Gretsch Streamliner modification project

[JimPage]

Hey, Sarah--

A good friend of mine, Harvey Leach, builds splendid custom acoustic guitars, but he is famous for being an absolute wizard at inlay work. Here's his site:
http://www.leachguitars.com/guitarshop/ ... x&cPath=88

He stayed at my house when we attended an acoustic-guitar gathering once, and Harv showed me how it's done, all by hand, and I remember that my takeaway was: I will never, ever, try such a thing. It is so painstaking and requires such precision.

But it seems to me that you could pull it off!

--Jim

[Sarah93003]

Woah! Very impressive work to be sure! Wow, I'm going to go back there and really study those pictures. The inlay work is stunning. I can only hope to someday create something that beautiful. Thanks for sharing the link!

[Sarah93003]

I've reworked the "T" and made a new "C". I think I'm satisfied with the logo now.

[MWaldorf]

You clearly have patience and a very steady hand!

[olrocknroller]

Nice work! Yes, I do prefer it on black...the keyboard background confirms it for me...

[Veenture]

yep, definately black background for me too
Fine job, Sarah, with the new "T" and "C"

[Sarah93003]

Thanks Paul!

[Sarah93003]

Yay! I got home tonight and my package had arrived in the mail. A full set of Gretsch MOP block markers. I've got to get a face mask before I start cutting these up. I was told you can get really sick if you inhale the dust. My goal is to cut a "Lazy S" into both sides with a piece of turquoise going down the center to match. I will probably...well, maybe....wait until Saturday to start the cutting part.

[Sarah93003]

I put the guitar on the bench last night to figure out my strategy and what I want to do next. I decided to take some internal pictures because I could feel things with my fingers and I just wasn't sure what they were. Thankfully, no spiders inside!

After looking at the internal photos I notice the construction of this archtop guitar is vastly different from a Mosrite archtop. Now, I'm curious what all of the internal options are and what the motive would be to do something one way or another. This one seems similar to an acoustic guitar on the inside.

This image is of the neck block and the bass side horn.


This image is of the neck block and the treble side horn.


This image is of the neck block. Note that it looks to be made of plywood whereas Mosrite Celebrities are a solid block of wood.


This image is of the bridge support block on the bass side. You can just see the bass side cat eye sound hole. Interestingly there is a long block that supports the archtop and has lines cut into it, presumably to bend in an arch to match the top.



This another shot of the same area.


Now we are on the treble side of the guitar. You can make out the cat eye sound hole, the input jack, and some metal things hanging down from the top of the guitar. They appear to be glued in place. I think they are meant to hold the wiring. They are in my way so I'll have to find a way to remove them.



Same area again.


Another peek.


Another shot of the bridge block and archtop support.


Bass side again.



Well, there you have it. Tonight I need to pick up a particle mask and cut some MOP, if I'm lucky!

[olrocknroller]

Now there's some cool photo work! You must have one of those Dick Tracy miniature cameras...oh wait, they used film, and took a couple weeks to develop... Come to think of it, you may not even remember Dick Tracy! So...how did you do it?