ca late 80's Lotus plywood body strat knock-off

[irnmadn88]

I just dug this out of the basement... I got it as my first guitar over 15 years ago and once I got the Model 4, I just pretty much ignored it if I wasn't tinkering with it.

The pots and selector switch are probably oxidized pretty bad...I could only get sound at about 4-5 on the volume and the tone knobs and selector switch barely do anything...

Would you invest any time and money customizing this guitar based on the plywood body? I have no other spare guitar parts but I have all the tools...

I could handle a project other than dreaming of expensive jeep parts right now...

[DocNrock]

What is the condition of the neck?

[irnmadn88]

The frets are showing along the edges of the fret board- what ever fill they used has fallen out.

The fret board is still laquered.

The intonation is off.

It looks as if the neck is slightly twisted from the low E towards the high E.

If I were to do anything, I would like a new neck. I am partial to dark fret boards and this one is blonde.

[irnmadn88]

Well, took the pick guard off and found a disconnected ground wire... after figuring out that all the grounds from the tone pots and the volume pot were all soldered to the top of the pots, I reconnected the bridge spring (?) ground to the volume pot and things seem to function as they should. The pots are a bit scratchy but not in terrible shape...

Now to see if I can get some new strings (for it and the Model 4) and see if I can get it set up anywhere close to right... it has been over 10 years since I have tinkered with a guitar and even then, I was at best, a well intentioned hack.

The body is definitely plywood and would have to be routed out to fit a humbucker or two... but the jury is still out on that.

[asix]

fit a new body and new pups.

[jgcable]

Twisted neck, plywood body, needs full electronics...
Sounds like firewood to me.

[GodWentPUNK]

I had a Cort plywood guitar and it actually sounded pretty nice. It was an explorer style from the early 80s. But I agree, if you need to put more than $10 into it, probably not worth your time or effort. The only value is sentimental.

joe...

[DocNrock]

How are you at wood finishing?

[irnmadn88]

How are you at wood finishing?

I wouldn't bid on doing anyone else's hardwood floor or prized rocking chair but for DIY...OK, I guess.

I plan well, stay organized, and usually the execution comes off well for it.

....


I am by no means a decent guitar player. I am digging all my guitar stuff out because I stay at home with my 16 month old son and I am going a bit nuts. I need to keep a guitar out within reach of his grubby little fingers and slobbering chin and my Model 4 doesn't fit that bill.

How many times can you read "MOO, BAA, LA LA LA!" or listen to the cacophony of noise coming from his toys?

When I bought all my guitar stuff years ago, I used to hang out in a music store (which has since closed)... I may just go around again and see if the two nearest indie stores have any spare parts around and re-acquaint myself...

Thanks for the responses folks! My wife doesn't get it...