Annoying nooby questions (h3lp m3 plz d00dz?)

Oxidation_Shed · 04-15-2012, 04:48 PM

Hey guys, I'm currently doing my first built together with my Grandad. He used to do a lot of wood and metal work back before he retired so he's got lot more experience than me. Trouble is, I think his eyes must be going.
I got a gorgeous, bookmatched Pacific Blackwood top for this superstrat that we're building. The only problem is that, as I left him to glue the two pieces together as all the tools were at his and I was busy, there seem to be a few gaps. My own fault I know, but I really wanted a natural finish for the top to show off the grain.
By the time I next got a chance to work on the build he'd already glued it to the mahogany back.

Basically, what I'm asking is what would be the best way to go about disguising the gaps? Is it just a case of grain filler or has anyone got any insider tips?

Stealthdjentstic · 04-15-2012, 04:50 PM

My grandpa does the exact same thing

ovation22 · 04-15-2012, 04:52 PM

How big are the gaps? Route out a small channel and fill with a strip of alternate wood? Of course, then there would be two seems to worry about.

Oxidation_Shed · 04-15-2012, 04:57 PM

Just under 1mm at the widest. I think it's because he's used too much glue and that's separating the two sides.
The routing idea's a good one, but it's not really the look I wanted. Still, I suppose that needs must if it comes to that and thanks very much for the time taken to reply.
Any other suggestions?

eddiewarlock · 04-15-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oxidation_Shed

Just under 1mm at the widest. I think it's because he's used too much glue and that's separating the two sides.
The routing idea's a good one, but it's not really the look I wanted. Still, I suppose that needs must if it comes to that and thanks very much for the time taken to reply.
Any other suggestions?

Separate the pieces, glue them back together.

MaxOfMetal · 04-15-2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiewarlock

Separate the pieces, glue them back together.

This.

Shitty seams and joints kill tone.

Oxidation_Shed · 04-16-2012, 02:58 AM

That seems like a reasonable idea, cheers
The top is about 10 mm thick, is there anything special I should be doing to try and separate it from the back without damaging either of them?
Thanks for the advice so far guys

Neil · 04-16-2012, 03:54 AM

Well the easiest thing to do would be to rip it in half down the centre line and joint the halfs with the mahogany still attached.

silent_k · 04-16-2012, 08:18 AM

Where exactly are the gaps? Before you cut anything up, map out things like where the neck pocket and pickup routs are going to go -- it could be that some of those gaps will be eliminated when you hog out and rout. If the gap(s) extend the whole length, then I'd go with Neil's suggestion. I've had to cut and rejoin pieces for essentially the same reason, and as long as you can get both surfaces good and flat, you should be fine. Also make sure you dry clamp first and look for any lingering gaps -- hold the pieces up against a light and you'll notice any problems right away.

Oxidation_Shed · 04-16-2012, 01:21 PM

Yeah I've mapped out the routes needing to be done and it will still be a problem.
I'd considered taking the whole thing apart but wasn't sure if I'd have to be so drastic. Thanks for the wisdom guys, it's invaluable to have someone with a lot more experience give me some advice.

canuck brian · 04-16-2012, 02:06 PM

Any chance you've got a picture?

If you can line the gaps up in your routing, that would be ideal. Past that, it's time for a do-over.

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04-15-2012, 04:48 PM	#1
Oxidation_Shed M0$H W4RR10R Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 401 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Annoying nooby questions (h3lp m3 plz d00dz?) Hey guys, I'm currently doing my first built together with my Grandad. He used to do a lot of wood and metal work back before he retired so he's got lot more experience than me. Trouble is, I think his eyes must be going. I got a gorgeous, bookmatched Pacific Blackwood top for this superstrat that we're building. The only problem is that, as I left him to glue the two pieces together as all the tools were at his and I was busy, there seem to be a few gaps. My own fault I know, but I really wanted a natural finish for the top to show off the grain. By the time I next got a chance to work on the build he'd already glued it to the mahogany back. Basically, what I'm asking is what would be the best way to go about disguising the gaps? Is it just a case of grain filler or has anyone got any insider tips?

04-16-2012, 02:06 PM	#11
canuck brian Bowes Guitars Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,618 Thanked: 42 Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Any chance you've got a picture? If you can line the gaps up in your routing, that would be ideal. Past that, it's time for a do-over. www.bowesguitars.com Bowes Guitars - Builds In Progress

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04-15-2012, 04:50 PM	#2
Stealthdjentstic Banned Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canadia Posts: 19,969 Thanked: 338 Feedback Score: 10 reviews	My grandpa does the exact same thing

04-15-2012, 04:52 PM	#3
ovation22 ss.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 92 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Feedback Score: 0 reviews	How big are the gaps? Route out a small channel and fill with a strip of alternate wood? Of course, then there would be two seems to worry about.

04-15-2012, 04:57 PM	#4
Oxidation_Shed M0$H W4RR10R Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 401 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Just under 1mm at the widest. I think it's because he's used too much glue and that's separating the two sides. The routing idea's a good one, but it's not really the look I wanted. Still, I suppose that needs must if it comes to that and thanks very much for the time taken to reply. Any other suggestions?

04-16-2012, 02:58 AM	#7
Oxidation_Shed M0$H W4RR10R Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 401 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That seems like a reasonable idea, cheers The top is about 10 mm thick, is there anything special I should be doing to try and separate it from the back without damaging either of them? Thanks for the advice so far guys

04-16-2012, 03:54 AM	#8
Neil XL Whore Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: UK Posts: 686 Thanked: 9 Feedback Score: 7 reviews	Well the easiest thing to do would be to rip it in half down the centre line and joint the halfs with the mahogany still attached.

04-16-2012, 08:18 AM	#9
silent_k derpa derp! Join Date: May 2011 Location: MA Posts: 272 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Where exactly are the gaps? Before you cut anything up, map out things like where the neck pocket and pickup routs are going to go -- it could be that some of those gaps will be eliminated when you hog out and rout. If the gap(s) extend the whole length, then I'd go with Neil's suggestion. I've had to cut and rejoin pieces for essentially the same reason, and as long as you can get both surfaces good and flat, you should be fine. Also make sure you dry clamp first and look for any lingering gaps -- hold the pieces up against a light and you'll notice any problems right away.

04-16-2012, 01:21 PM	#10
Oxidation_Shed M0$H W4RR10R Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: London Posts: 401 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah I've mapped out the routes needing to be done and it will still be a problem. I'd considered taking the whole thing apart but wasn't sure if I'd have to be so drastic. Thanks for the wisdom guys, it's invaluable to have someone with a lot more experience give me some advice.