An old story new again (Fireball)

[0le FUZZY]

...Duz iss :



...Look better niss?




...Cee all the pixs here (click)


... The story started here in Nov 2004 (click)

...And corntinued here (click)

...Then finished up li kiss (click)



...Sum of our stories here dew haff a kool endin.





(deranged internet-based alter ego, with my own lexicon and all.)

Please visit my page

[BritishBluesBoy]

Thanks for sharing Fuzzy. That sure is a fine looking guitar now...

BBB.

[J-man]

Nice Esquire Fuzzy!

[0le FUZZY]

...A nutter inner-restin thang waz the rare double stamped neck plate.

.

...The Esquire waz cut offin the headstock decal with a razor blade. I reckon sumone else dent like Esquires HEE! HEE!

...Yes all the parts were dead stock original cept the pickguard and body.



0le FUZZY

[SMPTE]

That looks much better Mr. Fuzz-tone!

now it just needs a black pg eheheh

Nice save :)

[Pete Galati]

How'd those neck and middle pickups sound? Were those Tiesco pickups?

[0le FUZZY]

How'd those neck and middle pickups sound? Were those Tiesco pickups?

...Here issa quote from my own bad seff HEE! HEE!

Those two De Armonds red 6.9K and 7.1K ohms each here on my Fluke. They are loud !!

0.F.

[Cobraman]

A few very important posts are missing from this set. So, to set the record straight. Fireball was found in a thrift store and thanks to Fuzzy, I was educated on the historical significance of the components. As Fuzzy stated, some one else didn't like Esquires, and so, it was cannibalized for parts.

I procured a body from Brian Poe. The body is noted in the link Fuzzy has provided. It took a good while to get a body to my liking as I had already decided on a see through blonde finish and wanted a nice grain to show through. Brian Poe was patient and didn't disappoint, as you'll see.

I had lined up a nitro finisher from TDPRI, unfortunately, there was a disconnect with the individual doing the finish on the body. He thought I wanted it reliced........I was clear on it not being a relic, in time, it will be so. It was stripped and sent back of his own accord. It reeked of stripping chemicals, so it sat for quite awhile. It's difficult to come across nitro finishers. I was lucky enough to come across a gentleman not that far down the road from where I live, Al Calderone out of Winters, Ca..

What is seen in the photobucket links are photos of the body Brian Poe delivered (beautiful grain), as well as the finish Al Calderone sprayed on the naked body to make it socially acceptable. Al also did the guitar set up and soldering of the 57 Esquire components on the body. Al did a great job with the finish........the grain shines through the finish, just the right amount of tint and lacquer, exposing Brian's talent at assembling and machining a guitar body. I think you will all agree to my assessment.

Old Fuzzy (Dale) has been a God send with his knowledge and mentoring. This website is extremely lucky to have his knowledge offered to those needing information (as I once did), guidance and general help. I'll never forget how skeptical he was of the components in "fireball" and how he threw the flashlight, when the dates on the pots, were read to him by his wife.

This guitar has mojo.........the neck has a great feel to it, the guitar sounds great, (how does a guitar with one pickup have three tones?) It's taken a very long time to get it back to this stage.........I'm blessed in many ways.

Thanks Fuzz, Thanks Brian, Thanks Al.............

Cobraman

[Telemarkman]

Is there a difference ?...........Oh, it's got a new pickguard !

[David Barnett]

That looks perfect. I am experiencing Esquire lust all over again. There's something about that uninterrupted expanse of white pickguard that really does it for me.

So what has become of the old Fireball body? You could screw some legs into it and use it for a coffee table...

[Big Tony]

That is a beautiful guitar, 0.F..
Extremely well done!
And I love reading about it's history.

But I still miss the old Fireball...what has happened to the remains?
I hope it can be restored to it's former glory (?) with more generic parts.
It sure was an ugly duckling, but those need love, too...

/ Tony

[tpaul]

I was thinking about ol Fireball when I logged in this morning... before I even got to the TDPRI. I was wondering whether it was finished, and had decided not to bug OF again about it, since he said there'd be a post about it when it was done.

A really, really fine job.

