JoeyBones
http://www.setchellguitars.co.uk/ant/blog/?page_id=4
I didn't know where to post this, so I guest here is good as any. The end result is excellent.
AlanRatcliffe
Excellent indeed (aside from the knobs). You've come to the right place, but why don't we make it a "Guitars built from scratch" thread?
How about this
Stratocaster project
JoeyBones
Done.
JoeyBones
That strat looks sweet. I'm not really into blue, but the finish is really something.
AlanRatcliffe
Done right, that can be a stunning look, but it takes careful colour choices for everything: finish, pickguard, pickup covers, bridge, even springs and saddles. You add too much chrome and it throws off the balance:
G & L got it right with their ASAT:
It shows up smaller on the forum, so maybe visit the full size image to get the best idea:
http://ratcliffe.co.za/sundry/blueasat.jpg
cain
Alan would you mind telling me the steps involved with redoing a finish on a guitar. I would like to at some point remove the paint and laquer from my jap strat and redo it. Its a bit worn out and the laquer is cracking in certain spots.
JoeyBones
Don't refinish it. Let it relic. It'll be worth more if it's naturally aged. Look at John Mayer's black strat (What ever is left of the black paint), Eric Clapton's Blackie, ... I was very pedantic about not getting any scratches on my guitars, but I've come to realize that it's gonna happen, one way or another, so just enjoy playing it and let it get some history.
I played my Black Falcon at church on Sunday. I started out nursing every movement I made, but by the third song I was swinging it like a baseball bat (I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the point).
AlanRatcliffe
It's way to broad a topic to cover in a post (I have an entire 50+ page chapter in my book on the topic and I have reference books that are 500+ pages long), but I can point you in the right direction.
For a general outline look at the
finishing schedule from Stewmac: That will give you a good idea and overview.
For a really good site that tells the home finisher most of what he wants to know the
Guitar Reranch site is invaluable.
Those two links will get you started. There are certain limitations when it comes to ordering finishing supplies from overseas, but mostly I've found ways around them - things like where to find nitro lacquer or buying powdered aniline stains from overseas and mixing them up with alcohol/acetone available locally. The only problem I have not solved yet is where to get Tung oil locally, but that doesn't apply to the average guitar finish.
When/if you do it, feel free to ask specific questions.
cain
Bones, i know what your talking about, when you get into the groove your just let go, jump around, go nuts , mosh etc. I love it, i do it every sunday man. There is some work to be done on that strat, i have to redo the tuners, volume and tone pots. That strat is far from origonal already lol.
AlanRatcliffe
Don't refinish it. Let it relic.
It's a matter of taste Bones, some of us like our guitars pretty, some of us like them beat up. Liking them pretty drove me to learn finishing.
As to value - while you might pay a lot more for a new "relic" Strat than for the same thing all new and pretty, a vintage guitar is always going to be more valuable if it's in good condition. The exception is the occasional iconic guitar like Blackie, where the guitar's value is higher because of who played it. On the vintage market, Blackie would not be worth as much without the Clapton association as it's cobbled together out of multiple guitars - essentially one of the original partscasters.
JoeyBones
Point taken guys. It's a matter of taste then.
I just love the relics. I almost bought a Rory Gallagher tribute strat of ebay. The bid just went a bit too high for my budget. I guess if you're gonna do it, go large.
It looks like the guy I bought the RT650 for is not gonna take it. I'm contemplating a Floyd rose pro and maybe changing the body colour from red to green. The body has two long scratches in the clear. I love the PRS green.
Here's some pics (Mind my bad photography) :
AlanRatcliffe
I know those quite well - one of the few Ibbys I've ever liked. Changing the colour may not be an option as the flame maple is probably a veneer (It is a maple cap, but only the flame is only on the very top surface), you'd probably find that by the time you'd sanded out the dye, the veneer would be trashed.
JoeyBones
I'm guessing recapping it is a painful and expensive operation. I guess I'll have to make my mind up on whether to keep this one or sell it build a shred guitar from parts.
