AusiMik

Almost Done…

It’s finally all together. It still needs to be set up. This is the most tedious and least enjoyable part, but it’s also the most important. If a guitar is set up poorly it is not good to play.

This guitar was inspired by the ones used by Tom DeLonge from Blink-182. Simple, only one humbucking pickup. But I opted for a maple soft V shaped neck and black hardware. The pick up is also a Bill Lawrence SL-500 rather than a Seymour Duncan and the stripe is also different. But other than that…

This makes twelve guitars in the stable, and I think the last for a while. It’s not that I don’t enjoy them, it’s simply a matter of running out of room to put them.

So…what to do for a hobby now? I don’t need any more guitars for a while, niether do I need a new computer, there’s five of those in the house!

When I decide, I’ll let you know :)

Restoration complete…Sort of.
This is a 72 Reissue Fender Stratocaster. It was made in Japan between 1984 and 1987.
I tried a full restoration, but have been hampered by the pickups I ordered for it being lost in transit. These things can take a while to sort out so I used a couple of non genuine pickups I had lying around and the hum bucking pick up that was in it when I got it. I must say it sounds great, I may leave it the way it is for now.

I do feel sorry of my mate Phil though. I got the guitar from him. The deal was I got the Strat and I’d get him a new Telecaster in place of it. How ever the pick ups were in the same parcel as the guitar, so it’s “lost” too! The dealer I bought it from assured me I’d get my guitar, but I still feel bad for Phil.

I’ll have to get a new hobby! I’ve now got nine guitars and one 75% finished, and that’s not counting the three belonging to the kids or the four I’ve given away…I guess there is such a thing as having too much fun.

The Warlock project is finally complete. Still some minor tweaking perhaps. Next will be to finish the Japanese Floral Fender restoration. Then, on the drawing board is a reproduction of a Tom DeLonge Strat.,

Here’s my latest project. It is a 72’ Reissue Floral Strat. Made in Japan between 1984-1987. It had been well used. Lots of dried beer under the pick guard and a lot of the parts were not original. I’ve cleaned it up and what original parts I couldn’t get, I’ve replaced with Fender parts. Why Fender decided to reissue the 72’ model I don’t know. CBS had just bought them out and like most large companies focused on profit corners were cut, or innovations made depending on your side of the fence. These include; going back to the large headstock, 3-bolt neck, cast bridge saddles, Gotoh tuners and one piece maple neck. The colour is a metallic green floral. Which when I first saw it I thought was ghastly, but it has since grown on me a bit and now it’s just ugly.

Finally back from paint

O.K. I’ve got another neck, the body is back from paint. The guys who painted this did a very good job. Lots of pearl highlights. I like it…the saga continues!!!

REUNITED

About two years ago we were going through a bit of a rough patch so I decided to sell off a few bits and pieces to help out. One of the things I missed the most was Gregg Bennett RL2 guitar. It wasn’t a very expensive one but I just liked the way it played and the way it sounded.

Yesterday while walking past the local pawn shop I saw what I then thought was an identical guitar in the window. So I bought it. On getting it home and checking my records, i found it was the same guitar, a little more worn from use but a little fret board oil, polish and a new set of strings brought it back to near new condition.

Isn’t it a funny world?

It’s Official…I stink, I need fattening up, (this is contrary to what my Dr said last visit, but who am I to argue) I’m going blind, (this watch is great…I bet you could read the dial from space) and now do I not only know my kids think I’m a nerd, but every time I drink coffee, I’m reminded of it. Happy Father’s Day? You Bet!!

The Straw….you know the rest.

I haven’t done much in the garden lately as you can see, and yesterday the mower refused to start, so I decided to make it someone elses problem. I’ve hired a guy, I’m happy with both the price and the prospect of not having to mow or garden any more. Wins all round.