Black Beauty: Strat sounds for those who avoid Strats

[stephenT]

Just about completed, a guitar that should have been finished last summer, but we all know how that goes, current situations and all. Luckily the client has one of my guitars already and this was to augment his tonal palette.

I call this model a Blacktop t3, just put the strings on it today, it'll sit w/ string tension a day and tomorrow I'll finish the nut, level, crown and polish the frets and install the string tree.

Black lacquer is a bear and one reason this guitar took longer than I'd hoped. I'm pretty sure my mantra will be "any color you want but black" from here on out. I'm turning 70 this year, I think I can take black off the menu.

[12barBill]

I love it!

Why brass saddles for the first 4 strings and steel saddle for strings 5 and 6?

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by Bill Sims

I love it!

Why brass saddles for the first 4 strings and steel saddle for strings 5 and 6?

Thanks! The aluminum saddle is a bit quicker on the initial attack w/ more overtones than brass, Glendale calls it their twang set, gives those bottom strings a "piano-like" quality.

[gerhard_k]

I like the Danish-style teak chair. My set was not quite as nice and has not survived (I've got 11 years on you).
Oh, nice guitar, too!

[Bob from Brooklyn]

Looks mighty tasty!

[DukeX]

Lovely guitar! And very nice work!

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by gerhard_k

I like the Danish-style teak chair. My set was not quite as nice and has not survived (I've got 11 years on you).
Oh, nice guitar, too!

My wife reminds me the chairs are 18 years old, we bought them on close out at House of Denmark. We've recovered them once. Those same chairs are fetching silly prices now.

I like to leave wood showing on a lot of my finishes, I think it's sort of a Scandinavian look. (a pic before strings).

[rmp]

nice work! looks like a great little T style axe.

[RoyBoy]

Beautiful blacktop! I'm sure you and 2000 grit paper are well acquainted by now.

[Steve DeRosa]

Checked out the Glendale site, noticed someone finally makes a three-saddle bridge that'll handle a wound G - had one of the first late-CBS '52 reissues back in the early-80's, might just make me a Tele player again...

Use it well, often, and LOUD...

[Bob Womack]

So is the bridge pickup a Tele bridge pickup? That might just be the best of both worlds...

Bob

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by Bob Womack

So is the bridge pickup a Tele bridge pickup? That might just be the best of both worlds... Bob

It's a David Budz high inductance 6.6k beauty. I've used nothing but Budz pickups in my builds. The three do make for a fine combination, he's a master.

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Checked out the Glendale site, noticed someone finally makes a three-saddle bridge that'll handle a wound G - had one of the first late-CBS '52 reissues back in the early-80's, might just make me a Tele player again...

Another shout out to Dale@Glendale. His cold rolled steel bridge plates and various saddle sets are the best.

[Dru Edwards]

Another beautiful build, Stephen!

[gerhard_k]

Originally Posted by stephenT

My wife reminds me the chairs are 18 years old, we bought them on close out at House of Denmark. We've recovered them once. Those same chairs are fetching silly prices now.

I like to leave wood showing on a lot of my finishes, I think it's sort of a Scandinavian look. (a pic before strings).

Wow, I love the look of the blonde sides. No one will mistake her for a factory build!

[FrankHudson]

Well I like a 3 pickup Tele as much as anyone, but beyond that, this looks great too. The kicker on the looks is that black binding on the body with the natural finish sides that you show in the later photo.