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Mike Forrester: Guitar Repair Pics

Custom Tele

A custom-built Telecaster, with a lacquer-finished ash and walnut body.......follow along.....
My customer had this body built to 50's Telecaster specs by a Fender-licensed manufacturer. My job was to get it under a nice coat of nitro lacquer!
Filler and sanding sealer coats are finished. The surface is sanded level and prepped for top coats.
It was quickly apparent that the walnut inlay was a little squirrely around the edges. I've got a fix for that.
I've taped off a smooth curve around the walnut inlay, and will sunburst the inside edge. This will even out any inconsistencies in the compound curve.
Ready for the 'burst. I've custom-mixed a tobacco that will do just the trick.
The sunburst edge is finished, and now I'll begin spraying the initial clearcoats.
The initial clearcoat will lock the 'burst color in, and protect it from bleeding out into the natural ash as the topcoats are sprayed.
I think the new, smoother outline looks a lot better than before.
The first clearcoats.
More clear......almost there!
Next, the clearcoat will be sanded and buffed to a smooth, high gloss.
After the final clearcoats have been sanded and buffed. NICE!
Final assembly underway.
All finished, and ready to deliver to the customer. This guitar plays AND sounds awesome.