'08 Squier Bullet Strat

[KevinV]

This guitar is a Craigslist find that I picked up after work on Thursday. It's an '08 and in like new condition. A darn good starting point for $60. I was actually impressed with how well the pups sound.

Here's a couple front/back shots of her as I got her, and a shot of the neck after a sanding, a couple coats of nitro, and 5 coats of amber so far. The flame in this was just too nice to leave as is. I'll do a fret level/dress when the rest of my tools from Stew-Mac get here this week.

[AllroyPA]

Looks super !

[Squirr]

wow! that neck turned out beautiful!



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[thaus]

Nice find and agree with the points above......great job on the neck. Those necks are great because of the size; chuncky!!!

[Jimi Hendrix]

Great score there Kevin.

[Axeaddict]

wow that neck looks awesome..Can you go into detail how you refinished it..Id love to do it to mine too.

[KevinV]

Originally Posted by Axeaddict

wow that neck looks awesome..Can you go into detail how you refinished it..Id love to do it to mine too.

It's going to be even better than in the above pic...that's not a finished shot, just the base coat and some tint. Since taking that pic I've done a few more tint coats and a few finish coats of nitro. I'll wet sand the headstock tomorrow to apply the decal and after a few more coats of nitro she'll be ready to cure and then wet sand and polish.

The steps...

• Sand with 220, 320, 400 paper
• Tape off fretboard
• Apply 2 thin nitrocellulose lacquer base coats
• Let sit overnight
• Apply thin coats of amber neck tint until desired shade is reached (about 30 minutes between applications)
• Apply a coat of nitro
• If you're not there yet, apply more tint...they'll melt together
• More nitro for a total of 3-6 coats (no more than 1 an hour)
• Allow to dry for 5 days
• Wet sand with 800, 1000, 1500, 2000 grit and then polish

I got my supplies from Reranch and he's also got tutorials on the site that go into detail. It's very fun watching the project unfold. I sprayed it in my garage, suspended from one of the neck screws. It's pretty potent stuff so I recommend a painting respirator. I picked up a good one from Lowe's.

I have a total of 8 coats of amber, and 4 of clear applied at the moment. I'll do a couple more clear coats and will let it cure. I'll post a finished pic when she's all done.

[peskypesky]

awesome. i am jealous because i've been searching for a deal on a white bullet for several weeks...

[Axeaddict]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

awesome. i am jealous because i've been searching for a deal on a white bullet for several weeks...

We will be looking forward to your next....My Girlfriend is pissed post

[peskypesky]

Originally Posted by Axeaddict

We will be looking forward to your next....My Girlfriend is pissed post

well, damnit, i just spent a whole lot of money on her this weekend, so she better not say anything.

[KevinV]

I let the neck cure for 5 days after the last of the clear coats and started wet sanding and polishing. It's coming out very nicely and the polishing time is much shorter than I was expecting. It doesn't show well in all the pictures, but the finish is smooth as glass.

[mjpgolf1]

Really nice job. I am not even done with my first project strat but I was in my local guitar center and they have not one but two squier strats in the used section and surprisingly enough they are priced pretty darn cheap. Theres an affinity black and white and a standard with hss setup thats black on black. the first one is priced at $60 and the hss is @ $89 and they are in pretty good shape. Now youve got me thinking about a refinish job. Keep posting those pics, I cant wait to see the end result.

[Poseidon9447]

My bullet has a flamed neck like that. the tint really brings it out. I like how my neck plays so I am afraid to make any improvements like tinting it in case it no longer has the same feel I like right now.

[KevinV]

I finished up the neck refinish and did a fret level. The guitar plays and looks great...a big improvement from stock. I'm sure some will moan about the decal, but I'm learning to refinish and decal application is part of it.

I ordered the Essential Nut Making Kit from StewMac and will be cutting a new bone nut for the guitar when it arrives. I can't stand the big chunk of plastic that came on it.

I'm not having any problems with the electronics, but the pickups are a bit lacking. They get by, but could be better. I've got a new set of Texas Specials I'm putting in another project I'm doing on a MIM Fender Strat, and may put the old pickups in this one to see how they sound.

This is great therapy. I thoroughly enjoy turning an OK guitar into a real player.

[vaughndrix]

Originally Posted by KevinV

This guitar is a Craigslist find that I picked up after work on Thursday. It's an '08 and in like new condition. A darn good starting point for $60. I was actually impressed with how well the pups sound.

Here's a couple front/back shots of her as I got her, and a shot of the neck after a sanding, a couple coats of nitro, and 5 coats of amber so far. The flame in this was just too nice to leave as is. I'll do a fret level/dress when the rest of my tools from Stew-Mac get here this week.

That neck looks great. I love Bullets. I'll have one in every color I love the necks on them

[rhh7]

I have a 2008 Bullet just like that, got mine new for $94.99 Canadian before the prices went up.

[KevinV]

I shaped and installed a bone nut today and 95% of my tuning issues are gone. What a difference...the strings were binding in the stock plastic nut making playing a chore. Whether real or imagined, the playability and tone went up after the nut change. Maybe it's just because I get to play at length without retuning now, but either way, I like it.

I've also found some amp settings that I really like with this guitar. I wasn't very impressed with the pups, but after some amp tweaking they're quite satisfying.

[KevinV]

I just finished up the nut. The low E looks like it's sitting higher than it actually is...must be the angle. It's flush to the edges and polished up nicely.

[peskypesky]

damn! that looks like a great nut.