Gretsch Streamliner modification project

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Sarah93003
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby Sarah93003 » Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:48 am

Thank you!!

I love the Bosch Colt. It is light and easy for me to handle. The cat eyes will be by hand as well. I haven't figured out a way to make a routing template for it, so,, I'm just going to be very careful and go for it. ;)
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1965 Mosrite Celebrity Prototype with Vibramute
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1994 Gretsch Streamliner G3155 Custom
2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby olrocknroller » Sun Jul 03, 2011 2:12 pm

Sarah93003 wrote:Thank you!!

I love the Bosch Colt. It is light and easy for me to handle. The cat eyes will be by hand as well. I haven't figured out a way to make a routing template for it, so,, I'm just going to be very careful and go for it. ;)


When I want a template, I use perspex, or nylon sheet about 1/4" thick, cut the pattern into it, and file it smooth until it's exactly what I want...the nylon is cheaper up here, so for infrequent use, I buy a set of kitchen cutting boards for cheap, and cut them up as needed...
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Sarah93003
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby Sarah93003 » Mon Jul 04, 2011 6:29 pm

I was able to get a little more work done between the parade this morning and fireworks this evening.

In a last minute decision I decided not to make the extra cat eyes the same size, but about 25% smaller. I think it gives a nicer looking effect. First step was to make an oak template of the size and shape I like.

Rough cut on the bandsaw.
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Sanded on the disk sander, belt sander, and like little drum sander clone.

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There, I think it will give the effect I'm after.

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I never noticed it before but since I was working from the centerline of the neck I based my dimensions off of it. Surprising the two existing cat eyes were not exactly the same distance from the centerline. Perhaps it's because of the cutaway on the treble side and making things look balance. Whatever the reason I decided to follow suit.

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My intention is to use the oak template for making the binding as well. I decided to try it out. Not bad but I used too much heat. I'll have to turn it down and be more careful.

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Okay, we're ready to go!

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The treble side had a hole in it already that I don't need so it was used for inserting the router. The bass side needed a hole drilled.

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And here is the rough cut. I got close to my lines and then I'll file and sand from there. I only partially did the treble side because there is a metal hanger stuck on the inside of the guitar top. Now I'll be able to get it out and finish cutting the cat eye for that side.

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Here is another view. Tomorrow night I'll finish cutting the cat eye for the treble side and start sanding, etc.

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Okay, I am off to the fireworks! Happy 4th of July!
____________________
1965 Mosrite Celebrity Prototype with Vibramute
1972 Mosrite Celebrity-III
1977 Gibson MK-53
1982 Fender Bullet
1994 Gretsch Streamliner G3155 Custom
2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
2006 Jude Les Paul 12 String

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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby MWaldorf » Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:31 pm

great work Sarah - it's so cool seeing your vision becoming reality.
Oy vey - it's MESHUGGA BEACH PARTY - The world's premier Jewish Surf Music Band!

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What? Couldn't tell the logo is a link? So click here, what's the hold up? http://www.meshuggabeachparty.com

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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby JimPage » Mon Jul 04, 2011 7:38 pm

Hey, Sarah--

That was an artistic idea to make the new cat's eyes smaller; they look in the correct proportions.

Good job!!!

--Jim
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby olrocknroller » Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:26 pm

Great job! You definitely have a knack for freehand work... Unfortunately, I have to compensate for my jittery hands with all kinds of spendy tools! :cry:
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Sarah93003
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby Sarah93003 » Mon Jul 04, 2011 10:33 pm

olrocknroller wrote:Great job! You definitely have a knack for freehand work... Unfortunately, I have to compensate for my jittery hands with all kinds of spendy tools! :cry:


Thank you! I still chalk it up to a nifty router. :D

Thank you Mel and Jim! The decision to downsize the cat eye was such a last second thing but it certainly cured the "little something" that had been nagging me. I am very happy with the size.
____________________
1965 Mosrite Celebrity Prototype with Vibramute
1972 Mosrite Celebrity-III
1977 Gibson MK-53
1982 Fender Bullet
1994 Gretsch Streamliner G3155 Custom
2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
2006 Jude Les Paul 12 String

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Sarah93003
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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby Sarah93003 » Tue Jul 05, 2011 7:14 pm

Teenie update.

I couldn't fully cut the cat eye on the treble side because of little hangers stuck on the inside of the top.

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I was able to get under them with the blade from an Exacto knife and then scrape the remaining sticky foam.

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With the metal hangers gone I could finish with the router. Now it's rough cut and time for sanding. I'm guessing I'm between 95-99% done with the cat eyes and just need a little sanding to be sure it fits my template and it should be prepped for binding.

Here 'tis!

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I'm very happy with how it's gone so far. I'm thinking about how to do the binding. If I decide to use a single piece it has to be perfect all the way around. Heating the binding with a heat gun is a very tricky affair. It twists very easily and it's ruined. I may opt for a two piece approach just to make it more manageable.
____________________
1965 Mosrite Celebrity Prototype with Vibramute
1972 Mosrite Celebrity-III
1977 Gibson MK-53
1982 Fender Bullet
1994 Gretsch Streamliner G3155 Custom
2005 Gibson Les Paul Standard Plus
2006 Jude Les Paul 12 String

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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby Veenture » Wed Jul 06, 2011 12:40 am

Sarah93003 wrote:Heating the binding with a heat gun is a very tricky affair.

Sarah, just a thought: ...wondering if a heated-up soldering iron (of the 'right' type) could possibly do the trick? (i.e holding it near the desired surface -not touching it!).
Your Streamliner is really starting to be a looker, if not already! 8-)

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Re: Gretsch Streamliner modification project

Postby JimPage » Wed Jul 06, 2011 5:21 am

Sarah, I hope the rumor that you were going to add eyelashes to those cat's eyes, instead of binding, isn't true.

--Jim
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• '99 Martin D-41
• '67 Mosrite Celebrity II
• '72 Mosrite Celebrity III
• '83 Tokai TST56
• '10 Hallmark Barris Krest
• '10 Hallmark 60 Custom
• '10 Hallmark Stradette
• '50s Tele Clone
• Basses: Ashbory, Hofner, 51RI Precision, 5-string, fretless


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