And So Begins The Task - Gothic Rebuild

[Stealth]

Great Stephen Stills tune that.

Anyway, had some time yesterday to get serious with the Gothic Project.

Tried to use the heat strip method but couldn't get the desired result so went with the Jasco chemical strip. Not too bad but somewhere down the line it had a very heavy clear coat applied that was not factory. Once the clear was stripped the black came off easily.

Considering the condition of the rest of the guitar I was worried I'd find a mess of bondo under the paint but was pleasantly surprised.

Not a bad looking piece of wood at all.

Was originally just going to do a basic high gloss black lacquer but might do something like a Silverburst. Then again, that might not look too good without the binding. Don't know, still thinking. Maybe a natural wood finish with linseed oil, which I've done before on some of my rifle stocks. There is some character in the grain after all. Wouldn't mind seeing it through the finish.

[wantsa58]

looking good so far

[drewbertca]

That top is killer......Almost looked spalted in the first and second pic....but that's just the gain

Spalting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Stealth]

Cool, learned my new word for the day. Thanks. Yes I've decided what ever direction I take I want to see the grain.

[Dino]

That's looking great!

[ArchEtech]

I think you should take the rest of the finish off of the neck. Then dye the wood black with a dye, seal with a stain, just so you can see the grain but from a distance looks like a matte black. Then just finish it off with a satin wax.

Thats what I was going to do with a gothic and still might.

[Stealth]

I may strip most of the neck as it has the same poorly done clear finish on it. I want to keep Orville though.



Might leave the headstock and the V back black and take the rest down to bare wood.

I did consider an ebony stain and the reason I bought the guitar was for the "Blacked Out" look. But now that I see the top I'm leaning towards a natural wood finish.

Thanks for the suggestions though. Keep 'em coming. It's still all up in the air.

Ken

[Stealth]

Today was spent on the neck.

Took a couple hours with lighter fluid and steel wool to work on the ebony. It was really nasty before. Starting to look good now. Have my bottle of Fret Doctor ready when the time comes for the finishing touches.








Figured I've gone this far might as well strip the neck too as it had a thick clear coat even over the edges of the finger board. Very carefully, a little at a time with the stripper and a razor blade and got 'er done.







And so far I've managed to save Orville.





Gettin' there.

Ken

[Eggy]

Looks good, I was going to suggest a stinger but you've gone ahead and done it anyway.
You could really make an interesting looking guitar out of this. I can't wait to see it finished.

[alligatorbling]

awesome progress! i cant wait to see what you decide to do with it! that grain is really gonna set it off!

[Stealth]

Thanks guys. I'm really glad the top ended up with such nice character. Here's some of the ideas I've been toying with.











So many choices. Might have to buy me some more beaters to customize.

I'm leaning towards the Black or Vintage Burst (1st two) but the last one is also appealing as it really shows off the wood. I'll get it figured out here sooner or later. Still haven't even decided if it's going to be a natural oil or lacquer finish.

Anyone ever tried to do a burst with oil based stain like Minwax?

I have a few different spray guns, an old style with cup on the bottom, a smaller touchup gun and a couple airbrushes. Should be able to make something happen.

Thanks for the encouragement.

Ken

[El Jefe]

see through black is my fav

[mdr40z]

I'd give up Orville and go with your first pic

BTW, your lower left hand bout of the top has the Grinch in it if you look hard, lol

[ArchEtech]

See Through black... with satin finish not gloss.

[WSR66]

dude, that looks amazing. great job. I would sand the neck down a little, keep the neck natural, but give it some sort of clear finish. I think you should also give the body a black cherry/black burst.

[Stealth]

Thanks guys still undecided but I have a bunch of aniline dyes and stuff coming from LMI. Should be here tomorrow.

There are a couple holes in the maple top. One where the original pickguard went and one right next to it where they put on a different pick guard. I will probably not put a pickguard back on.

I'm thinking I would plug the holes with toothpicks and super glue and maybe a little wood filler. Is there a better way? The strap lug holes also have to be redone as one is way too big and the other was not drilled straight.

Recently picked up a couple strat bodies, which are also on the refinishing block.

Ken

[Stealth]

Well went ahead and used some really fat toothpicks and Super Glue to plug the holes and finished with a bit of wood putty. Now at least I can re-drill the holes straight for the strap lugs. The old holes for the pick guard were also filled the same way. The area where they were will be colored dark black which will hide the color difference.

Did two applications of McFadden’s Mahogany Pore Filler between yesterday and today. Did a thin coat on the top as well to try and bring out the grain a bit more. Will sand the top back in a couple days.







Next step Vinyl Sealer.

BTW, I have decided on this as the color scheme I will try and emulate:



The body will be high gloss lacquer but I plan on doing the neck with Tru-Oil Gun Stock Oil. Still haven't decided if I will dye the neck black or stay natural.

Ken

[shotgunlew]

I go natural on the neck, make the black on there now a stinger

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by shotgunlew

I go natural on the neck, make the black on there now a stinger

I agree. Consider it done.