White Strat (part 2)

I spent a couple of days layering some fine misting coats of lacquer before gently sanding back in preparation for the application of the decal. I had a 1950s style decal which I carefully soaked in tepid water before applying to the headstock. There were a couple of creases on the decal which I gently pressed with a piece of kitchen roll. It was at this point it all went horribly wrong, the decal split then overlapped on itself and when I tried to correct it it curled and twisted before splitting up into shreds. I was fuming when I threw it in the bin... £12 down the drain.

I was unable to get another vintage decal but did eventually manage to get a Mexican one. So after some more lacquering and sanding and the new logo was applied.


Over the next few days I built up layer upon layer of varnish till the neck was glossy and slightly ambered. It's surprising how the "clear" lacquer adds a nice warm colour to the white satin maple.


I then spent ages rubbing down the lacquer with Safe Cut to give it that real smooth finish. Once all the work was done I removed the plastic protection from the scratch plate and attached the neck to the body.


I don't know if it's my imagination but I think the originally pure white body is already starting to get a bit of that aged cream look about it?


A new set of D'Addario strings and the makeover was complete. Whatever colour it is, she certainly is a beautiful looking guitar.


Although the neck is slim, the fingerboard feels flat and wide to me, more like a Gibson than a Fender. But that may be because I normally play a 50s V neck strat which has a slimmer profile. Measurements show that this guitar is about the same as an American Standard Strat which according to the Fender website is 42.8mm at the nut.


I'm not really sure what to do with this guitar. As I said, I'm not really comfortable with the neck but I could raise the action and use it for slide or perhaps display it as a wallhanger. Then again, maybe I'll sell it? Whatever, I'm really pleased with how it turned out, especially the Fender logo.