Buiding a Johnny Ramone inspired guitar.

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14-01-2016, 12:32 AM
LancePhilip1

3 Attachment(s)

Buiding a Johnny Ramone inspired guitar.

Attachment 7609 Attachment 7610So my Pitbull Guitars MKA-2 kit arrived the other day. I'm building a Johnny Ramone replica. I'm going to be making some modifications to this kit. First off I was able to find a Mosrite headstock decal on Ebay that I will be using instead of the Pitbull logo. The biggest change is that I will be using a DiMarzio FS-1 pick up instead of the kit single coil. Johnny had the mini humbucker and tone pot disconnected. Johnny only used the FS-1 direct to the volume knob. I'll be doing this as well. He also had mismatched knobs on his guitar which I will be doing as well. The only thing I'm undecided about is to whether I should paint it to look new or if I should distress the finish to look road worn. What do all of you think? Attachment 7608
14-01-2016, 02:57 AM
cork sniffer

IMHO road worn is what happens, I can't see any street cred in an fake.
I've got faded jeans with holes but they left the shop years ago in new condition.
14-01-2016, 04:19 AM
gavinturner

Great project dude. I put the FS-1 in mine and it sounds awesome. Will be watching your thread with inerest!

cheers,
Gav.
14-01-2016, 07:49 AM
wokkaboy

welcome to the forum Lance, I prefer a new guitar look, fine if the guitar is beaten up after years of playing and gigging.
I like your build plans. As this is an ash body best you grain fill it. You might as well connect the neck pickup, I don't see any point having the neck pup in place and not connected.

Good luck with the build and look forward to seeing progress
14-01-2016, 08:50 AM
Fretworn

Welcome Lance!
14-01-2016, 04:10 PM
stan

Welcome Lance, sounds like a cool tribute build
15-01-2016, 04:34 AM
LancePhilip1

GavinTurner I took a look at your build on FB. Great job. Just curious as to what paints you used on the MK-2 build? Also did you shield the pick up cavity? Lastly is that the mini humbucker that came with the kit?
15-01-2016, 04:43 AM
LancePhilip1

1 Attachment(s)

Attachment 7629
I'm considering using Tru Oil gunstock finish on the neck. It's easy to apply and looks great when it's done. The only thing that I'm worried about is how well the decal will adhere to the headstock after the oil has been applied. I'm also wondering if it will take a clear coat paint to seal the decal in place after it's done.
15-01-2016, 06:54 AM
pablopepper

I use tru oil on all my necks. I usually put the decal on after 2 or 3 coats and then put 5 or 6 more coats of oil over the top. No need to clear over.
15-01-2016, 02:05 PM
gavinturner

Hey Lance, Yep I just used the mini HB that came with the kit. Like you I read that it shouldnt even be connected, so I just used the stock one as a *why not*. For paint I used Septone White Gloss Acrylic from SupercheapAuto. I definitely shielded the control cavity and the back of the scratchplate. I also used Tru-Oil on the back of the neck - love the way it feels when playing.

cheers,
Gav.
15-01-2016, 10:29 PM
LancePhilip1

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavinturner

Hey Lance, Yep I just used the mini HB that came with the kit. Like you I read that it shouldnt even be connected, so I just used the stock one as a *why not*. For paint I used Septone White Gloss Acrylic from SupercheapAuto. I definitely shielded the control cavity and the back of the scratchplate. I also used Tru-Oil on the back of the neck - love the way it feels when playing.

cheers,
Gav.

Thanks for the info Gavin. By the way you have some beautiful builds on your page, great job.
18-02-2016, 03:04 AM
LancePhilip1

So all the parts are in. Unfortunately it's still Winter here in the New Jersey so it's too cold to do the paint work on the body. Now should I drill out all the pickguard holes before I paint the body or after? My guess is to do them first so I don't risk ruining the paint job.
18-02-2016, 09:55 AM
stan

Quote:

Originally Posted by LancePhilip1

So all the parts are in. Unfortunately it's still Winter here in the New Jersey so it's too cold to do the paint work on the body. Now should I drill out all the pickguard holes before I paint the body or after? My guess is to do them first so I don't risk running the paint job.

sounds like a good plan, then you sort of have a guide to re drill after the paint, good luck - cool build
18-02-2016, 10:11 AM
wokkaboy

Hi Lance, sure drill your pickguard holes but worth fitting the neck and both E strings to make sure the bridge and string alignment is all good.
It's usually the last part of the assembly I do but on the safe side no problems doing it now.
Can you do any work on the neck, maybe a fret level