NOS Wasburn Chicago Custom body and neck project

[Ascension]

For many years, I have had a Washburn unfinished body and neck from the Chicago Custom Shop setting in a case in the closet. They are most definitely not normal production pieces and the best we can figure out working with a couple ex employees from there, the body is one of the unfinished guitars done for Sammy Hagar. The neck is also unusual as it has the profile of the second gen Mercury 2 guitars but is bound in cream has jumbo frets and the neck heel is smaller than the production necks.
I'm really thinking about building this one out, as it's truly unique. First, who do you guys recommend to do a proper finish? Also, Washburn direct mounted the pickups on these with a brass insert in the body and used machine screws for height adjustment. Any idea where to find something like that? If I build this one out, it will be done like it would have been done from the Chicago shop.
This will be a special guitar if done right!
I'm thinking either doing a metallic bright red solid color or a transparent red over the one piece swamp ash body. The trans red would be like my 94 Washburn Silverado finish on swamp ash here.
I have a NOS set of the unique to these guitar's locking tuners and the anodized correct NOS neck plate, but still need to find the correct black anodized aluminum backplates if possible. The back plates were also secured with the inserts and machine screws on these guitars.
I have a new Ghoto Floyd already so it just needs a finish pickups and electronics plus some small stuff. This one will not have a locking nut, as my regular production 95 MG's with the locking tuners and a Wilkerson are super stable in tuning. . The nut on this neck was never slotted, and I am not willing to cut it for a lock nut so--.

 

[Ascension]

This one will join the "herd". If finished.

 

[jeremy]

i really like the usa washburn models. i used to have a few, but now only have a wms, but its a great guitar

 

[Mincer]

This sounds like a fantastic project. I honestly wasn't aware of these Washburn models, but it looks like something I would really like. My Warmoth and my Brian Moore are almost exactly these designs.

 

[Chad95XJ]

Interesting that it has the tilted humbucker routes like the Steve Stevens model. Completely different control layout than his, though.

 

[Ascension]

Interesting that it has the tilted humbucker routes like the Steve Stevens model. Completely different control layout than his, though.

Spot on. I have owned a SS 40 and played both a few SS 80 and 100 US guitars. This is much different from those.

 

[Ascension]

This sounds like a fantastic project. I honestly wasn't aware of these Washburn models, but it looks like something I would really like. My Warmoth and my Brian Moore are almost exactly these designs.

Grover Jackson was running that US Custom shop at that time. These were his designs. The materials, fit finish and over all quality is outstanding on these guitars. Think the level of todays Suhr, Anderson and Kiesel guitars. This 95 MG 120 is an example. Drop top that has breathtaking 3 d depth in this quilt when you see it in person, Honduras Mahogany body, 6150 frets, Brazilian rosewood board, quarter sawn not flat sawed maple neck with a 16 radius, fretboard, Wilkerson 100 trem unique to these guitar's locking tuners. Then there are the little details that are unique to these. Switchcrafr switches and pots, stock pickups were a pair of SSL 5's and a JB9 now the singles are SSL 2's), the control plates and neck plate are black anodize aluminum, the screws for the control cover and also the pickup height are not just screwed directly into wood, they used brass inserts and machine screws for both. These guitars are truly something special, but most have no idea they even exist. I sold US Hamers, BC RicH and Kramer's at a dealer back in the late 1980's., These guitars are my absolute favorite super Strats of that era. They were only built from 1992 until Grover left in early 96. They were true hand built custom shop guitars. I have owned quite a few of them over the years. Rescued several from Pawnshops and Craigslist adds, plus grabbed a few off eBay.

 

[Artie]

Super cool project. I would guess that you'd have to fabricate those brass mounting plates, especially given the slanted pups. But brass is fairly easy to work. I would imagine that anyone proficient with a Dremel tool, could do the job, with care and diligence.