Would you recommend someone using an epoxy resin to fill in swamp ash if the builder was going to shoot a thin nitro finish? Does it reduce resonance?
@F1Fanatic I would specifically recommend Z-Poxy, yes. As far as resonance reduction, all I can say is that the guitar in this video is very resonant. Whether or not there’s a perceived reduction in resonance, I couldn’t tell ya; especially since this guitar hadn’t been painted previously. I try to stay away from the whole perception of resonance or “tone enhancing” or any of that incredibly subjective stuff. If it helps, Z-poxy is used by some acoustic builders.
@1993Revhead Nope, it's a Sully neck through Raven model, made from Spanish Cedar. You can see completed pictures of this guitar in the photogallery at sullyguitars.us
Gator turned me on to using CA glue as my pore filler. It works really well. But it's nasty! It's also kinda tough to sand, and the vapors can irritate eyes really bad. I have to wear a respirator while using it. It seems that what you're using there is no where near as bad. Does it sand easily?
@szlash280z Enjoy. Plan on 3 coats, and remember that it's intent is to be a thin veneer on the top; you don't sand it all the way back so that only the pores are filled.
@shelbyfanss Clear as in color? No, it adds a very slight amber tint to it. IMO, it looks nice. I guess you could use the zpoxy as a finish, considering there are people that use CA glues as the final finish. Never tried it, tho.
@jsullysix Clear was a poor choice of words on my part, I was just wondering if it had like a milky tint to it, or if perfectly transparent. An amber tint might be nice though!
@twinsmm1 if you must. I have to admit that if you're wanting to accomplish an old school Gibson appearance, I'm not the authority on that sort of thing.
i have a question!! =-] okay so i have a les paul that i am building and it is a neck through... the neck is made up of mahogany purple heart and zebrawood in strips. how should i go about grain filling that because i would imagine purple heart shouldnt be filled. also what would be ur suggestion for staining or should i just clear coat all of the wood?
@eXkillswitch11 Why not oil that part and clear the body? Nice oiled neck would be killer. Then again, you'll still need to fill the laminated part of the body. Not sure on the purpleheart, but I'd use z-poxy for it, for sure.
@jsullysix okay. thx!!! so you think i should oil the neck... that sounds like a good plan because i did that to my les paul studio aha... inspired by you! So should i tape over the purple heart and zebra wood when i grain fill the mahogany? and zpozy the purple heart?
@clausonmichael Depends. Are you sanding it down to wood? If so, what kind of wood? If it's alder or poplar, then no. Just seal it, prime it, etc. If it's ash, mahogany, then yes. Google "reranch" and read their refinishing 101 for more detailed info.
@gibsonlespaul915 Not effectively, although it's common to put a sealer coat down, then grain fill. I wanted to try the z-poxy straight on the bare wood.
@theholidayzombie I'm really not able to take on others projects right now. Mike Learn would be a great person to do the job for you. Google him and you'll find his site. He's a great guy and does excellent work.
@theholidayzombie That body shape is very off limits in Sullyville. It's so ingrained to Jackson (for obvious reasons), that anything else would look like a knockoff. And that's not something that I want to get into.
@TheAlexkru there's a custom quote form on my website. I can't put a url in the comments, but if you google "sully guitars" the new site is the 4th option (right under the videos). Or you can type in sullyguitars and then maybe a dot and then maybe "us" and it should take you there.
Ibanez makes a certain series of their soundgear basses in mahogany but they dont grain fill it and it pisses me off so badly because its so ugly and gross. It makes me want to yell at them till theyre blue in the face. Thank you for upholding grain filling practices
@goodyear2602 So far, the biggest difference I've noticed is taste. :) Har har. Seriously though, it seems a bit thinner, which is nice, and it supposedly sands much easier, which is REALLY nice! As far as the taste of Spanish Cedar, i'll trust you on that - I'm masked up for that portion. From what I've read about it, that stuff can be REALLY harmful if you're breathing the dust in.
@jsullysix +1 Z-Poxy is just a brand name, and for grain filling thinner is better! Do Z-Poxy make a specific thinner product for their epoxies, or is it in "the sweet spot" of thickness for filling? I hate the sanding part of grain filling more than the application part, so I've always stuck with water based. I hate sanding!! Oh, I said that.
