Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Ok, a few pictures to whet your appetite.

I am still missing a few minor parts, but I should be able to get started tomorrow. The first thing I need to do is drill (UGG) the tuner holes. These are slighty too small for the bushings. I tried reaming them out and even sanding but they are still too snug (which is crazy!). So, out comes the drill press. I'll take some photos of the process.

A question - after I enlarge the holes I want to shoot 3 or 4 coats of something on the headstock to seal the logo. I don't need to bury it, but I don't like it just sitting on top of the lacquer. Any suggestions as to what to use?

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

OK, ended up going with a SSL-1 in the neck. No way I'm going to pay $70 for a Fat 50's pickup. Should have photos tomorrow as I am working on the neck tonight!

 

[Diocletian]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Looking forward to it.
Clips too...

 

[j9fd3s]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

OK, ended up going with a SSL-1 in the neck. No way I'm going to pay $70 for a Fat 50's pickup. Should have photos tomorrow as I am working on the neck tonight!

i have an ssl1 neck in one of mine, and its really really nice

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Ok, so I got started last night. I have some good news and some bad news.

The good news is that I successfully enlarged the tuner holes (below).

The bad news is I messed up the logo in my attempt to put on a protective coat or two... more below.

Well, the vintage tuner bushings were too big for the holes on this guitar neck. I can't believe it, but it is true. At some point this neck had vintage tuners on it, but they must have been from a Squier mini because I don't see how they got the bushings on (or OFF for that matter). In any event, and with much trepidation, I unleashed Good 'ol Bessie.

Bessie is probably 10 years older than me, but she runs fine and is heavy as a son-of-a-*****. I set her up and tested out a few drill bits before I found a good size. I lubed up the bit with some silicon spray to avoid chipping the finish.

(yes, this is how the thread is gonna go. You're gonna see excuciating detail. Deal with it)

I taped up the back of the neck and the top 5 frets of the board top avoid overspray.

I also taped up over the holes themselves to - again - avoid chips.

I can't take a picture while using Good 'ol Bessie so at this point you will need to use your imagination. There I am... with beads of sweat pooling on my forehead before streaming into my eyes. I steady the neck under the press and begin to lower the spinning bit. One flse move could ruin the neck. My eyes, bluery from sweat and in a light alcoholic daze attempt to follow the bit as it descends toward the tuner holes.

WAIT!!!

I didn't poke holes in the tape first! Ok, so back off the press and poke holes in the tape so I can see where the tuner holes are...

Good 'ol Bessie reams out the first hole with no issues. The hole looks good and clean and there appears to be no chipping. Phew!!! I completed the other 5 holes. Good times!

I removed the tape and they looked great. I tested one of the bushings and it was still a little tight but I got it down! Success!

Now, about that logo... In the picture above it looks freakin perfect, but it isn't. when looking in person you can clearly see that the logo is not under the topcoat. I hope to make it appear deep in the finish.

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

So, if you look in the photos above the logo looks freakin' perfect, doesn't it? Well, it does, but it is sitting on TOP of the lacquer. If you look down on the neck you can see that the logo isn't IN the lacquer. The guy I bought it from told me "that's how the 50's strats were, so I just put it on top of the finish". I think he just didn't want to apply the topcoats.

Anyway... over time I feel that the logo would peel off without being sealed. I felt like I had to apply a coat or two to seal it. Mistake. I should have left good enough alone.

When I first applied the top coat it seemed ok... the next coat was a little thick... and then it happened - BLOOM. The moisture in the air showed up in the finish as white spots/film. AGGHHH.

I sanded it down (very lightly) and applied another two careful coats. I think I need to put 2 more on before I can try to sand and smooth. I'm such an idiot.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Hey Dali,

Yeah, I can see the outline around the decal. Will that stay, or will you be able to get rid of it at some point? The process if foreign to me.

- Keith

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

It APPEARS to have subsided with my latest coat. I'm doing one more tonight. Maybe I'll get lucky!?

 

[jhale667]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

It APPEARS to have subsided with my latest coat. I'm doing one more tonight. Maybe I'll get lucky!?

Here's hoping you do...:friday:

Great thread, loving the exacting detail part, bring it!

