reamer

I've thought about it. I'll have to take the one off my JEM and trial fit it to see what it looks like. The pickup area wouldn't look bad, I am more soncerned about the area with the switch and knobs...I'll have to see. I am sure this is not the last thing I will swirl - It does look pretty cool with the black guard on there, and since the EMG's are all black too - it's not bad.

Here is an old RG550 I was going to make into a LNG777 replica...then had the availability to get a swirl done - so I did. Thanks to Perle Guitars! So all I have really done with this project is rounded up a bunch of different parts off of ebay, and doing the clear... It all started 7 years ago actually. It was a nasty metallic green RG550. I stripped the paint off to bare wood, and put a basic clear on for the natural look. Found a 550 neck - put that on... Got some hardware, and EMG's...routed a hole in back for a 9v to power them... And played it natural looking until about 2 weeks ago. Now this is what it looks like with it's first round of clear. The body had some imperfections prior to the swirl, so I am going to keep clearing/sanding until its all nice and smooth... I will post some pictures once it's all put back together - hopefully by the end of this week. I am not trying to make this a JEM by any means - it's my own creation - I already have a FP Jem. I just love the look of the grip and claw - so why not! Too bad it's a front route and the pickguard is going to cover up some of the cool swirl!

LOVE IT! Question about the pickguard - I know in the beginning you said you made it? What did you cut it with??? Did you go with Lexan or Plexi? Other than the reverse headstock Iw ould think it was an original! Question about your templates - who's did you use to base yours off of? I have a set of JEM777 from guitarbuildingtemplates.com.

Clear just wouldn't look right since it's a front route. I'm not trying to make it a Jem - I already have one. I just really like the looks of the grip and claw. And the swirl too I guess! And the EMG's are just soooo sensative... Like I said, I have a Jem - so this is my own creation with a little of everything I like. I do wish I had it done on a rear route so I could use a clear pickguard. The black one I have will cover up some of the swirl. I have it sitting on it now, and it does still look cool! I might have to paint the EMG's, or have them swirled or something...might be TOO much black inthat area.

You are correct! It is from Nate! I am lucky that I literally live about 5 minutes from him. I happend to see his stuff on eBay, and then saw what city he was from. I thought hey, I need to get in touch with this guy. And here I am! I saw it before it was swirled, and after he cut the stuff, but didn't look at it close - so I couldn't tell ya. And I have not seen it in person yet since the swirl. I will be getting it Friday. Good to know about the fretboard - thanks for the tip! I had figured I would center based off the inlays for the reason you described. Can't wait to see yours completed!

Here is a swirl a local guy did for me. I'll be doing the clearcoat with House of Kolor...don't want to hijack your post, figured you would appreciate a nice swirl! It was an old RG550 I had sanded many years ago and left as natural. Since he is local, I am looking to be the guy who does clear coating for him. So he did my guitar so I can see what to anticipate with how the swirls are! Great deal for me! Get a swirled guitar - and hopefully some business! Win Win situation! He also cut the monkey grip and lions claw for me. The pickguard will cover a bit since it is black, but I still think it will go nicely. The extra cavity in the back is for the 9V that powers my EMGS I put in it. This thing screams! The old natural finish didn't do it justice. Now the paint matches the sound - INSANE! But my question - Now that it's painted like a Vai guitar - will I be able to play like him????

I would think you could use these as well...not sure how the price is in comparison with what you are talking... 1 Shot Enamel Another question Andy...my Fret board seems to be the width of a 7 string??? Did you have to trim down your fret board? I got mine from the same guy that you did. Maybe I didn't pay attention to what I was getting.

You got the crazy look you were going for! I like it! For some reason it wasn't until 1 shot was suggested to me as an enamel, that I thought of using that! Duh...I was wondering what kind of enamels people were using...and a painter friend of mine mentioned 1 shot. And the light bulb went off. Considering the variety of colors that have, etc. So you confirmed a curiosity of mine. Thanks!

Looking sweet! Love the reverse headstock! I just ordered a neck and inlays like yours (after seeing this post!) Think I am going to give a shot at making a neck, or just replacing the fingerboard on a current one. Question, how did you put the inlay's in? Were they vinyl with clear plexi, were the inlay's that color? I have not gotten mine yet, but want to know what's involved so I can get started on it right away! Thanks for you help! And post more progress! I can't wait to see the finished! I am planning on making mine like the 777LNG...converting an old RG550 - or maybe I just will build the entire thing!

The wood looks kinda grainy in that last pic? How are you preping the body before dipping, and what kind of wood is it? And yes, what type of clear are you putting on, and how? Might help us give some feedback on making a few things better for ya...

