Agile Lemon Drop Project is finished! New photos 5/27/11

[FrankenFretter]

I got this as a birthday present in March, and I almost sent it back due to the mismatched, poorly flamed top. After getting to know her for a while, I decided she was a keeper. I also decided to make this my first Scotchbrite project.

I got some work done today; I used my mouse sander to Scotchbrite the back and sides, installed a Switchcraft USA toggle and my Mullard Tropical Fish caps. I also installed pointers and reflector knobs (actually I installed the knobs a couple weeks ago). Here's how she looks now -

And the back...

It's coming along nicely. I just wish I had more time to work on my projects. I haven't decided for sure, but I think I'm going to install AL3K pickups after I swap the magnets for alnico 4s. At that point, I'll do the Scotchbriting on the front. More that likely, I'll put the pickguard back on after that's all done. I know, I know...but I like guards.

Hope you enjoy the guitar pr0n!

 

[NWBasser]

I'll say that while the pickups are a bit on the harsh side, the action and neck on that one are really nice. It has quite a good feel to it and the new pup's should really set it off.

 

[FrankenFretter]

I'll say that while the pickups are a bit on the harsh side, the action and neck on that one are really nice. It has quite a good feel to it and the new pup's should really set it off.

The pickups do seem a bit warmer with the new caps. Might be just wishful thinking, though.

 

[bcdon]

Very nice!

BTW, where did you order Switchcraft USA toggle switch? My Epi's switch cuts in and out and I'd
like to replace it.

 

[Tig]

Perfect!
Looks so good, it makes me hungry! I like the knobs you put on it. I'd be tempted to leave to pick guard off.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Very nice!

BTW, where did you order Switchcraft USA toggle switch? My Epi's switch cuts in and out and I'd
like to replace it.

I ordered it from a guy on the Agile forum who has a parts business. Those Switchcraft switches are not cheap, btw. I hope this one outlives me. For the price, it should.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Very nice!

BTW, where did you order Switchcraft USA toggle switch? My Epi's switch cuts in and out and I'd
like to replace it.

I ordered it from a guy on the Agile forum who has a parts business. Those Switchcraft switches are not cheap, btw. I hope this one outlives me. For the price, it should.

 

[Katastrophe]

NICE! That guitfiddle is crying out for some black or zebra 'buckers, IMHO. I still love the top on your guitar, especially in the sunlight... and the "poker chip" is awesome, too.

 

[Eric]

That's looking really nice.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Thanks, folks. I'm really anxious to get the top done, but it makes more sense to do it when I have my mind made up about pickups. I've been looking at Rose and BG pickups; you can get a set of handwound pickups for less than a set of Duncans. Right now I have a 2 x 12 cab on Craig's List, and if I can sell it I'll put that money toward pickups. I think...

 

[Eric]

Lots of stuff happening in the FF gear stable, huh? After you get things sorted out with your LPs and pickups, magnets, pots, caps, finishes, etc., you should do a summary. I can't really keep track of all of it.

BTW, what's the deal with the scotchbrite thing? It seems like it's a way to dull the finish slightly, and I'll admit the back of this does look nice in that 4th picture you have up, but what's the process? You just got a new AL-2000 where the guy didn't do it right, didn't you? Is there any way to save that? It looks like a pretty finish, but those scratches on it seem kind of obtrusive right now.

 

[FrankenFretter]

Lots of stuff happening in the FF gear stable, huh? After you get things sorted out with your LPs and pickups, magnets, pots, caps, finishes, etc., you should do a summary. I can't really keep track of all of it.

BTW, what's the deal with the scotchbrite thing? It seems like it's a way to dull the finish slightly, and I'll admit the back of this does look nice in that 4th picture you have up, but what's the process? You just got a new AL-2000 where the guy didn't do it right, didn't you? Is there any way to save that? It looks like a pretty finish, but those scratches on it seem kind of obtrusive right now.

Even I have trouble keeping track sometimes, Eric. I should do a summary just so I know what's where, and why.

The Scotchbrite thing is indeed a way to slightly dull the finish. The Agiles in particular seem to have a ton of clear poly on them, which can make them look a little "toylike" as some have described it. The first time I heard about people doing this to their beautiful guitars, I was appalled; then I saw the photos of the finished guitars and did a 180 on my opinion. I would say that it is a process that only lends itself to particular finishes and body types. Something about the arched top and the burst seems to be the right combination. I picked up a Black and Decker Mouse Sander a few weeks ago, and it's been the absolute perfect tool for this process. I did all the work on the guitar shown here with that sander, and the finished product is pretty impressive. The trick is to let the sander do all the work, and to be patient (not normally one of my traits).

