Name:
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

I have been a Los Angeles City firefighter for 20 years. I work in the Glassell Park section of Los Angeles. In 1985-1986 I worked for Charvel/Jackson in Glendora, California. It was a great experience, regardless of it being just a $5.00 an hour job. I worked in the wood shop and did the inlaying and fretting. I did get to see Neal Schon, from Journey, in one of his videos use a guitar I worked on and fretted. That was over 23 years ago. I was watching MTV with my cousin when I saw the guitar. I said, "Jim, look, I made that guitar." "And how much did they pay you...?" he asked. "Five dollar an hour" I told him. "Five dollars?...that's it?" Then he changed the channel. Making only $5.00 per hour puts things into perspective. But it still was fun. Now, it's just simple tools and equipment. It ain't perfect, but it is fun.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Finish sanding is a pain in the ass.

I allowed a long time for drying, while I worked on The Fangyotee guitar. All was set to go. I was sanding with 1000 grit as recommended. But there were deep grooves from the foam brushes. What I mean is, everything was smooth except for a small groove where the brush had left an indentation. It did not settle in the groove like I hoped. So, in order to smooth out the guitar, I had to remove too much finish to level it out to the level of the groove. I sanded with 600 to cut through faster, but that was just making it worse. I was taking way too much finish off. I decide to apply more finish with a fine hair brush. I mean I loaded up on the brush. I need this finish thick, in order to not have sand-thrus. Live and learn. Without a proper spray set up, brushing with fast drying finish is a lot of work. Tru-Oil is looking real good right now. I can't believe I am off to England again and this thing is still not done. Once I am done with these several guitars being repaired, altered and refinished, I will only make one per year. This is really getting old. I need a break.

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