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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
A custom-built Telecaster, with a lacquer-finished ash and walnut body.......follow along.....

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ready for the 'burst. I've custom-mixed a tobacco that will do just the trick.

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The sunburst edge is finished, and now I'll begin spraying the initial clearcoats.

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.

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.

I think the new, smoother outline looks a lot better than before.

The first clearcoats.

The first clearcoats.

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More clear......almost there!

More clear......almost there!

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Next, the clearcoat will be sanded and buffed to a smooth, high gloss.

Next, the clearcoat will be sanded and buffed to a smooth, high gloss.

After the final clearcoats have been sanded and buffed.  NICE!

After the final clearcoats have been sanded and buffed. NICE!

Final assembly underway.

Final assembly underway.

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All finished, and ready to deliver to the customer.  This guitar plays AND sounds awesome.

All finished, and ready to deliver to the customer. This guitar plays AND sounds awesome.

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