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Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
1956 Fiesta red
1956 Fender Fiesta Red Nitrocellulose Color Match
OK, we really got into it this time. Owned by the same customer that had the 1957 Surf Green bass. He was so impressed he wanted to do it again to another. This time the body paint was cracked and reliced. The Bad Ass III is actually brand new and gold. Acid etched to perfection. The control plate is also acid etched as are the tuners. Add another set of Tom Brantley pickups and you got a ball game. This turned out even better than the last with almost every relic and tone trick I have.
1956 fiesta red
Acid Etching and Relic
Done correctly you can make things look like they have been used for years. The Bad Ass III bridge is gold and is brand new. After I am done with the process it looks like it has been used for years. There is a difference between a acid etched and reliced operation over what you can buy from any company selling a reliced component. Way more care and character.
dirty tobacco
Fender Logo
Same logo was used that is on the Surf Green bass. This time we acid etched and reliced the tuners. Hand oiled to perfection.
Rsm Logo / Gotoh Tuners
The Gotoh tuners are acid etched and reliced this time. The dirty tobacco stain is bang on and you can see I reliced the back of the neck as well.
Before
Right down to the wood.
The only way to do this right is to strip it down to the bare wood.
Both Sides
Lots of work to go.
Surface Prep
The surface has to be absolutely perfect to shoot nitro. The nitor will show any flaw at all.
First Coat of Color
Fiesta red anyone. Went on without any issues that I am willing to fess up to because there are always issues.
Surface Finish
The reflection tells the whole story. You have to make it look this perfect before it can be reliced. Otherwise it just looks like a really bad paint job.
Crackalottacus
After you make it perfect you wreck it. Heart breaking but just they way it goes. Looks fantastic when I am done. Just like it aged naturally.
Body wear marks.
The natural wood gets treated so it turns gray.
Back side as well.
I always add relic marks from a old guitar that has been played for years as a example so they look natural. Not just beat up with a stick by a pissed off Boy Scout.
New Bone nut
Hand carved bone nut is always a recommendation. Bone for tone.
Rear Neck relic
Same pattern that was on the bass I used as a example.
Fret level
It has to play as good as it looks.
Fret polish
Ready to go.
Finished
Awesome
Just what the customer wanted. It plays and sounds as good as it looks.
One more time
Still killer
Even the back looks good. Love the back of the neck.
enjoy the show
2015 American Standard upgrade
This thing turned out as good as it gets. Off the grid good. It sounds and plays great and is just what my customer was after. So why not do one in Antique whit as well. In progress and it will be posted when it is done.