If you've been investing any time recently looking at an sg jr guitar kit , you most likely already know that there is certainly something extremely cool about the guitar with just one pickup. It's that "less is definitely more" philosophy which has made the SG Junior a staple in rock background. You aren't distracted by toggle switches or complicated cabling diagrams; it's just you, a piece of mahogany, plus a single P90 screaming through an amp.
Building one of these brilliant kits is usually one of the particular most rewarding projects a guitarist can take on. Whether you're a seasoned professional or someone who's never held the soldering iron, the particular simplicity from the Junior design can make it a perfect entry stage in to the world associated with lutherie. It's a project that makes you to focus on the basics: the feel of the wood, the quality of the particular fretwork, as well as the raw output of the electronics.
Why the Junior could be the Best Project
Many people gravitate toward the SG form because of the iconic double-cutaway look, but the Junior version specifically has a cult following for any reason. When you buy an sg jr guitar kit , you're stripping away the fluff. A person don't have to worry about controlling two pickups or even determining a four-knob control layout. It's a straight chance from your strings in order to the jack.
There's also the particular practical side. Because the design is really straightforward, there are fewer things that will can go incorrect during the assembly. For a first-timer, this is a huge relief. You can save money of your time focusing upon the finish and the particular setup rather than fine-tuning a complex electronics cavity. Plus, let's be honest—it just looks tough. There's something rebellious about a guitar that will says, "I merely have one sound, and it's going in order to be loud. "
What to Expect Inside the particular Box
Whenever your sg jr guitar kit finally arrives upon your doorstep, the first thing you'll likely see is the wooden. Most decent products will use mahogany for both the body and the throat. Mahogany is the traditional choice with regard to SGs due to the comfortable, resonant properties. It's a relatively smooth wood, which can make it simple to sand, but you'll want to be cautious not to ding this up before you've even started.
You'll also discover the neck, which the case of an SG, will be usually a "set-neck" design. This means it's meant to be fixed in rather than attached on. This is where points get a bit more serious than your typical T-style or S-style kit. Gluing the neck requires precision and a little bit of persistence, but it's exactly what gives the SG its legendary sustain.
After that there's the equipment. Most kits come with a "dogear" P90 pick-up, a wraparound bridge, a few containers, and a few tuners. Whilst the stock equipment in these sets is usually functional, many builders notice the kit since a foundation. They may swap out the tuners for something more stable or even grab a high-end boutique P90 in order to really associated with guitar sing.
Preparing the Wood plus Sanding
We can't stress this enough: your finish is only just like your sanding job. When you take the pieces out there of the box, they may look clean, but they're almost certainly not ready for paint or even oil yet. You'll want to start with a moderate grit and function your way up to and including very fine grit.
Mainly because mahogany is a good open-grain wood, you have a choice to make. When you want that will glass-smooth, professional look, you're going in order to need to work with a grain filler. This particular fills in the tiny pores associated with the wood therefore that your finish sits flat on top. However, several people love the particular "open pore" look, which feels a bit more natural and raw. It's your guitar, so you get to choose how it seems in your hands.
The Scary Part: Gluing the Neck
In case you've never constructed a set-neck guitar before, the idea of slathering stuff on your sg jr guitar kit and clamping it together might feel a bit intimidating. Don't sweat it too significantly, though. The important thing right here is a dry fit.
Before you decide to even touch the glue container, put the neck directly into the pocket and check the position. You want in order to make sure it's straight and that will the angle appears right. Use a long straightedge to make sure this aligns with the particular bridge position. Once you're confident that will everything is rectangular, then you utilize the wood stuff. Use good clamps and give this a minimum of 24 hrs to cure. There's no rushing this particular part—if the neck of the guitar isn't stable, the particular guitar will not remain in tune.
Choosing Your Finish off
This is usually where the character of your sg jr guitar kit really happens. The classic look is, of program, Heritage Cherry or even the famous "TV Yellow. " TV Yellow is a bit associated with a challenge since it's a clear mustard-type color which allows a bit associated with the grain in order to peek through.
If you're working in a garage or the small apartment, a person might want in order to skip the large nitrocellulose lacquers plus opt for a wipe-on oil finish like Tru-Oil. It's extremely simple to apply, it's much safer to breathe, plus it gives the wood an attractive, satin feel that will doesn't feel sticky when your hands obtain sweaty. Plus, it's quite simple to repair if you ever scratch the guitar down the road.
Wiring In the P90
Wiring an sg jr guitar kit is about as easy as it gets in the guitar entire world. You have one particular pickup, one volume pot, and one particular tone pot. Even if you've never soldered before, a person can find the million diagrams on the internet that will teach you exactly where every wire goes.
The P90 is an unique beast. It's a single-coil pickup, but it's much beefier than what you'd find on the Strat. It's got a mid-range growl that's ideal for classic rock and roll and punk. When you find that will the kit's included pickup is too noisy or slim, this is the easiest part of the guitar to upgrade later. The high-quality P90 can turn a budget kit right into a professional-sounding device overnight.
The Importance of the Nut and Fretwork
A great deal of kit contractors get the guitar painted and put together, plug this in, and then feel disappointed since it doesn't enjoy well. Usually, the culprit isn't the wood or the particular pickup—it's the nut as well as the frets.
Kits usually come with a plastic enthusiast that's cut the bit too higher. Filing these slots down to the particular right depth can make a world associated with difference in exactly how easy the guitar is to play in the first few frets. Similarly, having the time in order to level and polish the frets will get rid of all those annoying buzzes plus "dead notes. " It requires a several extra hours associated with work, but it's the difference among a "project" plus a "guitar. "
Final Setup plus Intonation
The particular SG Junior typically uses a wraparound bridge. These are usually great because they are easy and offer a large amount of resonance, but they can be tricky with regard to intonation. Since a person don't normally have individual saddles for each string, you have in order to look for a sweet spot where the whole connection sits at the right angle.
Once you've got your strings on, allow the guitar settle for a couple days. The neck is usually under a great deal of tension today, and it might need a slight realignment from the truss pole. Don't be afraid of the truss rod—just move it in small increments (maybe an one fourth turn at the time) and find out exactly how the neck responds.
The Greatest Part: Plugging Within
There is absolutely no feeling quite like hitting that first strength chord on a guitar you constructed yourself. When you finish your sg jr guitar kit , you aren't just holding a musical instrument; you're holding something that a person know inside and out. You know every grain associated with the wood, every single solder joint, plus every turn from the tuners.
The particular SG Junior is a "no excuses" type of guitar. It doesn't give you a bunch of choices to hide in back of. It forces you to play with your heart and make use of the volume knob to clean upward your tone. It's a raw, visceral experience that every guitar player need in least once. Regardless of whether you're chasing that Pete Townshend vibe or simply want something cool to jam on, building the Junior is really a trip well worth taking.