Refinishing MIM and tinting neck?

ccrnnr9 · June 20th, 2008, 07:20 PM

I am about to pull the trigger on a MIM standard strat that plays awesome. The only unfortunate fact is that it is in the blue finish and I hate that color. I have always yearned for fiesta red strat however they are hard to find. I was wondering how hard it would be to refinish a standard MIM in fiesta red and put a nitro finish on it? I want the finish to show wear after awhile. I love how the hwy 1 strats show wear after awhile however they are not offered in fiesta red. The classic 50's strats are offered in that color but are finished with a poly finish that just does not do the fiesta red justice. If this is possible can anyone recomend where I can get a finish that will be as close to fiesta red as possible?

Secondly is it possible to tint the maple neck like the classic 50's strats? If so, what is needed to do so?
~Nick

Orlando Mike · June 20th, 2008, 11:42 PM

yummy, fiesta red is my next build....cant wait

bobthecanadian · June 20th, 2008, 11:53 PM

let's see some pics when you get her done!

Phat-O-Caster · June 21st, 2008, 12:58 PM

Fiesta Red was originally a 56 Ford T-Bird color- Duco 2219-H a DuPont nitrocellulose paint- all early Fender paints were car paints.Your neck can be done pretty easily-I'd check http://stewmac.com/ for some amber lacquer. Here you can read a whole lot about fender color history-Have fun

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

ccrnnr9 · June 21st, 2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phat-O-Caster

Fiesta Red was originally a 56 Ford T-Bird color- Duco 2219-H a DuPont nitrocellulose paint- all early Fender paints were car paints.Your neck can be done pretty easily-I'd check http://stewmac.com/ for some amber lacquer. Here you can read a whole lot about fender color history-Have fun

http://www.provide.net/~cfh/fenderc.html

Wow thanks for the info! My next question was going to be how on earth I should go about getting a matching paint color. Since the paint is dupont nitrocellulose paint, do I still need to a nitrocellulose lacquer?

As of now I am debating whether I should build off of a MIM standard strat or the new classic vibe 50's strat as that comes with a tinted neck stock. Additionally, it is $100 cheaper and from what I have heard, plays like a dream. It also comes with aged plastic parts stock. I am leaning towards that option. My goal is to have the project done by the 1st of August.
~Nick
~Nick

bobmac · June 22nd, 2008, 01:48 AM

Mate you say you Strat plays "awesome" in that case I'd leave it alone and wouldn't go pulling it apart and redoing it. If it ain't F'd don't fix it. Color is the least important aspect of a guit' and playing awesome is the most important aspect.

ccrnnr9 · June 22nd, 2008, 11:50 AM

I don't have a strat that the work will be done on yet. I was simply saying that I hear the new classic vibe squier strats play awesome. Besides, refinishing a guitar won't affect how the guitar plays so long as one does it correctly. I was just trying to decide if it would be best to do the work on a MIM standard strat, or a classic vibe squier. I am leaning towards the squier since it already has a tinted neck.
~Nick

StratDen · June 22nd, 2008, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccrnnr9

I don't have a strat that the work will be done on yet. I was simply saying that I hear the new classic vibe squier strats play awesome. Besides, refinishing a guitar won't affect how the guitar plays so long as one does it correctly. I was just trying to decide if it would be best to do the work on a MIM standard strat, or a classic vibe squier. I am leaning towards the squier since it already has a tinted neck.
~Nick

Nick, Bob is 100% right. A refin can change your guitar tonally. Remember, the wood of the body is a major factor in the sound of your guitar.