mistermikev

wow, lot of great details there.  nice job.

On 8/30/2021 at 11:40 AM, Prostheta said:

I had to check myself a bit about that UV777 as I'm sure other guitars have equally stunning finish work, but that one really has something unique about it. Almost like a Bentley or high-end Merc black. In fact, those are likely the reference chips I'll be using for the paint when I get it mixed. I know custom car shops mix on an individual basis, but unless I can get the heads up on something that will hit the spot then "standard" chip mixes are probably my best bet at aiming for that.

well... anyone who's ever refinished an ibanez will tell you one key factor is probably the thickness!  have not done myself but a friend refinished one once and I guess that finish was pretty hard to get through.

23 hours ago, Prostheta said:

Man, that sounds like a bad idea for the bank account walking into one of those dens! Mine was a Japanese custom shop build from what I am aware. ESP lost loads of their records including those referring to "mine" back in the 90s. I would genuinely have ESP build me an absolute repro (but HH) if I could a) afford it b) get them to do a lawsuit headstock and c) wasn't willing to up my game to try and hit that level of awesome.

So far none of those are on the table right now. haha

I'm quite certain that what you will do will be every bit as good as what you'd get in that custom shop.  

had never noticed that about the ibanez universe... but now that you mention it!

Just now, ScottR said:

Thanks Mike.

What's mixol? What it is is black transtint mixed into lacquer thinner and then mixed into lacquer and airbrushed over the previous clear coats.

Black chrome, now that would be cool. Gotoh has a hardware finish called Cosmo black that looks like Hematite, and I absolutely love. But they don't do knobs in it and Babicz bridges don't come in that finish either. So yes to all black hardware, but sadly no to black chrome.

SR

well mixol is just a tint for laquer.  

yes, cosmo black - big fan.  on my bucket list.  black hardware should look dynamite.  

this one I think is good to go... but I can't tell if the burst is done yet... 

still drying so... will see tonight

in this pic the headstock doesn't even look like it has burst... not quite happy w that yet... but so hard to transition in such a small area... and make it match the rest... does match the logo well tho.

2 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Can’t wait. It’s going to look splendid

thank you sir!!

4 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

Ooh, some scarily interesting times ahead! I already was wondering how you're going to make that -if I may say - dull washed blue look stunning. A burst, definitely! And natural binding, trying hard to prevent the burst bleeding... Just reminding you of how @Lumberjack does it by protecting the binding with a good layer of clearcoat. But of course you already knew that, didn't you?

well, the nat binding already has clear on it... so adding the burst will just be done by hand rubbing.  I considered spraying because I think it's a lot easier to get that nice fade with an airbrush... but doing a second round of tape-off... doesn't sound like something I'd like to do.  

4 hours ago, ScottR said:

 

SR

I am trying and failing to try to understand what in the wild world of sports is going on in this picture.  the only guess I can fathom is that this is how you hang up your build for spraying?  Otherwise this is some new electronics I simply have to know about.

not to overshadow the finish... that finish looks amazing but at this point honestly I wouldn't have expected anything less than a 10 from you.

edit: just got my answer from another of your pics.  pretty cool idea.  on another note... I assume that's mixol in your lacquer?  sort of looks like smoked glass.  really is a classy look.  you aren't going with black chrome hardware are you?  if so... mind - prepare to be blown.

"sweary" - love it.

1 minute ago, ScottR said:

Ooooooh a burst, that's just what it needs. I''ll bet it's barrels of fun with all that faux binding. At least as much fun as the dye job. I can't wait to see that too!

SR

yup... having fun w it today.  just doing it with dye.  unfortunately... the binding makes it a lot more challenging!

16 minutes ago, ScottR said:

Looking forward to seeing some clear on that color. I'll bet it will be spectacular.

SR

thank you sir... yes, really comes alive when wet so... just have to get the burst done.  working on it today.  thanks for the support!

insane to me that you are that good at such an unconventional build.  cudos.

5 minutes ago, ADFinlayson said:

that natural binding is delicious 

thank you sir.  def learned a thing or two there.  was very nervous how that would turn out but fairly pleased in the end.  thanks fer noticing!

