat of poly dries its a half hour job to reassemble already got a tune in mind to test it on 
1,279 2014-05-08 21:40:49
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
Yeah It was but i am back on track i finished the wiring mounted the pickups and am deciding on one more coat of poly I worked most of the day on it and it looks real nice again
1,280 2014-05-08 16:29:53
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
AARGGG!! Horrors of Horrors I mishandled the body and dropped it after I had put the last coat on Yes I had to strip it again and start over I did manage to restore the damage and am currently waiting to apply the polyurethane around noon(38 min,from now) all the parts have arrived I will mount the texas coil pickups and solder the wiring to the pick guard while i wait hopefully i can finish by tomorrow if the weather cooperates I must spray the poly outside its to toxic for my apartment and i will wear all the protective trappings keep ya posted
1,281 2014-05-07 21:06:00
Re: REFLECTIONS(DREAM ON) (40 replies, posted in Songwriting)
getfiddle wrote:
Russell,
I'm sure you could have left the title as it was. I've seen many of songs that have the same title as other more well known songs! I listened to your song and its pretty good.
I didnt want to take any chances but your probably right there are many songs with similar or identical names thanks for listening
1,282 2014-05-06 06:09:23
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
This is after the first coat of polyurethane you can see the mirror image of my hand I will lite sand this with 3000 grit and apply one more coat of poly the its finished and ready for assembly
1,283 2014-05-05 17:20:02
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
While its on my mind a little tip for mounting string trees if the neck is new and there are no holes to guide you wait till after you mount the neck and tremolo then put the strings on just enough to have tension slide the string trees under the E B and line them up and mark the hole do the same with the G and D and stagger the distance between them in the direction of the nut about 1 inch then loosen the strings and mount the trees
1,284 2014-05-05 12:16:27
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
Tenement Funster wrote:
Ahhhh ... a little ventilation to keep the noggin clear ... good call, Russ!
Varathane makes a clear finish called "Diamond Coat", which is water-based and has almost no fumes / smell. I tore out the interior carpeted stairs (split entry home) a few years back, and replaced them with oak. Not a bad job, if I do say so myself!
I gave them 4 coats with the Diamond Coat, and they are still holding up remarkably well. It comes in aerosol, and I would think it would make an excellent finish for a guitar, even as a clear coat over top of a color. It sure made the grain of the red oak I used jump out.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Yep gotta have the ventilation I think the Varathane would be a safe choice but I am committed to a Polyurethane only because it has a nice clear hard finish and most important I paid for it but that is good information to consider in the future for other finishes and I think you should follow up on your idea it would be a good summer project
1,285 2014-05-05 02:17:06
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
Tenement Funster wrote:
Russell ...
I noticed the bottle of BAN deodorant on the shelves in your pics. Do you prefer that to wax for packing your pickups? Just kidding!
Seriously, you continue to inspire, and I've just to try a build one of these days. I love natural woodgrains, and would love to try something with a Poplar body and perhaps some contrasting Walnut work. ESP and Ibanez do a lot of gorgeous stuff with exotic woods, and I especially like the way ESP uses the same overlay wood on the headstock as the body surface. Looks very classy, IMHO.
One of these days ....
I confess I painted in my bathroom only because it has an exhaust fan it is a challenge to build one from the ground up I learned the hard way I failed a few times but kept trying I select the lightest woods that will support the hardware to keep the weight down. you can make a guitar out of several types of wood its a ambitious undertaking but worth a shot just plan and take your time with it
1,286 2014-05-04 19:11:12
Re: Showed great restraint today. (6 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I can build an American Strat for around $200 or so and get the decals when I see them priced at $1700 I just shake my head and grin
1,287 2014-05-04 19:06:21
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
I like the old classics I find them challenging to play and on a strat with effects they sound modern, songs like "Whats it all about Alfee" and newer song like the Beatles Penny Lane instrumentally can be fun
1,288 2014-05-04 06:41:35
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
hummin n strummin wrote:
I'll bet it will sound like heaven too Russ. Can't wait to hear your first recording with her!
Dave
Thanks Dave I am working on a new instrumental I have been playing around with no name yet but I will think of something I will use all three guitars in the video
1,289 2014-05-04 06:38:13
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
dino48 wrote:
Cool,we should call you the stratman! I looked around your website and it appers your Dad and other relitives were in the music business.
I do prefer the strat although my Douglass LP is very nice I come from a musical family I was born on the road my Dad played piano in big swing bands my mom was a very good guitarist and gave me my 1st lessons she was like guitar George she knew all the chords(pun intended)
1,290 2014-05-03 22:17:40
Re: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
dino48 wrote:
Russell was that your candy apple red one? Looks good so far,keep us up-dated.
yes I used the pickups from the Candy apple for the blue one and the red one I traded for a new set of tires but I removed the hot texas coil pickups and installed some normal ones i will use the texas coils for my new one along with all gold hardware and screws including Wikerson gold tuners and 2 gold barrel string trees so.... it will be White and gold just like heaven
1,291 2014-05-03 17:32:43
Topic: New Strat build (41 replies, posted in Electric)
I am painting my old strat white and adding all gold hardware and screws these photos are after 3 coats of primer and three coats of top cover
I don't hang the guitar but rather put a small box in the cavity and gravity wont influence the paint I spin it like a lazy Susan and when its dry I flip it over works like a charm 
1,292 2014-04-26 00:48:09
Re: Hammered (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
That was good I also watched "the funniest joke in the world" sketch gave me a chuckle
1,293 2014-04-24 15:49:29
Re: Matala beach Festival 2014 (5 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Would love to visit Crete just not in my budget have a good concert
1,294 2014-04-24 13:36:21
Re: Hammered (22 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I actually like spam but not on Chordie I prefer mine with eggs hashbrowns and toast and in scalloped potato's with onion yummy
1,295 2014-04-20 18:47:12
Re: DAGGER (36 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Tenement Funster wrote:
Great stuff, Russell .... thanks!
Your song, your playing, your voice, your guitar that you built, your experiences behind the words, your technique with your recording gear ... it truly is all you! Reminds of something Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor used to say:
"If you didn't make it yourself, it's never really yours."
That's excellent work, my friend ... and it's certainly all yours from start to finish.
Don't know what to say but thank you!
1,296 2014-04-20 13:29:28
Topic: This is cool!! (2 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
This is the 1st time anyone has done this Elan Musk who started Paypal,Tesla and Space X has come up with a reusable rocket this is the test video filmed from a floating camera very cool
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjWqQPWmsY
1,297 2014-04-19 23:50:19
Re: DAGGER (36 replies, posted in Songwriting)
TIGLJK wrote:
Russ,
That might be the cause of global warming in Wisconsin !!! THAT WAS HOT!! I really enjoyed it, your playing is way gone - I'm soooo jealous. Great performance
Jim
Don't know if I contribute to global warming or not but I sure do like what your saying thanks its nice to hear
1,298 2014-04-19 03:11:56
Re: DAGGER (36 replies, posted in Songwriting)
mekidsmom wrote:
Did I say AWESOME yet? I had reshared it on FB. AWESOME. AWESOME. I liked everything about it. :-). Russell, my guitar hero.
Amy you made my day!! Thank you that is one of the nicest things I have heard
1,299 2014-04-18 13:07:03
Re: Woofstock 2 (7 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Looks like everybody was having a good time nice work on this song
1,300 2014-04-16 15:41:32
Re: Made from Scratch (27 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Baldguitardude wrote:
Awesome Work!!!!!!!!!
Appreciated!