My Favorite Things

Hockey Rocker · #1 February 9th, 2006

Here's what keeps me busy when I'm not chasin' after kids, dollars or pucks. I just added a Line 6 Toneport UXI (not pictured) USB computer interface for recording. It's a great little plastic toy. I need to learn the recording software, and then I'll be on my way.

coldethyl · #2 February 9th, 2006

That's some nice gear you've got yourself there Hockey Rocker, and a pretty cool cd collection too!

Neil

Hockey Rocker · #3 February 9th, 2006

Thanks Coldethyl. I'm really happy with my little home studio. It's all stuff I've picked up in the last three years, having goofed around with an acoustic Epiphone for over two decades without ever really learning how to play well. None of my stuff is really expensive, but I can't believe the quality of the low-priced merch. Nice gear has somehow become affordable while I was busy making other plans.

I guess my Fender Blues Jr. amp and my Korean made PRS Soapbar are the nicest pieces. That's what I usually play.

I'm most proud of the little Indonesian made Fender Bullet. I bought it for $100.00, played it for a short while and then tore it apart. I had the body glittered by a buddy who paints cars, ripped the guts out of it and put in some Alnico fives and upgraded the pots and switch. I even drilled out the headstock to install Fender cast tuners. The only thing I left alone was the bridge. I didn't have the nerve to drill the body once it was painted. Then for fun, I glittered the headstock and pickguard myself. To my surprise, I must've soldered everything together correctly, just as the Fender schematic showed, because it doesn't sound half bad. Not that it sounds or plays great, but it was a good way for me to learn about the electric guts of guitars while I improved upon a throw-away starter guitar. Now I tell myself that I own a virtuoso's V neck to go along with all of my wide neck axes.

Jean · #4 February 10th, 2006

What a nice string you've got!
They must keep you busy mate, along with chasing flying slapshots etc...

Eddie_O · #5 February 10th, 2006

nicee collection buddy...

are they for sale?

jst kiddin'

sale · #6 February 10th, 2006

Very nice Hockey Rocker

munky · #7 February 22nd, 2006

Nice spread man. I just picked up a toneport as well, it's a great little rig.

nocat · #8 February 23rd, 2006

Wow... That sparkly Strat is very....... Sparkly...!!!
Did you buy it like that, or did you customize it...??? I'm diggin' it...!!! :o)

allthumbs · #9 February 23rd, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hockey Rocker

Thanks Coldethyl. I'm really happy with my little home studio. It's all stuff I've picked up in the last three years, having goofed around with an acoustic Epiphone for over two decades without ever really learning how to play well. None of my stuff is really expensive, but I can't believe the quality of the low-priced merch. Nice gear has somehow become affordable while I was busy making other plans.

I guess my Fender Blues Jr. amp and my Korean made PRS Soapbar are the nicest pieces. That's what I usually play.

I'm most proud of the little Indonesian made Fender Bullet. I bought it for $100.00, played it for a short while and then tore it apart. I had the body glittered by a buddy who paints cars, ripped the guts out of it and put in some Alnico fives and upgraded the pots and switch. I even drilled out the headstock to install Fender cast tuners. The only thing I left alone was the bridge. I didn't have the nerve to drill the body once it was painted. Then for fun, I glittered the headstock and pickguard myself. To my surprise, I must've soldered everything together correctly, just as the Fender schematic showed, because it doesn't sound half bad. Not that it sounds or plays great, but it was a good way for me to learn about the electric guts of guitars while I improved upon a throw-away starter guitar. Now I tell myself that I own a virtuoso's V neck to go along with all of my wide neck axes.

I know a couple of guys who have done sparkly strats. They look pretty sweet.

seagull · #10 February 23rd, 2006

Nice toys, I hesitate getting an electric guitar for fear of getting a serious case of gas.

Hockey Rocker · #11 February 24th, 2006

I'm glad some folks are groovin' on the "Sparkle Strat". I've seen a few over the years, and am aware that the Fender Custom Shop uses some glitter on a few pieces. In a recent visit to "Glitter Gulch" I was surprised to notice that the infamous Ed Roman's of Las Vegas had quite a number of glittered guitars.

There seem to be two types of sparkle axes, one style seems to go for a retro look, similar to that originally offered by Gretsch as far back as the early 60's, I think. This style incorporates large particles, usually silver or gold, very similar to what is more commonly used on sparkle drum kits. The second type uses a solid, metallic-colored, finer-sized polyester glitter dispersed within a clear base and shot over the colored base coat. A final coat of clear is shot over the top to encapsulate the glitter coat smoothly.

It kinda' made me feel a little funny inside to go for the glitter guitar, but hey, I figured if I didn't like it I would give it to my twelve-year-old daughter. I kept it.

So, for the body, I used an iridescent, multi-colored, polyester, 100 micron sized glitter dispersion mixed with micronic glass beads for depth of color. It was painted with a spray gun by a pro. The headstock and pick guard I did in my basement by mixing maybe 5% Royal Blue Polyester Glitter with 95% Silver Hologram Polyester Glitter, sprinkling it over a wet layer of Clear Acrylic, and then coating maybe 10 or 12 layers of clear acrylic over the top. It took a few days to wait for a layer to dry, lightly sand and spray again, then repeat.

It was kinda' goofy, but I like it. To tell you the truth, the photo doesn't do it justice. The thing really sparkles prismatically in the right light.