gilmourd
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by gilmourd on Mar 25, 2023 2:47:48 GMT
So, I've been hemming and hawing over buying the CST-24 kit, but a couple things keep popping into my head.
What's the neck shape like? I tend to prefer necks on the chunkier end but a thinner neck is alright if it's shaped right. For instance, I love the neck on my MIC Squier Classic Vibe '60s Strat, which is definitely thinner than my Fender Road Worn Vintera '60s Strat.
How does the back of the body take stain or tinting? I was figuring I'd do a solid color on the top (probably metallic or sparkle) but would like to darken the back (like how a goldtop Les Paul has a brown or cherry red back).
How smooth is the sealer on the top? I'd like to try to get the top, at least, done up with a good glossy(ish?) finish.
Thanks in advance!
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gilmourd
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by gilmourd on Mar 30, 2023 1:41:27 GMT
Well, I ordered it... 😂
Let's see how it goes!
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Mar 30, 2023 7:28:22 GMT
I got a cst24 kit a couple of years ago (not completed yet, work got in the way). Regarding the sealer it's quite thick, I've sanded mine to take solid colour all over. If you want to stain the back you will have to strip all the sealer off, a time consuming job to do properly. To take a solid colour depending on your guitar you may need to apply some grain filler but that really does depend on the quality of each individual kit and the finish you want. I plan a metallic/sparkle finish and TBH by the time it's had a couple of coats of colour and a few coats of clear poly, I'm pretty confident I can get a nice professional looking finish. But I did spend a lot of time on sanding using several grits. Hope this is of help.
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gilmourd
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by gilmourd on Mar 30, 2023 13:33:46 GMT
I got a cst24 kit a couple of years ago (not completed yet, work got in the way). Regarding the sealer it's quite thick, I've sanded mine to take solid colour all over. If you want to stain the back you will have to strip all the sealer off, a time consuming job to do properly. To take a solid colour depending on your guitar you may need to apply some grain filler but that really does depend on the quality of each individual kit and the finish you want. I plan a metallic/sparkle finish and TBH by the time it's had a couple of coats of colour and a few coats of clear poly, I'm pretty confident I can get a nice professional looking finish. But I did spend a lot of time on sanding using several grits. Hope this is of help. The kit showed up yesterday and is looking pretty nice. The back is actually darker than I was expecting so I don't think I'll be worrying about staining it. It's not perfectly smooth around the carve of the top so I'll make sure I get the primer coat smoothed out before putting color on it. I'm thinking blue sparkle would look nice. Just gotta find the right paint. I don't want it to be subtle. I already have some WD 550K (yes, 550K) pots, a Switchcraft switch, and a Switchcraft jack. I've got an Electrosocket that seems to fit in the hole drilled for the output jack. I put Schaller-style StrapLok buttons on everything I own so, worse comes to worse, I just swap straps with ease. The only things I'm wondering are if I should put a push-pull switch for coil-tapping and which pickups I should go with. The included pickups may not be terrible, but I'm not sure. LOL I have a DiMarzio Air Zone and a DiMarzio Titan bridge, but I'm not sure if either of those are the vibe I'm going for. I might go with the stock pickups just to put it together and get a feel for the guitar and swap something else in later.
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advb
Harley Benton Expert
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Post by advb on Feb 21, 2024 11:45:31 GMT
I got a cst24 kit a couple of years ago (not completed yet, work got in the way). Regarding the sealer it's quite thick, I've sanded mine to take solid colour all over. If you want to stain the back you will have to strip all the sealer off, a time consuming job to do properly. To take a solid colour depending on your guitar you may need to apply some grain filler but that really does depend on the quality of each individual kit and the finish you want. I plan a metallic/sparkle finish and TBH by the time it's had a couple of coats of colour and a few coats of clear poly, I'm pretty confident I can get a nice professional looking finish. But I did spend a lot of time on sanding using several grits. Hope this is of help. Did work ever ease up and let you finish it blindwilly3fingers?
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frank432
Harley Benton Club Junior Member
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Post by frank432 on Feb 21, 2024 19:22:20 GMT
Well, I ordered it... 😂 Let's see how it goes!
Ah ah ah ! That the spirit! Good luck, you'll love it. I was thinking of getting a kit too, probably I would go for the Tele.
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Post by blindwilly3fingers on Feb 28, 2024 14:12:07 GMT
Well advb I supposedly retired last year but it didn't quite work out like that 🫣 hopefully I will get to complete it in the summer. It's basically needs to have the Finnish applied, fretwork, hardware are all prepped. Just need the rite weather/temperature to Finnish it. I have a couple of other self builds that are at various stages but have basically been put on the back burner. I will get them done 😉
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