"Dragoncaster" Tele build is done!

So after many months of work (and lacquer curing time), my "Dragoncaster" Tele build is finally complete! It began life as a cheap $99 Saga TC-10 kit guitar, but as you can see it sports upgraded, gold hardware and a custom paint job done by yours truly.



Now, this is my first attempt at a custom paint job and I fully admit that it is less than perfect. I just tell people that I gave it a "roadworn" look.

The posts that follow show the progression of the paint project.

 

The Saga TC-10 kit guitar comes in a package looking like this:



I carved the paddle headstock into a standard Telecaster shape, kept the body and rhythm pickup, and threw away all the rest of the parts.

 

Body and headstock after gray primer has been applied.

 

Body and headstock after being painted white.

 

Body and headstock after faux binding mask tape has been applied.

 

Body and headstock after being painted gold.

 

Body with chinese dragon mask applied, and headstock with "Dragon" label mask applied.

 

Body and headstock after being painted red (cherry red pearl).

 

Body and headstock after all masking elements have been removed.

 

Partially assembled and with copper shielding installed. This is after the clear coat was applied, left to cure for 10 weeks, and then wet sanded to a "roadworn" glossy finish.

 

And finally, the finished product.

 

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

It was a lot of work, and I'm sure there are folks who would say that I spent more time and money on the project than the $99 Saga kit guitar warrants, but I learned a lot and ended up with a guitar that is uniquely mine.