Design Phase! Since this was an inlay project I designed everything as vector. Hard part was perfectly aligning everything.
Once all the pieces were set, glued and backfilled with epoxy I could begin sanding. I went nuts with epoxy and definitely went through a learning curve. My biggest mistake was attempting to use the epoxy as a grain filler which had to subsequently be sanded down again.
After getting back down to bare mahogany I set out to properly fill the grain using Aqua Coat WB grain filler for a silky smooth finish.
After several unsuccessful attempts to get a glass like surface using waterbased top coats I eventually settied on a hybrid coat with a laquer as the top layer. This should age and relic nicely!
Innovation is always great but this guitar was designed to sound like instruments of the early decades of rock and roll thanks to these awesome Seymour Duncan Seth Lover humbuckers.
All control cavitiies are shielded and we only use high quality pots and capacitors.
At this point I should be one happy builder but disaster struck. As I was hammering in the bridge posts, I accidentally marred the finish between the bridge pup and the bridge! Despite being barely noticeable, it devastates me to send the first build out blemished but I can only hope it adds historical value since this is the first guitar to leave the door.
Opted for D'Addario elliptical strap buttons for extra swagger.
Headstock is the only one that will leave with the "H". Before settling on Lit Guitars as a name I briefly considered following in the tradition of other famous guitar manufacturers who use the owner's last name but I changed my mind last minute. This will definitely be a rarity. Truss rod cover set with magnets for easy access.
I used a darker mahogany species for the backplate and did a digital hive inlay design. Plate is set with magnets for easy access and less wear and tear. As always, bottle opener is located on the back for staying hydrated when jamming or you like getting the crowd amped up with theatrics.
Gotoh magnums keeping everything tight up top! You will notice the light discoloration around the base of the neck and on a few other spots on the guitar. These are the remnants of the epoxy in the grain. By no means intended but it does give it a suttle reliced look.
Complete and ready for it's new owner!
Includes hard shell case with identifying placard on headstock end. I feel like this should be mandatory for guitar companies so we're making it a rule here!