Firebird kit build

[owlexifry]

2nd kit build.
mahogany body+neck, rosewood fretboard.

-neck glued with titebond.
-single colour stain (black).
-danish oil finish.

omitted the kit tuners for these from an 80s MIJ ibanez.

the kit pickups provided for what is ‘neck’ and ‘bridge’ are probably the same, as the DC resistances were almost identical, 11.3; 11.4.
neck position actually sounds pretty good. has a smooth but pleasant ‘grainy’ overdrive tone.
bridge position...not great to my ears.
thin, harsh, very bright.

i will be routing out the bridge pickup cavity.

 

[Fretting out]

Oh my!

That looks pretty decent!

 

[Tarkus60]

Damn that is sweet......so many guitars. I want a firebird.
I owned a 67 ....car that is...

 

[jwp333]

Where did you get the kit?

 

[Bruxist]

Amazing.

I did not know you could get that style finish with Danish oil.

Are you routing out the bridge for a full size humbucker?

 

[Fiesta Red]

That’s really cool—and gorgeous, too…how does it feel (balance-wise)?

 

[Speedfish]

Nice job! Could you share some pics of the neck joint?

Thanks,

 

[gmann]

Very nice!

 

[owlexifry]

Oh my!

That looks pretty decent!

thanks!

Damn that is sweet......so many guitars. I want a firebird.
I owned a 67 ....car that is...

hell yes. don’t see those around here much.

Where did you get the kit?

https://www.badcatinstruments.com/

Amazing.

I did not know you could get that style finish with Danish oil.

Are you routing out the bridge for a full size humbucker?

cheers!
i love danish oil. i use it for everything.
to get to the sheen level you desire it’s just a matter of sand, apply, let dry (i don’t wipe off), and repeat as many times as necessary.
usually just sanding at 600-800grit between coats.
i use foam brushes.

yep. i’ve got a routing template and a 498T ready to go.

That’s really cool—and gorgeous, too…how does it feel (balance-wise)?

thanks! i got real lucky with the timber in these pieces..
haven’t put strap pins on it yet but it feels balanced and is surprisingly very comfortable to play

Nice job! Could you share some pics of the neck joint?

Thanks,

i don’t have any but can take some soon.

 

[MTPoteet]

Great job!

I'm on my second T Style kit and can't seem to get motivated.

 

[TeleUpNorth]

Some a killer piece of lumber. Looks amazing!

 

[Blue Bill]

That looks great, nice work on the burst!

 

[gkterry]

Wow! Very Nice.

 

[esseff]

Neat! The finish looks deep enough to swim in.
I built a Flying V kit a few years ago and it was great fun. The hardware wasn't up to much though, so I replaced the lot. It plays well enough for my meagre talent.

 

[drmordo]

Lovely!

 

[jimmywrangles]

That is a sweet looking guitar.
Firebirds look comfortable to play, I may have to get one.
I have a flying V, it's the most uncomfortable guitar to play that I own so it sits in a display case looking good but never getting touched, I'll give it to someone I don't like one day.

 

[jimmywrangles]

Great job!

I'm on my second T Style kit and can't seem to get motivated.

I had that problem and then I started building them from scratch which is a lot more fun plus I can pick the components I want. The only problem i have now is lack of cash to get the bits I need.
When I was building kits I'd look at different finishes to get motivated, when i found the one I thought i could manage and looked good I'd get started.
Not sure if that helps but at least now you know you're not the only one.

 

[Jim_in_PA]

Some a killer piece of lumber. Looks amazing!

I was thinking the same thing...the body and neck appearance is stellar...with a capital stellar. Hardware and electronics, if not satisfying, can easily be replaced.

 

[owlexifry]

Great job!

I'm on my second T Style kit and can't seem to get motivated.

find a video of someone doing the ol’ grain reveal with some oil/solvent, that always gets me going haha

Some a killer piece of lumber. Looks amazing!

I was thinking the same thing...the body and neck appearance is stellar...with a capital stellar. Hardware and electronics, if not satisfying, can easily be replaced.

yeah i couldn’t believe how lucky i got with the timber/cut.
the neck grain is great, the body is actually a single piece. and that burl.

That looks great, nice work on the burst!

thanks! i’m glad the single colour method worked. had to be real careful not to sand out too much tint between coats of danish oil.

Neat! The finish looks deep enough to swim in.
I built a Flying V kit a few years ago and it was great fun. The hardware wasn't up to much though, so I replaced the lot. It plays well enough for my meagre talent.

all thanks to the almighty grain in this piece!
i find most hardware is usually fine, bridges etc.
except tuning machines. they really do matter, so i often swap them out.

That is a sweet looking guitar.
Firebirds look comfortable to play, I may have to get one.
I have a flying V, it's the most uncomfortable guitar to play that I own so it sits in a display case looking good but never getting touched, I'll give it to someone I don't like one day.

cheers! it’s no ‘vintage sunburst’ but i’m pretty pleased with it.
it’s very comfortable.
similar to an explorer. but more comfortable.

 

[owlexifry]

Nice job! Could you share some pics of the neck joint?

Thanks,

i guess i should show off the backside while i’m here