I love seeing stuff getting build from scratch.Some might find this boring but i don't.Even if it's filling the grains with z-poxy,i really enjoyed watching it.
Hey, I am building a guitar. I have the body cut and sanded for the most part, it looks like a BC RICH with downsyndrome right now - still needs work. Anyways I dont want a scratchplate on it and it will need a battery box. I need two knobs, and a 3 way selector. How big should I make the holes in the back before I order the parts. Also is there a big difference between active and passive pickups?
sorry to ask so many questions at once hope it's not a pain
@darekiscool1994 My own opinion is that Active pickups are LOUD! also, they usually dont require an earth strap, but they do require a battery (or three - you can run them up to about 27volts, or with 3 x 9v batteries, but if you dont know what they are like, dont do that until youve installed at least one set). You will need different pots for actives as well. I advise you check out guitarheads (google it!) for their "cheap" active pickups ($44 each). I use them and they are great!
@darekiscool1994 not really , Active produce less hum and like the other guy said they require batteries , the ideal number is 1 or 2 nine volt batteries... 2 gives you more clarity and stuff like say Seymour Duncan Blackouts instead of EMGs ,, theres lots of pros and cons.
with the guitar build I suggest using copper shielding (its a special tape) as it will cut down on hum and of course putting metal covers over the pickups will save you lots of money and make passives sound active.
@darekiscool1994 Re: hole size. Do you mean what size drill bit to use for the actual volume knobs? 3/8". Or are you asking about control cavity size? If you're asking about that, I'd say draw it out on the body and go from there. As far as active pickups go, They're usually quieter than passives, which is nice, but the ones I've heard (EMG) definitely have their own sound to them. IMO, they tend to homogenize the guitar's natural tone. Some love them, some don't. I don't.
@jsullysix No no Im asking like how does the basic carpentry work? Im using a floyd rose bridge so I need the back part. like do I need to drill a hole for wires? Im not using a scratchplate.
Heres another thing, I like humbucker sound, but the tone is kind of thick. Im looking for a tone that's similar to Synyster Gates, but slightly more distorted like Kirk Hammet. Any suggestions? Some pickups in the shop are labled "Distortion Pickups" are these more distorted then regulars?
@darekiscool1994 Before you go much further, I'd recommend seeking out books about electric guitar construction so that you can learn about what you need to do. There are a bunch that you can get on Amazon, just search for "electric guitar building" and you'll be good.
@jsullysix Also should I (in between two humbuckers) add a single coil? I kind of like the way they scream at times. I also am wondering if tone pots would make a difference for that.
I also would like an idea on how to insert the pickups
@darekiscool1994 Can I suggest something? Go buy a book called "Build your own Electric Guitar" by Melvyn Hiscock. you can order it on Amazon, and it is pretty much the bible of guitar building. It will explain things like Tonewood, pickups, tone pots, wiring, tremlo systems, floating tremlos and how to start building guitars. Then, buy some cheap or broken guitars, take them apart, put them back together - best way to learn all this stuff... AND you get lots of cheap bits too!
@Digideus Well I already have some experience in building strats/squiers. Just not in any kind of guitar without a pickguard. I did a crap soldering job though on the other two guitars, so Im just starting from scratch. But thanks for the suggestion on the book :) I will look into that. I'll also put up a vid eventually of how it all turned out.
@jsullysix been there... done that... got the t-shirt! :) It also helps that I know Doug from Blackmachine Guitars. He got me into the fine art of luthier-ing when he built me my first Randy V back in 94. one day, I might even finish one! hehe
Would you recommend someone using an epoxy resin to fill in swamp ash if the builder was going to shoot a thin nitro finish? Does it reduce resonance?
F1Fanatic 4 weeks ago
@F1Fanatic I would specifically recommend Z-Poxy, yes. As far as resonance reduction, all I can say is that the guitar in this video is very resonant. Whether or not there’s a perceived reduction in resonance, I couldn’t tell ya; especially since this guitar hadn’t been painted previously. I try to stay away from the whole perception of resonance or “tone enhancing” or any of that incredibly subjective stuff. If it helps, Z-poxy is used by some acoustic builders.
jsullysix 4 weeks ago
Is that a gibson firebird?
