Whadya think... over the top?

[GardMan]

It's fall break, and they're painting just outside my office (phew!), so I knocked off early, came home, and spent some time in my "shop:"

 

[killdeer43]

One man's 'over the top' is another man's just right! Sort of takes my breath away! :wink:

I'd like to know more about the TRC, like what the material is, etc.

Joe

 

[GardMan]

I'd like to know more about the TRC, like what the material is, etc.

It's "faux turquoise" from LMI. Seems to be a plastic polymer of some sort... definitely a plastic smell when cutting/sanding. Searching the web, there are numerous articles and "how to" videos on making faux turquoise from polymer clay... but on a much smaller scale. The color isn't a perfect match to the G-shield... but then the G-shield looks more greenish than the fret markers (I think that's due to yellowing lacquer). I looked for a source of coral... but all that I could find was much too thick for me to work with.

I used the TRC from my D-25 (which happened to be off for a seasonal adjustment of the rod) as a template. The slab is 0.060" thick... thicker than the factory TRC, but very useable. I rough cut with a jeweler's saw (which I bought for the occasion), then used my (ancient) dremel tool with a series of grinders/sanding discs/drums for final shaping. I then sanded with 320 grit paper followed by 600 (?) wet paper, which left a smooth, matte finish. Took about 90' to finish it to this level. I might eventually spray it with some nitro lacquer. This was my first attempt... I've got enough material for at least one, maybe two more versions.

 

[mutantmoose]

That is awesome, and I love the fact that it is added bling, yet completely reversible.

 

[Memphis]

WOW.... :mrgreen: That is incredible man! just beautiful!! I dig that a lot. So, I have to know man...I've seen how many incredibly nice dreads you've played, how does that DV 73 compare and contrast with the other dreads in your family? And what strings do you use?

 

[CA-35]

Sweet! 8)

 

[dapmdave]

I think you're right about the yellowing lacquer changing the color of the headstock G-shield. I noticed this on a similar guitar.

Dave

 

[randyman]

Looks great! There's a tremendous amount of satisfaction in personalizing one's instruments.

I've got a black Steinberger, and I removed the cheap metal knobs and replaced them with knurled black chrome with large abalone inlays. Just a little effort, and it's styling.

A little trick you might try... go to an art supply store and get a small bottle of clear acrylic medium. (It will look milky white.) Also a tube of cadmium yellow deep or medium hue. Mix just a dab with the medium; just enough to give it a slight yellow tint. You can thin with water so that brush strokes won't show.

Paint a thin coat over your cover and LET DRY; it will turn clear. If it's not working, or it's too much, you can wash it off while it's wet. With a few coats of this mixture, you might be able to get the tint to match the existing inlay. It looks great as it is, but I get kind of manic about these things. :]

 

[6L6]

Love it! Now we need a full shot of the guitar.

Bill

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Very nice, Dave.
The cover matches the fret board inlays very well.
I also want to see more pictures of the rest of the guitar. Better yet, I want to play it! :wink:

 

[GardMan]

Love it! Now we need a full shot of the guitar.

I also want to see more pictures of the rest of the guitar.

Pre-TRC cover photos are in this thread...

...how does that DV 73 compare and contrast with the other dreads in your family? And what strings do you use?

Imagine the BEST of a D-50 and D-55 -warmth, smoothness, balance, power, sparkle- together in one guitar... that's what she sounds like. Right now I have Jon Pearse PB lights on her. I'll probably try some 80/20s on the next change.

 

[West R Lee]

She looks great Dave. And don't try the JP 80/20 light strings on her........you may never play another guitar. :wink: And the imitation turquoise....well, my wife and I have been dabbling in semi precious stones for years. We did a buffalo skull in the same stuff.......it's some type of polymer/plaster with turquoise stain baked in (I guess)....all explained to us by our stone supplier. If you break it, it's white in the core. Still makes a great TRC though. I'll post a shot of my buffalo skull I made.

That's real turquiose, coral and onyx in the circle on the forehead, the rest of the turquoise is synthetic.(fake) I'm pretty sure that what your TRC is as they pour the stuff in a flat mold or pan. Having a flat side makes it easy to do things like cover skulls and make flat truss rod covers.

West

 

[coastie99]

For me, it's getting very close.

But then, my dream guitar would be very austere by comparison. Simple Herringbone rosette; satin / HR finish; dot markers and a simple G shield logo.

Objectively though, the TRC is a nice complement to the rest of the guitar and, it's the one area where I might indulge myself with a bit of bling.

I always think of West when I see something like this ( and that isn't a bad thing ). Given that he's Texan, maybe I could describe those flash finishes as a little "Austin-tacious" :?: :?:

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Given that he's Texan, maybe I could describe those flash finishes as a little "Austin-tacious"

He can clean them with Amarillo Brillo.

 

[coastie99]

]He can clean them with Amarillo Brillo.

I'm pretty sure that West swears by SNIBBO

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Remember: SNIBBO backwards is OBBINS.

 

[coastie99]

Remember: SNIBBO backwards is OBBINS.

Not only that, endorsed by the Ministry of Unleavened Bread !!

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Aka MUB.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Excellent, and, as you're a fellow native of The Republic, it's absolutely NOT "over-the-top"....it's "just-right"! 8)