AVSL CAL-K1 User Manual

CAL-K1

SELF-BUILD GUITAR KIT

Item ref: 174.460UK

User Manual

Introduction

Thank you for buying the CAL-K1 kit. All the wood, hardware and electrical components of a Chord CAL93 guitar are contained in this
package. Please read the following instructions to help with assembly and finishing

Body Finish

The first consideration to be made before assembly is choosing the preferred finish of the guitar body.

The basswood body of the CAL-K1 is sealed and prepared for various types of lacquer coating. A wide variety of finishes can be procured
from DIY, timber and automotive outlets in aerosol cans making finishing straightforward without requiring specialist skills.

Firstly, check the fit of the body to neck joint. The CAL-K1 is machined from very high grade tone-woods to avoid any misalignments but
all woods have a natural propensity to change shape very slightly over time. If the fit is too tight, gentle adjustment using a sharp chisel
or sandpaper may be required.

Please remember that the coating of lacquer will make the neck fit a little more tightly into the pocket.

Before coating the body, ensure all surfaces are clean and free of dirt and dust. Conduct all coating processes in a well-aired, dust-free
environment.

Slow and patient progress is the key to a good quality body finish and it is advised to test the colour and technique on a spare piece of
wood first.

A hole is drilled in the neck pocket so that it can be suspended by a hook for spraying and drying or alternatively, a spare length of wood
can be screwed in place of the neck in the pocket as a handle.

Spray the edges of the body first and allow to “touch-dry”. Once the edges are dry, move on to the back and then the front of the body.

Gradual and smooth passes will ensure an even coat. If there are any imperfections, allow to fully dry and then sand out with fine grade
(e.g. 800+ grit) before re-spraying. Apply 3 or more coats for full coverage.

Finally, after allowing 2 to 3 days drying to fully cure the finish, then buff or polish the body as required to give the desired level of gloss.
Take care not to buff too vigorously as this may remove the finish.

Neck finish

The neck of the CAL-K1 is supplied sealed with a light coat of matte lacquer and is ready to use.

If preferred, the neck can be finished with a colour or gloss lacquer. If so, do the following.

The rosewood fingerboard does not need coating with lacquer, so it is important to mask off the exposed rosewood and frets prior to
spraying.

Ensure all parts to be sprayed are free from dirt and dust and that the environment is dust-free and well-aired. 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 with the front and sides of the headstock.

Start with a gradual, even pass to apply a thin coat, allow drying (to the touch) and repeating 2 or 3 times, taking care not to apply too
much, which may cause runs. If this happens, sand down the area and re-apply evenly.

When the headstock is dry, turn the neck over and lay it on its fingerboard. Repeat the above process for the rest of the exposed maple.

Allow 2 to 3 days for the lacquer to fully harden and then, if desired, polish the lacquered surfaces to a suitable shine.

174.460UK User Manual

Assembly

Tuners

Before attaching the neck to the body, fit the tuning machine-heads to the headstock by inserting the thread through the pre-drilled holes
and setting a washer and bush over it.

Screw down the bush onto the thread until tight to the touch and then adjust the rear of the machine-head so that the tuning button sits
vertically above the top edge of the headstock

Fix the retaining screw through the loop on the rear of the gear housing into the pilot hole to hold the tuner in position. Then tighten the
nut on the front face of the tuner until firm using a spanner

Repeat this for the remaining 5 tuners and then fit the 2 string trees with the one with the taller spacers nearer to the top nut.

174.460UK User Manual