matt154

Yeah iv'e got enough maple left to do the headstock the same way. I put pictures of some test stains up and get some opinions once they've dried, but the red is looking nice...

I'm also thinking of changing and entirely redoing the neck (but keeping the fretboard). i originally wanted a 5-ply and angled headstock and doing the joint properly from scratch. I guess i'll see when it comes to routing the body.

extra heavy

Im pretty intrested to see the maple when its done drying. Do you lay on the stain thick or thin it out some?

matt154

The staining process is pretty detailed, iv'e worked it out through loads of tests and filtering through advice and opinions off the net. The basic process is to first lay down a dark, almost black layer with a cloth so that it sinks in to the raised grain areas in the quilt. You pretty much smear the stain on thick, the more it soaks in the better the 3d effect is. Once this is dry it is sanded back so that the stain only remains in these raised grain areas. this gives you the contrast. you then follow with your main colour and you'll get a really deep 3d effect. after this is sealer and then clear coat.

extra heavy

Sounds like a pretty detailed and tedious process must have some patiences for that lol.

matt154

True, it's worth it for one-offs though.. some major manufacturers do a multi-step staining process, like prs, but it's usually reserved for high end or custom guitars. Gives a damn nice finish...

extra heavy

Lol I bet im sure its going to be a sexy finish. The last project i did was a bullseye spray job on a mockingbird and I rushed WAY TO MUCH. But ive gained some patience so eventually I think i could do one of these things.

matt154

Lol, paint jobs are good because you can always sand them back and start again. The more mistakes you do the more you learn. Youv'e just got to be careful not to make mistakes on expensive stuff.

extra heavy

yeah thank god for all the knock off strats and squires in the world lol. Ive actually found that with a few simple upgrades a squire can play hella good. I'd still rather have an Ibanez any day though.

WinterSteel

Sounds sweet! Definitely awaiting pics on this one.

Hmm, that's quite the involved process, but since it's your guitar, you can make whatever you want. If that involves removing a fretboard and replacing it on an entirely new neck, go for it! Tricky, but I'm sure it's manageable.

__________________
Amps
Randall RG50TC, Roland Cube 15x

Guitar
LTD MH-100QM, Washburn X12

Effects and Etc.
Ibanez Weeping Demon, Boss FV-500H, Ibanez TS7, Ibanez PH7, dbx 31-band EQ, ISP Decimator

extra heavy

How would you go about removing a fretboard?

WinterSteel

Well, assuming that's what you're looking for, basically it involves a lot of patience, an iron with a steam function, a small razor blade, small hammer and a bunch of t-shirts.

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/removal.htm

Tricky, but could be worth it. It's also possible to buy a new neck, but that's up to you.

__________________
Amps
Randall RG50TC, Roland Cube 15x

Guitar
LTD MH-100QM, Washburn X12

Effects and Etc.
Ibanez Weeping Demon, Boss FV-500H, Ibanez TS7, Ibanez PH7, dbx 31-band EQ, ISP Decimator

extra heavy

oh nice man thanks.

lenco12

The top is 7mm thick, which is too thin to carve. It's a nice top and iv'e never liked the look of figured woods on anything other than carved tops. So i'm in the process of slowly steam bending it over the top of the korina. I'll bung some pics of the bending process up soon once i get them uploaded.

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watch movies online

extra heavy

I saw you bought a zero resistance trem. Have you ever used one of these before?

matt154

Iv'e never owned one but iv'e played guitars with them before and since i'm not a heavy trem user, i thought something that stays in tune is worth while. It's harder to set up but i like a challenge.

extra heavy

Yea I had a Ibanez s and it had the zero trem after I got it home and changed strings there was a random buzz that wouldn't go away fully even after a truss adjustment. So I ended up taking it back becasue it didnt play or sound as good as my sa.

DeAd-RiP

I experienced similar with my S, after some experimenting... turns out it's caused by not cutting enough of the string off, If you cut all the way back to just string and leave nothing of the winding that secures the ball it doesn't happen. *shrugs*

__________________
I am me. Live with it.

extra heavy

So if I would of cut more of the string off on the ball end that wouldn't of happened?

matt154

Well, i wanted a hardtail originally, but switched to the ZR after people were saying favourable things about it staying in tune. Iv'e had problems with trems drifting in and out of tune before and thought it was a good option. It'd be nice to have a hardtail though, less work..