WezV - Gretsch inspired Baritone

WezV

It's time to think about colours for this as the next job is to do the binding.

I want to do single or triple ply binding... Likely white/black/white which will go with most finishes.   I also have some white pearl binding which would work well with a few colours, but tacky on most

Hardware is a mix of gold and chrome.  We have the original tailpiece, as well as bridge and tuners in Gold.  Pickups and knobs are chrome.  Pickup rings and plate will likely be sprayed gold on the back of clear plastic.  All the new parts will be aged to match the old ones.  Gretsch did mix parts like this on some old guitars before Bigsby's were available in gold, but even the ones with all gold hardware often end up looking like this as the gold wears so fast

The neck wood may need to be left natural if the figure pops as much as i expect... still unsure of that one

Options:
Country Gent style natural finish, would work well with top and neck, back would need to be darkened to match. The mix of hardware colours would work well on this

Sparkle jet - i'm not sure the gold hardware will suit the usual silver/champagne sparkle, but it might work well with a black, blue or green sparkle top.  I would spray this I think, although still want to try a proper sparkle drum wrap finish at some point.

Black with pearl binding.... 

Two tone, with a mismatched top and back.  Anniversary style, but probably not those colour choices.  the custom shop seems to be doing a variation on this where they mix a sparkle top with standard metallic back and sides, or vice versa.  that could be fun

Roland

Country Gent is always nice. If you’re going Sparkle then what about bright red?

davros

I vote turquoise sparkle like this: https://www.andertons.co.uk/gretsch-g6229tg-players-edition-sparkle-jet-bt-with-bigsby-in-ocean-turquoise-sparkle-p2403410813?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-P-rBhBEEiwAQEXhH9vL82AQy7mj-00cUnuIqOft5JhrfsudWPvzkyHRKoOTPaVSkEKTPxoCeMsQAvD_BwE

WezV

Roland said:

Country Gent is always nice. If you’re going Sparkle then what about bright red?

I could be convinced by red sparkle


and they did this with a gold/chrome mix

davros said:

I vote turquoise sparkle like this: 

That's a no from me


these ae some custom shops i like with interesting finishes

PhilKing

I was thinking of either a lighter colour (white/silver), or if you feel up to something more outrageous, a pink sparkle with white back & sides (sort of like PRS Bonnie Pink, but sparkle).

WezV

PhilKing said:

I was thinking of either a lighter colour (white/silver), or if you feel up to something more outrageous, a pink sparkle with white back & sides (sort of like PRS Bonnie Pink, but sparkle).

or with shell pink back and sides - note this one has cream binding



i'm not against it

guitargeek62

Two-tone - any colour’s good really!

Winny_Pooh

That's looking stunning BTW I think Champagne or teal with the gold (If you must use gold haha) 

DartmoorHedgehog

I think sparkle is "right" on a thin-body Gretschy guitar. Either red or black would be my vote.

PhilKing

I like both of those @WezV.  ;

WezV

I was sent an updated binding jig from Radius Dish UK.  I was quite happy with the old one, but this one is better made with improved bearings and  end stops


so i can finally crack on.  i decided on 2-ply black/cream binding as it will clash least with any crazy finish ideas.  I was tempted by pearloid, but that would suit a simpler colour scheme

channel cut


test fit

Winny_Pooh

I'm so looking torward to seeing how this will turn out.

bad_alice

WezV said:

Roland said:

Country Gent is always nice. If you’re going Sparkle then what about bright red?

I could be convinced by red sparkle


and they did this with a gold/chrome mix

davros said:

I vote turquoise sparkle like this: 

That's a no from me


these ae some custom shops i like with interesting finishes

Howabout violet sparkle?
Here's my former Gretsch Players Edition Jet to illustrate...

WezV

Bound and scraped back.  Im being extra careful not to scrape  through the top veneer.

The clear rings will be sprayed gold on the back

I'm really happy with the proportions for a baritone.

paulnb57

Quality..

DartmoorHedgehog

That's looking good.  I know what you mean about the veneer - I accidentally rubbed through the top layer on a laminate-sided acoustic once and it looks a right mess.

Would your laser cutter be able to etch your "WV" logo into the tops of some Gretsch-style knobs? I know you've used it successfully on aluminium but not sure if it would work on plated metal.

WezV

DartmoorHedgehog said:

That's looking good.  I know what you mean about the veneer - I accidentally rubbed through the top layer on a laminate-sided acoustic once and it looks a right mess.

Would your laser cutter be able to etch your "WV" logo into the tops of some Gretsch-style knobs? I know you've used it successfully on aluminium but not sure if it would work on plated metal.

Thankfully I have the solid colour finish to cover any mistakes, but so far so good.   I also pre-clear coated the top to make things a little easier to judge

 I probably could with the right combination. The laser itself will discolour some metals but not really cut them.  It can cut through a paint layer so I can do it with chemicals then remove the paint.  For this one I will stick with the old Gretsch hardware.   It will be obviously not a Gretsch in many other ways. 

My logo would make a good pointer though, so I will try that at some point  

DartmoorHedgehog

WezV said:

My logo would make a good pointer though, so I will try that at some point  

That's what I was thinking - bit like the G arrow knobs (but better I reckon)

WezV

Test fit



Everything aligns nicely so I only need to carve some rear contours and drill for an output jack.

Bridge is a little high, but I still need to sand it to fit so that should take care one that.  

I also need to do all the plastic plates before finishing.  They will be made from clear perspex and sprayed gold on the back.  

Weight like this is 6 lb 10 oz, but finish and electrics will add a bit back

PhilKing

It's interesting that the effect of it is to look a bit more like a tenor guitar (with a narrower neck), rather than a baritone.  It's looking great and my box of badly corroded Gretsh bits didn't turn up any imperials, so the fact you have some is amazing.