Refinishing / Modding my Strat

wern101

Morning guitar people!

So as the title suggests, this is my first mod. I am scared to death. I realize all the more what a noob I am.
I’ve been contemplating taking the old strat apart for quite some time now and on Sunday, quite impulsively, I did so.

A bit of history – It’s an Adonis Stratocaster that I bought from a reputable music shop back in ’06. The neck is flamed maple but I have never known what wood the body is made of, what hardware is installed or if it really is any good or just a cheap piece of starter guitarist junk. I’ve had some good times and a few gigs with this guitar, but I got tired of the ‘black and white’ look and decided it’s time for an upgrade.

Side note – the ‘Adonis’ brand is apparently made by Samick guitars. There is ZERO info on this guitar on the net. We had quite the chuckle on the Whatsapp group when Mr. Teddybear decided to ‘research’ the brand/wood. Needless to say, what he came up with was almost PG 18. (Insert Norio’s face palm here) The ‘gentlemen’ on the Whatsapp group had a good laugh at my expense.
I digress.

So, here it is in its original ‘glory’. Not much to look at… but that’s about to change.

After removing the back cover I noticed that the bridge block cavity is the size of a canyon compared to the actual block, which probably leaves me with a lot of room for a new bridge. (Pick below)

The neck seems nice and stable with new obvious issues accept for a small crack right where it is bolted onto the body. The first 3 frets are shot! I never knew frets could do that. Guidothepimp asked me some technical fret related question on the Whatsapp group and I couldn’t understand a word. I’ll tackle the frets when the body is done I think. One thing at a time. This mod could take months.

The pickup cavity is nice and big which means I could most likely change the pickup configuration to pretty much anything.

With a bit of heat the finish came off quite easily. I’m not done just yet, this is as far as I got. I got curious about the wood and did a quick bit of sanding to see what wood I am working with. Difficult to say now, but the educated guesses, from forumites, are Basswood or Agathis. Time will reveal.

Well that’s it for now. I’ll update as I go along.

wern101

Seems the pics didn't upload. Will try and sort that out a bit later

wern101

Can't seem to edit original post so here are the pics:
Original

The 'canyon'

Lovely maple:

Shot Frets:

Crack in neck:

Finish stripping and revealing a bit of the wood

Tuckstir

looking at those frets here .. you still have plenty of height on them. and could probably get away with fixing them by sanding down and re-crowned.
I've added the photo you added onto the whatsapp group.. I think it shows better the extent of the wear

https://community.guitartalk.co.za/d/26611-guitar-set-up-101
I've linked the guitar setup thread for reference where their is a video explain how dress and crown your frets.. just be aware.. its soft metal and light sanding has a massive effect, use a high grit paper and a light touch.
If i can suggest some YouTube channels to watch which offer great DIY advice.. Crimson Guitars and Guns and Guitars are both worthwhile.

I Curious to see how this ends up, that neck has a nice flame on it, and could end up spectacular
despite my "research" which was honestly done for the wood despite what I posted, I really want to see how it goes , do you have an Idea on the direction you want to go in-terms of finish?

wern101

Tuckstir Thanks for the links. I'll check em out when I get to 'that' bridge. ?

Tuckstir despite my "research" which was honestly done for the wood despite what I posted

No issue man. We had a good laugh.

Tuckstir do you have an Idea on the direction you want to go in-terms of finish?

You know i'm making this up as i go along right...

Originally thought I would like to do the 'grain popping' technique, but I'll have to see what wood it is first. I want to go 'all natural' with a dark wood finish, maybe with a Teak (redwood) burst or stain or something. I have evil plans for the pickguard as well.... something coppery.... ?
Probably going to leave the neck as is for now, don't want to mess around with it too much. The maple is lovely...

V8

Tuckstir looking at those frets here .. you still have plenty of height on them. and could probably get away with fixing them by sanding down and re-crowned

+1, you can tell from the shoulders there's enough meat on those frets for a fret dress (level and re-crown). My least favourite DIY task is crowning, **&(*ing hate it. +1 for Crimson guitars, their fret dress tutorial is very good ?

That flaming on the neck is prettttyy though, the spilt not so much. Wonder if that will be a issue in a while? I'd guess not, but careful not to over tighten neck screws when re-assembling.

modulator

That crack in the heel looks bad to me, and I see another one opening up as well. One suggestion might be to cut a slot at the back of the heel, and epoxy in a stiff piece of wood. This could be "key"-shaped to act as a "clamp", drawing the ends of the neck together. You will have to be inventive here, to make up a system which will allow you to "clamp" that piece of wood into the slot, heel to head. I am hesitant to suggest a hole from one side to the other (between the front and rear mounting screws) with a dowel epoxied in, seeing as there is not much wood left around it. A thin dowel maybe?