1993Revhead 1 month ago
@1993Revhead Nope, it's a Sully neck through Raven model, made from Spanish Cedar. You can see completed pictures of this guitar in the photogallery at sullyguitars.us
jsullysix 1 month ago
Gator turned me on to using CA glue as my pore filler. It works really well. But it's nasty! It's also kinda tough to sand, and the vapors can irritate eyes really bad. I have to wear a respirator while using it. It seems that what you're using there is no where near as bad. Does it sand easily?
szlash280z 3 months ago
@szlash280z VERY easily. I did CA on the pink Jr style, and I much prefer the Z-poxy. Sands way easier, too.
jsullysix 3 months ago
@jsullysix Nice! thanks! I'm going to get some and try it out on the Ash Explorer i'm building!
szlash280z 3 months ago
@szlash280z Enjoy. Plan on 3 coats, and remember that it's intent is to be a thin veneer on the top; you don't sand it all the way back so that only the pores are filled.
jsullysix 3 months ago
dude love the tat of ace frehley
kissarmyforever100 4 months ago
Is the Z Poxy clear? I mean, can you just wetsand and polish the Z Poxy and call it a day?
shelbyfanss 5 months ago
@shelbyfanss Clear as in color? No, it adds a very slight amber tint to it. IMO, it looks nice. I guess you could use the zpoxy as a finish, considering there are people that use CA glues as the final finish. Never tried it, tho.
jsullysix 5 months ago
@jsullysix Clear was a poor choice of words on my part, I was just wondering if it had like a milky tint to it, or if perfectly transparent. An amber tint might be nice though!
shelbyfanss 5 months ago
so... colorize (dye/stain) before the z poxy?
twinsmm1 5 months ago
@twinsmm1 if you must. I have to admit that if you're wanting to accomplish an old school Gibson appearance, I'm not the authority on that sort of thing.
jsullysix 5 months ago
i have a question!! =-] okay so i have a les paul that i am building and it is a neck through... the neck is made up of mahogany purple heart and zebrawood in strips. how should i go about grain filling that because i would imagine purple heart shouldnt be filled. also what would be ur suggestion for staining or should i just clear coat all of the wood?
eXkillswitch11 6 months ago
@eXkillswitch11 Why not oil that part and clear the body? Nice oiled neck would be killer. Then again, you'll still need to fill the laminated part of the body. Not sure on the purpleheart, but I'd use z-poxy for it, for sure.
jsullysix 6 months ago
@jsullysix okay. thx!!! so you think i should oil the neck... that sounds like a good plan because i did that to my les paul studio aha... inspired by you! So should i tape over the purple heart and zebra wood when i grain fill the mahogany? and zpozy the purple heart?
eXkillswitch11 6 months ago
@eXkillswitch11 Just an idea on the oiling, but I'm sure it'd feel nice. Don't tape over anything; just zpoxy the whole thing.
jsullysix 6 months ago
Awesome video, brah! What do you think I should use to grain-fill mahogany if I want no stain and a satin finish? -Johnny Humbucker
Johnnyhumbkr 7 months ago
@Johnnyhumbkr z-poxy. :)
jsullysix 7 months ago
@jsullysix/ So that's one part resin, one part, hardner, and one bottle of Corona, right?
Just subscribed, great videos, by the by.
panhead1219 7 months ago
@panhead1219 Works for me! :)
jsullysix 7 months ago
Curious though... can I substitute the Corona for a Samual Smiths Famouse Taddy instead? (look it up!)
I was just introduced to this rather amazing drink by my local booze monger, and I tell ya.. It's a full meal AND desert at the same time!
Also, I found this out by getting careless, if you spill a little on yer unfinished curley maple fingerboard , it stains it just wonderfully! :)
So that's what I'm gonna use instead of fret markers or inlays!
(A 3rd use! :)
Then clear!
