10 Attachment(s)
Homage to NYC - Fender Partscaster
When I moved from NYC to Cali over 5 years ago, I needed something to remind me of home. The pace of California was different. Nothing was open 24 hours like NYC, so I had a great amount of head space, time, and creativity to burn. I figured that I'd learn to play guitar. When my (holy grail of guitars) Gibson Byrdland was damaged in transit, I had to sort out what other guitar I could put together "cheaply" so I could start learning while I figured out how to get my claim on the Byrdland and get it repaired.
Well this project was neither cheap nor fast. it actually turned into a creative project like I had never seen before. The idea was to showcase how NYC goes through its stages of urban decay and renewal. From the grit, dirt, graffiti and rust to everything about it that can be shiny and new.
I started by aging alot of the chrome bits with acid. Then layering on stain and paint. Then removing layers of stain and paint and starting over. This piece went through rounds and rounds of revisions of stenciling and paint to get the desired effect. It has the feel of the birth of MTV Era mixed with alittle Hendrix and Clash....lol
When it was done being embellished, I coated it in a sh*t ton of polyurethane and some metal flake. Then, off to the luthier, it went to get all of the electronics put in. The only thing that is not Fender or Fender-related is the Spalted Maple body that I found on eBay.
Body:
Spalted Maple Telecaster Shape
Neck:
WD Telecaster All Rosewood Modern 22
Electronics:
Fender Custom Shop 55 Journeyman Loaded Pickguard w/ VIP handwound '55 pickups, pots, 3 position switch, jack and modern wiring (from Stratosphere}
Pickguard:
Cutdown New York License plate
Knobs:
72 Fender Telecaster Custom Volume and tone knobs
Bridge:
Fender American Vintage 3 saddle bridge - chrome
Strap:
Fender bleached black strap
10 Attachment(s)
Homage to NYC - Fender Partscaster Process
Here is some of the design process behind the "Homage" guitar.
Stencils, blue tape, frisket, spray paint, paint makers, regular markets, graphic design, tons of thought, exacto blades, polyurethane, and a lot of patience and planning. Yet at the same time, making room for mistakes and happy accidents. Lots of things are not necessarily planned for when you start off with a "super clean" computer rendering to a super personal take on a musical instrument.
Let me know your thoughts. I know this isn't for everyone but I found a niche and ran with it.