Left Over Jonas Ridge Guitars and Parts

[thunderhead]

I live in East Tenn. about 45 min. from Jonas Ridge NC. I have one Side Jack Set Neck 63 RI Ventures Model That was NOS when I got it 2 years ago from a former employee. That's right, new in the case with the tags still attached and never played past the initial setup!!! This employee had loaned money to Semie and long story short recieved several Guitars in exchange. He also has boxes of parts untouched since the 80's. I got my guitar from this employee's son who is in and out working for the RailRoad. It took me several years of prying to get it but a Custom Shop Strat finally did it!!! I ran into him again this weekend and he told me they have ended up selling most of the stuff off due to the recession but that he had a Bolt Neck Ventures signed on the neck by Semie and dated!!! Some time in the 90's this former employee's son got the crazy idea to "Re-Finn" the guitar. It is currently painted in Flip Finish Green to Purple. I know, What was He Thinking!!!! I am close to making a deal on the Guitar and hope to return it to it's original Pearl White Finish!!! Anybody got an Idea where to get the correct paint??? If I score any parts I'll post it. Keep your Fingers crossed for me. You can check out the Set Neck at- http://www.myspace.com/thethunderheads
Billy Crawford AKA "ThunderHead"

[Veenture]

Wow Billy, talkin' of treasure hunting...and finding!
This is gonna make a few hearts beat a little faster I reckon

[Dennisthe Menace]

Billy,
If you are not sure, you might want to check and see if the P.W. Finish might
still be under the crazy green FIN. And if it is, Scotstandard will be able to help
you out on getting back to the P.W.

[thunderhead]

He has already let me know he took it to the wood with Paint Stripper. I saw the guitar a few years ago and noticed the contours were still intact and it wasn't over sanded like a lot of old Fenders. I knew it wasn't a factory finish and when I inquired he told me what he had done. What a shame but still salvagable. BC

[dubtrub]

II am close to making a deal on the Guitar and hope to return it to it's original Pearl White Finish!!! Anybody got an Idea where to get the correct paint??? If I score any parts I'll post it. Keep your Fingers crossed for me.

Good luck on getting the guitar.

The paint is nothing more than plain white lacquer with pearl mixed in the clear coat top coats. The clear top coats will yellow with age.

Depending on what spraying equipment you have. You can get white aerosol nitrocellulose lacquer in spray cans available at Lowes or Home Depot. The clear pearl would have to be mixed. You can get clear lacquer by the quart at the afore mentioned stores and can get the pearl to add to the clear at an automotive paint store. Actually if you wanted to go with acrylic lacquer (not an original finish to the era) you can get it all at the auto paint shop. It will probably cost 10-20 times the amount as the hardware store.

[thunderhead]

Thanks for the info. That is what I needed to know. I have a very good friend who paints and I'll probably get him to do it. I'll post pictures if it all comes through. BC

[thunderhead]

I just got back with my meeting with the son of a former Jonas Ridge employee and Financer.I came away with a 1991 Mosrite Ventures '64 RI M1 signed by Semie on the back of the Headstock!!!!! It has the original Switch Tag signed off by Lorretta Mosley. The story is, it was played by Semie in a Church in nearby Roan Mtn. Tenn. and left as a Donation to the former employee who was and still is the Pastor. I also aquired a copy of the letter stating the Closing of Jonas ridge. It is on Mosrite, Jonas Ridge letterhead and a copy of some Gospel Lyrics written by Semie. I will post pictures soon, be watching!!!!! To see my other Mosrite Ventures From Jonas Ridge with Semie's initials in the serial number go to -
http://www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

[handbrake]

Wow!