How to liven up a black guitar?

Hairmail

Hairmail

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As some of you might know I have a Charvel San Dimas model guitar, an older MIJ model, and I love it to death. I just wish it wasn't black. Its ok for me on a metal guitar, but it just doesn't sit too well with me on an '80s hot rodded strat type guitar. Any suggestions?

I've already decided I'm gonna switch out the switch cap for a thinner white one. I'm not a huge fan of the big black plastic one they use. I might just change the knobs to some bright retina-burning couloured strat knob. Here's what it looks like now alongside its evil twin( my brothers JEM):

20130724_200323_LLS.jpg

Any tips on how to make this thing look cooler?

*edit* I've ruled out changing the pickups, I'm pretty happy with how they are now.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

If you're willing to go this far- gold hardware.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

Stickers are the cheapest, easiest route, but definitely take a toll in classiness of the guitar.

Changing hardware can get expensive. Changing your pickup rings is easy enough and fairly cheap. You could also get some nickel, chrome, or gold open-face humbucker covers. http://www.wdmusic.com/pickup_beauty_ring_gold.html

That style of humbucker cover is pretty easy to install. Soldering is possible, but not necessary, same with wax potting. I have noticed no additional noise from the two I installed over my neck humbuckers.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

Well, you could paint it red. or green, or yellow, or orange, or blue, or purple, or silver, or white, or swirl, or burst, or......................................................................................................................................................................
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

But, then, again, maybe some questions are meant not to be answered. Perhaps it is, or should be considered, rhetorical.
 
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Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

Thanks for all the fast replies. My guitar doesn't have mounting rings. And I'm still thinking on stickers it seems like my guitars pride will take a hit, and gold harware is a no-no, way too expensive.

If I was to repaint it I'd have to strip off the finish right? Just asking, its making me curious.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

covers on the pickups, or white bobbin toppers, white knobs
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

Google for Rick Parfitt Guitar Facelift. The product is a non-adhesive vinyl sheet that rolls on and peels off, leaving no residue.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

Fire. All guitars look so much better on fire. They really come to life and of course the tone is warmer.
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

I wanted a white one originally but this was all I could get. You can find all sorts of stuff here in Indonesia but in really small quantities for example the shop I went to,(still the only one I ever saw here that sellls Jackson/Charvel stuff) only had two, a MIJ one and an even older US made one. Both were on display. The MIJ one was better IMO so I jumped at the chance to get a Charvel even though it was black. They had a really old Jackson pro series RR model and a few other india made JS and X series Jacksons. Like only one of each. They don't really stock this stuff.

The guitar facelifts seem cool but I don't think they fit my guitar. I'll definitely check out the bobbin topppers, anyone know where to get some?
 
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Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

I like black guitars when done right.

I would start by making the whole body a satin/matte finish by using 000 steel wool then move up to 0000.

Then you can go either all black or all gold with the hardware. Whatever is your fancy.

But the satin/matte thing is only if this is a "life-guitar".
 
Re: How to liven up a black guitar?

stripe it

kws1.jpg


GreenRacingStripe-full.jpg



images

link to site
 
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