PRS-style Project Thread - Recommendations Welcome

PeteC

Interesting.  I thought they didn’t go full CNC until mid 90’s?   

vanlooy1

geetarguy85 said:

Thanks all for your help so far.

Next newbie question: is there a particular sanding sealer I should be using if the top coat is going to be clear nitro? In particular, if I can use a brush on/wipe on sealer I'd prefer that as don't really have the space to spray anything, otherwise I'd be doing the clear coat myself too!

Thanks

Could your sprayperson not do the sealer as well?

MattNovak

Sounds mental, but I did some sanding on a PRS-a-like with some sandpaper wrapped around a squash ball. 

PeteC

not mental at all Matt - I might rig something up like that using velcro on a squash ball myself.   sorry to go off the OPs question

Sarge

https://chestnutproducts.co.uk/product/cellulose-sanding-sealer/

I use this chestnut cellulose sealer,  I brush it on but it dries quick so work fast! 

geetarguy85

Still working on sanding, but here's a pic of the guitar mocked up with bridge and metal pickup surrounds from @Graingerguitars and PRS USA knobs from @rockmonster ;;;

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3esYSd0jrdiw2oCBSrtfAl62zrDoq3CPKIA4Ojv-NCgT_0Uuew7z4lI5IHKWYCYGMOfHLHtFcflKW4IbWOzV9iqBnACoTSb4Y4kOI8JdhCdWPF9SkaMs__01u_ULE6Ox5zaGVkFQ_AOST55ihEyYj7LPg=w1442-h1925-no


Seems the forum doesn't like Google Photos links

rockmonster

Nice!

Jalapeno

Lovely !

geetarguy85

A question about grain filling. I'm currently sanding the body at 240 grit and plan to go to 320. Do I need to go to 320 before applying the grain filler, or can I grain fill now?

And then after grain filling, I take it I can just sand at 320 rather than going up through the grits again?

Thanks!

vanlooy1

https://manchesterguitartech.co.uk/2011/05/02/grain-filling-an-ash-telecaster-body/

vanlooy1

Good to see you’re not rushing it 

geetarguy85

Finally made some decent process this week. My company shut down for the whole Easter week so I've been able to work on my build a bit, in between some DIY and general house work!

The first exciting update is I did the grain filling yesterday: 

https://flic.kr/p/2kRQakx

https://flic.kr/p/2kRJZUf

Managed to get a lot of the excess off but the edges were difficult. Started sanding this morning and even though I took a lot of it off, it's clogging the paper so much! So that's a job that I'll have to pick up again later. I suspect I'll need to order in more sandpaper...

Second update is I've been testing out colours. I really like this fade, but I do want to bring a darker colour into the edge to get closer to the PRS Dragon's Breath style. Trouble is I'm finding it hard to mix an oxblood type colour that I like the shade of!

https://flic.kr/p/2kRJu5E

https://flic.kr/p/2kRKHhM


Finally, I'd like to incorporate the outline of a gecko, and am trying to decide between:
1. Use a gold posca pen to draw it onto the headstock

2. Get an outline CNC routed into the ebony veneer, then use CA glue plus some sort of inlay powder (perhaps crushed red synthetic opal) to fill the outline

I feel like option 1 will be easier, and certainly cheaper as I already have the pen, but the second option is intriguing. I'm not sure if it'll be a bit too much though, given that there's already going to be a stained body, plus matching stained neck, truss rod cover, and control cavity cover! Maybe I should go with the more subtle option.

Any thoughts on this are very welcome  

PVO_Dave

Just a quick tip on here, when PRS refinish a guitar in the UK, to sand out the recesses where the knobs are, they use sandpaper on a golf ball attached to a drill bit. So the squash ball wasn't far off  

PeteC

Looking good !  

vanlooy1

On the few swamp ash bodies I’ve grain filled, once wasn’t enough, you might need to be be prepared to repeat the process if you’re after a perfect finish (possibly the worst guitar related job)!

geetarguy85

Thanks @PeteC . Indeed @vanlooy1 , to my dismay I've already spotted some parts that aren't completely filled!

 

geetarguy85

I've done a first pass of staining on the cavity cover while I wait for the 3rd application of grain filler to dry...

Roland

geetarguy85 said:

Seems the forum doesn't like Google Photos links

Works for me:

TTony

That Is a beautiful looking piece of timber.

geetarguy85

Thanks @TTony , it was a head plate from https://www.guitartonewoods4luthiers.co.uk/

Very reasonably priced and they even sent me a spare one for free! Which has been turned into some truss rod covers.