Worth's guitar build from kit.
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
Their fiddling with stuff likely is ingrained because of their very long history of guilds.worth1 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:23 am Just about any guitar neck has a truss rod in it.
Except for maybe some cheap flea market item ment to hang up as decoration.
Mine is double acting which means if you turn it on way it one way it bends the neck up.
The other way it bends them down.
Some even have carbon rods on both sides of the rod to help stiffen the neck.
@Tormato I've looked at a couple of forums and I find I can get more information from videos.
You just have to know which ones to look at.
One in particular is from England that's really good.
Seems like the English are more into this and fishing rods than people in the US.
I guess they just like to fiddle with stuff more than the common American.
These guys I look at are professional builders that make custom guitars.
Not all of them do exactly the same thing.
I know enough about wood working building fabrication and putting stuff together to spot a clown.
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
I ended up buying a quart of Bher water based Bombay mahogany poly wood stain.
The stain is in the mix as well.
Annnnd it turned out looking like something out of a Chinese flea market that a child did.
Horrific!!!
So I'm stripping it off and putting on what Varathane calls red mahogany oil based stain.
Doesn't look red but.
It went on a lot better and it only darkened the wood a wee bit to give it a warmer look other than the stark naked look of raw wood like the modern IKEA look we see all to often.
I just wiped it on and wiped it off.
The stain is in the mix as well.
Annnnd it turned out looking like something out of a Chinese flea market that a child did.
Horrific!!!
So I'm stripping it off and putting on what Varathane calls red mahogany oil based stain.
Doesn't look red but.
It went on a lot better and it only darkened the wood a wee bit to give it a warmer look other than the stark naked look of raw wood like the modern IKEA look we see all to often.
I just wiped it on and wiped it off.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
Here's the two before and after for comparison.
Bottom one stained.
Bottom one stained.
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Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
You couldn't tell from a picture so I didn't take one.
But I just hand wiped/rubbed it down with 100% pure tung oil.
The coating has to be really thin.
Maybe a teaspoon for the whole body.
But I just hand wiped/rubbed it down with 100% pure tung oil.
The coating has to be really thin.
Maybe a teaspoon for the whole body.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
Ha! You're on your way!worth1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 10:38 am I ended up buying a quart of Bher water based Bombay mahogany poly wood stain.
The stain is in the mix as well.
Annnnd it turned out looking like something out of a Chinese flea market that a child did.
Horrific!!!
So I'm stripping it off and putting on what Varathane calls red mahogany oil based stain.
Doesn't look red but.
It went on a lot better and it only darkened the wood a wee bit to give it a warmer look other than the stark naked look of raw wood like the modern IKEA look we see all to often.
I just wiped it on and wiped it off.
Chris Squire, the (no longer with us

Hopefully you've settled on the finish. If not, can you find a comparable piece of scrap wood to experiment on?
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
I'm settled with the finish.Tormato wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 12:59 pmHa! You're on your way!worth1 wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 10:38 am I ended up buying a quart of Bher water based Bombay mahogany poly wood stain.
The stain is in the mix as well.
Annnnd it turned out looking like something out of a Chinese flea market that a child did.
Horrific!!!
So I'm stripping it off and putting on what Varathane calls red mahogany oil based stain.
Doesn't look red but.
It went on a lot better and it only darkened the wood a wee bit to give it a warmer look other than the stark naked look of raw wood like the modern IKEA look we see all to often.
I just wiped it on and wiped it off.
Chris Squire, the (no longer with us) bass player for Yes, had a unique sounding Rickenbacker bass. He continually had it sanded down to change the color that he got bored with. People think that was the reason for its sound. He also plugged it into a combination of 2 pieces of electronics equipment (I don't remember what they were) that no one else would have thought to try. Finally his guitar restorer told him that he would no longer work on the finish. He said the body was getting too thin, and could fail.
Hopefully you've settled on the finish. If not, can you find a comparable piece of scrap wood to experiment on?
The first foul up just needed 000 steel wool to remove so no wood was lost.
I will only need the one or two coats because the wood was already sealed.
As far as compatible I've only got real Honduran or Brazilian mahogany here at home.
It doesn't look anything like the Asian stuff.
The Chinaberry tree is related to mahogany.
The heartwood looks pretty nice.
And people in the know use the wood to make things even guitars.
I have a forest of them started in the back of the place.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
I'm not an expert at all on those products. But if the original wood was sealed, it doesn't sound like the stain would penetrate the wood. I don't even know if stain/poly products penetrate untreated wood. Is it working more like a tinted poly coating?
The only thing I know about the stain/poly products is that they have a much longer warranty as an outdoor deck finish, than clear finishes.
The only thing I know about the stain/poly products is that they have a much longer warranty as an outdoor deck finish, than clear finishes.
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
@Tormahto
The stain poly does just that it is in the coating and it doesn't soak into the wood.
I didn't like the color because it reminded me of the cheap varnish they put on cheap Chinese SKS rifles that sold for 98.00 or less back some time ago.