AlanRatcliffe
Yeah. You need to look at it and ask yourself some questions. When it comes down to major mods such as fitting a Floyd you need to be sure that your thoughts are something like: "Amazing guitar. If only it had a Floyd Rose." - then it may be worth it. Otherwise it will work out better (and probably cheaper) to sell it and buy something you really like that already has a Floyd.
JoeyBones
It does play well. The neck isn't as fast as a jem, but is better than any of the guitars I own. The pickups are really good. We've pulled some nice tones from them. I guess I'll have ti to play it more and then decide. What guitars would be similar/better for around R4000 ?
Attila
Hello Chaps,
Nice topic, I looked around to find a local Lutherier to build me an acoustic archtop, and got in touch with chaps like Marc Maingard, Jim Glenister from CT, Collin Lyall from PTA and Mervin Davis to see what can be done and few things came out,
1) the Waiting list is + 1 year to get into the queue - most build around 10 instruments a year
2) everyone prices their instruments in U$D. staring at $4500 + extras
3) there is a shortage of true cabinet marker craftsmen ( thought of building one myself under the guidence of a craftsman)
Now I am not a very clever chap, but with that kind of demand, there should be a good local industry to supply the local market with quality factory instruments not only archtops.
Or have I missed the plot. Is importing the Takamines, Ibanez's, Tangelwood Yamaha etc mid range equipment. where its at and the best we can do is build the Afri-can guitar for tourists.
Or maybe it a perception that an imported product is always better..... even for the Americans
Take Tangelwood for an example - built in the UK/China. the mid to upper models are brilliant guitars pick one up some time and you will see what I mean, sure it mass produced but the attention to detail, finish and quality components and sound is excellent and doesn't break the bank.
Well that my rant for the day - Alan I am sure you will have some thoughts on the matter
Stay "tuned" mu couzins
AlanRatcliffe
OOOH! Can-O-Worms (TM)
I've looked at it more than once, and it all boils down to money.
Firstly, you have to be able to produce and move product in numbers to get the pricing down so you can compete with the Asian imports. The price you see in a shop has a wholesale markup, a retail markup and 14% VAT, so an instrument that retails for R10K will have an actual "landed" cost from the manufacturer of +/- R3.3K. So to compete as a manufacturer in that price range, you need to be manufacturing and selling at that price point (or less) and still make a profit.
Granted that if you are manufacturing locally, the need for a wholesaler will be obviated and shipping charges will be lower. But the structure of the retail music business is such that the retailer is usually the importer too. So they make profit twice on any product that they import and sell. Given this, why should they stock your instruments (if they don't have to) and only make one profit? This is why you'll see such a preponderance of Fender and Cort at Bothner's, Gibson and ESP at Marshall Music, PRS at Specialist Guitars and Ibanez at T.O.M.S., etcetera. The few small independent music shops don't account for much in the way of sales (with a few exceptions).
Coming back to manufacturing, also bear in mind that all the raw materials have to be imported, from wood to hardware, so your cost is relatively high. Then there are the labour laws of the country, which are a bit oppressive to the manufacturer to say the least.
All this effectively rules out lower to mid-priced instruments and the only market left is the higher price brackets, which is a small market.
This is fairly universal. No-one, not even Fender can compete with the Asian companies on price. You'll notice that most of the "newer" companies tend to start out with high end quality, then as their popularity grows, they move into manufacturing mid-budget instruments. PRS is an excellent example.
I'm not sure about Tanglewood, but many manufacturers starting up these days tend to design their guitars and then have them built in Asia. Eastwood guitars and Reverend are two that are doing this.
NorioDS
Really quick+short hijack: Does that mean I should go to TOMS to check out cool Ibanez guitars? Do they keep a lot in stock?
AlanRatcliffe
I haven't been there for years, but they should have a wider range in stock than most other shops.
Attila
I just came from Marshall's (now open on a Sunday) them Tangelwood are really nice, but they have the strangest combos -- Solid top lam back and sides (std) - Solid top solid back lam sides, ? solid top, Lam back and sides abalone inlays !!! Big price ....
Decided that I will spend good money on a one off ........what's that kids !!!! wanna go to UCT ...sorry for you .... its WITS and no rez ......
