Customizing my So-Cal

[screamindemon]

What do you guys think ?

It was black and the paint was pealing so I decided to strip it.
I also changed the Floyd out to a German one.

I think it turned out pretty sweet. I still have to oil it, just trying to make sure I like it.

 

[Badronald]

I think I really like it.

I really dig the natural Fender Stratocasters though. Very cool!

 

[Phrygian]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

 

[Shask]

Looks sweet to me...

 

[screamindemon]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

Yes it was a quality issue. The paint was lifting around the rear cover and around the floyd route.

I have another black San Dimas that is doing the same thing. If I didn't get such a good deal on them I would be pissed.

I am going to paint the other one HOK Tangelo Pearl.

 

[Doubleneck]

What do you guys think ?

It was black and the paint was pealing so I decided to strip it.
I also changed the Floyd out to a German one.

I think it turned out pretty sweet. I still have to oil it, just trying to make sure I like it.

I dig it! Looks like one of the TMZ natural series!

 

[screamindemon]

Thanks, I was going to relic it but got carried away with the striper.

It plays like butta !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gibson5413]

Looks great to me!

 

[jet66]

That looks good natural, the grain is pretty nicely matched for a guitar that was destined to be painted.

 

[screamindemon]

That looks good natural, the grain is pretty nicely matched for a guitar that was destined to be painted.

Thanks, I was kind of suprized at the nice finish.

 

[fickle]

That looks killer
I want one like that now

 

[Chubtone]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

Yes it was a quality issue. The paint was lifting around the rear cover and around the floyd route.

I have another black San Dimas that is doing the same thing. If I didn't get such a good deal on them I would be pissed.

I am going to paint the other one HOK Tangelo Pearl.

I have three of them. The guy who works for me has two. Our teacher in the shop has one and the kid who works for me on weekends has four of them. Only one of these guitars has any issues like that and it's the kid who gigs out 3-4 times a month in a metal band that wears a studded belt and keeps trying to chip more paint off with a flat blade because "it looks cool". None of the rest of our guitars have this at all and I haven't heard about it on the four forums I go to. For you to have two that are doing this is strange.

I have customized both of my So Cal's.

 

[prsdiezel]

Thanks, I was going to relic it but got carried away with the striper.

It plays like butta !!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet I have this same guitar makes me want to strip the paint off now

A black Satin transparent stain would look killer on this


What striper did you use???

thanks Brian

 

[prsdiezel]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

Yes it was a quality issue. The paint was lifting around the rear cover and around the floyd route.

I have another black San Dimas that is doing the same thing. If I didn't get such a good deal on them I would be pissed.

I am going to paint the other one HOK Tangelo Pearl.

I have three of them. The guy who works for me has two. Our teacher in the shop has one and the kid who works for me on weekends has four of them. Only one of these guitars has any issues like that and it's the kid who gigs out 3-4 times a month in a metal band that wears a studded belt and keeps trying to chip more paint off with a flat blade because "it looks cool". None of the rest of our guitars have this at all and I haven't heard about it on the four forums I go to. For you to have two that are doing this is strange.

I have customized both of my So Cal's.

Nice... I love my So Cal also!!

These guitars are best Strat/Charvel/ESP style guitars I've ever played for the price American made rules

Where did you get the custom pickguard from? I want the same one only black. I love that combo Humbucker at the bridge and single coil at the neck.

George Lynch style

 

[jet66]

Where did you get the custom pickguard from? I want the same one only black. I love that combo Humbucker at the bridge and single coil at the neck.

George Lynch style

I don't know if anyone is making them specifically for the SoCal yet. I 'made' mine from a Warmoth Strat pickguard. Ordered it cut with the pup config I wanted, 5-way switch, Floyd bridge opening, and no control pot holes. The screw holes line up pretty close, but the neck pocket of the SoCal is wider. I lined up the old and new guards by the screw holes (because their shapes are not exactly the same) and traced the stock neck opening on to the Warmoth, then carefully trimmed it with a razor knife. Stock Strat control pot placement won't work due to the shape of the body route of the Charvel, there is a 'horn' of wood where the volume pot would normally be. So I drilled my own holes, and went with a master vol/tone. The bridge pup opening is also a hair closer to the bridge than the stock pg, too. The pickup fit fine, but rubs the back edge of the body route a little bit. I ended up routing about 1/16"-1/8" of wood from that spot so the pickup doesn't rub when adjusting it up or down.

