My first Ball! (Axis SS content)

[Jack FFR1846]

Nice looking guitar.

I'm curious....was the lettering and pin striping clear painted over or just sitting on top of the normal paint? I used to pinstripe for a living while in college and found that drain cleaner and a bit of elbow grease and clean cloth would usually get off any pinstriping or lettering that was done with standard lettering enamel. Old work would leave a bump from the chemical bonding with the original paint, but that could usually be blocked out, sanded and polished, just like a car.

Maybe this can help for the next guy who wins a guitar that's been "done up".

jack

 

[JeffreyB]

Black with that binding looks so classy!!! Can't wait to see it finished!

 

[GuitaRasmus]

Nice looking guitar.

I'm curious....was the lettering and pin striping clear painted over or just sitting on top of the normal paint? I used to pinstripe for a living while in college and found that drain cleaner and a bit of elbow grease and clean cloth would usually get off any pinstriping or lettering that was done with standard lettering enamel. Old work would leave a bump from the chemical bonding with the original paint, but that could usually be blocked out, sanded and polished, just like a car.

Maybe this can help for the next guy who wins a guitar that's been "done up".

jack

Unfortunately, it was under the clear coat. Besides, the clear coat was really ugly IMHO, with the rough textured paint - I think gloss black is much more classic (my LP Classic and PRS Ce24 are also black - see a pattern? )


Jeffrey B: Thanks man!

 

[GuitaRasmus]

It's finished! Hoooray!

I got it back last night, and spent most of the evening assembling and adjusting it, and rocking out on it! Awesome.

Well, here it is:

As you can see, the guy did an awesome job, the finish is mirror smooth. I am a very satisfied customer.

Also, you can see that I've modded it a bit. The 5 way switch is left in, but it is disconnected. I'm not really a fan of 5 way switches, I think they're hard to use in a live setting, and I only really need 3 sounds, so I installed a dimarzio 3 way instead of the tone pot (which I never use either) and wired it Petrucci style (parallel inner coils in the center position, neck and bridge HB in the other positions.) I replaced the bridge HB with at Dimarzio ToneZone, I think there is some difference, at least enough to justify putting it in.

I am a very happy camper. It plays great, sounds great and looks great.

 

[fsmith]

Wow, that turned out great... I like the mods.

 

[beej]

Nice! Great job there.

 

[GuitaRasmus]

Thanks a lot - I thought it was a bit ugly before, now it is one of my most beautiful guitars - I love it already.

 

[lumberjack]

Very nice!!! Looks like a great job on the refinish. Congrats.

It might be your first Ball, but I bet it won't be your last.

 

[Rocktuna]

how much more black could it be

 

[JeffreyB]

Simply beautiful...HUGE improvement!!! Can I have it when you're finished with it?

 

[Larry]

Looking Good...

 

[GuitaRasmus]

JeffreyB: Hahaha, no way - this ones a keeper.

 

[GuitaRasmus]

Wow... I just gave the action and intonation a few final tweaks, and spent an hour ripping it up. This thing downright rocks! It plays great, sounds great, is very much in tune, and harmonics and overtones just seem to fly off the fretboard. Wow - I'm already in love.

 

[hedkutter18]

how much more black could it be

None more black. Lol.

Looks awesome!

 

[skisquash]

Guita,

Nice find and nice job on this. I guess you didn't waste anytime. (One question..where's the snow)