My dad and I are going to make a Frankenstein Replica.

[VanHalenFan5150]

It would be neat to make a 5150, but, the striping would be too much work. I'm sure the VH1 or VH2 Frankie would be a good guitar to start out building.

[Diamondjimi]

It would be neat to make a 5150, but, the striping would be too much work. I'm sure the VH1 or VH2 Frankie would be a good guitar to start out building.

VH2 would be the easiest.
5150 a close second, and an accurate Frankie would def. be the most work...

[GAR]

You say that like it's a bad thing?

Apparently nobody noticed your absence. That was a good thing.

[GAR]

... the VH1 or VH2 Frankie would be a good guitar to start out building.

If you do the Charvel one you spray the body yellow first, tape, then black.

That's probably the easier one because the overall black look will hide all the flaws from mis-pulling of the tape edges and any body woodgrain anomalies.

[Hardrock69]

How would you know? You never built a guitar before....

[Igosplut]

If you do the Charvel one you spray the body.
.

You do something with the paint besides huff it??

[Diamondjimi]

If you do the Charvel one you spray the body yellow first, tape, then black.

Duuuhh...

That's probably the easier one because the overall black look will hide all the flaws from mis-pulling of the tape edges and any body woodgrain anomalies.

(VanHalenFan5150)If you go with the VH2 "Bumblebee" If the body is raw, after you apply the sand and seal, sand it smooth and apply the primer. Priming will reveal the visible woodgrains. Skim with auto bondo, (it dries ultra hard and it's easy to sand), re-prime and repeat if necessary.
Proceed with yellow base coat, 2 or 3 should suffice. (I recommend at least 24hrs between coats)
Wet sand with 1600 grit between coats and be sure to tack cloth it well after sanding.
Once you achieve the solid depth of yellow tape it up. Try and collect as many examples (pics) from as many different angles as you can to help with the accuracy of your taping.
One trick you can do that will help in a neat removal of the tape is, when you get to the end of each strip fold back a small piece into itself to act as a pull tab (rather than having to pick at it)

3 light coats of gloss black should do the trick. Once the final coat of black is applied give it a few days to cure. (Very lightly) score the edges of the tape with a new exact-o knife. (take your time) and gently remove the tape.

Time to wetsand with 2200 grit. What helps is to wet the surface of the body area's you're working on as well. Start by very gently wetsanding the edges of the tape lines to bring down their profile a little bit.
(Warning: it doesn't take much to rub through to the next colour. Use caution!!!)
Followed by gently steel wooling the entire body with 0000 grade steel wool. the body should look dull in sheen.
Now you're ready for clearcoating.
I would recommend no less than 5 coats of high gloss,wetsanding and steel wooling in between coats.
Remember one thing here in regards to all coating. Don't try to do alot with each coat of anything. The key to a good finish is multiple thin even layers...

Good luck, should you choose the "Bumblebee".

[jhale667]

Go die in a fire or something.

Apparently nobody noticed your absence. That was a good thing.

STFU, Tiny Tubby. People would applaud yours, because it would be a good thing.


Post pics of your gear or GTFO.

[jhale667]

Also of note, another manufacturer I've used, KnE, makes Frankie bodies starting at $110!

http://www.kneguitars.com/kit_bod.php#frankhome

[Jagermeister]

Also of note, another manufacturer I've used, KnE, makes Frankie bodies starting at $110!

http://www.kneguitars.com/kit_bod.php#frankhome

If you had a router could you just cut one of these out of a blank piece of wood? I went to some odd ball store in Kansas City one time that had shelves and shelves full of all kinds of differnt wood. I remember thinking damn that would make a kick ass guitar body.

[GAR]

Wait! Isn't that the same, lame shallow tummycut relief Ed Roman had on his bodies?

Where is that company.. they sure don't know how to finish their edges correctly do they.

[jhale667]

If you had a router could you just cut one of these out of a blank piece of wood? I went to some odd ball store in Kansas City one time that had shelves and shelves full of all kinds of differnt wood. I remember thinking damn that would make a kick ass guitar body.

You can buy body blanks made of alder or ash from Stew Mac...if one has the skills it can be done. Personally, I decided against woodshop in high school after one of my friends nearly cut his thumb off...lol IMO it's worth it to spend a hunski....spend the digits to save the digits, y'know?

[VanHalenFan5150]

Yep yep, I wish we had woodshop at my school. We have stagecraft since we're a performing arts school, so it's similar but the only time we would build when I took the class was whenever there was a show coming up, and there were only 3 during the whole year... Boring...

[GAR]

..spend the digits to save the digits, y'know?

I once cut off my coch to save Tibet, the hell what you say!

[Don Corleone]

Yep yep, I wish we had woodshop at my school. We have stagecraft since we're a performing arts school, so it's similar but the only time we would build when I took the class was whenever there was a show coming up, and there were only 3 during the whole year... Boring...

Word of warning on the body front - avoid Frankenstraat.com, James Duffy or anything else to do with that guy like the plague. A few years back he was semi okay, but these days the guy is a bullshitter of almost Gar proportions who just takes peoples money and runs. Those who do eventually see a product (and we're talking months to years later hear) are 99% of the time than less than satisfied with the end result.