 

[screamindemon]

Thanks, I was going to relic it but got carried away with the striper.

It plays like butta !!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet I have this same guitar makes me want to strip the paint off now

A black Satin transparent stain would look killer on this


What striper did you use???

thanks Brian

Man, I agree on the black stain, I was thinking of doing the same thing.
I bought the stripper at Home Depo, Not sure of the brand. I'll check it out and let you know.

Brian

 

[screamindemon]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

Yes it was a quality issue. The paint was lifting around the rear cover and around the floyd route.

I have another black San Dimas that is doing the same thing. If I didn't get such a good deal on them I would be pissed.

I am going to paint the other one HOK Tangelo Pearl.

I have three of them. The guy who works for me has two. Our teacher in the shop has one and the kid who works for me on weekends has four of them. Only one of these guitars has any issues like that and it's the kid who gigs out 3-4 times a month in a metal band that wears a studded belt and keeps trying to chip more paint off with a flat blade because "it looks cool". None of the rest of our guitars have this at all and I haven't heard about it on the four forums I go to. For you to have two that are doing this is strange.

I have customized both of my So Cal's.

Nice... I love my So Cal also!!

These guitars are best Strat/Charvel/ESP style guitars I've ever played for the price American made rules

Where did you get the custom pickguard from? I want the same one only black. I love that combo Humbucker at the bridge and single coil at the neck.

George Lynch style

I totaly agree, Love the new Charvels.

Steve, The white one looks great.
Same question on the pick guard.

 

[screamindemon]

Where did you get the custom pickguard from? I want the same one only black. I love that combo Humbucker at the bridge and single coil at the neck.

George Lynch style

I don't know if anyone is making them specifically for the SoCal yet. I 'made' mine from a Warmoth Strat pickguard. Ordered it cut with the pup config I wanted, 5-way switch, Floyd bridge opening, and no control pot holes. The screw holes line up pretty close, but the neck pocket of the SoCal is wider. I lined up the old and new guards by the screw holes (because their shapes are not exactly the same) and traced the stock neck opening on to the Warmoth, then carefully trimmed it with a razor knife. Stock Strat control pot placement won't work due to the shape of the body route of the Charvel, there is a 'horn' of wood where the volume pot would normally be. So I drilled my own holes, and went with a master vol/tone. The bridge pup opening is also a hair closer to the bridge than the stock pg, too. The pickup fit fine, but rubs the back edge of the body route a little bit. I ended up routing about 1/16"-1/8" of wood from that spot so the pickup doesn't rub when adjusting it up or down.

Looks great !

 

[reverymike]

Looks good! I've got to ask though...why was the paint chipping already? These guitars aren't that old. Was it a quality issue or something you did? lol

Yes it was a quality issue. The paint was lifting around the rear cover and around the floyd route.

I have another black San Dimas that is doing the same thing. If I didn't get such a good deal on them I would be pissed.

I am going to paint the other one HOK Tangelo Pearl.

I have three of them. The guy who works for me has two. Our teacher in the shop has one and the kid who works for me on weekends has four of them. Only one of these guitars has any issues like that and it's the kid who gigs out 3-4 times a month in a metal band that wears a studded belt and keeps trying to chip more paint off with a flat blade because "it looks cool". None of the rest of our guitars have this at all and I haven't heard about it on the four forums I go to. For you to have two that are doing this is strange.

I have customized both of my So Cal's.

Nice... I love my So Cal also!!

These guitars are best Strat/Charvel/ESP style guitars I've ever played for the price American made rules

Where did you get the custom pickguard from? I want the same one only black. I love that combo Humbucker at the bridge and single coil at the neck.

George Lynch style

How do you switch the pickups? Is the volume a push/pull??

 

[Gainfreak]

Looks awesome!! I bought one from Curt and these guitar are now my main gigging guitars and they sound,look and play great!!

With that said, how the heck was your paint peeling already? lol!!!