Hi folks,

Okay here it is. I got this friend I've sold a MIM that I stripped down to
bare wood then stained with pecan satin Minwax. I tried to capture
some of the mojo of Andy Aledort's 61 Strat but still keepin' simple without
the worn business. This was my 1st time I did this.

Now that he saw what a see-thru finish is very nice, he wants me to redo it but this time with a cherry translucide (kinda like those Gibson color).

Now here comes the tricky part of it.
When I stripped the whole guitar, a nightmare came up ( and I was
awared of it ) that body was made of many pieces of wood with almost all
different grain of wood. I even suspect a top and back laminated to
"smooth things down" on the look side.

Here's a picture, before and after :

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Look at the side of the body, you can see that it doesn't match the rest
at all.

BACK OF IT:


I was thinking of laminated the top of it with oak 1/8 board.
It has a nice wood grain and unexpensive (48$ CDN for 4' X 8' board)

One issue comes to my mind, if I laminate the top with 1/8" , the neck pocket will be + 1/8 more depth , can I shim it with a scrap piece of the board that fit exactly in the pocket, then re-drill holes ?

I read somewhere that I can steam-bend wood, I will have to do it for the
body contour (where the arm rest) , will it work fine ? Remember, I will use 1/8" oak.

I know there are many people here who has experience working with
wood, I will take any advice and tips that may help.

Last question, any advices on that red translucide stains ?
(brand / specific products)

Thanks a lot.

Ray.

_________________
1998 American Standard Strat MIA
2008 Fender Strat Road Worn 50's Sunburst
1993 Fender Standard Strat MIM (MY BABY)

take a look at this thread-
http://www.fender.com/community/forums/ ... hp?t=30747

What you did looks really nice.

Hahaha!

Well, modesty prevented me from mentioning it...

Cheers - C

Thanks for the compliment, it was the 1st time you know.
Never thought this poly paint was sooooo hard to strip.

They sure use very hard finish.

I'll look to the thread you gave, thanks.

Holla Ceri, I always enjoy and admire you work.
Seems you are giving life back to a dead one.

I'll get many tips from your experience. Thanks

Friendly,

Ray.

_________________
1998 American Standard Strat MIA
2008 Fender Strat Road Worn 50's Sunburst
1993 Fender Standard Strat MIM (MY BABY)