One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

[Mallowpuff]

Yeah, sorry I've been making so many threads but I just have so many questions and stuff to ask/tell.

I know, it's probably a bad idea to start collecting guitars at this age and when the only thing I can play is the intro to "Smoke on the water" but I just feel like I need to collect guitars. And mostly buy cheap knock-offs/squires etc(75-150$) and completely re doing them. It's either guitars or stamps.

Having my father be a professional wood worker and being on good terms with our a neighbor, who owns a car body shop and gives us Clear coat or automotive paint when needed also helps in restoring guitars.

For now, I was wondering if everyone here thinks this guide is pretty good on how to do a transparent finish/staining a guitar(even if it's not blue!)

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Finishing/Finishing_a_Blue_Guitar.html

I've already done two guitars I got from my uncle, and now I think I want a nice transparent finish over a custom veneer from the local exotic wood shop.

Also, one quick question, would you recommend a new kit from like GFS or some old beat up guitar(with a semi straight neck) from like Guitar center?


Thanks for any info! I'm open too any/all suggestions, and if you think I should just stop, say so!

 

[jtougas]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Dan Erlewine is an extremely knowledgeable individual - a good source, no matter what. He also has a few books you can get through Amazon that I would recommend, as they cover a wide range of topics, including setup and maintenance, wiring tips and tricks, and so on.

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Dan Erlewine is an extremely knowledgeable individual - a good source, no matter what. He also has a few books you can get through Amazon that I would recommend, as they cover a wide range of topics, including setup and maintenance, wiring tips and tricks, and so on.

This book in particular. It is a very good source for all things guitar repair related, including finishes. It even has guides for how to do sunburst finishes. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/08793...pair+guide&dpPl=1&dpID=51lWgXPDTzL&ref=plSrch

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

This book in particular. It is a very good source for all things guitar repair related, including finishes. It even has guides for how to do sunburst finishes. I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/08793...pair+guide&dpPl=1&dpID=51lWgXPDTzL&ref=plSrch

Thanks!

I'll look around for it used, but only if it comes with the DVD.

And I mean, if I can't find it, I can choke out 25$. Seems like an amazing book from online reviews!

 

[vinta9e]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Go ahead, choke it out and support the author. 25 bucks is not an expense you will feel in the long run, regardless of where you live.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Go ahead, choke it out and support the author. 25 bucks is not an expense you will feel in the long run, regardless of where you live.

True.

If it does cover some finishing stuff, with this book and the video, I'm thinking with help from my father that I can probably re-finish one and set it up! Which is honestly getting me really excited!

 

[Chocklit_Thunda]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

I personally learnt from picking up cheap and broken guitars and then trying to give them a new beginning. The first ones were not that good but if you get them for a good enough initial price, you can always sell them off for a bit more just to replace the parts and for a bit of labour. It's a win win... You get extra money and the other guy still gets a great guitar for much less than he would have paid.
One thing - Don't get too attached to all your cheapie projects. You can always sell them off and make some extra cash and then use that cash to buy yourself something nicer. (I've done that before) Otherwise they just pile up and you've got a whole bunch of cheap guitars that you're outgrowing.
By all means, keep the ones that are fantastic when you're done with them. Sometimes a budget guitar can really surprise you with the right upgrades or just some TLC.

I'd suggest the cheapies before jumping into a kit if you're a beginner, solely because the cheapie passed QC and was an instrument while the kit may need work - sometimes a substantial amount.
If you're confident you know what you're doing then a kit may be a good learning curve and won't hurt your wallet.
After that perhaps you can look into building your own body and using a pre made neck etc. etc. etc.

