MikeM
New member
Hey guys
So I've been wanting a very specific kinda strat for a long time. I wanted to wait until the build was complete, but after getting the final pic of the body, I need to share some of this before my brain explodes!!
So I contacted Marc Rutters (well a bunch of other guys as well, but Marc impressed me most, and catered to my needs best) - a guy that specialises in really cool machined hardware, and teles in general. Oddly enough, was intruiged by some spruce bodies he was building 3 years or so back.
The basic spec called for a lightweight 1 piece swamp ash body, vintage style all round.
These pieces would have ended around 4lbs.
However, I wanted it to be a bit flashy. Plain top Les Paul also in my stable, hate flame on them, strangely I love flame on strats. After selection some lovely maple, (don't have the pics of my choices, got them via e-mail - sorry!), this is what we ended up with
A day or two later, Marc sent me with this..
A full 9 days after first making contacting him, he had produced more or less what I wanted!
However... I was looking for something sub 4lbs, this one ended up being a bit over that bracket. So marc went hunting around a bit for an extra light piece for me. After another couple of days, we ended up with this lovely hunk of awesomeness, weighing in unchambered at a featherweight 3lbs 6oz!
There's a little hint in that pic of what my finish turned out to be.. Spent a lot of time hunting for a good example of what I wanted, so I could show Marc what I needed.
Process shot
Drying out a bit
"Stoking the flames"
And then finally the burst happened. This is what the first image I got. I believe it was under a tungsten light or something, which explains the colouring. It wasn't allowed outside for a little while.
However, tonight I was blown away, in fact I still am. I really can't believe how awesome this has turned out!
We're in the process of selecting a neck. Going to be a interesting piece of figured maple. Will update as it happens!
Cheers
Mike
So I've been wanting a very specific kinda strat for a long time. I wanted to wait until the build was complete, but after getting the final pic of the body, I need to share some of this before my brain explodes!!
So I contacted Marc Rutters (well a bunch of other guys as well, but Marc impressed me most, and catered to my needs best) - a guy that specialises in really cool machined hardware, and teles in general. Oddly enough, was intruiged by some spruce bodies he was building 3 years or so back.
The basic spec called for a lightweight 1 piece swamp ash body, vintage style all round.
These pieces would have ended around 4lbs.
However, I wanted it to be a bit flashy. Plain top Les Paul also in my stable, hate flame on them, strangely I love flame on strats. After selection some lovely maple, (don't have the pics of my choices, got them via e-mail - sorry!), this is what we ended up with
A day or two later, Marc sent me with this..
A full 9 days after first making contacting him, he had produced more or less what I wanted!
However... I was looking for something sub 4lbs, this one ended up being a bit over that bracket. So marc went hunting around a bit for an extra light piece for me. After another couple of days, we ended up with this lovely hunk of awesomeness, weighing in unchambered at a featherweight 3lbs 6oz!
There's a little hint in that pic of what my finish turned out to be.. Spent a lot of time hunting for a good example of what I wanted, so I could show Marc what I needed.
Process shot
Drying out a bit
"Stoking the flames"
And then finally the burst happened. This is what the first image I got. I believe it was under a tungsten light or something, which explains the colouring. It wasn't allowed outside for a little while.
However, tonight I was blown away, in fact I still am. I really can't believe how awesome this has turned out!
We're in the process of selecting a neck. Going to be a interesting piece of figured maple. Will update as it happens!
Cheers
Mike