Talk about junk.
Probably gasoline and tar mixed together.
Mine is a Russian new old stock military surplus.
World of difference.
The wood had pore sealer in it but the oil based stain went on really smooth with no streaks and darkened the wood just enough.
I like applying the tung oil with my hands because it's non toxic and the hand rubbed finish is very desirable to me.
It doesn't look ultra shiny and cheap.
Weatherby rifles were and are chastised by purests do to their shiny epoxy finish.
To them like me it makes them look cheap.
And it is, because it doesn't take the long period of oiling and rubbing several costs and weeks to get the beautiful finish and protection.
The same with rust blueing vs caustic salts bluing.
The stain poly does just that it is in the coating and it doesn't soak into the wood.
I didn't like the color because it reminded me of the cheap varnish they put on cheap Chinese SKS rifles that sold for 98.00 or less back some time ago.
Talk about junk.
Probably gasoline and tar mixed together.
Mine is a Russian new old stock military surplus.
World of difference.
The wood had pore sealer in it but the oil based stain went on really smooth with no streaks and darkened the wood just enough.
I like applying the tung oil with my hands because it's non toxic and the hand rubbed finish is very desirable to me.
It doesn't look ultra shiny and cheap.
Weatherby rifles were and are chastised by purests do to their shiny epoxy finish.
To them like me it makes them look cheap.
And it is, because it doesn't take the long period of oiling and rubbing several costs and weeks to get the beautiful finish and protection.
The same with rust blueing vs caustic salts bluing.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- bower
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
We didn't have tung oil back in the day but my buddy told me it was the best finish.
I've done some furniture with linseed oil and it is tedious to say the least, wiping it off and doing it over. But this is the way to get your great finishes.
I need to do some refinishing on the floor here, which was a pre-stained oak. I picked up something that is stain plus finish, quite some time ago, but haven't tried it. I guess matching up is doubtful for covering a bad patch but I'm undecided whether I really care or not... It's really worn in the kitchen and you can't keep it clean any more without a scrub brush, which is not a way to live. So I might not care if the patch doesn't match! As long as I can wipe it down.
I've done some furniture with linseed oil and it is tedious to say the least, wiping it off and doing it over. But this is the way to get your great finishes.
I need to do some refinishing on the floor here, which was a pre-stained oak. I picked up something that is stain plus finish, quite some time ago, but haven't tried it. I guess matching up is doubtful for covering a bad patch but I'm undecided whether I really care or not... It's really worn in the kitchen and you can't keep it clean any more without a scrub brush, which is not a way to live. So I might not care if the patch doesn't match! As long as I can wipe it down.
AgCan Zone 5a/USDA zone 4
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yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
temperate marine climate
yearly precip 61 inches/1550 mm
- worth1
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
@bower
The first written documents on the use of tung oil dates back about 2,500 years ago.
I first started using it for gun stock finishing about 30 years ago.
Was also using several different blends of oils to finish fine walnut gun stocks.
Blends include Japan dryer turpentine paint thinner naptha and various other chemicals.
I had no Internet at that time it was all from reading books and a laymans chemistry background on select subjects.
Japan or China dryer works the best.
Just keep on mind using these formulas can and will spontaneously combust and burn the house down if left in and on a rag.
Tung oil.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_oil
Oil drying agents.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_drying_agent
The first written documents on the use of tung oil dates back about 2,500 years ago.
I first started using it for gun stock finishing about 30 years ago.
Was also using several different blends of oils to finish fine walnut gun stocks.
Blends include Japan dryer turpentine paint thinner naptha and various other chemicals.
I had no Internet at that time it was all from reading books and a laymans chemistry background on select subjects.
Japan or China dryer works the best.
Just keep on mind using these formulas can and will spontaneously combust and burn the house down if left in and on a rag.
Tung oil.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_oil
Oil drying agents.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_drying_agent
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- worth1
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- Location: 25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas
Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
Not much to look at because of the glare but here it is.
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Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
about birds eye maple,
yea it used to be considered trash wood, but have you ever seen something made from
birds eye maple? it is a very nice, attractive grain of wood. it does command a premium
price now. some wood people think birds eye happens when trees grow very slowly for a
period of time. thats a theory at least. don't know what else has come up in recent years.
keith
yea it used to be considered trash wood, but have you ever seen something made from
birds eye maple? it is a very nice, attractive grain of wood. it does command a premium
price now. some wood people think birds eye happens when trees grow very slowly for a
period of time. thats a theory at least. don't know what else has come up in recent years.
keith
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
Yes I've seen a ton of stuff made with it.rxkeith wrote: ↑Fri Jan 31, 2025 7:35 pm about birds eye maple,
yea it used to be considered trash wood, but have you ever seen something made from
birds eye maple? it is a very nice, attractive grain of wood. it does command a premium
price now. some wood people think birds eye happens when trees grow very slowly for a
period of time. thats a theory at least. don't know what else has come up in recent years.
keith
It's very beautiful.