52 minutes ago, ShatnersBassoon said:

Gorgeous as always! There’s something about the bevelling on the edge of that fretboard that really tickles my fancy (she said)

I have been working on rolling those edges... and trying to get close to a fav tele neck I have.  it is heavily rolled which means refretting it would be akin to refretting a scalloped neck as the wood under the fret has to remain straight out to the edge... but the rollover comes in quite a bit.  comfy as all get out.  I appreciate that that detail was even noticable!

14 minutes ago, Prostheta said:

 

Thanks Mike. In some ways I'm hurried to get my immediate CNC stuff "out of my head" whilst I am still able, however I'm still in my usual mode of constant improvement; focusing on getting better at skill X or Y rather than just pulling the same rabbit out of the hat (Zakk Wylde syndrome?).

Yeah, that old ESP was godly. The best information I have on it is that it was produced prior to the ESP/Jackson lawsuit era which I think was somewhere around '87. Correct me if I'm wrong, don't count on that as fact! Also, Mirages never had carved tops. That was the Horizon model. So the best I can come up with is that it was a prototype Horizon, but full-depth as in Les Paul thick! Like a Mirage with a big thick top plonked on top. The fit and finish were unreal, and it taught me so much about what a guitar should be. Of course, I am still falling short of that mark, but I'm circling and eyeballing it! That top was crazy....pencil thin flame but subtle. Yeah, I was the biggest idiot ever for selling that. It was the cream of the cream.

well no esp expert here... but I remember the esp custom shop on sunset blvd in the 'rock walk' in la.  have been there many times.  just crazy good guitars there every time I went but that was around 95.  If I'm not mistaken you could walk in there and say "i want this shape with this carve, these pickups, this bridge in this wood" and they'd do it.  

for me... the one that got away was a gibson sg90.  it didn't get away as much as it had a headstock break back before I knew anything about fixing such things.  guitar just was made for me.  the steinberger trem on it was awesome altho the bases were not made well, and it had issues.  I will gather what I can from your bravery and someday attempt to remake my 'dream guitar'!

looking fwd to seeing that binding.  I understand that's how musicman does it.  

that esp is a lovely guitar.  looks like a fast player.

you really going balls out as of late!  right on.

5 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said:

Beautiful!

thank you thank you!!

7 hours ago, Prostheta said:

Holy Sunday shirtballs, that's cool!

well thank you altho I'm not quite certain it's worthy of shirtballs!!

On 3/2/2021 at 7:34 AM, Andyjr1515 said:

I've got my fifth No Treble "Bass Of The Week" !

https://www.notreble.com/buzz/2021/03/01/bass-of-the-week-ajrguitar-mods-swift-triple

I'm sure they think I have a small fully equipped industrial unit in the heart of the UK countryside, rather than a small workbench squeezed up against the cellar wall 

The power of self-promotion...

(Very pleased all the same   )

 

 

congrats!!

nice work... making it look easy is the mark of true skill.

6 hours ago, ScottR said:

I've used the Behlen vinyl sealer without any issues, and Behlen and Mohawk are the same company, same thing.

I'd say your investigation probably gave you the correct answer. I don't use sealer anymore though, actually besides testing it a couple of times I really never used it. Thinned lacquer does the same thing and better in my opinion. And since I've gone back to CA for pore filling, there is no need for even that. CA seals very effectively, albeit it messy and can be a pain to level.

@Drak usually has very good information about sealing steps.

SR

thank you for the reply.  I have not used sealer before but I wanted to give it a try as I've read that it can limit the amount of shrinkage you get from nitro.  I guess time will tell how much impact that has, but I was hoping someone would mention that and bolster what I've read.   

I would bet you are using taller frets on this one.  the taller the fret - the more it is going to take you away from the original radius since the edge of the fret now sits on a 9.06" radius instead of a 9" (for instance).  

Just a guess.

Kind of gave up on radius blocks for this reason... straight edge does a better job in the sense that you should be taking less off for the reasons above.  

they used to have this composite 2x4 stuff at lowes/home depot... made from recycled plastic bottles.  stuff is rock solid impervious to weather/moisture unlike wood.  often thought of using it for sanding block stock... but when I finally get around to going to snag some... seems it's online only now.  bummer.

Just now, ScottR said:

It has no effect on nitro. It is often used to wet sand instead of water.

SR

well aren't u just the most helpful.  very much appreciate it.  have a lot of sticker scum to get rid of too... hopefully it will handle that for me.  thank you again!!