Bottoms up!
panhead1219 7 months ago
@panhead1219 that cracked me up. Kudos to you, sir!
jsullysix 6 months ago
Im trying to repaint my strat. after sanding it down do i need to use a grain filler or primer on it before painting it cream?
clausonmichael 8 months ago
@clausonmichael Depends. Are you sanding it down to wood? If so, what kind of wood? If it's alder or poplar, then no. Just seal it, prime it, etc. If it's ash, mahogany, then yes. Google "reranch" and read their refinishing 101 for more detailed info.
jsullysix 8 months ago
Using this Z-poxy, is this for a Poly finish on the Guitar? Would a nitro finish go over this OK as well?
iatemine 9 months ago
@iatemine Sure, you can shoot nitro over it.
jsullysix 9 months ago
@jsullysix thanks man :D
theholidayzombie 9 months ago
can i use sanding sealer to fill grain??
gibsonlespaul915 10 months ago
@gibsonlespaul915 Not effectively, although it's common to put a sealer coat down, then grain fill. I wanted to try the z-poxy straight on the bare wood.
jsullysix 10 months ago
*already, and its made by Jackson. could you paint it?
theholidayzombie 10 months ago
@theholidayzombie I'm really not able to take on others projects right now. Mike Learn would be a great person to do the job for you. Google him and you'll find his site. He's a great guy and does excellent work.
jsullysix 10 months ago
but i have a v alread
theholidayzombie 10 months ago
@jsullysix i respect you for that :)
theholidayzombie 10 months ago
how much would you charge for a rhoads v?
theholidayzombie 10 months ago
@theholidayzombie That body shape is very off limits in Sullyville. It's so ingrained to Jackson (for obvious reasons), that anything else would look like a knockoff. And that's not something that I want to get into.
jsullysix 10 months ago
Sully, how much would it cost for you to build me a raven out of solid maple w/ a rosewood fretboard?
TheAlexkru 10 months ago
@TheAlexkru there's a custom quote form on my website. I can't put a url in the comments, but if you google "sully guitars" the new site is the 4th option (right under the videos). Or you can type in sullyguitars and then maybe a dot and then maybe "us" and it should take you there.
jsullysix 10 months ago
Ibanez makes a certain series of their soundgear basses in mahogany but they dont grain fill it and it pisses me off so badly because its so ugly and gross. It makes me want to yell at them till theyre blue in the face. Thank you for upholding grain filling practices
NapoleanXV 10 months ago
@NapoleanXV it's a way to cut corners.
jsullysix 10 months ago
can you explain the difference between z-poxy and epoxy? is it thinner/can be worked with longer?
thanks, and congrats to the discovery of spanish cedar. tastes like hell but smells wonderful ;)
goodyear2602 10 months ago
@goodyear2602 So far, the biggest difference I've noticed is taste. :) Har har. Seriously though, it seems a bit thinner, which is nice, and it supposedly sands much easier, which is REALLY nice! As far as the taste of Spanish Cedar, i'll trust you on that - I'm masked up for that portion. From what I've read about it, that stuff can be REALLY harmful if you're breathing the dust in.
jsullysix 10 months ago
@jsullysix +1 Z-Poxy is just a brand name, and for grain filling thinner is better! Do Z-Poxy make a specific thinner product for their epoxies, or is it in "the sweet spot" of thickness for filling? I hate the sanding part of grain filling more than the application part, so I've always stuck with water based. I hate sanding!! Oh, I said that.
Prostheta 10 months ago
@Prostheta Seems to be a good thickness for filling. I'll report back on the ease of sanding.
jsullysix 10 months ago
I love seeing stuff getting build from scratch.Some might find this boring but i don't.Even if it's filling the grains with z-poxy,i really enjoyed watching it.
pulse0000 10 months ago
4:46 - Sully takes a swig from a bottle, then remembers its Z-poxy in the bottle!!!! NNNOOOOOoooooo
Digideus 10 months ago
@Digideus oops! I thought that tasted funny!
jsullysix 10 months ago
I love watching your videos, informative, but fun.
Sitheplayer 10 months ago
@Sitheplayer Thanks!
jsullysix 10 months ago
awesome man your amazing. Liked and Favorited.
FireboltAce 10 months ago
your son at the end?