The other guitar can be saved. I already started on the back, but due to the almost solid color, rather than grain showing, it isn't as pretty as the one in this thread. It doesn't look bad, just not as great. I think the top will look good on that one when I finish it. I still have some minor kinks to work out with the action, and I need to replace the nut, but I think in the end it will be decent. Of course I'll have a thread for that one when I finish as well.

 

[Eric]

Even I have trouble keeping track sometimes, Eric. I should do a summary just so I know what's where, and why.

The Scotchbrite thing is indeed a way to slightly dull the finish. The Agiles in particular seem to have a ton of clear poly on them, which can make them look a little "toylike" as some have described it. The first time I heard about people doing this to their beautiful guitars, I was appalled; then I saw the photos of the finished guitars and did a 180 on my opinion. I would say that it is a process that only lends itself to particular finishes and body types. Something about the arched top and the burst seems to be the right combination. I picked up a Black and Decker Mouse Sander a few weeks ago, and it's been the absolute perfect tool for this process. I did all the work on the guitar shown here with that sander, and the finished product is pretty impressive. The trick is to let the sander do all the work, and to be patient (not normally one of my traits).

The other guitar can be saved. I already started on the back, but due to the almost solid color, rather than grain showing, it isn't as pretty as the one in this thread. It doesn't look bad, just not as great. I think the top will look good on that one when I finish it. I still have some minor kinks to work out with the action, and I need to replace the nut, but I think in the end it will be decent. Of course I'll have a thread for that one when I finish as well.

Yeah, I'm still sort of in the appalled camp, so I'm very curious to see your results. What exactly is involved in the process? You just sand the entire thing with the rough side of a sponge and that's it? How did you manage to do that with a mouse sander?

 

[FrankenFretter]

Yeah, I'm still sort of in the appalled camp, so I'm very curious to see your results. What exactly is involved in the process? You just sand the entire thing with the rough side of a sponge and that's it? How did you manage to do that with a mouse sander?

Some do it that way, with the green side of a Scotchbrite sponge. I took the Mouse Sander and cut some Scotchbrite pads to fit it (not the sponges, but the green pads that are like 1/4" thick). As you run the pad over the glossy finish, it clouds up and produces some dust. I just did that a few times, wiping away the dust between sessions. Then I used a gray pad that came in the sander's "scrubbing" kit, which is like a Scotchbrite pad, but less abrasive than the green pads. After that, I used some scratch remover (you can use Scratch X or something similar) with another gray pad, working it in pretty good. After it dried, I wiped it off with a clean soft cloth, and used the "polishing" foam pad with the sander. The photos of the back show the results. It's not completely scratch-free, but you have to get really close and have the right angle of light to see them. It's a satin finish at that point, not completely un-shiny, but very low gloss. More of a subtle satin-like luster.

Hope that answers your question. There's tutorials out there, especially on the My Les Paul forum, but I just asked the guy that I thought got the best results. Pretty simple really, just a little time consuming.

I'm going to leave the front of the headstock alone, because I don't think it'd look right without the gloss. It's also a solid color, and those don't come out as nice as a semi-transparent finish.

 

[ZMAN]

If that is as "glossy:" as it gets in the sun, I would leave it. The back looks good so far, but that is a flat open surface. I think you will be into a lot of work for little gain on the front of the guitar. I had to do that to one of my collector cars. The first time I touched the sandpaper to the clear coat, I though Oh Oh if continue I am looking at a refinish, but as you said after the lesser degrees of grit and the polish it came up even better with more shine. But that is what I was going for.

 

[FrankenFretter]

If that is as "glossy:" as it gets in the sun, I would leave it. The back looks good so far, but that is a flat open surface. I think you will be into a lot of work for little gain on the front of the guitar. I had to do that to one of my collector cars. The first time I touched the sandpaper to the clear coat, I though Oh Oh if continue I am looking at a refinish, but as you said after the lesser degrees of grit and the polish it came up even better with more shine. But that is what I was going for.

The photos don't really impart the true nature of the glossiness of the front. It's quite glossy. From the photos, it sort of looks like there's not much difference between the front and back, when in reality there's a very noticeable difference. This shot below may give a better idea of the front:

 

[ZMAN]

It does look a little glossy but not bad. I find it amusing how I have seen threads about guys who bought the Gibson Faded Les pauls and they are buffing the heck out of them to make them shiny, and you are doing the exact opposite. I know the finish you are going for. The Vintage series of guitars have an Icon series lemon drop and it has that type of finish. It lookes aged. I do like the color of that guitar though. I see you have it in your Rondo Case. I am still in Maine and I have not had a chance to try my LP in mine.

