Flooded Strat Build - What to do next ...

[cg73cmc]

Prior to hurricane Katrina - I was building a strat.

Daphne Blue 50's classic body. I had completely shielded the electronic's cavities, had all the wiring and switches installed minus the pups.

Storm came, house flooded out. I left the strat build on my kitchen table when I evac'd and when the water came in - it floated around for a few days until it came to rest on my living room floor when the water receeded.

The painted finish - split. Looks like the wood underneath is okay - of course all the electrics will have to be done again but ...

Any recommendations on what to do about the finish? It'll have to be stripped - or I could leave it like it is for character, but the split in the finish is really bad.

I'd like to put it back the way it was but - I'll have to it myself. Any recommendations for some EASY and good looking restoration?

[3StringGuitar]

Hmm you got any pictures of it? I'd say leave it for style or what not, that was a really huge flood, would be a interesting back story to the guitar. However not knowing if it looks cool or just like junk now it's hard to say. I'm sorry to hear about your lose too. Is everyone else ok, family and what not?

[Mark Davis]

Did the finish split right down to the wood or just to the finish?

Hopefully no moisture got to the wood or it will swell and that could have cracked the finish.

If the water didnt touch the bare wood you should be able to strip it all down be sure its dry and refinish it.

[cg73cmc]

I wish I could get picture of it - but I'm not as technically inclined as Fuzzy is.

Everywhere there was screw hole in the body - the paint split to the wood. The back is really bad and has long splits originating at the screw holes for the neck. Additionally, a huge chuck of the finish just chipped right off the heel of the neck pocket - so it's completely exposed wood there.

Funny that this stuff chips like that - guess that's how poly is. My theory is, anywhere that water was actually able to touch wood - like in a screw hole or the neck pocket - ended up swelling the wood for a period of time with caused the finish above it to crack or chip.

Anyway, I think it will have to be completely redone. I put so much work into that thing it's hard for me to even look at it. It's still got a small layer of dried up mud on it. I did look at it last night and now I'm wondering if it's a total loss. I know the neck pocket prolly swelled up - maybe it won't take a neck now unless it's re-routed? The doors of my house also swelled up and I had to bust one down just to get back into my house after the storm. However, all of the doors have dried out now and work okay - swelling went down in them. Hopefully the same is true for this body. It wasn't a cheap body.

If I ever do salvage it - I'm gonna call it "katrina".

Any suggestions, let me know. I think I need to strip the finish but I don't want to hurt the wood underneath - any suggestion appreciated.

[Charlie Bernstein]

...like allah did the finish work for your first relic-caster...

hope this is the worst of your problems - man, you must have your hands full.

let us know how it comes out - we'll stay tuned!

[cg73cmc]

Hopefully this works, I've uploaded the pics to PICTURE TRAIL. All of the close ups of the body are there. Let me know if you can't see them ...

http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/...6964&members=1

[Triple Threat]

I would leave the guitar as is....unless it really bothers you. I had my house burn down in 2001 and lost a few guitars. I cleaned up the guitar (wiped the smoke off, replaced the pickups, and ordered a new neck) and left it as is for the most part. Not only does it serve as a great conversation piece when I play it onstage but it also reminds me how far I have come in life since that day of the fire. Here is my pic.

[cg73cmc]

You know what TT?

You're right - that's what I'm going to do. Maybe things happen for a reason.

Really appreciate your post bro ... right on.

[Mark Davis]

As long as a neck fits and the body doesnt rattle when you play it and it stays in tune all should be fine.

[harold h]

You could sit the body next to a dehumidifier for a few days to make sure all the excess moisture is out of the body.

[Cat]

Leave as is man, its a 2005 "Floodocaster"

Cat

[Stratosaurus]

Before seeing the pictures I wasn't sure what to say. Now that I've seen them; definitely leave it as it. That's pure character right there. Those artificial "relics" have nothing on your floodocaster "Katrina".

[chickenpicker]

I presume the woman on the front is now "Katrina"?

[kerc]

Leave it like that. Doesn't look bad...In fact I like it a lot!

[lchyi]

Leave it! That strat has so much lively-ness to it. It'd be a shame to refinish it. And besides, that's all your hardwork, the nature just made it more beautiful. Personally I like it, I'm starting to get into that "relic'ed" look. That burnt strat up there looks pimp!

[JMU_overtone]

On a similar note....if you do choose to leave it be to some extent, it may be cool to expose its beauty marks by stripping the finish and going with clear laquer.
Then again, I don't know how it will look....
I kinda like it as a well-worn relic myself. Good luck with whatever you end up doing. And most importantly best wishes to you and your family this holiday season.

[Big Weapons]

Think of it as a free relic, except it's a real relic :P

You'll have a nice story behind it in 20 years. That strat will be worth more to yourself than anyone else.

[Lostheart]

For some reason I think you already made up your mind about what you'll do (or not do) with the guitar after you read Triple Threat's posting.
If I were you, I'd leave it "as is" because it tells a story and the cracks don't "look wrong". It'll be a reminder of the terrible events and I'm pretty sure that in a few years from now you'll be glad that you did not refinish it but kept it the way it was....

[Ocifer]

New member, first post.

I'd leave it. It looks like it's already got some major mojo going on. As long as the neck pocket's in good shape, I see no reason to discard the whole thing.

Like the others have said, it's a cool sentimental piece, and it has a really cool vibe with that 50s blue, and that sticker matches perfectly.

[mechanicdave]

Be glad you don't live in 'Da Parish. I lost all 7 of my instruments. A '50's archtop, both Strats and a Tele, a 335 and a LP burst from the ''70's. along with the Black, Brown and Silver amps.
Nine feet of water in a home for two weeks aint nothin' nice. Fit on a neck and some pickups and get on with it.
Dave

[Southpaw433]

leave alone - It's natural (disaster) ageing.
:(
Unfortunately hundreds of guitars along the Gulf Coast got the same treatment.


You never know though, I'm sure there will e-bay posts - "Authentic Katrina Survivor!" :?