Gretsch Streamliner modification project

[Sarah93003]

Hey all. Like most folks, I like a lot of different guitars, emphasis on "lot"! I have really been wanting a guitar project to either restore or modify and finally have one. In this case, I've been wanting a Gretsch Streamliner that I could modify and try to make a guitar to all of my own specifications. What I found was a G3155 Streamliner with cat eye sound holes but everything is missing. Basically I bought a body and neck and that's exactly what I wanted. The body is in perfect shape and the necks needs a new fingerboard. Although it was originally red I plan on painting it white. For electric hollow body's I already have a 1966 Mosrite Celebrity, 1961 Guild with a single P90, and a 2008 Gretsch 5120 with 2 humbuckers so I don't want it to sound just like any of these. I don't know if the Streamliners body alone will be enough to set it apart or if I need to rely more on the pickups. Oh, it has a 16 inch but which is 2.625 inches deep. At first I thought I'd locate two Mosrite pickups and put them into the Gretsch, now I'm not so sure. Someone told me TV Jones is coming out with a new line of Dyna's this year that are supposed to be amazing.

I post this here because I would love any and all feedback from you folks. I am also interested in any suggestions that you may have as well.

thanks!
Sarah

[Veenture]

Your project sounds exciting Sarah. You've already got the basic parts -body and neck; now the rest is to follow.
You know, all these fine threads about guitar projects are trying to do something with my mind, I enjoy watching from the side lines but something seems to be nudging me to get active myself...and I have absolutely zero experience in this field and feel scared that the project bug is going to bite me too some day. And now you've started on a project too, good for you!

I haven't any ideas to offer you at present but posting some pics might help to get the old grey matter going .

I look forward to see how you progress...oh, and "nothing ventured, nothing gained" ...good luck!
Paul

[Sarah93003]

Okay, good point! Here are some pictures of the beginning of this little project. And, no I've never done anything like this before. I just feel like this is a project that I will enjoy and learn a great deal from.












There you have it. This is the blank slate that I will be working from. I'm hoping to replicate the Mosrite neck at least as for playability and short frets. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!

[Veenture]

Judging from your (good) pictures, it appears to be in very good shape, lovely colour and finish, WoW! Just my two cents here but I'd go for restoring it to it's original specs (as much as possible), except maybe for 2 custom wound Hallmark- or Ed Elliot pickups instead I'm afraid that's all I can offer Sarah.

This one's very attractive too: http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/40U-3990.htm

[Sarah93003]

Judging from your (good) pictures, it appears to be in very good shape, lovely colour and finish, WoW! Just my two cents here but I'd go for restoring it to it's original specs (as much as possible), except maybe for 2 custom wound Hallmark- or Ed Elliot pickups instead I'm afraid that's all I can offer Sarah.

This one's very attractive too: http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/40U-3990.htm

Yes that is the same exact guitar. I missed the boat a month ago when there was a Mosrite Celebrity 12 string project that sold on eBay for $294. I really wanted that project and I would have taken my time to totally restore that one.

What I am after with the Streamliner is not a restoration project at all. I can buy a G3156 Streamliner in off white with Dynasonic pickups for $600-$750 in perfect condition. I wanted something that I could actually do with my own two hands and after reading various people threads on their projects it just sounds so interesting to me.

I do have one serious advantage and that is my guitar tech, Tim Gibson, is a Master Luthier and his shop is about 15 miles from me. I take all of my guitars to him for setups, etc. When I told him what I wanted to do, he said I can come to his shop on Saturdays, when he is closed, and use all of his tools and equipment and he'd supervise the project so that I do everything right. What a deal!

The lead guitarist in our group plays a Gretsch White Falcon and it's very pretty. I don't care for all of the "glitz" they put on that guitar but it is a wonderful guitar to play no doubt! My plan is to build a guitar with the look that I am after, which is the Streamliner body in a nice white color and some high end cosmetic treatments with an amazing sound and playability. I haven't decided if I'm going to take the Gretsch logo off, but at this moment I am inclined to do so and come up with my own logo just so no one thinks it's an original.

