Melon's Guitars

[melon....]

Clear coats being sprayed on now.







Will need about 5 or 6 coats before buffing out and installing all the hardware.

[melon....]

3 coats of clear on now. Is it too dark? Some people have recommended I strip the black away and stain it red or use a lighter brown or deep red for the burst.

What do Chookpeners reckon?

[Guest]

Looks too dark to me...but mate it's yours and if you like it then leave it as is...whack the pick ups on and the rest and see how it looks finished...

[melon....]

Looks too dark to me...but mate it's yours and if you like it then leave it as is...whack the pick ups on and the rest and see how it looks finished...

It is too dark dude. Ive stripped it back and will be applying the rosewood all over with a darker blend for the burst, rather than use straight black. Its strayed from my original design.

This weekend will be back on track. This one I cant wait to finish as Ill be using it as my main now that Im starting to play again.

[melon....]

Stripped everything back and restained the preferred colour. I mixed the stains to produce a nice tobacco smokey red for the edge burst which was applied by hand - rubbed in. i think its going to be better this time around.

[Andrew Walker]

Its looking good Melon.Looking real good

[melon....]

Shooting some clear coats now. Almost there.

[Guest]

Like that...much better...

[melon....]

Made Pick Guard.

Now about a week away from stringing her up.

[Guest]

Bought myself a kit guitar for Christmas. Will post pics in the new year as I build/finish it.

[melon....]

Nearly there. Im just waiting for strings to arrive from the States. Im putting 10-50 Jazz strings with a wound G. The wound G is required to tune properly due to the shape of the vintage bridge saddles.

I still need to fix the nut but wont do this until its strung up and I check the height and action of the strings.

The pick guard I made from an old plastic paper tray turned out good. Ive started fitting the parts - here's a sneak peek.

[melon....]

Well Ive got some fine sanding and polishing to do, but she is complete enough to string up and sound check. Awesome. A p-90 with really great Jazzy cleans and really full ballsy dirties.

here are some preview snaps. Ill try and grab some sound clips.

[Guest]

Top notch job Melon. Can you tell me what kind/brand of stain and lacquer you used?

[melon....]

Top notch job Melon. Can you tell me what kind/brand of stain and lacquer you used?

Hi Tootsie.

i used Wattyl Traditional Stain (Craftsman) in Rosewood colour. Also Black mixed with it (1:7 ratio) for the rubbed burst around the edges.

The clear was a British Paints Polyurethane in Gloss - spray can. The photos is uncut and unpolished. Ive rubbed down and dulled up to 1200 grit and am waiting for micromesh pads to arrive so i can polish using 1500 to 12000 grit. Then she'll look like glass.

[Guest]

Awesome job...