Anyway, I'm rambling but i'd definitely suggest learning to strip down a guitar and spraying it or oiling it, working with different woods as they all react differently, especially using oils, stains and rub on finishes. That StewMac guide and the book will most definitely help but the only way you're going to be able to master the technique is through doing it and redoing it until you're comfortable.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

I personally learnt from picking up cheap and broken guitars and then trying to give them a new beginning. The first ones were not that good but if you get them for a good enough initial price, you can always sell them off for a bit more just to replace the parts and for a bit of labour. It's a win win... You get extra money and the other guy still gets a great guitar for much less than he would have paid.
One thing - Don't get too attached to all your cheapie projects. You can always sell them off and make some extra cash and then use that cash to buy yourself something nicer. (I've done that before) Otherwise they just pile up and you've got a whole bunch of cheap guitars that you're outgrowing.
By all means, keep the ones that are fantastic when you're done with them. Sometimes a budget guitar can really surprise you with the right upgrades or just some TLC.

I'd suggest the cheapies before jumping into a kit if you're a beginner, solely because the cheapie passed QC and was an instrument while the kit may need work - sometimes a substantial amount.
If you're confident you know what you're doing then a kit may be a good learning curve and won't hurt your wallet.
After that perhaps you can look into building your own body and using a pre made neck etc. etc. etc.

Anyway, I'm rambling but i'd definitely suggest learning to strip down a guitar and spraying it or oiling it, working with different woods as they all react differently, especially using oils, stains and rub on finishes. That StewMac guide and the book will most definitely help but the only way you're going to be able to master the technique is through doing it and redoing it until you're comfortable.

Thanks!!

That's what I was planning on. I'm not going to get attached to any except the next one. After that they're 50/50 Profit/Fun.

I won't be giving them away, but I also won't be hoping to make 100% more than I spent.

 

[HALENisking]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Cool advice
chocklit!

 

[Demanic]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Dude, a bad time to start collecting them is in your '40's. If you can pick up some good stuff now, and learn how to play it, and hold on to it for another 30 years or so... Well, that's what I would tell myself at 16 to do.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

All good advice

collecting unique one of a kinda guitars and hanging on to them for 30 years may be a good investment
collecting cheap squires and painting them different colors
that sounds so familiar...... sooo familiar.... hmmmm

Erlewine Book was on my Amazon wishlist
until last night bought it

just bought it



save your money
try a mid grade new guitar
or a high grade used guitar
to play

decorate your walls as you like

 

[allbutromeo]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Normally I would advise saving up and buying 1 $500 guitar instead of 5 $100 guitars, but as a tool for learning how to do repair work stick with a cheap, but decent quality instrument. Hurts a lot less when you screw it up trying a new repair technique

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Dude, a bad time to start collecting them is in your '40's. If you can pick up some good stuff now, and learn how to play it, and hold on to it for another 30 years or so... Well, that's what I would tell myself at 16 to do.

Haha. Not quite in my 40's yet.

All good advice

collecting unique one of a kinda guitars and hanging on to them for 30 years may be a good investment
collecting cheap squires and painting them different colors
that sounds so familiar...... sooo familiar.... hmmmm

Erlewine Book was on my Amazon wishlist
until last night bought it

just bought it



save your money
try a mid grade new guitar
or a high grade used guitar
to play

decorate your walls as you like

Thanks!!

That's the only problem.. I have a small room so the 4 guitars I have are already crowding the walls..

Time to add a music room to the house!

Normally I would advise saving up and buying 1 $500 guitar instead of 5 $100 guitars, but as a tool for learning how to do repair work stick with a cheap, but decent quality instrument. Hurts a lot less when you screw it up trying a new repair technique

I'm kinda thinking about going for a "beat up" used MIM Strat as my next real project. I've seen some pretty banged up ones for as cheap as 150$. And maybe cheaper than that if I can find one.

 

[dominus]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

If you're going the veneer route, try to find a guitar body that's reasonably flat and with a fixed bridge to do for the first one. Get the technique down before you try to mess with curves, bends, tremolo cavities, etc.
Maybe grab a used Epiphone LP Jr or LP Special. Just try to get one of the solid wood ones rather than plywood. (Just pop off the electronics cover on the back and look inside to find out.)

