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Post subject: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 1:45 am
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I thought a new thread might be appropriate.

For those not familiar with the previous thread I accidentally bought a Telecaster body routed to accommodate Stratocaster hardware, neck and SSS PUPS. This is very much as the current limited edition Stratocaster hybrid.

Image

I say "accidentally bought" as it is something I have been pondering for some time. There is a UK company that produces body blanks including custom configurations and routs and I had been considering a two piece swap ash body as above but with a hard tail. This was going to be around £200 unfinished. Any road they had a sale and a one piece swap ash body (must be better right as they are £75 premium) with vintage trem rout was on sale for £136.50. Bargain!

The body arrived and I have to say the grain isn't the most attractive. The front is OK but the back isn't great. I had quite fancied doing a two colour burst (as per the image above) so it might end up with a solid black back or indeed solid all over. I'll see how it pans out.

I also managed to pick up a (what looks like) a 50s MiM neck off eBay. I say "looks like" as the rear serial number and place of origin has been badly sanded down. It other wise look legit though, well from the pictures at least. It has had the inevitable no idea relic butchery but this doesn't phase me as I can sort that.

So why is this on a Fender thread - well my intention is that everything (body aside) will be Fender.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 4:05 am
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I really don't like fish face eating the trem:-

Image

and the back has some nasty brown marks as well

Image

The top image also shows the mismatch of the pickguard although it isn't too bad and I might trim the guard to blend in second hole from the right to loose the bottom horn. Sort of SG style.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:02 am
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John Sims wrote:
I really don't like fish face eating the trem:-

Image

and the back has some nasty brown marks as well

Image

The top image also shows the mismatch of the pickguard although it isn't too bad and I might trim the guard to blend in second hole from the right to loose the bottom horn. Sort of SG style.


+1

The Stratocaster pickguard mismatches the Tele body in the lower horn.

For a proper fit you'll probably need a "proper" TS hybrid pickguard or sharpen up the horn a bit - unless you opt for a different approach such as this custom creation from Dave MacLeod.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:14 am
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chromeface wrote:

...For a proper fit you'll probably need a "proper" TS hybrid pickguard


I agree and have just ordered a single ply black gloss one from Warmoth - as recommended in the other thread. Even on 2-6 week shipping the delivery cost me more than the guard and I will no doubt end up with a handsome customs charge and customs charge collection fee.

This whole build feels like it is haemorrhaging money at the moment and, in due course, I will add a running tally so anyone else foolhardy enough to embark on such a mission is forewarned.

It is quite exciting though... ;-)

And what a solid idea (image above) two strap buttons so you can stand the guitar up.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:25 am
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I had pondered something on these lines, which I think looks great. Unfortunately, judging by the scratch marks on all of my pick guards, it is likely I would keep catching the edge. It tends to be the nails of my outer fingers that contact the guard so this would be really annoying.

I was going to modify one of my many spare Strat guards (as I suggested above) but was concerned that, if this didn't work the screw holes wouldn't match the proper hybrid guard, so I bit the bullet.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 8:31 am
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John Sims wrote:
And what a solid idea (image above) two strap buttons so you can stand the guitar up.


The dual strap buttons gave their popularity to David Schecter and Tom Anderson - not to mention other major US guitar makers who adopted that feature on their instruments.


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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:40 am
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Well I have been struck be the plague of the rattle can - I seem to recall I had this issue with Odee now and wish I had remembered.

After several days of sanding, applying grain filler, allowing to dry, sanding, applying sanding sealer, grain filling, sanding and more sealer I got to applying the lacquer. After a bit of experimentation I have decided to go for an amber to tobacco burst. It is a bit subtle but should look quite cool.

And to my rattle can issues - First amber cover went on well and I started the tobacco edges and burst. It was looking promising util rain stopped play and then I noticed that the tobacco hadn't mixed cleanly and was spraying solvent some of the time. This isn't apparent while you are spraying, only as it dries when the gloss disappears and you get a cloudy matt finish. I know from last time that, unless it is allowed to evaporate out I wont be able to get the lacquer to gloss up. I am hoping that, as I am only on the first coats this will clear reasonably soon otherwise I'm on for a long wait before I can get it coated. Either way it is then a two week wait before I can polish it so it is a game of patience.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:28 am
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John Sims wrote:
.... I have decided to go for an amber to tobacco burst. It is a bit subtle but should look quite cool.....


Image

And I'm not unhappy with the result. Another couple of coats of clear and then all I need to do is sit on my hands for two weeks.

The finish is a lot more even around the outside than the flash makes it look.

And I have decided gold hardware has to be the way to go. Perhaps not all at the beginning as my guitar fund needs to rebuild.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:50 am
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Image

Perhaps a better indication of the colour.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:50 am
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You're getting good at this, aren't you, John! Looks really professional.

Can't wait to see the finished guitar!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 8:49 am
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Peter S wrote:
You're getting good at this, aren't you, John! Looks really professional.

Can't wait to see the finished guitar!

Cheers - Peter.


Thank you Peter. I'm not out of the woods yet though. I have my doubts over the neck so that may yet get replaced and "Going For Gold" means more new hardware than I was otherwise anticipating.

I am very pleased with the body though and am considering a swamp ash Tele body for Tinkie Winkie the Tele Tuby as the next build. That way I can keep the original body original and pristine, go for a conventional Tele Bridge, and loose some of the weight.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 6:45 pm
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Very, very nice.
I wouldn't attempt a burst like that with rattle cans!

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 12:42 am
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CB91710 wrote:
Very, very nice.
I wouldn't attempt a burst like that with rattle cans!


Thanks for the comments. I was surprised that the burst wasn't that difficult. I think the limited contrast between the two colours is more forgiving. Several coats over several days helps as well rather than trying to do it all in one go.

I didn't use an off set mask as some have done on YouTube just free handed it. The main issue is avoiding curtains off the edges but the nitro is pretty forgiving.

By splitting the face and edge by 24 hrs you can clean up any unwanted over spray on the face with some gentle wet sanding during the initial coats. It becomes more difficult on late coats as the nitro amalagamamates with the lower coats to some extent.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 4:57 am
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A final clear coat and better lighting. It is astonishing how the colour changes in different light.

I had originally considered a black to tobacco burst but, as it happened, the black wasn't available at the time of order. I am pleased with the transparent finish as it demonstrates it is a single piece body though. I also thought that if the initial tobacco to amber went wrong I would have a second chance with black. Always good to have a Plan B.

The grain figuring still annoys me but I think the gold hardware should be enough to draw your eye away from the fish face.

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Post subject: Re: Strelicaster Build
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2018 6:47 am
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John Sims wrote:
Image

A final clear coat and better lighting. It is astonishing how the colour changes in different light.

I had originally considered a black to tobacco burst but, as it happened, the black wasn't available at the time of order. I am pleased with the transparent finish as it demonstrates it is a single piece body though. I also thought that if the initial tobacco to amber went wrong I would have a second chance with black. Always good to have a Plan B.

The grain figuring still annoys me but I think the gold hardware should be enough to draw your eye away from the fish face.
This is stunning. I've never seen a nicer burst. Very subtle. The gold hardware and black pickguard is the way to go. Don't get hung up on the grain. It looks very good after the color was applied. Can't wait to see the final outcome.


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