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Mike Forrester: Guitar Repair Pics

'63 Fender Stratocaster Headstock Restoration

This '63 Fender Stratocaster neck had been horribly mutilated
This '63 Fender Stratocaster neck had been horribly mutilated
Thankfully, the date stamp is still intact
Thankfully, the date stamp is still intact
I cut a grain-matched maple splice to fill the gap
I cut a grain-matched maple splice to fill the gap
The splice is glued and tightly clamped
The splice is glued and tightly clamped
The classic Stratocaster headstock shape has been restored
The classic Stratocaster headstock shape has been restored
Some nitro lacquer maple shader is custom mixed
Some nitro lacquer maple shader is custom mixed
Some maple-shade nitro lacquer is sprayed over the splice seam
Some maple-shade nitro lacquer is sprayed over the splice seam
The grain is skillfully airbrushed
The grain is skillfully airbrushed
The initial stage of the faux-graining process
The initial stage of the faux-graining process
Care was taken to match endgrain
Care was taken to match endgrain
The airbrushed grain is softened a bit before moving on to lacquer topcoats
The airbrushed grain is softened a bit before moving on to lacquer topcoats
The neck is also refretted at this time
The neck is also refretted at this time
Initial clearcoats
Initial clearcoats
This was a tricky spot
This was a tricky spot
Ambered nitrocellulose lacquer will be sprayed over the entire neck at this point
Ambered nitrocellulose lacquer will be sprayed over the entire neck at this point
The body and headstock are sprayed matching Sonic Blue nitro lacquer
The body and headstock are sprayed matching Sonic Blue nitro lacquer
Buffed and ready for a new decal
Buffed and ready for a new decal
Looking good!
Looking good!
Prepping for final assembly
Prepping for final assembly
Done!
Done!
After final assembly. The previous headstock hack-job is history, and this '63 Strat plays, sounds and LOOKS great once again.
After final assembly. The previous headstock hack-job is history, and this '63 Strat plays, sounds and LOOKS great once again.