Harley Benton FV DIY-KIT, Owner'S Manual

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Harley Benton E-Guitar Kit LP-Style
4
Body finish
The­first­consideration­to­be­made­before­assembling­is­to­choose­the­preferred­finish­of­the­guitar­body.
The basswood body of the guitar is sealed and prepared for various types of lacquer coating. A wide variety of
finishes­can­be­procured­from­DIY,­timber­and­automotive­outlets­in­aerosol­cans­making­finishing­straightfor -
ward without requiring specialist skills. The use of a dust mask is essential when spraying.
The­first­step­is­to­check­the­fit­of­the­body­to­the­neck­joint.­The­bass­guitar­is­machined­from­high-grade­tone -
woods to ensure optimum alignment. But all woods have a natural propensity to change the shape very slightly
over­time.­If­the­fit­is­too­tight,­a­gentle­adjustment­using­a­sharp­chisel­or­sandpaper­may­be­required.­Please­
remember­that­the­coating­of­lacquer­will­make­the­neck­fit­a­little­more­tightly­into­the­cutout.
Before coating the body, ensure that all surfaces are clean and free of dirt and dust. Conduct all coating proc-
esses in a well-aired, dust-free environment. Slow and patient progress is the key to a good quality of the body
finish­and­it­is­recommended­to­test­the­colour­and­technique­on­a­spare­piece­of­wood­first.
A hole is drilled in the neck cutout so that it can be suspended by a hook for spraying and drying or alterna-
tively, a spare length of wood can be screwed in place of the neck in the cutout as a handle.
Spray­on­the­edges­of­the­body­first­and­allow­the­coat­to­become­touch­dry.­Once­the­edges­are­dry,­continue­
on­the­rear­and­then­on­the­front­of­the­body.­Gradual­and­smooth­passes­will­ensure­an­even­coat.­If­there­are­
any­imperfections,­allow­for­to­become­fully­dry­and­then­sand­out­with­fine­grade­(e.g.­800+grit)­before­re-
spraying. Apply three or more coats for full coverage.
Neck finish
The­neck­of­the­guitar­is­supplied­sealed­with­a­light­coat­of­matte­lacquer­and­is­ready­to­use.­If­preferred,­the­
neck­can­be­finished­with­a­colour­or­gloss­lacquer.­If­so,­do­the­following.
The­rosewood­fingerboard­does­not­need­coating­with­lacquer,­so­it­is­important­to­mask­off­the­exposed­rose -
wood and frets prior to spraying. Ensure all parts to be sprayed are free from dirt and dust and that the envi-
ronment is dust-free and well-aired. The use of a dust mask is essential when spraying.
Choose a good quality, clear or lightly tinted wood lacquer aerosol for the neck and begin at the front and sides
of­the­headstock.­Start­with­a­gradual,­even­pass­to­apply­a­thin­coat,­allow­drying­(to­be­touchable)­and­repeat­
this­two­or­three­times.­Take­care­not­to­apply­too­much,­which­may­cause­runs.­If­this­happens,­sand­down­
the area and re-apply evenly.
After­the­headstock­has­become­dry,­turn­the­neck­over­and­lay­it­down­on­its­fingerboard.­Repeat­the­above­
process­for­the­rest­of­the­exposed­maple.
Allow two to three days for the lacquer to fully harden and then, if desired, polish the lacquered surfaces to get
a suitable shine.