what about fabric/other instead of re-paint?

[jerrye777]

For folks like me, how might I customize my RG570 and 470 bodies without stripping, ___ing, re-painting? What about use of fabric?

Would I use elastic for on the backside of the guitar, sort of like an ironing board cover works? The RG body measurements/ drawing found elsewhere on these forums -- could that be used somehow? Could that be used to make a graphic decal of some sort? I've found these for Gibson and Fender.

Is there an effective way to do this, without harware disassembly?

I'm just mechanically uninclined, gang. And I'm impatient. Well, I guess I'm weighing this sort of option against buying a beater RG and going for it, with low expectations. And the other option would be locating, paying, and waiting for a pro to do it.

Ideas, please?

Jerry

[syxxstring]

Someone used to make a product called guitar socks I believe, they were spandex covers. IIRC very 80's.

[gpenguins]

Well, if you're not too worried about it being super high quality and are going to go the beater RG way, here's something I did way back when that was lind of cool. I was inspired by Steve Vai's "Playboy" and Little Annie Fanny Comic Strip guitars (can be seen here, I don't want to link pics because there's nekkid ladies: http://www.jemsite.com/jem/model/perfomance.htm ).

So anyway I started taking all kinds of different things like magazine pics, comic strips, photos, stupid advertisements - anything in print - and did a few different bodies just goofing around. I think just would spread glue over body where the picture was going, making sure not to put too much to saturate the paper, and then glue it to the body. Then, when I had what I wanted on there, I just rattle can cleared over it lightly so I didn't really have to sand it, but the paper would be protected from sweat. Cheap and easy, and kind of cool looking, but not great quality by any stretch of the imagination. That's a thought if you want to just go with something cool and unique but not go overboard on spending (or quality...).

[jerrye777]

I found http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f18/cu...nez-52453.html . I thought I had done a better search here before, but must have missed something.
JVE

[gpenguins]

If you go to projectguitar.com there's a decent tutorial on fabric finishing, too.

[djohns74]

Originally Posted by jerrye777

I found http://www.jemsite.com/forums/f18/cu...nez-52453.html . I thought I had done a better search here before, but must have missed something.
JVE

Interestingly, I actually finished two guitars based on the themes I presented in that link but never posted any pictures. Not sure what I was thinking there. I'll have to get some together when I get home and post 'em up.

I really like fabric projects, personally. I find it easier to get one looking good than many basic paint jobs, and certainly WAY easier than some kind of comparable custom graphics would be with paint. The biggest annoyance is generally having to remove the existing finish completely from an existing body since the fabric needs to be glued directly to bare wood. Otherwise, it's just a matter of patience with the clear coat (if you even use it) and the endless sanding and buffing that comes afterward.