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    • Forrester Kustoms "The Brave" - 2012
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    • Gibson LG0 Acoustic Bridge Replacement
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Mike Forrester • Luthier

  • Home
  • Bio
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
  • Photo Journal
    • Forrester Kustoms "The Brave" - 2012
    • '63 Fender Stratocaster Headstock Restoration
    • Rickenbacker 4001 Bass Resto Mod
    • Pavel Bass Headstock Repair
    • Martin 12-string Headstock Repair
    • 1962 Fender Bass VI Restoration
    • Red Hamer 'Vector' Flying Vee
    • Telecaster Thinline
    • Gibson Les Paul Goldtop Refinish
    • 1956 Fender Stratocaster Refret
    • 59 Les Paul R.I. Headstock Repair1
    • Les Paul Classic Inlay Swap
    • Custom Mahogany Archtop Armrest
    • 1967 Rickenbacker 4001S Restoration
    • Collings Acoustic Headstock Repair
    • Gibson LG0 Acoustic Bridge Replacement
    • Dean Camo Vee
    • '62 Reissue Fender Strat Relic Job
    • Custom Tele
  • Products & Services
  • Guestbook
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.

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