Question SBMM AX20 Promo Guitar: What's under the surface?

[Jack FFR1846]

SBMM AX20 Promo Guitar: becomes NGD becomes newest project

I've found a great deal on one of these, but figure that the skull and crazy graffics wouldn't quite fit in with playing the guitar in church. So I'm wondering what's under the graphics of a rockstar promo guitar. Is there a maple vener or the base wood (basswood?). I suppose worst case, I can do some sanding and paint in a solid color, but thought I'd ask.

 

[patpark]

All basswood. No maple veneer cap.

Thanks
Pat

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Thanks Pat.

I am well aware of the rules here, so I won't say that I got a new guitar today. I guess I can't say that it plays awesome either, since I have no picture yet.

 

[Sticky1973]

Shame it didn't happen Jack, for it sounds fantastic.

Well, it would sound fantastic, if were real.......

..... but there aren't any pics, so it can't be real.

No, not a good day all round.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

hahaha......when I get home and near my camera, however........

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Brought this home from GC. The price drop was too much to resist. The skulls and Rockstar don't go well with a worship band, however (at least that's what the wife tells me)

So a bit of razor work and we're here:

At first, I was going to paint it black/clear like I did with the Sub. Then I remembered that it took me 6 months of work and frustration before I was finally happy with it. Then I thought......there was one thing that went well, easy, quick and came out great.


Tru-Oil. I still have plenty after doing 2 necks. Put a few drops and rubbed in with my fingers. Drying in the basement as I type:

I think the basswood looks really nice. A bit darkened by the tru-oil, it reminds me of some big $$$ PRSs I"ve seen hanging at GC. I'll sand the neck and do the light tru-oil when I put on a second coat tomorrow.

 

[NoUse121]

That makes a fun project! looks real nice with the oil! are you going to do any other mods to it?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I don't plan any mods. I'll figure out what the 5 way switching is (I'm good with a screw driver to figure out what's active) but I'm not even going to tru-oil the neck. I came upstairs with sandpaper and the satin finish is so thin and nice, I like it as it is. I can't think of anything I want the guitar to do that it doesn't already do.

 

[Sticky1973]

Wow. Excellent work Jack.

With natural headstock, that body is going to look ace.

Looking forward to seeing it reassembled.

 

[spkirby]

I think the "razored" stage looks good, and unique.... were you tempted to leave it at that point?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I think the "razored" stage looks good, and unique.... were you tempted to leave it at that point?

I actually did take some polishing compound and see what it would look like. There were a couple spots where I broke through and wood was showing so I skuttled that idea. Blocking out with 600 and 2nd coat of tru-oil went on this morning.

 

[threeminutesboy]

excellent work can't wait to see final results

 

[browndog]

Looks good Jack but would ya step on it.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Played it a bit today.....man, this thing plays awesome! I don't own an Axis Supersport with humbuckers, so I'm really liking the inside/outside coil positions!

3 coats of tru-oil blocked with 600 dry between coats and wet sanded with 600 then 1000 and hand buffed with mothers polish (all I had around) and waxed with zymol.

 

[browndog]

Damn, Jack. That turned out great man !!

 

[Jack FFR1846]

Damn, Jack. That turned out great man !!

Thanks! I'm quite happy with it. With my A.D.D. it worked out very well that I could finish it in one day.

 

[ScoobySteve]

Nice Jack! That looks great. Now only if it had a maple finger board.... hahaha

 

[NoUse121]

wow that came out amazing! kinda got me gasing for a project guitar!

 

[R and R]

Dude, that looks killer! Great job. I may have to take on a project like that.

 

[Q4Zotz]

Me too!

Hi all...my first post. I bought one of these Sterling AX20s on eBay for cheep lately, and was thinking that that Rockstar graphics stuff ought to come off just like the ADD gent did here (I've gott ADHD myself btw). Working up the gumption to start scratching off the graphics decal as I type. I play mainly clean jazzy type stuff and it's amazing how nice the AX20 works out for that. Might get to be too busy playing it to strip it for some time...but if and when I do, I'll pass on a photo too.

Thanks, Mike