So I got tired of my Taos Turquoise Strat...

[Schneidas]

Every once in a while, I go through phases where I really want something. I buy it, I get tired of it and I sell it again.

Anyway, I saw a nice 2-piece Alder body over a year ago in the online shop, ordered it and had Warmoth paint it in Taos Turquoise.
Now, it was pretty awesome, but I got tired of it.
I was in the middle of a YJM phase back then, so I had my luthier assemble the guitar, put a mint green pickguard on it, two DiMarzio HS-3 in neck and bridge (old-YJM style) plus a real YJM scalloped neck.

Anyway, that phase ran its course, and now I'm in a more John Frusciante-style phase.
However, the body had a nice weight and I liked it, so I just figured to strip the Poly finish and get kind of a 2-tone brown burst (with no red in it) in Nitro.

Here's the before pic:

 

[Schneidas]

Here's a couple of pics after my luthier stripped the finish:

 

[Schneidas]

And here he's put some kind of base Nitro coat on it:
(that's all I have so far)

 

[Spud]

I was tired of the turquoise also!

 

[Rick]

Did you ask him what method he used to strip it? Just curious because he did a really good job. Looks like a mix of a heat gun and some chemicals with scrapping and sanding. You have to be real careful when scrapping cause you can take out chunk.

 

[Schneidas]

Did you ask him what method he used to strip it? Just curious because he did a really good job. Looks like a mix of a heat gun and some chemicals with scrapping and sanding. You have to be real careful when scrapping cause you can take out chunk.

No he hasn't told me.
Just told me that it was pretty tough to do and took several days, as the finish was super hard (and nicely thin).

 

[Rick]

Well, if you hear from him, please ask, he did a good job. Also, it's good to know he thinks the Warmoth finish was (nicely thin) and super hard!

 

[Schneidas]

Got a further update after spraying of the Nitro Tobacco burst.
Indoor lighting (artificial) vs outdoor lighting (natural)

 

[Schneidas]

Well, if you hear from him, please ask, he did a good job. Also, it's good to know he thinks the Warmoth finish was (nicely thin) and super hard!

I'll ask him when I go pick it up in late October

 

[Schneidas]

Looks pretty sweet to me. Certainly satisfies my craving for that two-tone burst I had

 

[jay4321]

Something about alder when it's got those first sealer coats on I'm always tempted to just stop there.

 

[Schneidas]

So it took forever, but finally got it done.
I put an early 80s discolored HS-3 in the neck and a less discolored HS-3 I had from a '97 YJM Strat in the bridge and now it has an Eric Johnsons vibe to it.
Really like it this way. The neck is a quartersawn 4A Flame with Dunlop 6000 frets.

 

[Corey P.]

Looks fantastic! I'd personally go with a mint pg, but that's a gorgeous result.

 

[TBurst Std]

Yes the pickguard is kinda bright. Parchment I believe would work better