Weather checking time. Rather than the canned air trick, I am going to use my freezer to try to cool the whole body. Might take a while... there is also a chance that the lacquer might self repair if it isn't dried enough.
Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 5:58 am
by HNB
I think I need to let the clear setup some more. I have good cracks in the finish where the seams are, but nowhere else. The lines all melted back together as it warmed up.
Custom pickguard and trem cover from pickguardian.com came today. I am really happy with it. Tony always does great work. Just need my toggle to show up and I can do final assembly.
So here is part of my first relic job. So far I have lightly scuffed the pickguard where strings aren't covering. I lightly sanded the finish to more of a matte finish. I did some edge light sanding until it wore through on certian areas. (High areas that are likely to be bumped more than others.) I also worked on my forearm wear. I tried to focus the wear where my hand and arm hit the body. Next I have some light edge roughing to do. Once the paint is more cured, I will do the weather crackle.
Scraping is done. I used some rough stuff to rub the edges to get chips and scrapes. I focused most of the relic work on the lower part although I scraped the upper horn a little. I also did some bottom scratches. After that, I brought it inside and did some rough sanding to smooth it a little. I like it. the parts you touch while playing are still smooth so it feels the same to play it as when it was freshly painted. It just looks/is beat up more now. Matches the headstock more now.
Cool man, glad you approve. As her previous owner you are the one person (aside from me) whose opinion I care about with this guitar. So far response has been dead which leads me to think either:
A. People hate how it turned out because they think I did a bad job.
B. People hate it because they hate relics in general.
C. People like it, but haven't spoken up.
D. People haven't bothered to look at it.
I like it and in the end, that is what matters since I will be playing her. I think my first relic went well. Not sure if I will do another relic, but I like this guitar a lot. Can't wait to try out the custom wire job. Getting springs Tuesday when I go out.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:36 am
by HNB
I added my initials on it with some mail box stickers I have had for awhile. Only my first electric and my only accoustic from high school have my initials on it. I think it looks pretty good.
Stop teasing!!! Demo that thing! The first Cyclone outside of a Cyclone II I would actually want to own.
I like the letters. Very Stevie Ray Vaughnish in a very Post Office kinda way.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:48 am
by HNB
Dude not teasing on purpose, the strat trem needs more springs. The two I have aren't holding the bridge down with the 11's I have on her. LOL I want to hear her too.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:49 am
by HNB
Oh and I love Stevie also... But in high school I did it because of Green Day. (Not gonna lie.) i didn't hear Stevie until later. Oh the wasted years. Pink Floyd too.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:16 am
by damienblair17
Looks ace dude! You do great work. Love seeing your builds and mods.
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:48 am
by HNB
Thanks! I appreciate it. I was getting nervous. Felt like crickets chirping when I posted it. LOL
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2012 8:47 pm
by sholkham
wow, that is nice. I like the tasteful relicing and aging too.