Explorer project - lots of pics.

[zeegler]

I should have documented this from the beginning, because I know we all like looking at these little series showing how people do mods. Well, I was inspired by the recent project threads that have been posted, so here we go.

This guitar started life as a super cheap Explorer-ish SX GG2. I seem to remember it cost $159 brand new. It played well enough, and sounded good, but the shape kinda bothered me. Plus the headstock was hideous. I also decided I didn't like the pickguard.



So, I went to work molesting it.

First, I took it to the bandsaw, and cut off the weird little pieces that jut out from the bottom bout and lower horn. I also reshaped the headstock drastically, and the upper bout slightly. I sanded the paint off the front sides, neck, and headstock, and shaved the neck down to a slimmer shape than it was originally. Unfortunately I didn't document any of this work.

Anyway, here's what I did today. The switch cavity needs to be moved to the back, since there will be no pickguard.

I used a Dremel with a little drum sander on it to remove the paint from the inside of the cavity to about a half inch down.




Next, I planed a piece of poplar to about 3/8" thick.

[zeegler]

Cut out a plug on the bandsaw. I cut this about 1/8" too big, so I could sand it to size more accurately.



Test fitting.



Glued in place. What isn't shown is that I bevelled the edges of the hole, and the plug. When the glue is dry, I will be using bondo to fill and level the patch, plus the screw holes from the old pickguard.



Also not shown, I opened up the switch cavity in the back of the guitar.

[UFORocks]

Very, Very Cool. I cant wait to see this when it's done. I wish I had a shop and the tools to do this kind of stuff.

[zeegler]

I haven't decided on what I'm going to do for a finish yet. I considered doing a Hetfield clone, or some kind of camo, or maybe satin black.

I'd like to hear suggestions from you guys.

[levantin]

Cool project! Pics of the headstock please?

I wish I could do something like this but my project skills are even worse than my playing skills

[zeegler]

I didn't get pics of the headstock yet, but I'll be sure to do so when I do the bondo work.

[El Chiguete]

Yeha a new headstock shape would REALLY be a good thing.

[missionguitars1]

Nice! Is that one of the guitars from Rondo? Everyone seems to be impressed with them, especially considering the cost...

I vote white ala Hetfield!

[lhrocker]

Nice work... more pictures, more, more, more.......

[zeegler]

Nice! Is that one of the guitars from Rondo? Everyone seems to be impressed with them, especially considering the cost...

I vote white ala Hetfield!

Yeah, it was from Rondo. They are decent...for the money. They aren't bad, but you have to consider them as more of a base for modding than anything else. Having said that, when I got it, it played fine, sounded okay, and I could even have used it for a show if I really needed to. The hardware is cheap, the pickups are cheap, and the fretwork wasn't the best in the world either. I did a fret level and polish on it the day after I got it. Still, I can't complain, because I got a pretty cool project for $159.


Anyone else have suggestions on how I should paint this beast?

[metalchurch79]

I vote White w/ 3 black stripes ala Mathias Jabs!
That would be tits!
Great job on the reshaping and the other mods so far. Can't wait to see the headstock either.
You going w/ a stopbar tail piece? What about controls and electronics?

edit:
You could almost get a Gibson/Banana headstock shape cut out of that SX headstock.

[Jayster]

hetfield white

[Snoogans]

Looking good so far!
How about a Rick Neilsen checkerboard?

[zeegler]

I'm definitely leaning towards the Hetfield white. I'm not really into the checkerboard or stripes.

I suppose if I do it Helfield white, it should be sort of ivory coloured.

[mrrs]

Definitely looks better after the mods.

I'll be waiting to see the finished pics, should be very cool.