Harley Benton FV-430 - Attempting to make the guitar I wanted when I was 12

Jason

Having put together 5 partscasters over the last few years, I thought for only £72 I would attempt to make the guitars that set me off on this rather odd career I have.

First impressions were a bit worrying, this is the 2nd guitar delivered in two days (different carriers) both had large holes in the outer box, fortunately both inner boxes were fine.

The V is fine, the fretboard is filthy, so it will be getting a clean and a fret polish. The nut is barely cut, just little grooves??? The tuners are close to useless, so I've ordered some Wilkinson replacements. On my partscasters I have used Wilkinson, Gotoh and Schaller tuners, the Wilkinson's perform just as well but cost a fifth of the price.

I'm only having a bridge pickup, so a new scratchplate and a Dimarzio PAF have been ordered.

So thats where I'm up to so far

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/Thomann1_zpsmqjc1ekp.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/Thomann 2_zpsqwsgsffn.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/photo3_zpstyxqcn9v.jpg

I hope these pics work

entee

good looking project there - HBs tdo seem like good value for money.  

Liking the 01 orange cabronita lurking in the background too; what's the story behind that?

Jason

That is my General Lee, that was the second partscaster I made, it was before Fender were doing anything other than the custom shop version. It has a sugar pine body and a jap Fender neck, it is probably my most played guitar

entee

Jason said:

That is my General Lee, that was the second partscaster I made, it was before Fender were doing anything other than the custom shop version. It has a sugar pine body and a jap Fender neck, it is probably my most played guitar

I must say it looks lovely, from the little that can be seen.    have a wow from me

Jason

Thank you!

JudasVigilante

Can't wait to see what you do with the V. As @entee said from what I can see of that orange guitar, she looks a beauty. The colour alone is to die for. Any chance of a proper photo or a link to a previous photo of it? Sorry to diegress!

Jason

No worries, here are a couple of pics, plus a couple of the others I put together, the colour is Capri Orange from Manchester Guitar Tech, the decal was from Rothko & Frost.

The General

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/DSC_6091_zpsiwvv1t98.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/DSC_6088_zpsw9ci9r4e.jpg

Herbie

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/737220_480982131939821_1600406012_o_zpsy1tzj4n8.jpg

Micawber

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/1000202_569013726469994_1031095573_n_zpsxg7cpilk.jpg

JudasVigilante

I just see Daisy in her short denim shorts and cowboy boots now! Aw! God bless America! Beautiful collection of guitars btw. Really really nice. Do you buy them stock and mod or are they from kits etc. If I'm being naive, sorry, I've never seen Tele's like these. Nice collection, really is.

Jason

@JudasVigilante - thanks. They are made from various bits, The General has a Rutters body, the other two have bodies sourced off ebay, all 3 necks came from ebay too. They were all sprayed in the garden on odd sunny days, I kinda got hooked on building them, so made 5 in about 18 months.

I'm enjoying the V build now, just awaiting a new scrachplate (should arrive end of next week) and I can start putting it all together.

JudasVigilante

I've built 2 guitars and modded a 3rd in 3 months! It's highly addictive. I have around 20 odd guitars. Wife is not best pleased sometimes.! LOL

DrBob

Jason said:

No worries, here are a couple of pics, plus a couple of the others I put together, the colour is Capri Orange from Manchester Guitar Tech, the decal was from Rothko & Frost.

The General

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/DSC_6091_zpsiwvv1t98.jpg

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/DSC_6088_zpsw9ci9r4e.jpg

Herbie

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/737220_480982131939821_1600406012_o_zpsy1tzj4n8.jpg

Micawber

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/1000202_569013726469994_1031095573_n_zpsxg7cpilk.jpg

Ah man I'm loving the car themed guitars must dig out some pics of my Gulf Racing Steinberger

Jason

@DrBob I'd like to see that, that was on the list to do, as was the Starskey & Hutch Guitar and the Jaguar Guitar

Some bits turned up this week, I'm just awaiting the new scratchplate and truss rod cover and I can start putting it together.

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/photo7_zpsicmaqljk.jpg

Jason

Scratchplate has arrived, it fits perfectly, not much left to do now

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/photo 3_zps4llww212.jpg

Handsome_Chris

Ooooooo. That is looking Very Metal. In a good way.

Jason

@Handsome_Chris you should see it now

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/photo_zpsgrolublu.jpg

Jason

I wanted this

http://i1223.photobucket.com/albums/dd504/sweet_f_a/1977-xx-xx Japan Paul 26_zpslsrred2w.jpg

I'm 45 and I still do

Handsome_Chris

FKN WOW!

@Clarky, have a look at this!

Andyjr1515

^^^^ what he said  FKN WOW WOW WOW!!!!

Jason

Thanks @Handsome_Chris and @Andyjr1515

Clarky

haaa.. awesomely cool….

by the way.. my V's are car themed..

speshul91

Much awesomeness I'm not jealous at all