MrJDinop 10 months ago
Hey, I am building a guitar. I have the body cut and sanded for the most part, it looks like a BC RICH with downsyndrome right now - still needs work. Anyways I dont want a scratchplate on it and it will need a battery box. I need two knobs, and a 3 way selector. How big should I make the holes in the back before I order the parts. Also is there a big difference between active and passive pickups?
sorry to ask so many questions at once hope it's not a pain
- Darek
darekiscool1994 10 months ago
@darekiscool1994 My own opinion is that Active pickups are LOUD! also, they usually dont require an earth strap, but they do require a battery (or three - you can run them up to about 27volts, or with 3 x 9v batteries, but if you dont know what they are like, dont do that until youve installed at least one set). You will need different pots for actives as well. I advise you check out guitarheads (google it!) for their "cheap" active pickups ($44 each). I use them and they are great!
Digideus 10 months ago
@Digideus Thanks dude - but Im a cheapskate so since they dont make too much a difference Im gunna go with passives.
darekiscool1994 10 months ago
@darekiscool1994 not really , Active produce less hum and like the other guy said they require batteries , the ideal number is 1 or 2 nine volt batteries... 2 gives you more clarity and stuff like say Seymour Duncan Blackouts instead of EMGs ,, theres lots of pros and cons.
with the guitar build I suggest using copper shielding (its a special tape) as it will cut down on hum and of course putting metal covers over the pickups will save you lots of money and make passives sound active.
JYZProductions 10 months ago
@darekiscool1994 Re: hole size. Do you mean what size drill bit to use for the actual volume knobs? 3/8". Or are you asking about control cavity size? If you're asking about that, I'd say draw it out on the body and go from there. As far as active pickups go, They're usually quieter than passives, which is nice, but the ones I've heard (EMG) definitely have their own sound to them. IMO, they tend to homogenize the guitar's natural tone. Some love them, some don't. I don't.
jsullysix 10 months ago
@jsullysix No no Im asking like how does the basic carpentry work? Im using a floyd rose bridge so I need the back part. like do I need to drill a hole for wires? Im not using a scratchplate.
Heres another thing, I like humbucker sound, but the tone is kind of thick. Im looking for a tone that's similar to Synyster Gates, but slightly more distorted like Kirk Hammet. Any suggestions? Some pickups in the shop are labled "Distortion Pickups" are these more distorted then regulars?
darekiscool1994 10 months ago
@darekiscool1994 Before you go much further, I'd recommend seeking out books about electric guitar construction so that you can learn about what you need to do. There are a bunch that you can get on Amazon, just search for "electric guitar building" and you'll be good.
jsullysix 10 months ago
@jsullysix Also should I (in between two humbuckers) add a single coil? I kind of like the way they scream at times. I also am wondering if tone pots would make a difference for that.
I also would like an idea on how to insert the pickups
thanks man :)
darekiscool1994 10 months ago
@darekiscool1994 Can I suggest something? Go buy a book called "Build your own Electric Guitar" by Melvyn Hiscock. you can order it on Amazon, and it is pretty much the bible of guitar building. It will explain things like Tonewood, pickups, tone pots, wiring, tremlo systems, floating tremlos and how to start building guitars. Then, buy some cheap or broken guitars, take them apart, put them back together - best way to learn all this stuff... AND you get lots of cheap bits too!
Digideus 10 months ago
@Digideus Well I already have some experience in building strats/squiers. Just not in any kind of guitar without a pickguard. I did a crap soldering job though on the other two guitars, so Im just starting from scratch. But thanks for the suggestion on the book :) I will look into that. I'll also put up a vid eventually of how it all turned out.
darekiscool1994 10 months ago
@Digideus looks like you've summed it up more detailed than I!.
jsullysix 10 months ago
@jsullysix been there... done that... got the t-shirt! :) It also helps that I know Doug from Blackmachine Guitars. He got me into the fine art of luthier-ing when he built me my first Randy V back in 94. one day, I might even finish one! hehe
Digideus 10 months ago
NOOOOO..... i got this message "an error occurred. please try again later."
damn it!!!!!!!!!!!
paintballkiller54 10 months ago 2
@paintballkiller54 ...refresh?
jsullysix 10 months ago 12
@jsullysix im still getting it...... maybe youtube is having problems?
paintballkiller54 10 months ago
@jsullysix never mind, its working now!
paintballkiller54 10 months ago
dude
good to see you back !!!
davey4557 10 months ago
second view, first comment! And the magic ingredient for grain filling is... Corona!
robfilmer 10 months ago
second view, first comment!
robfilmer 10 months ago