 

[Jimi G]

FF, It looks awesome so far. Please keep us posted.

G

 

[FrankenFretter]

Thanks, Jimi. I did get the rest of the guitar done, as far as the Scotchbrite treatment. I decided not to do the front of the headstock, as it's gloss black and I don't think that would look good dulled. The tuners are off, and I have Kluson Keystone clones on the way. I also have my first set of hand wound custom pickups on the way for this (or at least they should be on the way soon. I'm a little concerned about that), some Sin PAF clones. I opted for the Alnico II set, since I love the sound of my Gibson 57s in my Tribute LP. I'll try to remember to take some updated photos tonight.

 

[FrankenFretter]

I just got the new pickups in the mail today (see this thread). The tuners and some different reflector knobs came on Monday, so I hope to get this all finished today. More photos to come upon completion!

Update: Pickups are in. I won't be able to play her tonight since I still need to finish mounting the new tuners, but here's some guitar pr0n for you anyway-

Almost done now. I just need to finish mounting the tuners, then string her up, top wrapping the tailpiece in the process. At that point, I do believe that I'll be finished with this one. I just hope she plays as nice as she looks!

 

[FrankenFretter]

Finally done!

I finally had a temporary break in the rain today, so I shot some outdoor photos. I still need to re-solder that neck pickup, and put the guard back on, but other than that this project is finished. I'm very happy with the bridge pickup, it sounds amazing. I expect that the neck will be just as nice. Without further ado, here it is in finished form-

This was a fun project, and my favorite so far. The guitar has a certain feel to it that I have a hard time explaining. It feels almost like an older guitar that's been around for years, and has been worn in by my own hands. Any Fretters ever in my neighborhood are invited to come and try it out.!

 

[Rockermann]

Man, I've been fighting the Agile LP urge... this thread is NOT helping at all. Great looking guitar!

 

[duhvoodooman]

Looks great! Nicely done, Sean! :AOK

 

[FrankenFretter]

Thanks, guys! I got the neck pickup situation straightened out last night. Turns out it wasn't a cold solder joint like I thought, it was the outer jacket (which is also the ground on these pickups) shorting out on the bridge volume pot. This is the first time I've ever had pickups with that vintage style wiring, so I wasn't really thinking about that when I put them in.

The guitar sounds great. The pickups have great clarity, and that great Alnico II tone rounding. They're not muddy at all, and they take gain exceptionally well without losing any of the character of the pickup. I'm very happy with this guitar. It's right up there in my top three.

 

[Duffy]

One thing about those maple necks on the AL 2000 is tha it will probably never break like the mahogany ones have been known to do after falls, etc. I think that can be a good thing especially for a guitar that is out of the case most of the time. Beautiful job. How is the tone? I played thru a club 40 the other day that was a very cool combo amp.

 

[FrankenFretter]

One thing about those maple necks on the AL 2000 is tha it will probably never break like the mahogany ones have been known to do after falls, etc. I think that can be a good thing especially for a guitar that is out of the case most of the time. Beautiful job. How is the tone? I played thru a club 40 the other day that was a very cool combo amp.

The tone is really amazing. One of my best sounding guitars, for sure. Thick and chunky, but also creamy and articulate. I'd dare to say that I'd put this up against most any Les Paul out there. I've put a total of less than $500 into this guitar (actually less than $300 considering the guitar itself was a gift), but I think it's easily the match of something costing four to six times that price. I love pie.

 

[marnold]

WRT the sanding would you be able to make the neck satin-y? That's been the big thing that's kept me from getting one of those--the glossy neck finish.

 

[FrankenFretter]

WRT the sanding would you be able to make the neck satin-y? That's been the big thing that's kept me from getting one of those--the glossy neck finish.

Like you, I prefer the satin neck, Rev. That's usually the first thing I do when I get a glossy neck guitar; break out the Scotchbrite pad and take the gloss down. That was also where I started on this one. Some guitars I've left alone, either out of respect for the finish, or because I don't want to ruin the resale value, but all my Agiles have the neck de=glossed. It's a five minute job, and well worth it.

 

[Eric]

That looks very nice, Sean. What's going on with your other Agiles?

 

[FrankenFretter]

That looks very nice, Sean. What's going on with your other Agiles?

They might be a tad lonely at the moment. I haven't forgotten about them, though. The CSB still needs to have another pickup swap, and the TSB needs some more work to get the action dialed in. This one though...she's special. This and my new Bender have pretty much eclipsed the others for the time being. Thanks, Eric!