Petrified Teisco Del Ray EP-7

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:46 am

It looked the same in person until I put a clear coat over it, which darkened the dust a bit. I went back and spread it over the fretboard to go along with the petrified look, so it just blends in.

Without the clear, it would have looked fine, but I would suggest to use some sort of wood glue that dries clear instead of super glue.

Zack · Post by **Zack** » Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:54 am

Good to know, as long as your satisfied with the outcome. I said it before, but if I saw it the way it looks in the video then I probably wouldn't have been able to tell. Definitely looking forward to this project.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:28 am

Two cans of Triple-Thick Glaze down; who knows how many more to go! It's so thick.

This paint job by far has more depth than my previous works -- I think it will look really nice when it is done.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 12:48 am

somehow i think so too...

James · Post by **James** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:20 am

Narco Martenot wrote:I removed and sanded the fretboard, and saved the dust. I used the dust to cover he holes left from removing the inlays.

Such a cool idea. It makes me want to buy a cheap guitar to remove the inlays from.

bassintom · Post by **bassintom** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 2:33 am

Narco Martenot wrote:

What kind of truss rod is this? How is it adjusted? I've only ever adjusted Fender necks before. I assume a hex key will fit in the hole? I've tried all of the sizes that I have, but I am missing a few so I can't be sure.

That truss rod nut is broken..look at the first 2 pics the nut seems to be OK.Then in the primered photo it's broken.I'm not sure but I think if you can get the nut off you can find a new one somewhere and simply replace it.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:37 pm

Actually, now that I look at the truss rod, I don't think that part is broken -- it looks like something was on there that wasn't originally. It came off very easily with some pliers. It almost looks like a truss rod rescue tool:

What the hell was on the truss rod? It's kind of sharp. Does anyone here with a Teisco have a picture of what theirs looks like? It was sticking out of the truss rod cavity too much for a cover to lay flat.

Anyway, the truss rod is now bare with no nut, so I will have to buy one.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:09 pm

nah, it definitely looks broken. looks like you tried to stick something in there, broke it, and then maybe got drunk and forgot?

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 10:29 pm

Haha, well, it was like that when I bought it. Whatever it is, I don't think it was supposed to be on there.

Some updates:

I found some scrap copper today at a local roofing company -- I made a new tailpiece, control plate, and a truss rod cover. I think I will try to find a thick piece of copper and make a nut as well so the copper binding flows into it and into the truss rod cover.

I bought some copper tacks -- they will be used for the inlays which will be very small and at the top of the fretboard connected to the binding. I also bought a few copper plumbing caps, which I will turn into knobs.

By the way, this guitar without the pickups and tuners only weighs 2.12 pounds!

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:41 am

Mock-up shots:

(That's not the final paint if anyone is wondering)

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:05 pm

Another mock-up:

I spent all night trying different pickguard shapes -- this is the best one I could come up with. A traditional archtop shape looked wrong because every other copper piece has right angles and quarter-circles, so I made the pickguard somewhat of a quarter-circle and lined it up with the control plate so everything flows nicely. The screws will also be completely hidden as well; and if I decide I no longer want it, no visible holes will be showing.

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 12:15 pm

Also, the knobs will not actually be that tall -- I am going to cut them down.

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:21 am

I'm not completely sold on the right angles, but the copper binding/ nut sounds really cool.

lancer88 · Post by **lancer88** » Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:46 pm

another great original creation - your stuff is crazy man! but i like it

Narco Martenot · Post by **Narco Martenot** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 11:27 am

Another mock-up. I took the pickups apart and made copper bases for them to replace the rings and original bases. I would love to be able to find a matching third pickup as I think it would look a lot better with three.

I also copper-leafed the covers, sanded a scrap piece of aged copper, and sprinkled it over the covers and applied a clear coat.

The back. Only about 50 million more clear coats to go.

Wooden ankylosaurus armour for the strap. I still need to finish shaping them, but it's getting there.

I am looking for some interesting old tuners; something shaped a little differently than the usual tuners that you see. If anyone has some laying around that they would like to get rid of, let me know. I really like these, but they are already more than I want to pay; and I am guessing they will go even higher.

Jelloman · Post by **Jelloman** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:22 pm

Looking amazing. Keep up the good work.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 6:48 pm

You put an amazing effort into your guitars, and all of them look amazing. Good work.

Reece · Post by **Reece** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:26 pm

i think my head would asplode if i saw someone holding that from the front like:

oh thats a cool guitar, i wonder what it is, must be custo- *flips guitar over*

ASPLO'

jamc_89 · Post by **jamc_89** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:50 pm

Narco Martenot wrote:

Wooden ankylosaurus armour for the strap. I still need to finish shaping them, but it's getting there.

i'm really excited for the strap. i love the one you did for the petrified jagmaster.

Ty · Post by Ty » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:58 pm

This is beautiful, your a brilliant artist, even the cat play area you made is class! I would shell out some money to have you petrify one of my guitars.