Jimothey

I’m normally so impatient that I end up ruining the finish trying to rush it to get it done, but because the black hardware I knew wouldn’t get to me for a couple of weeks it gave me time to really let the finish dry before flattening and polishing it. But I think it came out ok for brush on poly in a certain angle I can see a few imperfections but I think it’s came up nice and flat enough

Just flattened the neck and body ready to start getting everything installed

Stunning looking guitar!!! Once again very jealous of the job you’ve done!!!

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice as much as it would be great to open a music store I think that it’s not a viable option as most people have said I wouldn’t be able to compete with big store online or bricks and mortar shop So it back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with???.......

The pickguard and tuners have just been delivered so hopefully I should get this finished this weekend!?!

I Love the pickup covers very classy touch!!!! Looking stunning!!!!

I prefer the black pickguard but whatever suits your taste better? I’m no expert but what I did with a Nitro finish is do lots of very light coats to build up the opaqueness of the colour not try to completely cover it in a couple of coats then do the same with the clear coat (I had problems with Nitro so now I use acrylic cellulose car paint as I seem to be able to get a better finish buts that’s probably just down to poor technique) From your photos I didn’t notice the crazing or the imperfections so just make sure people can’t look at it too closely As for the logo watch out for the Logo Police that operate in this area!!!!!! You will be run out of town with pitchforks!!!!!!

Looks really nice!!! Great job!!

Sounds like it’s going to be a lovely build tho....

About 15/20 miles I’m in Denbigh

That’s not being a jerk it’s a valid question, There was a music shop that mostly sold pianos but also sold guitars. Amps etc but the fella who owned it was in his 80’s and sadly passed away and he had no family to take it over so it closed The nearest music shop now is in Rhyl which is 16 miles away from me but it only is open between 3-6pm so most people don’t bother using it and travels to either Liverpool or Chester which are about an 1-1 1/2 hours away so there might be the market for one but I don’t know for sure!?! Everything is so spread out in North Wales so you have to travel at least 30mins to go anywhere anyway I have also run my own business for 15+ years (furniture making and carpentry) mostly Kitchen Fitting for the past 5 years and my body is falling apart now (knackered knees, hips and back) so I’m looking to change my focus that isn’t as stressful on my body I really want to become a luthier but that’s probably even harder to make money from!?!

No I’ve decided against it, just going for simple black pickguard and hardware I think it would look better that way

Just another week to wait till I can start flattening and polishing the body!?! But some of the hardware has turned up just waiting for pickguard and tuners

As part of the online sales we would have a eBay shop aswell so we wouldn’t really be competing just using it as an extra selling tool Probably wouldn’t be able to compete with Basschat sales forum but unless you know about it you wouldn’t know it’s here, I only found this forum because I searched a technical question and a thread came up with the answer I think that I really need to find a gap in the market but I’ve got a lot to think about

Thanks everyone for the advice and answers it’s only a idea that me and one of my mates have been mulling over we kinda had the idea of mostly selling secondhand/ commissions sales then we wouldn’t have to worry about the conditions imposed by the big two brands and new from the smaller manufacturers and selling accessories, Amps, pedals etc but also offer tuition, service/maintenance and repairs Obviously we would do online sales aswell Also luckily the area I live in the rent for shops is really cheap

I’m my area there is naff all in the way of music shops so I’m looking into the possibility in opening one I was wondering if everyone would mind answering a few questions? 1. Do you prefer buying from a music shop or online shop? 2. Do you prefer to try before you buy? 3. In your experience what is missing from most music stores you have visited? 4. How far would you travel to go to music shop 5. What would attract you to a music shop ie range, price etc Thanks for any input

I thought I’d go for the 70’s Style pickguard as most I’ve seen on here are with the 50’s style with chrome control plate, so I thought it would be a bit of a change Hopefully I’ll get it routed and painted in the next week or so and flatten off the neck and give it a good ole polish

I was thinking would moving the bottom strap button up make any difference to the way it sits aswell my thinking is the weight of the body will make it sit lower and lift the neck up??

No worries mate i don’t take offence to any advice given, I apologise if I ask some stupid questions sometimes I wanted to keep it long scale as I like the sound of a long scale over a short as I find they sound a bit ‘floppy’

Yeah that’s what I’ve already done, I tried to move the neck back as far as possible to try and counteract the lack of length on the top horn/strap button position and keeping the scale length correct, I asked because it was just that generally the bridge on most basses isn’t that far back so because you’ve got a load more experience than me at making/modding basses and I didn’t factor in the balance issue I wasn’t sure if there was going to be any other issues ie bridge position etc

Thanks Andy that’s some great advice I’ll definitely give it a try Heres a mock-up of where I think everything needs to sit? and I thought I’d slightly change the shape of the pickguard In your opinion is the bridge too far back?

I’ve just been looking online and would this be an option Instead of having underneath the neck?? http://www.lysator.liu.se/~wizkid/music/thunderbird_mod/

Hi Andy thanks for the advice This is just a mock-up excuse the finish on the neck I haven't flattened it yet The strap button is exactly in line with the 15th fret The bridge is about 10mm from the edge of the body it doesn’t really show it that well in the picture but I will have to lengthen the neck pocket as it stops at around the 19th fret I think that having the strap button where you have suggested will be the only option as I've just been looking at short scale necks and the cheapest I can find is a Warmouth one for £180 which is a bit excessive for this build So yes please Andy if you could send me the link that would be much appreciated

I was going to try and do a long scale, that’s a good point I hadn’t thought about the balance of it!?! I’ve got a 34” scale neck off one of my kit builds that I might test on it to see how it feels?? Is the heel width of the neck different on a medium scale to a long scale?

When I looked online to get some inspiration there was quite a few with a single P pickup but I didn’t see any with split p’s so I thought it would be a bit different, also I’ve already ordered the split P’s but thanks for the advice anyway