software

OK, I posted a pic of my latest ash strat project the other day ... based on the idea of an quot;Anniversaryquot; strat, that is, a '54 style guitar - ash body, vintage blonde finish, maple neck with vintage specs and vintage style Callaham hardware, Antiquities, plus a nice tweed case

here's some additional pics:
ash strat

I was pretty happy with the gun oil finish I did - you can see why in the pics, especially if you compare them to the raw pics. I added a little wax coat of beeswax amp; carnauba, and it feels silky smooth. I hate to brag, but I consider this a Custom Shop level job ... but I had a lot of help, and just basically put the parts together.

enjoy!

Gary....that is beautiful. So that is a gun oil finish with only a wax to bring out the shine? It looks like a beautiful nitro finish. The neck looks awsome, like it has a vintage tint. Lovely flame on the neck. I'm having something similar done, but in transparent white, or Mary Kay White....gold Callahamhardware, nitro finish. If my turns out anything like yours, I'll be one happy camper. By the way, isn't that Callaham hardware just the cat's pajama's?

Congrats on a beautiful guitar!

Jeff,
I started with a light amber dye on the neck - that's where most of the color came from, but the oil did build up to a little darker color on some of the contours, which was actually fine with me - kinda like the G amp; L finishes.

the wax didn't add any color, but I did it for a quot;sealerquot; coat - kind of following the guidelines on Ernie Ball's site for Musicman necks, since they use the same system.

if you compare the raw neck pics on quot;page 1quot;, you can see the difference in color

this is about my third oil finish I've done on a neck, and the first time I feel like I could write a quot;how toquot;

and yes, I saw your strat, and it's a beautiful project, and I think you'll be very happy with it when you're done ...
and yes, the Callaham hardwarer is top notch

this guitar sounds fantastic through my tweed amps!!!

Very nice guitar and amps (Especially that bassman (AB165 ???) in the back corner)

thanks

haha .. I can never play the Bassman, 'cause it's so darn loud

it's a '66 or '67 - I forget ... pretty stock, except a mod on the bass channel for guitar

I'm not sure of the circuit, 'cause I don't think it matches the tube chart - I heard that's not really unusual, and the Bassman went through a lot of circuit changes - it might be an AB 864

that is gorgous curly.... even if it isn't blue

A beautiful grain you've got there.

Beatiful work Gary. Go ahead and brag.

btw - what kind of tuners are those? Are they stock. My Patriot has those kind with the hole in the center. (If I'm seeing that correctly.) I love those things. Dirt simple to string-up, and no pointy string end to poke ya.

Artie

oooolala VERY NICE!!!

thanks kindly

Artie,
the hardware is a vintage strat set from Callaham guitars - I don't know if he contracts the vintage style tuners from Gotoh or what - they feel better than the Gotohs on another strat, though. The miscellaneous parts, like the strap locks, neck plate, and screws, are all stainless steel, so a notch above most parts.

That neck is beautiful!!

You've got some great strats, and the new one is about as good as it gets. Is it getting harder and harder to decide which ones to pick up and play? Which strats speak to you the most?

If that is not the nicest Strat ever, I'll be damned. I am really digging these off-white colours at the moment. I am avoiding posts by GuitarToad because he has possibly the sexiest avator on these boards.


Originally Posted by JOLLYThat neck is beautiful!!

thanks!!! I really like the feel too!
Originally Posted by GearjoneserYou've got some great strats, and the new one is about as good as it gets. Is it getting harder and harder to decide which ones to pick up and play? Which strats speak to you the most?

Joe,
I have more guitars than I need for sure, and I should probably think about selling the ones I don't play enough. I still have 3 projects in the can though.
I think I've learned a bit from putting these custom parts together, and I could probably offer a few words of advice for anyone planning one - plan well, list everything, and think about every detail.
I started doing these because I was just never satisfied with what I found in the stores, and I think I have a couple stats now that are very playable, excellent quality, and sound terrific - guitars you wouldn't mind playing all night.

Nice grain, nice uitar man, that thing made me pop a boner!

Curly,

You've got a great classy looking strat. VOW! It really looks classy (that's the word that came to my mind the second I saw it).

I love transparent white and blonde finishes.

B

That's absolutely gorgeous, bro.

mmmmm nice

Stunning work my man. I'm mopping the drool off my keyboard right now.