One trick I never got to work as well as suggested is to "flow" epoxy epoxy into the cracks, using a hair dryer to heat up the epoxy to a watery state. This obviously depends on the type of epoxy used, and the heat will affect the curing time too.

Hmm, I would go for the "clamp" at the rear, with superglue (super thin type) wicked into the cracks as well. They tell me superglue does not last forever. No glue does, I guess.

I agree on the frets - could be salvaged.

Zorand

modulator Hmm, I would go for the "clamp" at the rear, with superglue (super thin type) wicked into the cracks as well. They tell me superglue does not last forever. No glue does, I guess.

As above, I would also use superglue (super thin type). I'd drill 0.5mm holes in the crack, about 10mm deep, every 3-4mm following the crack, and then put superglue in the holes (with a hypodermic needle on the superglue bottle), being carefull not drill too deep and into the fretboard, of course. Superglue should spread the entire length of the crack. Theoretically! But since it's a project guitar, it's worth a try before getting into more serious work.

I've this technique to fix/stabilize the stud inserts that hold the screws for the floating tremolo on a friends Indonesian Squier. That was 3 years ago and the studs have not moved yet.

That flame neck looks really, really nice! For a beautiful satin finish (not gloss) and very nice FEEL when you play, I'd go with Danish Oil or Woodoc 10. If you don't mind a little bit "stickier" feel but fantastic look, then Tru Oil will work great. I'm not an expert in finishes but I I've used those specific 3 finishes a lot. You could use any of these finishes on the body as well, of course, and they will all make the grain much more visible and really pretty. You can put any stain before. They all work well, and even better, they're really easy to use (if I can do it, anyone can!). But sanding needs to be done properly!

I agree with the other comments about the frets, leveling and crowning should be fine. I also agree with V8, crowning frets is the absolute worse! Not a really difficult job but a real pain in the...

BTW, guidothepimp already offered and 12 inch radius block but if you need a 9.5 block, I've got one so you can borrow it.

morph

You want a repair that isn't visible to the eye from the side.

I would first fill the crack with Super Glue, then clamp it by drilling from side to side and putting a counter sunk screw and bolt in. The hole will be hidden by the heel slot in the guitar body.

Looking at the neck it would be approximately here( red mark. although I am not sure how far the truss rod extends into the heel - black mark

You could also potentially put it above the top two holes if there is enough meat in the wood.

wern101

Hey Guys. Thanks for the replies.

@morph & @modulator thanks for the tips and advice. I think a sunk in bolt will do the trick nicely and I assume it doesn't have to be a 'huge' big bolt either. Maybe a 6mm or max an 8mm? (Cant believe i am going to be drilling a hole through my guitar's neck. Ouch.

I also found 2 cracks on the body when I stripped the rest of the finish last night. Don't know how/when this could have happened. Possibly bought like that.

I now have to strip the wood sealant. I was thinking a sander, but if there are easier ways then please do tell!

Hectic busy at work at the moment so I will reply and update as I get time.

Thanks again for the advice gents!

guidothepimmp

wern101 unfortunately for the sealer.. sanding is the way. Thats tough stuff.

When you get to the frets... an important piece of kit is the radius block. You can make these if you have routers and jigs n things. I have a 12inch block .. so if your neck is 12inch radius.. i can help if you are this side of town.. i also have the crowning file which helps A LOT

Tuckstir

wern101 Maybe a 6mm or max an 8mm? (Cant believe i am going to be drilling a hole through my guitar's neck. Ouch.

I was actually thinking when i read @morph post that something like a No5 x 18 self tapping countersunk screw would be perfect..
Then you don't have to drill all the way through.. so no need to stress about the truss rod..

and you could add maybe 3 on the one side.. just give a pilot hole first , to aid with screwing in.
and if as mentioned you can wedge

the crack open a bit and wick some glue in.. that should be perfect.

wern101

morph I am wondering if the first crack was not caused by those holes used to fasten the neck to the body being too small in the first place.

This is quite possible Morph. Looking at the position it is actually quite probable.

Tuckstir so no need to stress about the truss rod..

That was going to be my next question!! How 'deep' does the Truss rod actually go in? That would suck drilling into that

guidothepimmp . sanding is the way. Thats tough stuff.

