Going to make some meteoras!

[Elias Graves]

Thanks EG. 1/2" I was afraid of that. Tried 1/4" because, I didn't want to be sanding it forever after rough cutting it.

What are you sanding?
I make my templates out of 1/2” but I cut the pickguard out of plastic sheets that are already the correct thickness. The green pearl sheet is 2.5mm thick.

 

[Elias Graves]

That goldy is beautiful!

Thanks! I’m pleased how it came out.
I got the setup dialed in now and OMG this is a monster. The clean tonez are beautiful and of course it brings the chaos like a Norse god.

 

[Elias Graves]

 

[Elias Graves]

 

[Bob411]

What are you sanding?
I make my templates out of 1/2” but I cut the pickguard out of plastic sheets that are already the correct thickness. The green pearl sheet is 2.5mm thick.

The edge of the template and hole for the pickup. I cut the template, "with a jig saw", a little bigger then, sand it to the actual size of the pickguard and hole for the pickup.

I imagine if I had a scroll saw, I could get closer, the cut would at least be square to the face of the pickguard.

 

[Elias Graves]

The edge of the template and hole for the pickup. I cut the template, "with a jig saw", a little bigger then, sand it to the actual size of the pickguard and hole for the pickup.

I imagine if I had a scroll saw, I could get closer, the cut would at least be square to the face of the pickguard.

Then you’re making a template from scratch? Ok I understand. Yeah it’s hard to get close with a jigsaw…that blade likes to wander. I started using a scroll saw to get closer.

 

[Elias Graves]

My first encounter with Suhr pickups. Very nicely constructed.

 

[Bob411]

Then you’re making a template from scratch? Ok I understand. Yeah it’s hard to get close with a jigsaw…that blade likes to wander. I started using a scroll saw to get closer.

Yeah and the thicker the template, the more work. Thanks for your help, now I know I have to bite the bullet and use 1/2".

 

[Elias Graves]

Prepping the ash body. I’m digging out the soft dark grain with a wire brush, making exaggerated deep grain channels.
Using artist paints which are thick like toothpaste, I’ll apply the black first then seal and follow with the green, wiping off what doesn’t go down in the grain.

 

[Elias Graves]

Back to my P90 model…
My attempt at yellow paint was a failure. Long story but the clear coat caused the yellow to wrinkle up. Grrrrr.
Back to the drawing board. Doing some looking locally, I found a quart of “performance red” lacquer from Duplicor and picked it up.
Back to primer on the body now. Hopefully I’ll shoot the red later today.

 

[Elias Graves]

A little sample. Also, safety first!!! Wear your breathing protection when you paint.

 

[Bob411]

...and haz mat suit because this shit is nasty and your skin will absorb it.

 

[Elias Graves]

So here I go making my HSH meteora template by combining elements of others. From the HSS Strat, I took the neck and middle pickup routs and the trem rout.
from the HH meteora template, I took the two humbucker routs obviously.

 

[baimun]

@Elias Graves You may not have an issue with this because of the way the pickups have the metal casings around them, but times when I've used metal bezels, I had to make a little copper loop for grounding and put it under one of the corner screws, otherwise the pickups would pickup up weird microphonics.

 

[Elias Graves]

Cutting the front of the center line. Pickups and bridge cavities

 

[Elias Graves]

 

[Elias Graves]

Hmm. Smoky blue?

 

[Elias Graves]

I was going to use that gray as a primer for the red. But I mixed it with some colorant that was a mix of blue and black. It turned out nice so I’m keeping it.
Almost done!!!

 

[Elias Graves]

It plays! Initial setup is a painstaking tedious process but she’s getting there. I think I’ll call it “Smoky.”
And P-90s are just freaking awesome!
Waiting on knobs to arrive. That’s the last piece.

 

[Elias Graves]

Getting the setup dialed in. What a process! Jeez. But the results are definitely worth it. It’s turning into a fine tuned beast now. I’ll call it Smoky.
Oh man this thing will get totally rude sounding! It’s glorious. Love it.
The meteora body style is quite ergonomic. Well balanced, everything in easy reach. Not too heavy. Body contours are just perfect.