OPMG Bolt+ Build

[OakParkMusicGuy]

What's in the box:

[OakParkMusicGuy]

I lightly sanded everything to 800 and put on the first coat of pure tung oil.

[OakParkMusicGuy]

I'm still wrestling with the thought of changing the wiring.
My plan was to replace the 5 way lever with a 3 way lever and add 2 coil tap switches and a phase switch. I have all the switches. If anyone has suggestions for switch placement / wiring diagrams that'd be great!

But where to put the switches for aesthetics, ergonomics, and space in the control cavity.
If anyone has suggestions for switch placement / wiring diagrams that'd be great!
I think I'll start with the included 5 way lever and see how that feels and sounds.

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Second coat of tung oil.

[PastorDave]

Glad you started a thread here, easier to follow than the Facebook one!
It also helps me to put the real names on facebook together with the screen names here.

[Coda]

Looking good Oakie! I like the idea of trying the default wiring first. You could add a push pull pot for the phase switching and accomplish almost everything that you would wth a 3 way and the mini switches, without additional drilling.

I don't know why there aren't more kit posts. These things are so awesome.

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Thanks guys!

With the wiring... Yeah, I'm definitely going to try the default first. Then perhaps add just the phase switch.

I've never bonded with push / pull pots.. And well I just like switches and how they look on Carvins. Push pull pots would eliminate drilling and keep a simple look.

I did the coil tap switch mod on an Epiphone Les Paul at work and I really liked it.

OPMG

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Glad you started a thread here, easier to follow than the Facebook one!
It also helps me to put the real names on facebook together with the screen names here.

Agreed! Especially since Kiesel / Carvin is such a great community.

[PastorDave]

I agree about the push pull, I have one on my SH60 but it's either both split or none. I like the mini switches better because you can get more combos plus much easier to flip a switch than pull a know on the fly playing live. May look like a lot of switches on my Bolt but I know what they do and it's just super easy to flip one when needed without having a big dead spot in you sound!

[OakParkMusicGuy]

I agree about the push pull, I have one on my SH60 but it's either both split or none. I like the mini switches better because you can get more combos plus much easier to flip a switch than pull a know on the fly playing live. May look like a lot of switches on my Bolt but I know what they do and it's just super easy to flip one when needed without having a big dead spot in you sound!

Exactly! My bass has the push / pull for active and passive which is for since it's rarely used but I'd still rather it be a switch

[ilyti]

That's some fine lookin ash and maple.

[OakParkMusicGuy]

That's some fine lookin ash and maple.

I agree!

Ok I let the second coat of tung oil dry for 24 hours.. Maybe 'dry' is a misnomer but at least set and air for 24 hours.

I've some different instructions about rubbing / sanding between applications. I didn't do anything between coats 1 & 2. So after the 24 hours of coat 2 I tried two spot with 3000 grit sandpaper and another with steel wool. I definitely liked the 3000 paper which at that grit is more polishing than sanding. But it left a great feel with no steel particles. After the 3000 polish I wiped everything off and am going to let it sit for a while longer before applying the third coat of tung oil.

It already looks awesome!

[PastorDave]

What kind of tung oil are you useing? Sounds like you're moving right along!

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Hope's 100% Pure Tung Oil.
I tried this one and Formby's Tung oil Finish on some sample wood and liked Hope's better.

I was going pretty quick. Slowing down now to let a more complete drying of the coat.

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Also need to get the right jack plate since they sent me the strat style one.

I think I'm going to try push pull pots after sampling the default wiring. I like switches better but I see myself doing something terrible with a drill.

[PastorDave]

I hear you, took me awhile before I could start drilling holes in my pick guard and cutting it for humbuckers. After that it got easy to sand more, reshape, rout out under the pick guard for weight relief. Always hard for that first mod but then your confidence gets built up and you just go for it!

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Ok I've let the second coat of tung oil sit for several days. Going to add the third coat today. Sanding / polishing with 1500 - 3000 grit paper does a nice job!

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Just applied the third coat. It's now starting to take on that 'finished' look.
I really like the pure tung oil rather than the mixed / diluted stuff. Yes, it takes way longer to dry and set but the feel is much nicer than my experiments with it on scrap.
Definitely like these gloves.

[PastorDave]

Looking good!

[OakParkMusicGuy]

Looking good!

Thank you! I'm pleased with it how it's going!