#1
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Highway One Project…
This was an 02 Highway One Strat with some finish issues. The previous owner had “star” STICKERS placed throughout the body…which ate through the nitro finish. Sigh. Idk.
Anyway, I initially was going to relic it until I saw the wood grain. So, I decided to strip and refinish using Stew Mac “Aged Nitro”. I have nearly 25+ hours of hand sanding and prep work in the body alone…but am very pleased with the outcome. I actually sprayed it in an old shower bay. That little dry stall worked perfectly. Very low humidity, no dust or dirt. Take it easy on me…this was my first refinish. I set it up to play low and fast with no rattles/buzzes. It has undergone a complete re-wire using cloth pushback wire, CTS pots, orange drop capacitor, a Switchcraft switch, Puretone jack, Fender locking tuners, and Graphtech saddles. I’ve replaced the bridge plate, block, all pick-guard screws, knobs, covers, etc. Whether I have “destroyed” the value or not….idk. Considering the original condition…not sure I could’ve harmed it any more than it was. In the end it’s still a VERY nice representation of a US made Strat. Much improved in all ways…imho. Did I mention that the neck is phenomenal! The pickups…meh. They’ll go too. It rounds out my stable nicely. I hope you’ve enjoyed the short read. It’s been a really fun project that I am proud to share with you all. Thanks for checking it out. PT
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2023 Martin GPC-11e 2023 Fender Players Tele Limited Edition - Oxblood 2022 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60’s - Unburst 2021 Fender Strat American Pro II - Black 2014 Gibson ES-335 Memphis Dot - Cherry 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50’s Tribute P90 - Tobacco 2012 Yamaha FS720 TBS Last edited by PTony; 05-28-2023 at 11:36 PM. |
#2
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Looks like time well spent on the refinish and upgrades.
I love the look of it now! Hard to know what lurks under any solid color finish. Good thing the previous owner put the stars on it and ruined the finish for you...
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Martin 000-17 SM Martin HD-28M Lots of loud banjos |
#3
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Glad that guitar ended up in your hands so that its beautiful inner soul could finally be revealed. Nice work!!
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AKA 'Screamin' Tooth Parker' You can listen to Walt's award winning songs with his acoustic band The Porch Pickers @ the Dixie Moon album or rock out electrically with Rock 'n' Roll Reliquary Bourgeois AT Mahogany D Gibson Hummingbird Martin J-15 Voyage Air VAD-04 Martin 000X1AE Squier Classic Vibe 50s Stratocaster Squier Classic Vibe Custom Telecaster PRS SE Standard 24 |
#4
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I'd call it a rescue, and be proud.
Bob
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"It is said, 'Go not to the elves for counsel for they will say both no and yes.' " Frodo Baggins to Gildor Inglorion, The Fellowship of the Ring THE MUSICIAN'S ROOM (my website) |
#5
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From gaudy to classy. Looks fab!
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1990 Martin D16-M Gibson J45 Eastman E8D-TC Pono 0000-30DC Yamaha FSX5, LS16, FG830, FSX700SC Epiphone EF500-RAN 2001 Gibson '58 Reissue LP 2005, 2007 Gibson '60 Reissue LP Special (Red&TV Yel) 1972 Yamaha SG1500, 1978 LP500 Tele's and Strats 1969,1978 Princeton Reverb 1972 Deluxe Reverb Epiphone Sheraton, Riviera DeArmond T400 Ibanez AS73 Quilter Superblock US[/I] |
#6
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Very attractive good job. --now ya have an "Old Bay Strat"
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Enjoy the Journey.... Kev... KevWind at Soundcloud KevWind at YouYube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...EZxkPKyieOTgRD System : Studio system Avid Carbon interface , PT Ultimate 2023.12 -Mid 2020 iMac 27" 3.8GHz 8-core i7 10th Gen ,, Ventura 13.2.1 Mobile MBP M1 Pro , PT Ultimate 2023.12 Ventura 12.2.1 |
#7
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That finish looks perfect with the rosewood fretboard. Well done! Looks great!
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#8
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Great looking job, youi should be proud.
Stripping painted bodies can be a gamble. There are often flaws like knots or unattractive grain patterns that the manufacturer chose to cover with a painted finish. |
#9
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Thank you, Bob. I am certainly pleased with the final product. Always appreciate your input.
Thanks, friend! I couldn’t agree more. I certainly feel as if I increased its value. How could it have been worse… Then again….I’m sure I’m could’ve been worse. Thanks, Kev! I debated for quite a while. Nitro was the only “must”. The “Aged Vintage” was the right fit, no doubt. It has such a soft “glow”. And it feels like velvet. I went to 2000 grit before applying the finish. The prep/time & “dead hands” were all worth it. Quote:
Once the pickup swap is complete I feel I have my perfect Strat. And I’ve owned a TOOONNNN of them. Still love my Gibson’s. But, having a quality Strat in the stable is always a good call. Quote:
If only my hands could handle that right now…I’ll get there.
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2023 Martin GPC-11e 2023 Fender Players Tele Limited Edition - Oxblood 2022 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60’s - Unburst 2021 Fender Strat American Pro II - Black 2014 Gibson ES-335 Memphis Dot - Cherry 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50’s Tribute P90 - Tobacco 2012 Yamaha FS720 TBS |
#10
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You did some top notch job refinishing that strat body, Tony. You’ve taken that guitar to a different level. It looks just beautiful.
frank d.
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I love playing guitar |
#11
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Quote:
I just received my new gray/blue lining Fender TSA case yesterday. One of my favorite Fender cases. We’re closing in on it. Side note - I’d sent some pictures to the original owner. He didn't believe that it was the same guitar. It took a minute before he realized it WAS his old guitar. He also felt that it was much improved. I still don’t think he believes me
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2023 Martin GPC-11e 2023 Fender Players Tele Limited Edition - Oxblood 2022 Gibson Les Paul Standard 60’s - Unburst 2021 Fender Strat American Pro II - Black 2014 Gibson ES-335 Memphis Dot - Cherry 2013 Gibson Les Paul 50’s Tribute P90 - Tobacco 2012 Yamaha FS720 TBS |
#12
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Quote:
And the new gray/blue Fender case is just the cherry on top!!! Nicely done, my friend. fd
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I love playing guitar |
#13
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Looks amazing Tony! What a nice job you did on it. I remember reading real good things about the Highway One series.
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-Joe Martin 000-1 Rainsong CH-OM Martin SC10e sapele My Band's Spotify page https://open.spotify.com/artist/2KKD...SVeZXf046SaPoQ |
#14
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Looks really good! Kind of a cinnamon color now. It should age well with the "Aged Nitro" too. I don't think you destroyed the value. Probably improved it.
JR
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Home Texas : Time to Ride : Real Nice Day : Make Things Right : For Dreams : YouTube : Spotify |
#15
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Looks way better now! I had a highway one tele years ago and remember it being a top notch guitar. If the strats are the same you’ve got yourself a USA built keeper there!
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