Modding cheap guitars

[Kodiak3D]

Why is modding a cheapo guitar into a great sounding guitar so much fun?

I started thinking about this and thought, "Hmmm, there's a lot of reasons this is fun..."

1. You got a great sound and didn't pay Gibson/Fender/etc. price.
2. The surprised look on people's face when they hear your "piece of junk" and wish theirs sounded as good.
3. You did it yourself!

What about the rest of you? I know more than a few people on here have grabbed a $100 SX and made a sweet player out of it. What makes you proud of your "piece of junk."

 

[MichaelE]

Here's my $89 Dean Bavarian Vendetta. My first guitar project, but certainly not the last.

Sounds a lot better now with a pup and hardware change. These came out of my Custom when I upgraded to SD '59's. They sounded muddy in the LP body, but the Paulwonia(sp) wood in this body gives new life to Epi pups.

 

[street music]

Nice paint job, did you do it ?

 

[MichaelE]

Yes. I used Dupli-Color automotive lacquer.

 

[Mike S.]

Yes. I used Dupli-Color automotive lacquer.

I really like your refinish job. This is a unique paint scheme you have, and not likely to be seen elsewhere. Nice!

 

[MichaelE]

Not unless you happen to live in Bavaria. Then you will see it in quite a few places.

Thanks!

 

[deeaa]

SWEET paintjob & guitar!

I love making my own changes as well.

Here's my first strat project...you'd not know it but the guitar is almost 1/2 inch smaller than a strat...even the pickguard is much smaller:

And this is my own body shape carved out of a strat shape:

Can't find more pics on this machine...but all my guitars are resurected junkers

 

[Kazz]

Deaaa...that 2nd guit looks great.....how did you change the lines? Jigsaw? Router? How did removing so much wood from the bottom end affect the sound?

 

[Kodiak3D]

What is that pickguard made out of? It looks really cool!

 

[deeaa]

Deaaa...that 2nd guit looks great.....how did you change the lines? Jigsaw? Router? How did removing so much wood from the bottom end affect the sound?

Thanks! Here it is in its current looks:

It did change the sound...I posted about it at some point - it's the best guitar I ever had. I don't know if it's the light and rather small body or the tiltneck or what, but it sounds quite airy yet strong, has plenty of sustain and all.

I just sawed it with a big jigsaw, then rounded/sanded it with a barrel sander. Glad you like the looks...I spent many an hour planning the shape. Some day I'll build another one just like that.

Here's a family portrait of all my white guitars - all modded VERY heavily - the Flying V the least, the body is original shape, but birdseye neck.

 

[deeaa]

What is that pickguard made out of? It looks really cool!

Thanks...it was kinda one-off...it was clear plastic and I just kind of toyed with paints and how to get it looking distressed, and that's how it turned out.

here's a better pic: