I was thinkin of making a replica of Billie Joe's Blue...

[mr_dreadlocks]

Bit of history first... I hate Strats. Period.
I can't stand the shape, and they're incredibly over-rated (in the sense that it's the guitar every little kid gets for Christmas)

HOWEVER

Billie Joe's Blue, I don't see as a Strat. In my head it doesn't appear as a Strat, I think it's to do with the fact that it's covered in stuff and battered and not clean and perfect like the ones I find I don't like the look of. I've always loved Blue, so I wanna make a replica of Billie's 2002 version.

I'm thinking of getting a Squire Strat real cheap, maybe eBay, maybe from someone I know or something, stripping the parts, sanding down the lacquer a bit, and coating it in a faded pale blueish colour, to match that of Blue as close as possible.

I wanna install a humbucker (the same SD as in Blue) in the diagonal bridge position, and change the cap for a start (switch and pots), and the pickguard, knobs and switch tip to slight off-white, and sand the head blank, like Blue..

Then the tricky part, I want to accurately reproduce the stuff that's on the 02 Blue, as close as possibly, using pictures and drawing/printing/whatever to make it look like the real Blue.

(I know I can do all of this, equipment and skill wise)

02 version...



Earlier version...




Anyone wanna mention a huge obvious thing I've failed to realise, or anything similar? Any ideas/thoughts..?

[kspeed]

Are those graphite saddles? I've also never seen a Strat pickguard precut for a diagonal humbucker, so you might need to do that yourself. Tough to tell from the pictures if both versions have the same fingerboard material...

[mr_dreadlocks]

Those two are the same guitar, the second's just the older version.

I was planning to have to cut the PG and possibly route for a diagonal humbucker, and the saddles will just be regular, not graphite (if they are). Minor differences like number of screws and the saddle material won't be the same, it will only really be cosmetically the same, and with the same pups.

[wholelottasomethin']

Overrated?

Dude. Play a GOOD Fender stratocaster and not a cheap knock-off. Strats sound different than les pauls. It's not worse, it's not better. It's different!

Oh, and guitars with stickers are childish.

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by wholelottasomethin'

Overrated?

Dude. Play a GOOD Fender stratocaster and not a cheap knock-off. Strats sound different than les pauls. It's not worse, it's not better. It's different!

Oh, and guitars with stickers are childish.

+1 on the different part.

-1 on the guitars with sticker's part.

Just cuz you don't like em doesn't mean they aren't cool for some folks. Joan Jett and Billie Joe just to name a couple.

Honestly, I wouldn't buy a signature guit with all those stickers on there, but if he wants to build a replica then I say go right ahead.

[madams17]

Originally Posted by mr_dreadlocks

Bit of history first... I hate Strats. Period.
I can't stand the shape, and they're incredibly over-rated (in the sense that it's the guitar every little kid gets for Christmas)

HOWEVER

Billie Joe's Blue, I don't see as a Strat. In my head it doesn't appear as a Strat, I think it's to do with the fact that it's covered in stuff and battered and not clean and perfect like the ones I find I don't like the look of. I've always loved Blue, so I wanna make a replica of Billie's 2002 version.

I'm thinking of getting a Squire Strat real cheap, maybe eBay, maybe from someone I know or something, stripping the parts, sanding down the lacquer a bit, and coating it in a faded pale blueish colour, to match that of Blue as close as possible.

If that's the same guitar he recorded Dookie with, I think it's a Fernandes, not a Fender. You may be able to find a good deal on a used one on Ebay for a lot less than a Fender and it would be better quality than a Squire. You could also get a Tom Delonge signature (either the Fender or Squire versions) to use as your starting point. I think they come in a color close to this.

[djwilbanks]

That and you'd just have to scuff the poly finish up (its not lacquer) and then spray the paint on over it if you can't find the colour you're looking for.

[Juneya]

Someone use to make Blue replicas and sell them on ebay, but they weren't entirely accurate. In don't think he cut the guard and put Duncan JBs in the bridge. He recreated all of the stickers but they were based on Blue in a different timeframe. Sounds like a fun little project.

[5F6-A]

[QUOTE=madams17;342384]I think it's a Fernandes, not a Fender.QUOTE]

spot on.

Fernandes made some really, really good clones. My strat strated life as one of those...

[rybass]

Originally Posted by wholelottasomethin'

Overrated?


Oh, and guitars with stickers are childish.

Nice opinion! Looks like I'm a 30 year old child. That sux.

[73roadrunner]

I'm sorry, but I have no idea why anyone would want to be like Billy Joe Armstrong... Whoever came up with the idea of giving him a signature Les Paul Jr. should be fired IMO.

[mr_dreadlocks]

Originally Posted by 73roadrunner

I'm sorry, but I have no idea why anyone would want to be like Billy Joe Armstrong...

You have no idea why anyone would want to be filthy rich and famous and have signature guitars?

[mr_dreadlocks]

And yeah I know it's a Fernandez not a Fender, I was planning to have a blank head on it, and I don't really care about the quality of it. Most of the stuff is coming out, I only really want the right coloured body and some bits that I won't have to replace. I was thinking of the Squire Bullet Strat, just for the body (comes in Daphne Blue), new neck, wiring, bridge, pups, everything.

I only want to build this particular guitar because I absolutely hate Strats, however I need to have a Strat, and for some reason I don't see Billie's as a strat, it's just a different guitar, a model of it's own, probably because of all the crap on it.