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

If you're going the veneer route, try to find a guitar body that's reasonably flat and with a fixed bridge to do for the first one. Get the technique down before you try to mess with curves, bends, tremolo cavities, etc.
Maybe grab a used Epiphone LP Jr or LP Special. Just try to get one of the solid wood ones rather than plywood. (Just pop off the electronics cover on the back and look inside to find out.)

Thanks!

I know it has a trem cavity which may be difficult, but how flat is a MIM Strat? I feel kinda dumb asking.. On the other hand, I've seen epi LP Jr/Specials go for as low as 30-50$ so that might actually be a great start. If I done one of them, I might even think about selling it.

A question I have,

For stain, do you have to use specially made "Guitar stain" or whatever? Not just like Home depot wood stain? And if specialty is needed, where would you recommend getting it from, that has the most variety?

And finally, the veneer. Will pretty much any veneer I pick work, or is there some to stay away from?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

I'm not going to get attached to any except the next one. After that they're 50/50 Profit/Fun.

I won't be giving them away, but I also won't be hoping to make 100% more than I spent.

Dont bother just treat it that its a hobby and its a money sink. Everyone spends money that they never get back on hobbies whether its cars, booze or strippers. The problem comes when you are trying to turn profit out of it. Buy one you want to experiment with doesnt so much matter what, after your done flip it. If you can get your money out of it great if you cant, dont sweat it.

If you are thinking well i will flip them so i can do the next one eventually you will wind up with all your money sitting waiting to be sold. So just play with what money you have that you can afford to lose.

There is just so little profit that can even be made on a refinned instrument. Especially if you count your time as money. Just treat it as a hobby have some fun learn some stuff dont worry about trying to make money.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Dont bother just treat it that its a hobby and its a money sink. Everyone spends money that they never get back on hobbies whether its cars, booze or strippers. The problem comes when you are trying to turn profit out of it. Buy one you want to experiment with doesnt so much matter what, after your done flip it. If you can get your money out of it great if you cant, dont sweat it.

If you are thinking well i will flip them so i can do the next one eventually you will wind up with all your money sitting waiting to be sold. So just play with what money you have that you can afford to lose.

There is just so little profit that can even be made on a refinned instrument. Especially if you count your time as money. Just treat it as a hobby have some fun learn some stuff dont worry about trying to make money.

Thanks!

Yeah, I'm doing this for fun. I just wouldn't be upset if I could sell it for enough to cover the electronics. All the time I take making it would just be used doing nothing anyway as I'm not going to try and finish one a day or something. Just going to do it in my spare time. And if it turns out great, I keep it!

 

[dominus]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Thanks!

I know it has a trem cavity which may be difficult, but how flat is a MIM Strat? I feel kinda dumb asking.. On the other hand, I've seen epi LP Jr/Specials go for as low as 30-50$ so that might actually be a great start. If I done one of them, I might even think about selling it.

A question I have,

For stain, do you have to use specially made "Guitar stain" or whatever? Not just like Home depot wood stain? And if specialty is needed, where would you recommend getting it from, that has the most variety?

And finally, the veneer. Will pretty much any veneer I pick work, or is there some to stay away from?

Stratocasters are fairly rounded around the horns and it has the arm rest area as well.

Wood stain is wood stain. I'd look into different types (oil vs water based), but whatever you grab will work. The only difference is how hard it is to clean up.

 

[jtougas]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

I would recommend water based or alcohol based stains, for the greatest compatibility with finishes.

 

[Mallowpuff]

Re: One more question for now(I hope). This one is about finishing.

Stratocasters are fairly rounded around the horns and it has the arm rest area as well.

Wood stain is wood stain. I'd look into different types (oil vs water based), but whatever you grab will work. The only difference is how hard it is to clean up.

Thanks!

I would recommend water based or alcohol based stains, for the greatest compatibility with finishes.

And Thanks!

I think I wanna do something a little different, but haven't really decided yet.. On the guitar I'm looking for, or the stain/veneer!