Custom Jag

tragictravisty

Thinking about a custom jag body from http://usacustomguitars.com/index.html ...ill get into details later, and a neck from warmoth... finishing seems like it is gonna be extremely expensive, so im thinking about doing it myself. I have absolutely no experience. Also, what kind of warping am i looking at if i dont finish the body, just rub in some of this: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_s ... g_Oil.html also, how easy is it to finish with this: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Finishing_s ... g_Kit.html ...is it worth the risk? what is the risk?

Aug

The big risk with (an essentially) one piece neck is not only the warp, but the twisting that occurs with maple, because of climate change. This is why you see more and more guitar necks (like Ovation, for example) with stripes of mahogany or whatever down the center of the neck. This helps to prevent warps and twisting. However, if you are able to 'seal' a neck with a finish, then warping and twisting becomes mostly non-existant, and oil finishes tend to allow the neck to breathe, which isn't something you want on a one-piece neck. I'd suggest either laying down a few coats of Tru-Oil or 4-5 coats of Deft Gloss Laquer. Once dried, (after 2 days or so) you can simply wetsand with 1500 grit, then polish with 0000 steel wool and finally polish with rubbing compound and then wax it.

tragictravisty

thanks, would that kit let me do all that? they advertise its all you need but... also, can i get a different neck thats not insanely expensive with less chance of twisting?

Aug

oh...I misread you, regarding not finishing the body... eh, I'd finish the body with *something*. Leaving it blank is kinda retarded, if you ask me. Go to Reranch and place an order. 2 cans of primer, 2 cans of color and 2 cans of clear. Keep the cans 12 inches from the body and shoot very thin coats and you'll be fine.

tragictravisty

actually i intended to do a clear finish with the walnut, if i change my mind and go for alder, or something, i might go with an opaque finish... what do i do if im only going with a clear finish? also, what do you mean by waxing when you talked about the neck finish?

robertoriginal

this just my two cents.

personally, a solid maple nekc(imo) is stronger than a 5 peice flatsawn neck.

the reaoson i say this is.

look at ibanez. they use 3-4 piece maple necks*cuz a clue line is stronger than wood grain*

and certain companies use 3+ woods to make a neck(ibanez, ovation,schector,rickenbacker,alembic)

the only real problem with these is that each takes a longer amount to dry and each takes to the same glue differntly, making the bond tighter/looser,and also encourging some woods to warp/ turn more than others.

i figure with a nice flatsawn maple neck you are good for a long, long time.

tragictravisty

what about an all rosewood neck? you can play them without finish, or just some oil rub in finish, and they warp less than maple