Funny you should say that...I do websites, and completly re-designed one for him. However because the images I used were not his swirls, he couldn't do it. And I understand that. So I am hoping to get some good images of his stuff to put in place, and help him out a little. What the heck - I can get your guys feedback on the general layout. Again, the background swirl is NOT HIS WORK. It is from a Ibanez DNA...but I would like to get an image of one of his in the same style, I think it looks cool! Would you be more inclined to buy from this? Perle Guitars - Future Web Site - POSSIBLY - if he wants it! Is he on this site??? Hope this doesn't bother you that I posted it! I do think a better site will help you. We'll talk when I deliver your guitar. L8R

He is legit...I live in the same area as him, and have gotten in touch with him. I actually picked up a Mahogony Iceman from him today that I am doing a paint job on. He has many different bodies that he makes! RG, Jem, Voyager, Iceman...he is spending all his time making and swirling these things - so his site is not completly up to date. I hope to become his local contact for clearing and paint jobs other than siwrls... He is 100% legit, and his work is great! And prices are cheap if you ask me!!!!

What kind of clear did you use? Any pics of what it did to the paint? Or description? Looking at the before's of the swirls, clearing would take several coats to get it nice an even. I have never seen one in person, but I think the enamel dries unevenly based on how the paint lays for the swirl. Or at least it looks that way from the pictures...Gotta make sure all your paints from fillers, sealers, primers, base, etc are compatable...

Awesome. My main concern was making sure I use something that adheres to the wood properly. Poor prep work will lead to a bad finished product down the road. I didn't want to spray the wood with something and have some sort of reaction! I think I am going to go the HOK DTM route, and sand between coats until all is smooth. Then base from there. Makes the most sens to me.

So I should probably go with the Grain Filelr (if it needs it) then just use my Auto Primer/Sealer, then Base Coat. I am using House of Kolor Products and I have their DTM Primer (Direct to Metal) and many in the auto forums that have done guitars talk about just using this on the bare wood with no problems. I just wanted to ask some guys who do guitars for their projects. In the auto forums most guys deal with Metal, not wood. Just want to make sure I do it right. And if I understand correctly, for Trans. colors - Grain Fill, and when you say coat of Poly, do you mean a coat of clear, then my trans color, then the final clear? Sorry guys - this is why I am asking. Everyone seems to have a slight variation on what to do. And each contrdicts the other just a little bit.

I think that answers my question... So instead of using a "Grain Filler" (yes, that's what I meant - thanks) I can just do multiple coats of "Sanding Sealer" until all is filled? I assume if it is deap grain, then grain filler would be the way to go. Then I guess I seal it after that? And then I can base on top of the sanding sealer? Looks like I am getting closer to my answer!!! Thanks!

In watching the video's on Wayne Guitars - all he does is a Sealer Coat / Sand that / then base coat??? Is the sealer coat "Sanding Sealer" - what he sparys is clear??? And then sands, and goes straight to base coat. Am I overthinking this with too many steps? Other than the possible filler for a wood like mahogany? Thanks

I guess my question would be then - What is the order ro prepare the wood. I have looked in other sections, and no one realyl spells it out. Eberyone seems to have their own little way. So would the following be the proper order? 1. Wood Filler 2. Sanding Sealer 3. Primer 4. Base coat ????

Anyone???

Okay - I have done searches, and feel like I see a million ways - which I am sure there are. Please only answer if you have experience... I have no problems preping metal for paint - wood is a different beast (or at least I think) I have read things about fillers, and sealers, and primers - and just want to know a step by step of what is done from bare wood being ready for paint, up to the base coat. I currently use HOK for all my stuff - and would like to keep it in the family or compatable products. I will be getting a Mahogany body here soon, and need to make sure it is done correctly. So what should I start spraying the bare wood with, and what follows that getting me to my base color? Would I use MinWax Sanding Sealer for anything? Then HOK DTM Primer, then my base? Or do I need a filler, then the DTM Or just go straight on with the DTM See where I am confused? Help would be much appreciated! Once I get to the base - I'm good to go from there! Thanks in advance! Specific Product names - and where to get them would be VERY helpful!

Nice! Are you painting in the shower? What did you use for teh stand it is on? Chairs are just too short...I did see a parts stand on wheels at Menards for like $50 that could be used. I also found my dock guy can get me a Winch Wheel for around $30. I'm going to check one out and see if it is sturdy enough. Then I'll be up and running. I like your jig however!

Now that I have been staring at it...the base almost looks like the wheels on docks for raising the lifts! Maybe I will chech those out, and see how much they are. I am surprise not many have chimed in on this. Do most of you just hang your stuff? It seems like this would be the ultimate way to spray a guitar, since you can spin the body around, and rotate the whole thing around. Allowing for even coverage, and even be able to let it dry in a flat position...or am I just over thinking it?

Yeah, the pic is from Charvel...I am only intersted in the stand, I got the other stuff, with fans, etc. covered. I know I can build something to work the same, I was just looking to see if anyone else had done so, and what they used. Or if there is something like this out there to buy. No need to re-invent the wheel if there is a cheap one to buy. The one on Stew gives me more ideas as well!

Anyone else build or buy something similar to this for painting? If you built it, can I see pictures, and what did you use. If you bought it, where? I'm thinking of using conduit for it. Using some 3/4" for mounting the guitar, sliding it over a 1/2" arm to allow rotation. And probably building the base out of wood since I have no welding skills... Thoughts / opinions?

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