[qwank]

strats suck! buy a Mustang! lol!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by 73roadrunner

I'm sorry, but I have no idea why anyone would want to be like Billy Joe Armstrong... Whoever came up with the idea of giving him a signature Les Paul Jr. should be fired IMO.

Yea, they should definitely be fired for a marketing scheme that further puts the Gibson name in the spotlight and brings the LP Jr to a whole new audience... WHAT?!?!

Obviously millions of people disagree with you and really enjoy Green Day.. but if you really must quantify it, here's how they fit into music history:

Of course we all know that grunge bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc. pretty much replaced metal in the early 90's... It could definitely be argued that this was a good thing, since metal had gotten extremely generic and full of itself. The only problem was, grunge music was pretty depressing and the fans seemed to be very introverted... kind of moping around at concerts and whatnot. Green Day got big as that whole movement was dying, and in my opinion, brought back more of the true spirit of rock. It was about being in your face and rude and about rocking out. Having fun, blowing off some energy, etc. Putting on a show instead of just gazing at your shoes.

GD gets crap from every side though. Of course metal heads hate them because the guitar playing isn't very "technical". Who cares? If you're obsessed with the technical merits of something, maybe you should be a fine art critic. They get crap from the "old school punkers" as well. "That's not punk rock!!" they say. Well wtf... I thought punk rock was supposed to be about anarchy and having NO labels... clearly if bands got to the point where "punk rock" became an exclusive club, the movement was dead. And as full of itself as metal got in the 80s.

Billy Joe's playing may not be overly technical, but the overall sound GD puts out is great, in my opinion. The drummer and bassist are both pretty technical, and to me that's where a lot of the coolness and originality of their sound comes from.

If you judge music purely by its technical impressiveness then I think you're really missing out on a lot. And if the music that you DO listen to gives you a superiority complex, it doesn't make you knowledgeable, it just makes you a dickhead.

[73roadrunner]

So because I don't like Billie Joe Armstrong because he can't play for crap means I'm a dickhead???

I don't give a damn about technique.. Sure most of my favorites are shredders, but there are also guys like Steve Clark, Jimmy Page and SRV who are 3 of my favorites but they weren't technical shredders. They were more bluesy/rock type guitarists. Maybe you shouldn't assume so damn much.


Millions of people also enjoy Young Jeezey, doesn't make him good

[shotgunlew]

Children....

[Jason]

I'm done feeding the troll, no worries.

[73roadrunner]

So I'm a troll because I stated my opinion that happens to be different than yours?? I guess your one of those types who seem to think that only people who have similar opinions as you can voice them.



Edit: you said Green Day helped make rock fun again, I will give them credit for that. Thats one reason why I love 80's metal, it was fun and the musicianship was awesome.. And at least BJA doesn't wear his guitar right udner his nipple. Thats something that bothers me, when someone wheres their guitar too high. I just don't get how that couldn't be uncomfortable.

[5F6-A]

calm down guys!

[AXE]

No worries Justin...
Those of us who know you.
Know your not a troll by any means.

You could remove three of your fingers and still play as well as Billy Joe

you kids behave

[73roadrunner]

Originally Posted by ^AXE^

No worries Justin...
Those of us who know you.
Know your not a troll by any means.

You could remove three of your fingers and still play as well as Billy Joe

you kids behave

Hahaha thanks Axe. How many other Tesla Forum folks are here exactly? So far I've seen you and Lazy Days.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by 73roadrunner

So I'm a troll because I stated my opinion that happens to be different than yours?? I guess your one of those types who seem to think that only people who have similar opinions as you can voice them.



Edit: you said Green Day helped make rock fun again, I will give them credit for that. Thats one reason why I love 80's metal, it was fun and the musicianship was awesome.. And at least BJA doesn't wear his guitar right udner his nipple. Thats something that bothers me, when someone wheres their guitar too high. I just don't get how that couldn't be uncomfortable.

No, you're a troll because you come into a thread started by someone who is obviously a fan of Green Day and you proceed to rip on the band. That's called trolling. I've done it myself without thinking about it as well, but it is what it is.

[73roadrunner]

trolling is signing up for a forum with the intent to piss people off and start shit. Stating your opinion in a thread isn't trolling, its stating your opinion. Something as an American I have the right to do, something that the internet is pretty much used for. Spreading ones opinion.

[djwilbanks]

GIANT DERAILMENT.

Back to your regularly scheduled thread?

[rybass]

Originally Posted by 73roadrunner

I'm sorry, but I have no idea why anyone would want to be like Billy Joe Armstrong... Whoever came up with the idea of giving him a signature Les Paul Jr. should be fired IMO.

I'm sorry, I just don't think dreadlocks was looking for someone to tell him that BJA sucks. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate someone coming into one of your threads off topic and undermining your discussion just so they could be heard.

No offense meant but you came in attacking this thread in a round about way then someone countered your post and you got defensive. Stating your opinion is one thing but coming in blazing seems a little "dickhead" like.

And gibby is in the business of making money not pleasing the purists. I'm still waiting on the edge of my seat for the Jonas Bros signature editions.

Once again no offense meant just critically examine your post compared to your definition of a troll. Seems like it was there to start trouble. This wasn't a: what is your opinion on BJA thread it was a: look at my idea; anyone have solutions thread.

[73roadrunner]

Mr Dreadlocks replied in a more respectful manner, so obviously he took it the way I ment it, just as stating my opinion.. Jason C is the one who came in calling names and such.


To Mr Dreadlocks: good luck with making the guitar dude.. The more I look at the pictures the more it reminds me of this collaged Squier Strat this one dude who used to come into the locl shop had.