Next!!! StRATocaster - Finished w/ PICS

teleman77 · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:19 am Post subject:

Gumdrup.....Scumplop.
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Preacher · Posted: Thu May 22, 2008 11:05 am Post subject:

All out of Gumdrop... Laughing

But the GIRL loves it... I think she likes it purple so that dad won't play it, and believe me, I won't play it outside the house... Wink

Preacher · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:34 am Post subject:

OK this project got

But with some heavy lifting we got her back on the tracks...
where we left off it was looking like this...

So we played it a while and finally took it apart and started the finish process. I wanted an off white lefty looking Jimi H woodstock strat-o-look-alike and I think I am getting close. The paint is on and has been sanded to 400 but not buffed out yet as I was going to clear over it.
So here is my question for you paint guys...

I am using the Krylon Off White, it is almost a cream color but I am seeing some grain showing through the final paint. Small parts but I was not going for a Relic look on this one although a small dent here or there would add character to this baby. I have sanded to 400 but the grain is still going to show through as this body was very dry and was prone to moving a little as far as slight cracks and such.
So my question is, do I quit now and allow it to check and crack a little as a relic process without applying the clear, or do I go ahead and clearcoat it heavy and sand it smooth and will the grain marks go away?

Pictures to follow soon, I promise.

SAguitar · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject:

Like most wood these days, you probably got a chunk that was alive and inside a tree not too long ago. The old craftsmen luthiers would buy wood planks for projects years out in the future. That stuff is s'posed to age for a long time before it gets near your tools.

If seeing that grain bugs you, then you've got s'more work to do. The grain marks won't go away on their own, and are likely to get more prominent over time. At this point, I would just saddle up and live with it. Clearcoat that baby and enjoy it as it is. To get it completely smooth, you might have to sand down to the surface again and start over. Cool

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Preacher · Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

SA, you are a wise man, this piece was both end cuts that I was working with. I am too cheap to buy good wood!!

I sprayed it last night with the clear, about four coats on it at this point, I will spray another couple of coats tonight and let her be for a couple weeks and see what happens.

I don't think it is too bad as now I am seeing some little dings and such, but this one is mine and I am not selling them to anybody so good enough for me is good enough.

I will tell you, Teles are much easier to build!!

Preacher · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:25 am Post subject:

Paint is done, now onto the buffing... and polishing... and soldering... Wink

SAguitar · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 5:32 am Post subject:

Perseverance, grasshopper. Show me "buff-a-strat."
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...all the gray areas are becoming black holes...

Preacher · Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:15 am Post subject:

I finished Spray can side to side Sensai...
now I do sand on face up and down
and now I do sand on edge left and right...

then it shall be buff on, buff off and then I shall show you solder on and solder off, burn finger bad and burn finger badder... Sensai.... I wish only to please you... Laughing

Actually life is getting the way... too much to do and not enough time to dedicate to the stRat. And we are having NOW (Night Of Worship) this weekend and I really wanted it done and ready for that... I am just afraid my setup won't be as good as it was when it was raw...

Preacher · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Well I am finished, other than a little fine tuning it is done.

Not a Custom Shop finish, but it looks good and has a little dent and ding here and there as all guitars should Laughing

.
Color came out just right and the white guard looks great, I am going to get a solid white guard made for it with the bridge pup angled the opposite way but I am happy how it plays.
No good pics yet, I will try tonight to get some, but this was what I was after...

and I think I got it pretty good...

tele savalas · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:59 am Post subject:

Geez, Preach, one day you look like buddy Whittington (slimmed down, of course) and the next you look just like Jimi! Rolling Eyes

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SAguitar · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:50 pm Post subject:

Way to go, Preach bro! Get down wit your good self! Cool

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...all the gray areas are becoming black holes...

gpower · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:22 pm Post subject:

Looking forward to pics of the finished product.
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Preacher · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:05 am Post subject:

Preacher · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:58 am Post subject:

As promised...

The JimmiCaster!!

tele savalas · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:54 am Post subject:

Love that vibe - looks great!
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