Ja. No kidding!

guidothepimmp

For the neck crack.. if it opens slightly.. you can wick glue in there and clamp it.. i would attept glue before routing.. dowels etc.. but thats just me..

morph

Make sure you drill a pilot hole that is the same size as the inner shaft of the screw. If you don't or it is too small the screw could cause another crack. I am wondering if the first crack was not caused by those holes used to fasten the neck to the body being too small in the first place. It does run right past the first hole.

wern101

Well, on the weekend I got a little further. Managed to get the front and back completely sanded down and the grain is now nicely visible.

I had a slight wood burn on the back with the heat gun, but nothing the sander can't sort out. I actually kind of like it....

I still have to do the sides and contemplating if I am going to bother with the 'insides' - although I may want to use inside grain to test techniques out.

Slow going at the moment with lots happening at work. Had some awesome ideas as well, but not sharing them just yet ㊙

Meanwhile @Tuckstir mentioned that we will have a bit of a 'competition' once both our projects are completed. Purely based on 'who made it prettier' with a forum vote. No prizes, just bragging rights. ?

Thanks again for the posts and replies. Much appreciated. I'll update soon.

wern101

I made little progress over the last week. Really just focused on getting the sides done...and those horns.

The contours of the cut away's have me thinking of all kinds of possibilities. I can hardly wait. Just killer busy at work right now AND having to order stuff for this build... and wait for it to arrive.

Zorand That flame neck looks really, really nice! For a beautiful satin finish (not gloss) and very nice FEEL when you play, I'd go with Danish Oil or Woodoc 10. If you don't mind a little bit "stickier" feel but fantastic look, then Tru Oil will work great.

I really am keen on doing the Tru Oil finish on the neck. After the pics that Guidothepimp shared on the whatsapp group I think this is the way to go. For the body I have a zillion ideas, don't know where to start...

I think the grain is very workable and I want to try and go natural but with a slight stain, making the grain come alive with a bit of red here and there...lots to read up about and lots to figure out.

I want to bring in copper/brass finish to the hardware and thinking of going with Humbuckers in a copper scratch plate (as in actual copper, not painted plastic) with matt black tuners and bridge. The knobs, if my plan works, will be actual copper pieces as well. Will it work? I have no idea.....

Tuckstir

sounds good..cant wait to see it come to fruition..
I have heard that metal pick-guards just need to be padded underneath (i.e glue some fabric underneath) to help with vibration noises etc..*situation needed.
but am liking the general concept. think it will be a stunner of note.

P.s what are you intending to do with the spring cavity?, are you going to use your back plate? or leave it open?

wern101

Tuckstir Thanks Man.

I've read up about the pickguard a little bit and it doesn't seem to be a problem to use copper, but I've not seen anyone mention the issue with vibration noises. Will look into it!

I hope that the picture i have in my head is what will actually be on the guitar once done. Hopefully it will be a stunner. We'll see.

Tuckstir P.s what are you intending to do with the spring cavity?, are you going to use your back plate? or leave it open?

Not sure yet. I will be shoving a block of wood in there though. The article about 'strat tone' (https://community.guitartalk.co.za/d/26802-the-ultimate-guide-to-strat-tone) noted that this may actually assist with helping the treble not sound as 'sharp' - Apparently Clapton is a fan, so why not. I think I will close it up though.

wern101

Righty Oh. I made some progress over the weekend. Finally. I decided to go with a two-colour option, just to spice things up a bit.

I got ‘cherry red’ and ‘light oak’ stains that I added as below. The idea being to go with the natural laminate lines and not ‘square’ or symmetrical or anything like that.

So I started with the red and was happy with the way things were progressing. I found a few places that the red simply did not want to penetrate – little scuff marks and, possibly, places where the original finish may not have come off properly. (I’ll deal with these later).

I then did the oak colour and found that my technique of using a cloth and sponge was working well, until my wife pointed out that most of the colour was going into the cloth. (face palm) She (brilliantly) then applied a layer with a small paint brush and the immediate colour pop was AMAZING. Needless to say, the photos don’t show that. I am hoping it will pop when the final oil/sealant is applied.

Before Brush

After Brush

So that’s where we are now, Hope to update soon. Tru-oil has been ordered and should be here within the week.

Lots of refinements to do, straighten lines and what not, but at least the body has some colour!

Tuckstir

wern101 immediate colour pop was AMAZING. Needless to say, the photos don’t show that. I am hoping it will pop when the final oil/sealant is applied.

if you think it was amazing then. just wait till its sealed.. its going to be pantie dropping awesome.
always found it looks good wet, dull and lifeless when the stain has dried, and great when sealant has been applied