Tummy Cut practice

Here's a pic of my tummy cut practice on a 2x8 piece of lumber.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/GitDiv/PRS%20Kit/MyPRSKit-finishingstain-phase2011.jpg

Before I mess up the real thing.http://www.tdpri.com/forum/images/smilies/icon_lol.gif

Yup, that'll do just fine. :grin:

Looks good. I went for one too. Just used an angle grinder with 80 grit sandpad attachment.

Used a pencil on a sting to trace out the radius and then free formed it..

http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/519/medium/IMG_0031.jpg

Good job, those flap discs get the job done

Yeah, the flap disk was quick, and left a surprisingly smooth surface.

By the way, I used a bendable, lead-filled ruler I bought from Jo Ann Fabrics for $4.99 to copy the cut-out on my Strat.

I think I'm going to go through the complete staining/finish process on this piece of wood, to help me get over the initial techniques required, without having to learn the hard(expensive) way. When I'm done, I'll just toss it, and move to the real thing.

Here's a color test on that 2x8 hunk of wood.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/GitDiv/PRS%20Kit/Picturedownloadfromcamera046.jpg

I think that'll work.

-Dave

I like that color. What's the recipe? It reminds me of my old Cherry finish '65 SG Standard. Looks great.

Here's a color test on that 2x8 hunk of wood.
Pretty! Too bad that wasn't a 2x14 hunk o' wood.

It's going on the back of this.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/GitDiv/PRS%20Kit/MyPRSKit-finishingstain-phase2007.jpg

I still have to do the Tummy cut first, though.

The formula for the back color was:
A wash coat of Sunshine Orange. Which is a RIT color. I used all RIT (powdered) colors purchased from Jo Ann Fabrics, 1 Tspn each mixed in a 1/2 cup each of denatured alcohol.
The base colors were:
Dark Brown, Scarlet, Tangerine, Sunshine Orange, and Golden Yellow.

I used their on line color chart to come up with the sub-colors: Paprika, Caramel, and Chestnut. All mixed into 1/2 cup each of denatured alcohol.

Then I experimented till I came up with this formula:
1oz - Paprika
1oz - Caramel
2oz - Dark Brown
2oz - Chestnut
1/4 cup - Scarlet

The back color pic doesn't show how Red it really is. If you like the color that shows in the pic, back off of the Scarlet somewhat.

I had a PRS in the mid-eighties that I sold for half of what I paid because the clamp mechanism on the G string broke just before a gig, and I had to drill a small hole to wind the string on the post like a normal tuning key. I also drilled the E string, because it was not holding pitch like it did when I first got it.

Otherwise it was a good guitar, and I've missed it ever since. Thus the PRS copy. If I had that guitar now, it would be worth thousands.

I mixed the color from my memory of that back color.

-Dave

Thanks for the recipe. I'll copy it and save it for future use. So, you mixed up a separate bottle of each color - then mixed up a "USE THIS" bottle with the mix you stated?

That flame topped guitar is very nice. Is that a two-tone burst on that top? r just the shadowing from the arched-top? Where'd you get the PRS outline? Trace it from an existing, or download a drawing? Just curious, because I think I have a PRS model in my library of cad files, and was wondering if it's accurate. I've never owned a PRS, but I've always admired their handmade boutique styling, and the beautiful woods their good ones have. Just haven't tried to play one yet.

Sorry for so many questions, but that's what I do best I guess.

The one I had played great!

This one's a kit from BYOG.com that my daughters bought me for my 62nd birthday.

I did the sunburst after I did a wash of Tangerine and sanded back to accent the Tiger Stripe. Then I did a wash of Golden yellow after sealing in the sanded back stripes. If you didn't know, a wash just means a coat over the entire surface.
After which I sunbursted with a Scarlet and Sunshine Orange mix (the formula of which I didn't document...oops), and sealed again with Behlen Vinyl Sealer spray.

It's my first shot at a sunburst. I'll probably darken and blend the outside edge with the back color, I think. That should bring it all together.

Yeah, the back color is in that jar in the pic with the formula written on it.

I'm going to clear-coat with KTM9 waterborne acrylic lacquer.

-Dave

Is that a set neck or bolt on?

Just curious, because I think I have a PRS model in my library of cad files.

Where do you get these from?

Thanks

It's a set neck.

I have a lot of experience in guitar repairs and such, because I used to have a guitar shop. I subbed out the finish work, though, so now I'm getting my feet wet in that area.

-Dave

Where do you get these from?

Thanks

I've been scouring the web for guitar cad files for 4 years. I was originally trying to create miniature 3D jewlery for guitarists, then I stumbled upon Ed Hawley's build thread, and now I'm a wannabee builder.

I found a lot of downloadable cadfiles at www.guitarbuild.com and other building forums. Most are purely 2D, so I'm working the info into 3D Rhino files as time permits. I'm also doing all of the hardware in 3D (did a standard tele bridge last night). There's a wealth of free info, if you keep searching.

Where do you get these from?

Thanks

Here's a good source for templates that are fairly cheap.
http://www.guitarbuildingtemplates.com/

And, mgdesigns, if you find that cad file, I would like to have a copy, if it's possible. I think CorelDraw will import them, if I'm not mistaken.

-Dave

I've been scouring the web for guitar cad files for 4 years. I was originally trying to create miniature 3D jewlery for guitarists, then I stumbled upon Ed Hawley's build thread, and now I'm a wannabee builder.

I found a lot of downloadable cadfiles at www.guitarbuild.com and other building forums. Most are purely 2D, so I'm working the info into 3D Rhino files as time permits. I'm also doing all of the hardware in 3D (did a standard tele bridge last night). There's a wealth of free info, if you keep searching.

Just caught your post.

Great link there, it looks like. Gonna start downloading.

-Dave

Here's the finished Tummy cut. (a little out of focus, but...)

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/GitDiv/PRS%20Kit/MyPRSKit-finishingstain-phase3011.jpg

And of coarse the front...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z303/GitDiv/PRS%20Kit/MyPRSKit-finishingstain-phase3006.jpg

I'm right pleased with it. It's not a Tele, though.

-Dave

I'd be right pleased with that too, Dave.

That looks awesome! How colorfast are the Rit dyes? Anything to be aware of when using them? It sounds like its much the same as using powdered aniline dyes. With much better availability!

I would suppose it's pretty much the same as powdered aniline dyes.

Don't know for sure, but the price was right.:rolleyes:

I was able to purchase quite a few different colors, and mix-and-match without having to empty my mediocre bank account.

If you are familiar with Frank Pope's You Tube videos, he recommends it to people on a budget.

Worked for me. I think the colors are much more vibrant and transparent than a typical stain. I may be wrong, but I think the difference between water dyes and alcohol dyes is what the powders are submerged in.

Don't forget to strain before applying. Some colors have what I think is salt that settles to the bottom of the jar, and could cause problems with the finish.


-Dave

Gorgeous. I'd think it's a real PRS with bird inlays and all. Great job.