Budget surf Strat

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:36 am

Took some Surf 90s out of an Epiphone I sold. What to do? I'm glad you asked. I had a Strat pickguard with the HH cutout, and bought a Chinese Strat copy (neck, body, tuners), badly spraypainted and handpainted all over, for FIVE BUCKS at a junk shop, plus a $15 bridge off eBay. Lots of elbow grease and some wiring later, tada.

It has 1M pots in it so the Surfs sound a touch harsh - will need to revise. But a very fine start.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:19 am

I like seeing cool stuff being made from extra bits and pieces. Very nice.

robert(original) · Post by **robert(original)** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 6:18 pm

i really dig the looks of that thing! definitly got a cool 70's sorta pawn shop look to it!

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 8:55 pm

but how surf does it???

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 10:34 pm

Can't fully answer that - it's too bright with the 1Ms (as in OUCH, even if I roll off the volume a click like you would on a Jazzmaster) and the nut needs replacing, the tuning is all over the shop. Once those are fixed I might be able to demo it if I can pluck up the courage.

taylornutt · Post by **taylornutt** » Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:58 pm

I love the 3 tone sunburst where the red is really prominent like my mustang.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Sun Apr 14, 2013 12:00 am

Three cheers for thick Chinese poly, it just shrugged off the rattle can paint when I hit it with turpentine and steel wool. Buffed out to a decent shine with little effort.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:19 am

+1 on the burst compliment. really ace paint work for a rip-off.

great work.

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Mon Apr 15, 2013 6:51 am

It was a SX Custom Strat, they go for about $200ish here (probably less in the States though). Solid wood in the body, decent neck with well dressed but scratchy frets. Radius is probably 9" I think. Overall quite decent except that the nut is as good as a spraypainted plastic nut might be expected to be.