Yamaha Redo

[bigoldron]

I know the hot thing is the "reliced" look, but I'm of the opinion that it only looks good on guitars that have actually "earned" it - not a factory "reliced" job. Anyway, the Yamaha I've been playing for a few months actually has a genuine reliced look to it. Several dings and couple of place where the finish has worn through.

But, I have the itch for a new one, but lack of funds prevents that. I've done some furniture refinishing in the past, with reasonable success, so I figured "what the heck, why not redo my Yamaha"? So, I started on this a couple of weeks ago and just finished it and put her back together yesterday. Played here in Church today and she felt GOOD! Got lots of compliments on her looks too!

The project turned out good, but the poly finish didn't behave, so I have some some orange peel, but that's because I have little or no patience and the older I get, the less patience I have. Anyway, I thought you guys would like to see the project as I took some pics along the way and would to share them with you.

So, look at them and give me your feedback. I know she's not showroom perfect, but I'm satisfied with it for a first effort. Maybe I'll do another one later or even redo this one, but for now, it is what it is. So, without further ado, here she is:

Here's what she looked like before I got started:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha002.jpg

Here she is sanded and ready for staining:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha016.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha017.jpg

After the stain was applied:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha021.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha020.jpg

At some point during the poly application, I applied SEVERAL coats and sanded with 220, then 600, then steel wool in between coats. Here's a pic before I put her back together:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha022.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha024.jpg

And, here she is, ready to go:
http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha040.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/Yamaha/Yamaha041.jpg

Anyway, I think I did OK. Hopefully, you guys will enjoy checking the pics out. :AOK

[hubberjub]

Great job. I always thought those Yamahas were a great guitar for the money.

[luvmyshiner]

I like it Ron! I've always been a big fan of the darker stains on all wood, guitar or furniture.:AOK

[bigoldron]

Thanks hubberjub! And you too Shiner! That is one sweet playing little guitar! Now that I'm finished, I'm considering replacing the hardware with gold. But that requires a lot of "gold"... Maybe I won't be on Santa's "naughty" list.

I've got a gold humbucker, just need a gold bridge and tuners. I think it would look really cool with gold hardware. That gives me something to work toward!

[sunvalleylaw]

Hey, that looks great Ron!! I like the combo of the rosewood fretboard, clear maple neck, and darker stained body. Looks great!

[SuperSwede]

Classy looks... you should go with gold hardware :)

[oldguy]

I really like the looks of that, Ron. You did a good job, IMO, and I agree, gold hardware will really make it gorgeous. Nice!:AOK

[bigG]

Great job, Ron! Love the wood grain showing thru the darker finish! Really nice! :applause

[marnold]

Works for me! Looks sharp. Great job on the sanding, btw. I hate sanding.

[duhvoodooman]

Looks great, Ron! Fine job there! :AOK

[peachhead]

Ron, that looks great, man. I love the stain vs a paint job. Plus it's just cool knowing you did it yourself. Excellent work!!

[mrmudcat]

Looks good:applause

[Kazz]

Nitro takes forever to dry and release all the gasses. If you let it dry properly which is a couple of weeks of just hanging it up.....then you should be able to buff out any of that orange peel with rubbing compound and polish.

[bigoldron]

Well, after a few recommendations that I add gold hardware to my Yamaha project, I broke down and did it. I ordered gold tuners from Guitar Fetish, which seem to work really well and I found a new gold MIM Fender Trem Bridge on Ebay. So, now she's pretty much finished and I thought I'd post some pics. I finished this months ago, but am just now getting around to posting the pics. Sorry for the delay but here they are:

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/IMG_0277.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/IMG_0280.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd81/bigoldron/IMG_0281.jpg

I'm proud of her! Enjoy the pics my friends!

[Jimi75]

These gold parts are the icing on the cake. That guitar looks pretty cool! You really did a great job on that. :applause

[Tig]

Ah, the gold really brings it home. Perfect!
Great job, Ron!

[Eric]

Wow. That's seriously really cool, and you pulled it off very well. Great job!

[oldguy]

I really like the looks of that, Ron. You did a good job, IMO, and I agree, gold hardware will really make it gorgeous. Nice!:AOK


Hey, I was right, the gold is over the top gorgeous!
Great job, Ronnie!:AOK

[SuperSwede]

Sweet!!

[Commodore 64]

I have that same guitar, except the PUPs have been replaced with Fender Lace Sensor Golds and a Di Marzio Air Zone.

You want another one? ;) Seriously, I have too many guitars. I'll make you a deal.

[Tig]

Seriously, I have too many guitars.
You said what??? :what

http://www.techipedia.com/images/ban_him_sm.jpg
:poke :yum

[bigoldron]

I have that same guitar, except the PUPs have been replaced with Fender Lace Sensor Golds and a Di Marzio Air Zone.

You want another one? ;) Seriously, I have too many guitars. I'll make you a deal.

Wow. Never knew you could have too many guitars..... LOL

Seriously, C64, send me a private message if you want to discuss a deal further. Don't know if I can swing it right now, but at least let's talk.

To the rest of you, especially Oldguy, thanks so much for the kind words. I'm proud of the way she turned out. She looks good and plays good. What more can you ask for.