Funderbunk

I paint the front first, let it flash for 15 minutes, grab it underneath and hold it by the trem cutout and turn it over resting on two paint can tops under the pickup routes. I screw a piece of scrap wood into the neck pocket as a handle/hanger, then put toothpicks in the pickguard/trem cover screw holes to act as standoffs - plus it keeps paint out of the holes. Paint as you describe, flip and rest on the toothpicks, paint, then pick up by the scrapwood handle, pull out the toothpicks, and hang it up for extended drying/curing.

Their clear-lucite line is fun though, because you can swap out EVERYTHING and end up with a relatively nice clear-lucite guitar for far, far less than buying a lucite guitar from a well-respected maker. It's not like you have to worry about poor wood quality; lucite is lucite. Yep, their lucite models are best viewed as buying a lucite body that just happens to have some extra stuff thrown in - that you'll probably be throwing out. I've been tempted lately, now that they have a hardtail lucite strat model... heck, may not even have to swap out the whole bridge, just the saddles - unlike the craptacular vintage style trems they usually put on them.

Hey Man - I've got a dead mint (except new nut - had a luthier put in a new one as the plastic one chipped.) Also have the rare hard-shell case that I special ordered... I'd be willing to sell - I never play it. I'll post some pics later tonight - it's been strung with fairly light strings, so no lifting on the bridge area. Be back later with some snaps... AM Excellent. I wasn't even aware they ever offered a hardshell case. And I hear you on the strings - I think the bridge just isn't up to heavier strings. I knew someone out there had one.....

So, what's the story, Funderbunk? Have you played one? Details! Yep, that's the beastie. Got one, and for what it is, it's a great little box. The Lace Bronze sensor pickup is good. Thin body, plywood construction (I'm pretty sure), offered in either black or sunburst. Has a bolt on neck like an electric - in fact, it plays a lot like an electric. The sound is not ridiculously great acoustically, but plugged in it's pretty darn nice. A great guitar for plinking around late at night, as it's not terrible loud. The shape is the main attraction (or detraction, if it isn't to your liking). Personally, I think it's just weird enough to be lovable. Would I take it out on stage playing an entirely acoustic set? No, I would not. Heck, the thinner sound and lower volume would have me reconsider taking it out to a campfire to play drinking songs (unless you have particularly quiet drunken friends, but what fun would that be?) But as a rhythm guitar, or for a few acoustic parts in a mostly-electric set or band setting, it fits the bill and is definitely a head turner. They do have a few pitfalls - it's a little neck-heavy, the bridges tend to start lifting from the body, and I've notice a bit of top belly on mine. They came strung with 13's, which may be just a tad too much for them... I put on some D'Addario Extra Lights (10-47) and it seems happier - did I mention it plays a lot like an electric? Like I said, I have one already, and a friend is bugging me to either sell it to him or find him one to buy. If I could find a black one, I'd probably buy it for myself and just give him the sunburst. If I could find a sunburst, I'd probably keep the better of the two for myself and just give him the other.

Ok guys, I know someone out there surely has a Lace Acela they don't really use. Wouldn't you rather have some cash that could help you satisfy whatever GAS you're suffering from? I'm in the market for an Acela, either sunburst or black is fine (black would be slightly preferred), condition should be good but I'm not expecting showroom new, either. Some lifting of the bridge (a common problem on these) is ok, as long as nothing is actually broken. Price-wise, I got my last one for around $175, and that seemed about fair. I'd go a little higher for a spectacular one, but not by much (hey, it's still just a Lace Acela, after all). Drop me a PM if you've got one you're willing to part with. Thanks!