BCR Greg Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 This one has had me frazzled, but the end result will be worth it. Imagine a rare single pickup Firebird I that had a wraparound bridge and little else. Nice, huh? Well, until it became THIS.... Good LORD! It seems that the previous owner wanted to accent the 22nd fret, for some reason.... And it was a string through?!?!?! I have my work cut out for me.....(poor choice of words, eh?) So, what's under the guard? There is a special place in hell for whoever did this.... Off we go! Drilling out the "22nd fret ornamentation" is first...Brazilian rosewood shaped into dowel will be used to fill the holes. The bathtub is squared and a block of 50's Gibson Honduras is shaped to fit. More to come....
BCR Greg Posted January 6, 2012 Author Posted January 6, 2012 Cleaned up the horrible routing and made a fill piece for the area... The customer and I have come to agree that Pelham Blue is going to look great on this. Drying time.
BubbaVO Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 Looks like that one will be a heck of a lot of work. I can't even make a pinewood derby car look anywhere near as nice as you restore those guitars. Much respect for your skill, amigo.
murkat Posted January 6, 2012 Posted January 6, 2012 I remember this one from last year:http://www.hamerfanc...on/page__st__30Yes!Been waiting for update on this!Mad chops as always G!
BCR Greg Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 Center ridge milled off, fresh 1950's Gibson mahogany for replacement ready to be installed. This way all of the holes drilled and the filled route will not be seen under the new finish. The new center ridge clamped on and drying, after being sized and glued...
BCR Greg Posted January 7, 2012 Author Posted January 7, 2012 I left this image out..... Routing the wiring channel, using a ruler as a leveler... Color on, antique clear on, not buffed..... Those danged tuners..... Pickup and wiring installed...
Aqualung Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 I'm just in awe of such skills. And how cool is it to bring back a vintage guitar to life. Pelham Blue is an excellent chioce of colour too.
Disturber Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 The one who did the first modifications sure knew what he was doing, (ducks and takes cover under the dining table...) Great job Greg. Love that blue finish, classy!
kizanski Posted January 7, 2012 Posted January 7, 2012 One of my all-time favorite guitars! I think it's time I bought me another one!
Jeff R Posted January 8, 2012 Posted January 8, 2012 Great job, Greg. The golden/amber aging looks so cool - I'd probably leave the pickguard off just to make it "pop" more haha!
RobB Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 Now, THIS is just too damned clever! Great eye for detail with the unfaded color under the pickguard. Well done! Color on, antique clear on, not buffed..... Firebird I/Marshalls are a magic combination. "Live Cream Vol. I", Mick Ralphs-era Mott the Hoople/early BadCo. I'd love to find one, but originals are unobtanium and GCS are $3k, ouch!
gorch Posted January 9, 2012 Posted January 9, 2012 I remember this one from last year: http://www.hamerfanc...on/page__st__30 First thought I had. Very nice result. Now looks like a Silberpfeil.
whiskeyzulu Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 Nice to see the finished product - great work, as always!
django49 Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 I do a fair amount of woodworking.....Esp love the projects where you have to start out with some energy and creativity. (I do NOT try to make or seriously mod guitars, though I have done some amp/speaker/cabinet work).All the more reason to respect and appreciate your work!
veatch Posted January 10, 2012 Posted January 10, 2012 It's alive! I prefer this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnwIIKnWJtg
Question
BCR Greg
This one has had me frazzled, but the end result will be worth it.
Imagine a rare single pickup Firebird I that had a wraparound bridge and little else. Nice, huh?
Well, until it became THIS....
Good LORD! It seems that the previous owner wanted to accent the 22nd fret, for some reason....
And it was a string through?!?!?!
I have my work cut out for me.....(poor choice of words, eh?)
So, what's under the guard?
There is a special place in hell for whoever did this....
Off we go!
Drilling out the "22nd fret ornamentation" is first...Brazilian rosewood shaped into dowel will be used to fill the holes.
The bathtub is squared and a block of 50's Gibson Honduras is shaped to fit.
More to come....
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