A Strummy Strat?

Well now that I know Grants alright
I thought I'd show what I've been working on.

The reason for the question mark is because this
will not be a Strat as we know.
Steve requested a Gibson scale.
We originally started out giving some thought to
a '58 Flying V but that changed.

So I'm going to build a HOT metal guitar with the body
and head shape of a Strat.
The head will be tilted like a Gibson and will be a 24.625
scale. ( which is the same scale on LP) From what I can gather
it's called a 24 and a half..?..I don't understand Gibson...it seems
like they just can't get happy with a scale length.lol.

What you see;
Flamed maple top. Mahogany back, Maple and Wendge neck ,
Double -action truss rod with two graphite rods.
I'll be laminating the head with flame maple.

It'll be loaded with two buckers, vol, tone and blender (no switch)
a Schaller hard tail roller bridge and Gotoh locking tuners. All gold hardware.

Naturally that's if all goes well.
Since I've been busy you got lucky and missed a lot of stuff but here's
a couple of shots of the progress.
Note; I really don't know how to grade wood but I'm using a one piece
flame maple top rather than bookmatched which I think is pretty special.
And Steve wants it dyed red...deep red...and I've never dyed wood....ya, a little
nervous 'bout that.....so we'll see.

Thanks Steve for the faith brother.

Looking nice.

Does the neck get dyed red too or just the top?

I don't know...  With how his others have turned out, I'm not sure I'd want to have it dyed if it was me!

(But, if you DO get it dyed, make sure you check out the best procedures Spacey - I know there's several steps required including a darker base that you sand off that makes the grain pop, several more layers that are slightly sanded then a bunch of thin laquer layers on top of all that!)

Space, you're keeping me on the edge of my seat...

In a few years when I can afford another instrument, I'll be knocking on your door.  

It looks like it's going to be another winner.

Nice

 Another masterpiece in the works, looks grand.

A body more beautiful than Imogen Thomas isn't it?

(especially made for interesting gigs)

Beagle

Jonbouy


A body more beautiful than Imogen Thomas isn't it?

(especially made for interesting gigs)

what are you smoking this morning? 
 
 

I'm not sure.

I'm thinking perhaps I may have bumped my head during the night.  Perhaps I should ask to be transferred back to the padded room today...

It's not strange. You're simply being humble, which underscores the fact that you're a good guy. I'm glad you're displaying the pics and detailing the journey. All the myriad auto and custom bike shows on the tube and what not... hell I'd rather tune into the Discovery channel and watch you build custom guits. An artist should never be embarrassed to display his/her art. Somewhere down the road I'll throw a wad of cash at you for a custom purple and black Strat... with either chrome or black hardware... much to decide... yes, much to decide. Hehehe.

Keep up the great work Michael!!!

Looking Good!!!

Michael, this is just unbelievable work that your doing.  I am impressed beyond words.

I was going to suggest some test scraps, especially for seeing how the flame maple would take the base dye, but I see you have that all thought through.  I should have known .  Woods that have alternating areas of denseness can be really tricky like that, but your scraps will tell you the story.  Congratz on your progress to date.

spacey



Man I got to tell you guys....
I appreciate the kudos very much but it seems strange....you see I'm posting the projects
for the owner. It seems like the kudos should be going to them for their choices made....does that seem strange?
I'm celebrating their guitar and getting compliments and I know that's the natural thing to happen...or even get some
things going south if the project warrants.....
I just don't want you thinking I'm posting these projects for me. Sure I like to have the approval of my peers but
this is about something very different for me. It's about a player getting to enjoy having a custom made guitar...that they
will love to play. Hell I don't know how to say it....it's all perspective I guess...just fun and I hope it's fun for everybody.

Mike

we don't think that Mike!  and it doesn't seem "strange" at all - it just seems fitting for your personality.  you're not in it for praise - we know that.  but we give it freely anyway because we appreciate the beauty and skill and the heart, soul and sweat you put into these works of art.

Zuma, hopefully someday we can share the trip. I know we could make it fun.

JHughs, most excellent.

Thanks Mike!

Greg, lol and I can't. I just have to imagine.

Phil...geeze man....thank you. I'm waiting on some stuff and will start testing when it arrives.
If anything of interest happens I'll post. If it goes as planned then the real interest may be
later on when I'm going to attempt something...I'll keep that to myself for awhile. It does relate
to Drews question about the neck.

Bapu, it is to me too. Steve has suggested a pretty amazing combination of ideas to me.
It's different enough to be requiring me to spend a lot of time planning my moves but it
is also a design that I'm sure wanting to see and hear.
To have a picture of you guys together....well that would be on my wall. And "prize" just doesn't
seem to be enough....treasured, that's it.

Thank you Reece. I appreciate your words. And we are a very supportive group of each other.
It's just that new folks come in and I feel there are aspects of this that could be taken different than
the real intention. After all, my goal is to create an instrument that may not be obtainable any other
way. So I strive to supply something "special". Something for the player and something very special for
myself. Something that I just don't feel could happen in "doing business" in the sense that I understand
it. "Profit" in these projects is not money but something we can all share.
If the projects are enjoyed and information given that can help somebody that wants to build....
If the owner gets an instrument without all the "business"...
If I get to learn and build....
Everybody gets to profit.....and so far I think it's worked out very well. I'm sure glad about that and don't
know of another group of folks I'd rather do this trip with.

Thank you Russell. It is really fun building Russell because at the same time I'm trying not only to
put myself in the build but also the person I'm building for....may sound kinda weird but I think we
all may get this "visual" and personality "image" of the folks here ...or maybe it's just me...but anyway
I think about them while I'm building. I listen to their music and I imagine how this guitar could make
the music they want. I sure hope that Bapu and Grant can feel that...I think they can....I know it's there
because it's just a weird feeling I get from the instrument when I plug it in for the first time....they do
talk to you.....or I'm just nuts. lol.  ( even crazier is they start talking in the beginning...I just don't know
what they're saying. Maybe that is something that comes with time.)

Very cool my friends....thank you all.
Mike  

I started using Mike because Steve asked what I preferred....he said Mike was easier to type LOL.
That British humor is just good stuff.

Spacey,
I don't know your costs, or really what is involved.  But it looks like you could be one of those rare people able to make a living at something they love.  Give it some thought - your guitars are a step above everything else I'm seeing in the shops.