Fretboard Extension
My wood of choice for the fretboard extension is chengal. It's a hardwood, close grained, and dark enough to adequately match the fretboard. As seen below, a chengal blank has been glued on, and then reshaped to blend in with the contours of the neck, fretboard and headstock.
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| Gluing on the Chengal Blank |
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| Fretboard Extension Reshaped |
Installing the extension has created a nut slot of a suitable length and width, but not depth. As it stands, the slot is a little too deep, literally "burying" most of the bone nut. And so, strips of blackwood have been carefully glued to the bottom of the slot to raise the nut.
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| Test-Fitting the Bone Nut |
Bridge Placement
Right, then. The fretboard extension is done. What's next? Oh, yes, fitting the bridge. There's a whole lotta measuring and marking to be done, for sure. Once the correct location of the bridge has been established, mounting holes can be drilled, and a test install carried out. Then the bridge can be uninstalled, pencil lines erased, and the body prepped for the next task, which is refinishing.
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| Bridge Location Finalized |
Refinishing
The RCE definitely needs some refinishing, as all that sanding has removed the original finish surrounding the wooden inserts. Liquid stains aren't achieving the desired results, so I've sanded the lot off and switched to super glue. Besides darkening the bare wood considerably, the super glue also acts as a hard and sandable filler. Finally, a couple coats of Minwax Antique Oil Finish have been applied for that hand-rubbed look.
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| Minwax Antique Oil Finish |
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| Refinished Body - Front View |
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| Refinished Body - Back View |
Electronics
And now, it's time to deal with the electronics. All components have been replaced and the humbuckers fitted with chrome covers, as per the owner's request. The control cavity has also been shielded with conductive shielding paint, and the back of the cover with copper foil.
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| Wiring Harness Completed |
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| Shielding and Electronics Installed |
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| Chrome Humbucker Covers |
Photo Shoot
Folks, it's been almost three months since I started working on this RCE. Work has been delayed numerous times due to the unpredictable weather. For example, a rainstorm means that I'll have to stop, pack up my tools, and quickly take the instrument I'm working on indoors. This is one of the downsides of not having a proper workshop. Weather notwithstanding, we've finally reached the finish line. The pictures below were taken early this morning, and I hope you like what you see.
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