Everything's Green These Days - Even Soloist Pros

[ZZB]

I love my '94 Soloist Pro. But there are buts: I'm not a big fan of painted necks. The middle pickup just gets in the way. And it is, of all things, black.

The solution, of course, is to modify the guitar to my liking. I'm neither skilled or equipped enough to undertake such a project myself so I must seek professional help. Luckily luthiery is readily available. It's not exactly cheap - the cost will hover around the sum I purchased the guitar for - but transforming a guitar I already like to conform to my personal needs and wants... priceless.

So. Step 1: Take a metallic black Soloist Pro.



Give said guitar and a mockup to your luthier. Modifications: fill in middle pickup route, slap in EMG's (85 + SA) with just a 3-way switch and a volume pot. Leave the neck unpainted.



And behold! It haz paint! Kawasaki Green FTW!



To be continued...

[CMH (OH)]

That is going to be awesome. I love the flame detail. That's cool.

[Devotee]

The flame 'stinger' is a killer detail!

[elrrek]

Oh man, on one side that is awesome and looks really cool.

On the other, you just attacked a Soloist Pro!!!! Yikes. I don't know if I would have the guts to do that.

[ZZB]

elrrek, there was a lengthy internal debate involved. No pain, no gain. It's not like I'm butchering it, the work is done by a professional luthier. I'm basically getting a new guitar I already know is killer. What's better than that?

[elrrek]

ZZB: go for it man, to be honest I like the new colour better

[Corpsegrinder88]

Nice. I did the exact same thing with a SL1 except in Orange. but i did another SL1 in that color green too!!! but i just made it a one hum.

Did you use a maple block or wood to fill in the middle route?

[Snoogans]

Looking good! That flame transition is a work of genius. I imagine that'll be copied often!

[pro-fusion]

Looking forward to seeing the completed guitar. There are enough Soloist Pros around that I wouldn't feel guilty about modding it. It's not like cutting up a San Dimas or such.

[Richard W]

I love the flame on the back of the neck!

[Axewielder]

The flame is brilliant. Is the neck oiled or clear coated?

[DonP]

elrrek, there was a lengthy internal debate involved. No pain, no gain. It's not like I'm butchering it, the work is done by a professional luthier. I'm basically getting a new guitar I already know is killer. What's better than that?

I think it would have been nice if you had started with a beater with a lot of chips and dings that a pretty much mint guitar LOL!

But I'm full on for it. I wish there were more customized guitars out there. We are getting there one guitar at a time.

[GuerillaPete]

Very nice indeed. That paint transition around the neck heel area is genius! And a great color too!

[EvilOdin]

Can't go wrong with green, look forward to seeing it finished up.

[psykofly]

oh yeah! that looks pretty nice so far. cant wait to see it when its done