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Ok, last night's coat helped...

The flash makes everything look worse than it is... it really looks very good now. I'm going to sand it down a bit and try to apply a final coat this morning... let's hope I can finish this up so we can move on!

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Very nice!!!

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Ok, so the neck is looking pretty good. While it didn't turn out factory good, if you look at the overall picture, it now looks a LOT better than it did. If I handed you the neck before you would have said - "Hey, awesome neck" and then immediately you would have said, "why didn't you lacquer over the logo??".

Now, you would say - "Hey, awesome neck!" and then 10 minutes later you might say, "did you apply the logo? Looks pretty good."

Anyway... I'm letting the headstock settle down so I decided to install the tremolo. The original tremolo (came on the body) was the old MIM trems. I found one off a 2008 MIM stratocaster online for $40. Check out the differences. The newer bridge is the one on the left in the 1st picture.

As you can see, the new tremolo has a MUCH bigger block. I took it totally apart and cleaned everything up.

I installed the tremolo... everything in good order.

The marks on the body are just smudges from my hand as I handled the body. The body is in 9.5 out of 10 condition. I was very lucky to find it. Black is so hard to keep clean.

I have a parchment accessory set for this (a little softer than white, which I think looks great with the black body and maple neck). I installed the backplate, but kept the plastic on for the time being.

Up next will be shielding the cavity and then finsihing up the neck for installation.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

These pics are awesome, Dali! Exactly what I was hoping to see from this project.

- Keith

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Ok, I was able to muster up some time this evening while I watched a few concerts on the Palladia channel.

First, an aerial view of the neck:

The first order was getting those damn bushings in for the tuners. What a pain in the ass. And they don't even do anything!!

I'm using Gotoh Allparts vintage tuners. These were made in Japan. Really nice! I have a sneaking suspicion that the bushings for these are slightly larger than traditional "vintage tuners". Could it be that there are "vintage vintage" tuners and "modern vintage" tuners?

In any event, I lined them up with only thumb pressure and you can see how far they still need to go.

Therefore - back to the tools! A great trick for these types of bushings is to use a hand socket wrench to get some leverage to push the bushings in. You can use some cardboard or a thick cloth in-between the socket and the bushing to minimize scratching.

I was able to seat 3 of the 6 using this method, 3 others were still sticking up. So... back to the toolbox! I lined up the socket wrench and gave each a good "THUMP!" with a rubber mallet. They are all fully installed now!

Ok... next is to install the tuners themselves!

 

[The Dali]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Installing the tuners was relatively easy. The neck had already had some tuners installed at one time, and these tuners lined up with those holes perfectly.

I also took this opportunity to install the single string tree.

FYI, a quick shot of the neck heel before I installed it:

Before I install the neck, I installed the strap-lock buttons. Much easier installing before the neck is attached.

Ok, So I installed the neck using a brand new "serial number" neckplate.

Here are some shots of the neck pocket after the install.

From the back it looks like a complete guitar!!!!

But, alas, the electronics need to be installed.

Ok - so now I need to figure out how to install the stealth switch into the pickguard.

 

[CTN]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

lookin good so far dude! eager to see how it turns out

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Man, this is easily one of my favorite threads on the forum right now! It's inspiring me to consider doing something similar. I love the pics, and I especially love the discussion on issues you came across and what you did to overcome them.

- Keith

 

[kramer.geetar]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Quick question and something I've never been able to figure out. Why do some Strat bodies have the 3 rings routed out below the middle and neck pickups? Is it only on after market bodies so people know they are not Fenders or what? Any real purpose to those?

 

[super rad stuff]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

^they're MiM CNC guides IIRC.

 

[joelap]

Re: Gilmour Signature Strat Build Thread

Wish I saw this thread sooner. Dali, I'm from CT as well. I know a great luthier in Oakville/Watertown area if you run into any snags or ever want something done. Springmeyer's Vintage Restoration. Whereabouts in CT you from?

BTW, I think every living room should have a drill press on the coffee table.

Dali, when you cut down the trem arm... any chance I could send you my trem arm and have you do the same? I've wanted a cut trem arm for so long but don't have the ability to do it. If you're local, that's even better.

Pics look great!