This project is going to be painted white. At this point, I'm thinking a very stark white glossy finish.

For pickups I was thinking of using Mosrite's from the 60's era or the new Dyna's that TV Jones is coming out with this summer. I would love any input here!

I have decided that I am definately going to use a Mosrite tremelo, such as on the Celebrity, instead of a Bigsby. I love the lines and contours of the Mosrite tremelo which will go great with the curves from the Cat Eye sound holes and of the body. If this is not a good idea, please let me know.

The bridge is pinned and I will go with a Compton Compensated bridge. Wayne Compton is a freind of mine and I love his bridges. I will likely put a titanium one on this project for more twangy-ness.

I'll replace the binding with a multi-layerd one, B-W-B-W-B. I'm also going to design my own pickguard and have it made by Paul Setzer. It will cover the top half in a curvy swooping motion and leave both cat eyes exposed. Similar to Bonnie Raitt's Guild, but different. It will match the binding, B-W-B. And the headstock and neck will be bound as well.

I'll use good quality locking tuners. I haven't researched them yet, but I'm thinking either in nickel plate or black keys.

The fingerboard on this project is ruined so I'm up in the air as to how I want to replace it. At this point I'm thinking Ebony, or an exotic hardwood like Cocobelo. I'm open to suggestions on this!

Okay, well that is it in a nutshell. Any and all feed back is greatly appreciated!

[dubtrub]

Good luck Sarah! I sure hope your luthier is proficient at guitar building as it is going to be one heck of a chore to remove all that binding and replacing it to look proper especially inside the cat eyes. Not difficult for a guitar builder that is familiar with the process but many calling themselves a luthier are more of a set up, change out parts technician than an actual builder.

I haven't read all you post here about the guitars internal construction, but in order to install a Mosrite vibrato, there will have to be something solid inside to mount it to. You have you work cut out for you for a first time project, but your ideas are interesting. Keep us posted as you progress.

[oipunkguy]

hey sarah,

just throwing out ideas for ya. the pickup holes looks perfect to fit minihumbuckers. and these pickups sound quite different then a regular size humbucker of a p-90 style pickup. maybe look into some of these.
the gibson LP deluxe models have a lot of jangle to them (especially in the neck position) but the gibson firebird mini hums are HOT HOT HOT!!!

also rio grande and seymour duncan also makes mini humbuckers some hotter then others. I would check those out. hope this helps!

[Veenture]

Sarah, I would say it's a good way to start off knowing what you want and you allow for different options within the parameters set by yourself in specific areas.

The guitar material itself will obviously also play a role in dictating what can- and what cannot be done. Danny had a good point about the vibrato needing something solid inside to mount it to. I was thinking the same!...but he said it

Having knowledgeable contacts helping you with your project is certainly also a great advantage in gaining your objective.

Good luck with the project and HAVE FUN as you go along...with us looking on...

[Sarah93003]

Thanks guys! You've made some wonderful suggestions and I've noted them all. I realize this is a big project, especially for a first timer. However, I am patient and in no hurry, and I've been working with wood since high school so I am somewhat handy. Even though I call Tim my guitar tech, he is a full blown Luthier and has been for over 40 years, beginning his career building violins. He makes customer guitars nowadays as well as the best setups I've ever had. Have a look at his client list which is very impressive. http://www.timgibsonguitarsmith.com/

He told me a story recently where someone sent a couple of extremely expensive guitars for him to work on. His insurance company charged $170 per day just to have them in his shop. He does very high end stuff and what I am embarking to do is a cakewalk for him. I am just thankful that he will allow me access and guide me along the way.

I am so excited about this. I am currently working on a Photoshop mockup and when it's done I'll pop it in here so you can see what I'm thinking.

[Dennisthe Menace]

VERY IMPRESSIVE Sarah, referring to Tim Gibson .