Dean Bavarian Vendetta

[MichaelE]

I had this Dean Vendetta for about five years after giving away one of my nicer guitars to my son for a Christmas present. I bought it as a temporary player until I could fill the hole with something better.

After buying my Custom several years ago I didn't play it much at all and it sat in the corner with my acoustics.

I got the idea to paint it from some cronies at another board who had several projects in the works and got my wheels turning. I didn't know what I wanted, but no airbrushed Elvis's, or animal scenes, but some sort of a pattern that I hadn't seen on a guitar before.

I picked the Bavarian State Flag of Germany for my pattern and colors. I have roots in Deutschland so this seemed appropriate. I like Oktoberfest as well as the next German.

This was finished with Dupli-Color automotive acrylic lacquer. It sprays nicely from the can and lays fairly well, though not completely flat. It does need some sanding help to level it out, but it does shoot nicely.

Not finished yet as I'm still sanding the clear coat with 600, but I'm almost finished with that step. Then four to six more coats of clear before wet sanding. I did the neck this morning with the twin stripes. All the hardware with be gold and I'm re-using the pickups from my Custom.

This will certainly be a one of a kind Dean Vendetta.

Initial four coats of Bright White (GM Color) while curing:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/DV0003.jpg

After four hours of layout and masking:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0001.jpg

45 minutes after the last coat of blue metallic:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0002.jpg

Four clear coats later:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0005.jpg

And the neck:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0007.jpg


What it looked like before:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/Guit002.jpg

[M29]

Nice project MichaelE!! It is cool to have a personal link with a guitar it makes for much mojo!
Looking forward to that nice clear gloss shine soon to be reveled.
I love it when the parts start to go back on:rockon:

M29

[marnold]

Really nice job done on the masking there, Michael. Being of partially Bavarian descent, I wholeheartedly approve of this project.

[Jimi75]

Looks cool! Now you only have to put the golden Bavarian lions on it and you will have drinks and chics for free at the Oktoberfest ;-)

[MichaelE]

Thanks guys!

There is one glaring mistake that you would probably only notice if you are from Bavaria and that is, a white lozenge in supposed to be in the upper left corner where the flag is hooked to the halyard.

Oops. :thwap:

[bigoldron]

WOW! MichaelE, I am impressed. That is both unusual and beautiful! I admire anyone who has the patience and skill to do that kind of layout and painting! Kudos to you for a most excellent project!!! Be sure to post more pics as you progress.

[MichaelE]

Thank you Ronnie!

[Brian Krashpad]

Cool! Reminds me of Octoberfest.

Maybe you should call it the "Rocktoberfest!"

[MichaelE]

I like that! 'The Bavarian Rocktoberfest' by Dean. I think that would be cool for a company to produce country themed guitars.

But since they don't, I did my own. I may buy another and do the UK flag. That would definitely be a challenge.

Wet sanded up to 2000 today, and then used Kit Scratch Out, and Meguire's Crystal Polish to bring it up. Followed that with a coat of Meguire's Cleaner/Wax and mounted the neck.

I'll be ordering hardware Friday.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0008.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0009.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV00010.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV00011.jpg

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV00012.jpg

[sunvalleylaw]

Man I like that! Reminds me also of Oktoberfest, which reminds me of beer. Hmm, good! And that blue reminds me of my Schwinn Stingray, which was a way cool ride. And then the flag pattern reminds me of racing! Ok, that was a completely random stream of late night conscious after painting all evening on the house remodel. But, the point is, a great looking project!

[Brian Krashpad]

Man I like that! Reminds me also of Oktoberfest, which reminds me of beer. Hmm, good! And that blue reminds me of my Schwinn Stingray, which was a way cool ride. And then the flag pattern reminds me of racing! Ok, that was a completely random stream of late night conscious after painting all evening on the house remodel.

Paint fumes: your friend!

;)

:D

[bigG]

Nice! I am very impressed, MichaelE! You are a true artiste! :beer:

[Gutmann]

Nice projecz, I like this - And Spaten as well ;)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h146/boeing722/BV0008.jpg
- your "input"?

[sumitomo]

I like it! I think it looks more like a guitar That Rick dude from Cheap Trick would own.Very nice.Sumi:D