When you order a thousand board feet of hard maple you see all kinds of stuff.
The reason cabinet shops didn't use it is it sticks out like a sore thumb with regular maple.
I've always heard and seen it was dormant future growth sprouts like if you cut a limb a bunch more little limbs sprout out.
I have the guitar dry fitted and have been working on the neck and fret board polishing it
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Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- worth1
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- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
It's put together and the cheap strings are strung.
Everything went together without any fuss or mishap.
Exactly the right amount of parts with nothing left over.
It makes noise too.
I don't feel like messing with the headstock shape.
Everything went together without any fuss or mishap.
Exactly the right amount of parts with nothing left over.
It makes noise too.
I don't feel like messing with the headstock shape.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
- worth1
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- Joined: Tue Dec 10, 2019 12:32 pm
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Re: Worth's guitar build from kit.
I don't know if I got really lucky or there are a ton of people out there that don't have tool use skills.
I'm betting on the latter.
Because even people my age either can't, don't, or won't use tools properly.
They force stuff they don't line up stuff and they over tighten everything.
They use the wrong tools for the job and or use wore out tools.
They don't have any patience.
Well anyway everything lined up almost perfectly.
One thing is some people don't pay attention and get the neck on crooked.
Mine just fell in place with both E strings running parallel to the finger board with even spacing to the outside.
All the switches and knobs work as well.
I don't have the guitar fret level and neck checking tool but it's just a short and long straight edge one with notches cut out for the frets.
I can play every position on the fret board without any buzzing.
Again I guess I got lucky.
Things to do next.
Intonation on the strings.
This is done by way of moving the saddle up and down so there is equal distance on both ends of each string from the 12th fret up and 12th fret down.
It's done by sound.
After that the string height needs to be adjusted for the action.
Then the pickup coils need to be adjusted.
Lastly it needs good strings and tuned.
I have a good friend that is going to send me some surplus Seymour Duncan pickups to possibly replace the ones that came with it.
People replace the tuners for whatever reason the ones that came with it are just fine.
They complain about the backlash or some such rot.
They tune down and it won't stay there.
Years of working with machines common knowledge says adjust up not the other way because of backlash.
This way there is constant pressure on the load going to the machine tuner or adjustment on a lathe or milling machine.
If you spend the money on one of these kits and don't have the gumption to learn or the knowledge to do these things yourself you'll end up paying someone to do it for you.
I can't play a guitar I can only play at one.
But that doesn't mean you can't set one up and make fine adjustments if you understand the concept of the workings.
The cost of all this work done by a professional can get expensive.
They have to eat and pay bills too.
Side note stay away from junglezon genetic Chinese parts guitar kits.
I've seen too many reviews and videos about the quality and they aren't good.
Some don't even come with instructions.
Total weight is 6 pounds 13 ounces.
The average weight is 7 to 8 pounds with some coming in at 9.
I'm betting on the latter.
Because even people my age either can't, don't, or won't use tools properly.
They force stuff they don't line up stuff and they over tighten everything.
They use the wrong tools for the job and or use wore out tools.
They don't have any patience.
Well anyway everything lined up almost perfectly.
One thing is some people don't pay attention and get the neck on crooked.
Mine just fell in place with both E strings running parallel to the finger board with even spacing to the outside.
All the switches and knobs work as well.
I don't have the guitar fret level and neck checking tool but it's just a short and long straight edge one with notches cut out for the frets.
I can play every position on the fret board without any buzzing.
Again I guess I got lucky.
Things to do next.
Intonation on the strings.
This is done by way of moving the saddle up and down so there is equal distance on both ends of each string from the 12th fret up and 12th fret down.
It's done by sound.
After that the string height needs to be adjusted for the action.
Then the pickup coils need to be adjusted.
Lastly it needs good strings and tuned.
I have a good friend that is going to send me some surplus Seymour Duncan pickups to possibly replace the ones that came with it.
People replace the tuners for whatever reason the ones that came with it are just fine.
They complain about the backlash or some such rot.
They tune down and it won't stay there.
Years of working with machines common knowledge says adjust up not the other way because of backlash.
This way there is constant pressure on the load going to the machine tuner or adjustment on a lathe or milling machine.
If you spend the money on one of these kits and don't have the gumption to learn or the knowledge to do these things yourself you'll end up paying someone to do it for you.
I can't play a guitar I can only play at one.
But that doesn't mean you can't set one up and make fine adjustments if you understand the concept of the workings.
The cost of all this work done by a professional can get expensive.
They have to eat and pay bills too.
Side note stay away from junglezon genetic Chinese parts guitar kits.
I've seen too many reviews and videos about the quality and they aren't good.
Some don't even come with instructions.
Total weight is 6 pounds 13 ounces.
The average weight is 7 to 8 pounds with some coming in at 9.
Worth
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.
25 miles southeast of Waterloo Texas.
You can't argue with a closed mind.
You might as well be arguing with a cat.