As I recall, the original Fireball body was sacrificed on a burning pyre to the Gods of Telecaster... but the pickups were saved. Wonder what's in store for them?....

Congratulations, Cobraman, on a beautiful guitar and all the experience and knowlege you picked up along the way.

Thanks for sharing...

Tpaul

[Lost_N_Austin]

I'd pay $10.00 in real money for a good wiring diagram of the original Fireball. The person who dreamed that up had to be some kind of rocket surgeon or brain scientist. You have to appreciate those that are to be different.

[Cobraman]

Originally Posted by tpaul

As I recall, the original Fireball body was sacrificed on a burning pyre to the Gods of Telecaster... but the pickups were saved. Wonder what's in store for them?...

Tpaul

That's correct Paul. One fall day while burning brush, I decided to throw "fireball" into the heap and incinerate it. Sort of a "Burning Man" ritual, but more of a "Burning Guitar" event. As I stood, beer in hand, watching it burn, I thought I heard a few guitar gods of past, play a few licks in homage from the heavens above.

The DeArmond pickups will find their way into a guitar in the near future. Most likely into a Stratocastor.

Originally Posted by Lost_N_Austin

I'd pay $10.00 in real money for a good wiring diagram of the original Fireball. The person who dreamed that up had to be some kind of rocket surgeon or brain scientist. You have to appreciate those that are to be different.

If you take a good look and the new and improved model, you'll note the condition of components look very good for their age. There's a reason for that. The way the thing was wired, made the bridge pickup dead. Or it could be, Old Fuzzy and I couldn't figure out the right combination of toggle switches, CRL switch position, and the right jack. There were three toggle switches, three jacks, and of course, three CRL positions. I think the person that built this, became frustrated and didn't play it much. Hence the nice condition of the gear. However, I'll gladly take your $10.00 and send a photo of how not to wire a guitar.

[0le FUZZY]

...Yew better beleeb that wirin wassa mess!!!

...I are a lectrician and couldn't figger this mess out. My cornclusion waz that he used tew or three amps and wassa gonna make it sew he could select but it dent werk.

...The good news iss he leff the stock Esquire wirin alone and in mint corndition.



...Thanx fer the fun Cobraman (again). It wassa wunner and an awe inspirin guitar but yew dunn the rite thang.






(deranged internet-based alter ego, with my own lexicon and all.)

Please visit my page

[daviddoubleu]

It's made my day to see the conclusion of the Fireball. That it is one, fine looking Esquire that has so much mojo. A great story of discovery and restoration. Thanks Cobraman and Fuzzy for sharing it with us.

[Tim Armstrong]

Originally Posted by 0le FUZZY

I'm gonna have nightmares about that mess!!!!

Tim

[Caper]

Absolutely beautiful Cobraman, I like it unreliced too; best left to regular use and natural wear.

[Cobraman]

Originally Posted by Caper

Absolutely beautiful Cobraman, I like it unreliced too; best left to regular use and natural wear.

Thanks!!!

She's been a long time in coming home. Already, she has a battle scar. More will come in time, not by design, but in time.

[geemo]

Originally Posted by daviddoubleu

It's made my day to see the conclusion of the Fireball. That it is one, fine looking Esquire that has so much mojo. A great story of discovery and restoration. Thanks Cobraman and Fuzzy for sharing it with us.

Yes, thank you for posting. I love a happy ending and it seems that the Esquire finally has come to a good home. Thanks for sharing.

Best regards
/Roger

[bpoe]

Well look at that, its done! What a worthwhile project indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[Poppatwang]

The Fireball's body meets a poetic end. Kinda brings a tear to my eye.

[maestrovert]

Don'cha jes' love it when a plan comes together ?
i think i'd 'bout be button bustin' proud to play that there thang o' yourn Cobraman, i bet it's a real thrill when you plug it in an' twist up the wick a bit, knowin' from whence it came....

Good on ya Ole Fuzzy !

[auger]

found on some Harmony H44 models, available then as an add-on for non-electric guitars.

[stantheman]

Nice job bringing Her all the way back!!!
Kudos to everyone involved y'all saved Her from a fate
worse than death.
A great Fender lives again!