Vinyl wraps/Guitar skins

[Simon Barden]

Simon - that maple is surprisingly convincing in the photo - does it look the part in person? Odd that it isn't bookmatched.

It looks convincing until you get quite close up, then you notice that the flame pattern has no depth to it when you move the body. I agree, the lack of book-matching is impressive. Maybe Fender US didn't want the Jap ones to look too good. Still, it looks impressive if you're at audience distance. But I do plan to refinish it as the damage to the finish is starting to annoy me. I also plan to reshape the neck slightly.

[G-Axe]

It looks convincing until you get quite close up, then you notice that the flame pattern has no depth to it when you move the body. I agree, the lack of book-matching is impressive. Maybe Fender US didn't want the Jap ones to look too good. Still, it looks impressive if you're at audience distance.

Yeah, I guess you get a lot of leeway with stage instruments, and if anything you don't want anything too refined if you're gigging with it - unless you're happy for it to get beaten up and well used.

These belong to ZZ Tops Billy Gibbons and Dusty Hill - done in vinyl wrap - saw it on a ring rundown on Premier Guitar.

Looks heaps better than their big fuzzy explorers. The vinyl looks pretty convincing - but what I love most of all about both guitars is the simplicity and focus. I always get caught up in coil taps/splits/individual volume and tone controls and the versatility that comes with them - I love the balls of making something that just gives you exactly the sound you want and no unnecessary extras.