explorer build

alexis221woodworks

I am in the process of building from scratch an explorer body using parts of an old epiphone. The neck I will be using is off and old washburn. The neck is a composit with rose wood fret board. Not sure what the back is...some sort of plastic. What I want to do is modify the neck......get rid of the old washburn name off headstock and paint and fix a few cosmetic issues. I guess my question is can this type of composit be painted and then sealed?

AlanRatcliffe

The Washburn neck won't be composite, It'll be wood. The coloured polyester finishes used can be mistaken for synthetics. Ideally strip down to wood and paint. Or if you use a polyester finish yourself, you can just rough up the existing finish to promote adhesion and spray over the top.

alexis221woodworks

Is this ployester finish something a novice can do, and do you know of a brand name? Thanks for your input.

AlanRatcliffe

Poly isn't really the best finish for novices, mostly because it's a twinpack - you have to mix two different substances together (like an epoxy glue) - because of this, it means you have to use a spray gun and compressor. Poly will not dissolve once it's cured, so coats don't blend into one another and tool cleanup is essential before it cures.

For a novice, usually an acrylic or nitrocellulose finish in rattle cans is easiest.

alexis221woodworks

Well. Let me go on by saying been a guitar player for 30 years. Semi professional woodworker.......I no nothing about guitar building but experienced in using power tools and lots of finishes....again no nothing bout guitar building and finishing and have tons of respect for the art and looking foward to learning. I don't want to ruin this neck trying to learn this type of finishing on it. Thanks for your help and look foward to learning....

alexis221woodworks

Ok.....So I had this old washburn neck that I was going to use on my explorer build....but quickly realized that the neck was to far gone for me to use it.....i loved that neck too. so I came across this explorer kit....for really cheap...and decided to buy and try......looks to be good...i know the pickups are not the best and some of the hardware can be changed.....I have a post on youtube as part 1, and will have more vids on the process......Check them out and subscribe to my vids so you guys can see my progress and maybe give me tips....Thanks.....copy and past in browser or just search alexis221woodworks in youtube....Thanks.

alexis221woodworks

OK here is a quick and maybe stupid question. tune o matic bridge.....should I epoxy the post into the guitar body or just compression fit should do...Thanks

AlanRatcliffe

The anchors should be pressed in. Make sure to fit the earth wire from the control cavity at the same time, otherwise you'll have to pull the anchors again later.

What Explorer kit is it? One of the Saga kits?

alexis221woodworks

I did not think they needed to be epoxied in....I don't know what kit it is....Its not sega....its a no name brand...im trying to find out...will let you know...Thanks

alexis221woodworks

Here is some progress...

alexis221woodworks

Jack-Flash-Jr

Awesome.