Gouge on my Strat ... :(

[Rickkkk]

Hey all,

 

A videographer dropped his camera on my Strat at our last gig and took a piece out of it. Could you all take a look at the pic and let me know whether I should get this fixed or leave it as it is ? If repairs are indicated, can I do it myself (how ... ?) or is it a luthier job ... ?

 

 

I know it's an electric, but this forum is more home to me and I know several of you play both.

 

Thanks and cheers,

[Hoddy]

I'd leave it, or at the least touch it up with a sharpie so it isn't so visible.

[Cripes]

If you are so-inclined, you could put some 5-minute epoxy (clear) on it. Once dry a fingernail emery board can shape it. After that, some black automotive touch-up paint built up and buffed out with 800 and 1200 mesh paper should return the luster. All are available at Walmart - or your favorite auto supply.

[Freeman Keller]

If it is lacquer it can be "drop filled", then scrapped, sanded to a very fine grit and polished. Lacquer will dissolve into previous coats and done properly, you can hardly see a line. Frank Ford has both a section on determining what kind of finish you have and how to fix it

 

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/AcetoneFinishTest/acetonetest.html

 

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Finish/Lacquer/DropFill/dropfill.html

[Rickkkk]

Thanks, Guys. Appreciate the help.

 

Freeman, is this the type of work I can do myself, or would you recommend having it done by a luthier ?

 

Thanks again,

[Hudman]

What model / year Strat is it?

 

Most newer Strats use poly finishes. Unless it's an old Strat or some type of custom shop or artist series (Eric Johnson for example) it will be poly.

 

Cripes (the poster formerly known as Sweb) gave you great advice for fixing a poly finish.

[pedalpat]

chances are it s a poly finish. i would drop fill using super glue (med viscosity) and some accelarator to harden and speed up the cure time.

 

clean out the area w/ some naptha to remove any residual oil or grease. fil in the color with a matching paint or pen. then drop in a drop or two of the med thick super glue. build it up until its fluch with the rest of the finish. sand and buff as needed.

 

it doesn't look like a structural damage, so if you decide to leave it as is, the only thing wrong will be the way it looks.

[Rickkkk]

Hi again guys -

 

It's a 2005 50th Anniversary American Deluxe, if that helps. So Cripes is the "artist formerly known as Sweb", eh ? Amazing what you miss when away from the forum for a few weeks / months.

 

Thanks again for all the help, guys. I'll think about this and let you know how it pans out.

 

Cheers !

[t60 fan]

Glad to see you got some excellent responses. So did you notify the late videographer's next of kin?

[Rickkkk]

 

Originally posted by t60 fan Glad to see you got some excellent responses. So did you notify the late videographer's next of kin?

 

 

... lol ... I couldn't believe the doofus - dropping his bloody gear on my guitar ... . I actually didn't give him too hard a time because I think he was a friend of our drummer's, and I also didn't notice the damage at the time (hidden behind the strap and the bar we were playing in was pretty dark ...).

 

I guess something like this was bound to happen eventually ...

 

Sigh ...

[t60 fan]

Well, ya' got a great attitude goin' for you, Rick. Sorry for the damage, but at least its pretty fixable.

[Rickkkk]

 

Originally posted by t60 fan Well, ya' got a great attitude goin' for you, Rick. Sorry for the damage, but at least its pretty fixable.

 

 

 

... thanks. I try to keep things in perspective.

 

As for the gouge - as you say, it sounds like it can be repaired if I decide to go for it. Always good to know.

 

Thanks again, T60, and everyone else who had a suggestion. This is a cool, reliable place to get advice.

 

Cheers !