NOS Model 5 body on the way...

[rjohnstone]

Well after many emails, I worked out a great deal on this body.
Should be in my hands sometime next week.
It's one of those NOS Model 5 bodies from Tommy Guitars in Japan.
A few minor scuffs here and there, but look at that aged pearl finish.






I have most of the parts already, just need to get some JT-6 posts from Dave and another Floyd and I'm set.

[Sunbane]

*envy*

Massive congrats is in order!
Shame about the headstock though, but I figure it won't be too hard to fix.

[scotty]

Congrats, looks like one of the of 5 that got split up.

[jcm800x]

I remember that bunch, cool score. I saw some decals on the gaybay, can't wait for final pics!

[rjohnstone]

Congrats, looks like one of the of 5 that got split up.

It is.

I saw it in the background of the Purple 5A he has listed right now and asked if the others were still available.
A few emails later we had a deal worked out.

Harry is great to work with and a straight talker. No salesman BS.
He also sent some great pics of the two white single hums he had left.
Every flaw on each was well photographed, so there was no question as to either of the guitars condition.

He even offered me a decent discount if I wanted both, but I couldn't swing two guitars and the shipping from Japan.

He still has another pearl white Model 5 left. (The one I didn't pick.)
It has a few chips in the paint and one is down to the wood, but no wood damage.
Still very clean.

[Alvin_Wilson]

That is one of my favorite colors. Congrats Rick!

[wanthairspray]

Can we ask what you paid?

[rjohnstone]

Can we ask what you paid?

I don't want to give out his unpublished prices since he does sell these at slightly higher prices on eBay.
The mans gotta make a living.

If you are serious about getting one of the few he has left and not a tire kicker, shoot him an email.
He only checks his email once or twice a day, so don't hound him if he doesn't respond right away.

Anyway, it was less than the purple one he's selling and I'll leave it at that.
And this purple one is a kick as deal already.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CHARVEL-5A-by-JACKSON-NOS-Purple-Double-Humbucker-RARE_W0QQitemZ280171064651QQihZ018QQcategoryZ33044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[toejam]

Cool!! But he's got the specs wrong. The Model 5 is the one with two hums, the one you got with one hum is a 5A.

[rjohnstone]

It's here... damn that was fast.
He shipped it on the 10th and it arrived on the 13th.
I wonder if the guys in customs even looked at it?

Haven't opened it yet. Wife chatted me and said "Did you buy another guitar? Wait... you ordered this from JAPAN!?!"

I can't wait to get home and unwrap it.
Hopefully USPS was kind to it.

[StukaJU87]

Congrats, Rick. Looks like it will be nice when you are done with it.

[dpivar]

Congrats Rick - if you enjoy working on guitars these are alot of fun. A couple of things I learned from the two that I did - a dremel tool with the small drum sander bit is your friend, and the larger sized trem anchors are a real bitch to obtain. It looks like your guitar will need them as well. Dave made some up recently and may still have a set

[rjohnstone]

Already ordered the bushings and a few other parts from Dave.
Body is in great shape.
Looks like it came straight from paint, but never got to the buff out stage.
I did some 1500 grit last night to get some of the warehouse scuffs off and it looks pretty good.
One small chip on the underside of the headstock, but you won't notice it unless you look for it.
Leveled and polished the frets last night and the board is really dark Rosewood.
Freshly oiled, it looks almost like Ebony.

I'll get some pics up later... back to work for now.

[rjohnstone]

Well the parts are in, some buffing and polishing have been done.
A major fret dress was needed, but interestingly they were all level. Just crusty.

Still deciding on what to do about the lock nut.
I HATE the Kahler style nut they originally came with, but a Floyd nut will require some surgery... decisions decisions.
The logo may stay... not sure yet.
The black finish turned out like shit on the headstock, hence no close-up. Pearl black is a bitch to shoot right.

Anyway... some before and afters.

Before:






After:







No, I did not darken the board.
It was dry as a bone when I got it.
Once I oiled it up, it turned out to be a beautiful piece of Rosewood.

Big Thanks to Dave (Budman) for the parts.
Excellent work!

[wanthairspray]

SWEET!! How does she sound/play?