1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
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- GrantB
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1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
One of our own asked me to bring a tired ‘68 Strat back to life. It had great tone but was barely playable and had the paint job from heck. I’ll outline a bit of the journey.
What was done - refret (without removing any wood), nut etc, strip and refinish in glass-hard nitro, set up.
Old paint removal and prepping the body took a HUGE amount of time. Then the weather was a challenge, and what should have been a 2 month finish job took maybe 4. During summer we had very few days of 55% or less humidity. And when we did, I wasn’t able to spray. I want nitro to be rock hard so it will age naturally, like the originals. Can’t do that with higher humidity.
Let’s start with the finished product. I’ll add more photos later.
What was done - refret (without removing any wood), nut etc, strip and refinish in glass-hard nitro, set up.
Old paint removal and prepping the body took a HUGE amount of time. Then the weather was a challenge, and what should have been a 2 month finish job took maybe 4. During summer we had very few days of 55% or less humidity. And when we did, I wasn’t able to spray. I want nitro to be rock hard so it will age naturally, like the originals. Can’t do that with higher humidity.
Let’s start with the finished product. I’ll add more photos later.
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"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Jay
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
great finish
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.
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- Gibson
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Like a mirror, well done buddy!
Now relic it.... or nah let's not.
Now relic it.... or nah let's not.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
- robthemac
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Fantastic work. I'm battling the humidity with less success. Will let you know how the end result is regardless!
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Here what we started with
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"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Very very thick nitro clear, over 2 pack car Fiesta Red type colour, over remnants of Fullerplast.
The nitro burnt at the hint of the heat gun, the 2 pack was stocky n hard and almost impossible to move, and the Fullerplast...well, that along with cockroaches will survive our nuclear end.
The nitro burnt at the hint of the heat gun, the 2 pack was stocky n hard and almost impossible to move, and the Fullerplast...well, that along with cockroaches will survive our nuclear end.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
And underneath the wood was chipped, cracking and separating.
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"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Shoot - I'll resize these from now on...large photos.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
Note the S in the cavities? This was a sunburst.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
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Re: 1968 Stratocaster - resurrection
The fretboard has been worked over to around 6" radius. Which is strangely comfortable to play.
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"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves