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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 8:09 pm
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Looking great Kong! 8) I got a question though: What are some of the pros/cons of having a top-loader guitar compared to a string-thru? I have a 90's Ibanez Jazz bass copy that has a bridge that will let you either the option of top-loading or string-through.

Some G&L ASATs I've dealt with at the store had bridges that are top loaders too...

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 9:42 pm
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SmokeythaBear wrote:
Looking great Kong! 8) I got a question though: What are some of the pros/cons of having a top-loader guitar compared to a string-thru? I have a 90's Ibanez Jazz bass copy that has a bridge that will let you either the option of top-loading or string-through.

Some G&L ASATs I've dealt with at the store had bridges that are top loaders too...


Thanks Smokey. As far as pros and cons, some guys say string through the body equals more sustain. Of course Les Pauls have tons of sustain with the tune-o-matic bridge. I wonder if the shorter scale of the Les also plays a role.

When I have the option of string-through body, I would go that way. This Tele didn't have them and I didn't feel like drilling so toploader it will stay. I think if I had a bass I would stick with the string through body, seems stronger to me for the higher tension of the bass strings. I doubt it makes all that much difference to sustain or tone either way. I'm sure there are some others here with more experience on this matter that might weigh in.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:52 am
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Beautiful day here in NJ. About 66 degrees and sunny.

Got the color sprayed onto the body this afternoon. I'm pretty stoked about the color choice. Looking forward to spraying the clear and polishing this bad-boy up.

I went with regular valspar spray primer and spray paint. I'm thinking of a poly acrylic for the clear. I shot the acrylic on a test piece and it went on a bit cloudy but dried clear. I'm also considering urethane for the clear.

Does anyone know if urethane is wet-sandable? So far there is hardly any orange peel at all and if the clear goes on smooth enough, I may just have to polish and can avoid wet sanding all together.

Here are some pics.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:12 am
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Excellent work Kong!

You really are very good at this sort of thing.

Respec! 8)

Andy

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:26 am
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Andybighair wrote:
Excellent work Kong!

You really are very good at this sort of thing.

Respec! 8)

Andy


Thanks Andy

I just hope my choice of paint does not come back to bite me. I did not do much research and thought that the cheap stuff available in stores might work okay. After some reading I'm having my doubts.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:39 am
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Even if it goes a bit "Pete Tong" I have every confidence you'll be able to sort it out.

We've see you remedy a lot worse! :wink:

Best of luck.

Andy

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project
Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:03 am
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Kong wrote:
Beautiful day here in NJ. About 66 degrees and sunny.

Got the color sprayed onto the body this afternoon. I'm pretty stoked about the color choice. Looking forward to spraying the clear and polishing this bad-boy up.

I went with regular valspar spray primer and spray paint. I'm thinking of a poly acrylic for the clear. I shot the acrylic on a test piece and it went on a bit cloudy but dried clear. I'm also considering urethane for the clear.

Does anyone know if urethane is wet-sandable? So far there is hardly any orange peel at all and if the clear goes on smooth enough, I may just have to polish and can avoid wet sanding all together.

Here are some pics.

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Lookin' good !!!

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Mon Dec 26, 2011 2:29 pm
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I finished up the Telecaster today. I had sprayed clear at the beginning of the month and it seems pretty well cured. I have a total of 1.5 cans of Deft Clear which came to about 6-7 light coats.

Today I used the following grits for wet sanding: 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 and then I buffed it with Finesse It II and Perfect It polishing compounds using a 6" Ryobi buffer.

The guitar did not come out perfect, but I'm extremely happy with the final results. I was looking for a Copper-Caster on the cheap and this project definitely fits the bill as it came in under $200 total! Take a look at the pics and judge for yourself.

Here are pics after wet-sanding but before polishing:

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Here are a couple of shots after polishing the body:
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And here is the completed guitar all wired and strung up. It plays pretty nice and looked great in the setting sun (In my humble opinion).

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 8:07 pm
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Whoa Kong! That really turned out nice. I like!

What's next?

RickyD

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2011 10:35 pm
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RickyD wrote:
Whoa Kong! That really turned out nice. I like!

What's next?

RickyD


I never know what project is next until the next bargain comes up on Craigslist :wink:

Although I do have a maple Tele neck that needs a little refinish and TLC. It was on a Tele that I had that was flood damaged. I thought it could not be saved, the skunk stripe became slightly unglued on one side and the finish was all checked. I reglued the skunk stripe and started some light sanding. It is nice and straight and the frets look good.

The more I look at it the more I think it could be brought back to glory. I also have some pine lumber and a Tele body template. So I may be doing a natural pine Telecaster with an amber tinted finish and all black hardware with brass saddles and brass colored knobs in the near future. All I need is a router, some bits, and the guts to use them. The inspiration for the pine project would be a Ron Kirn Barn Buster.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 11:21 am
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Helluva job Kong, well done. She's a sweet looking guitar, enjoy!


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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 12:15 pm
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That looks stunning. Congrats.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:48 pm
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how did i miss this one!!! Fantastic work again kong! Turned it from a beater to a copper beast! There arent enough of !!!! In the world :p

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 11:21 pm
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Impulse7 wrote:
how did i miss this one!!! Fantastic work again kong! Turned it from a beater to a copper beast! There arent enough of !!!! In the world :p


Thanks Dan, this one definitely seems to have flown under the radar ...

I'm really digging it though - glad you like it :)

Working my way up from "apprentice" of the rattle-can re-fin.

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Post subject: Re: 94 MIM toploader project - finished
Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 7:42 am
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Some folks are just born with ability I guess.
That is one fine looking guitar !
See my craigs list find thread from today, i can imagine that top loader in a nice Butterscotch lightly reliced and a black guard !
Only wish I had the talent to make it happen.

Sweet Look'n Tele you have there my friend !

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