Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 This red SG Special came to me some time ago. It was a pretty sad instrument when I got it. The action was horribly high and you couldn't lower it without racket, it didn't stay in tune, the pickups, pots and wiring were all pretty poor as well. I put a Gibson Burstbucker 2 and a Lace Dually, red silver in it, replaced most of the other hardware but the action problem was a problem. I finally figured out by removing the neck that there was a glop of hardened polyester inside the edge of the neck pocket. Once that was cleaned out, the action was good. Still, I didn't like the color, so I decided to give it a paint job. There was a big ugly chip on the back near the control cavity cover and I've never been a big fan of red SGs anyway. So, off I go sanding it down... EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 It turns out, being built in Indonesia, that it's all mahogany. It seems like the used scraps and glued them up, but still. There were a lot of dings and damage on the thing, so some wood filler was in order. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Then the primer. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 Then paint. I'm just using a good spray enamel from the home store. Nothing special. I decided on silver with some black striping. The striping was done using a vinyl tape I picked up at the auto parts store. You can pull it up and stick it down as many times as you need to get it in the right place. Clearcoat over the top. And the taping... EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 I'm liking what I see so far!!! Just saved it to "favorites" for inclusion in the "Guitar Projects by Forum Members" sub-section in the DIY thread. Heh, heh, heh... Please be sure to document all good and bad things, we can learn from your project! [thumbup] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianh Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 That's lookin' really good Elias. Funny about the action issue - I just took the neck off an Epi Jr. and found a scrap shim in there. Now that it's removed the action is improved and the guitar sounds better. Go figure.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 I decided to go with a black headstock face. I then found some silver/chrome 3D stickers at the hobby store and cut those to fit. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 I sprayed the clear deep enough on the headstock to completely cover the vine stickers. I then sanded smooth and polished. And beauty shots of the completed job. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
animalfarm Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 Excellent work! The 3D stickers for the headstock were a unique choice, gotta remember that. You have just created and "Elia-Phone SG"!!!!!!! I have no doubt you will inspire others to do the same. I love it!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 16, 2010 Author Share Posted May 16, 2010 It was a fun project. I doubt that I use enamel again, but it's cheap and looks good, so, why not? It requires some patience waiting for it to cure. I have since replaced the Lace Dually with an 57 Classic HB. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlagJones Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 NICE!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanFoFyan Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 that came out really good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 Thanks. I like to paint and this was a fun project. I'm converting a red PRS SE soapbar into a goldtop right now. Seems I can't leave well enough alone. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BryanFoFyan Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 is that like a silver sparkle or just regular silver i wanted to do a sparkle paint on the blue guitar i made in my picture below but i couldnt figure out how. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elias Graves Posted May 17, 2010 Author Share Posted May 17, 2010 It was some metallic silver I got a Lowe's. Clearcoat over the top. Metallic is tricky to get to come out right. You have to spray it very lightly, many coats, don't touch, then clearcoat. EG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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