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GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 8:05 pm
by colossus
I just bought one of these

I've got my mustang in open D and I'm converting my tele to a baritone so I needed something cheap to have for standard. I've been wanting a les paul jr for a while but then considered building an esquire. After thinking about it for a while, I just bought one of these instead. Only about $200. I then threw a bit more $$ at it and got a black dogear p90 cover, another pot for a tone knob, some vintage amber knobs, and some matte black pickguard material. I'll probably replace the tuners at some point because I can't live without slotted tuners. Will update thread with review and mods!
Should i paint over that horrendous logo? It's so ugly.
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:05 pm
by gnomethrone
Nice. I've been looking at those since they rolled them out. How's the weight and balance?
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:21 pm
by oldangelmidnight
Definitely cover that logo and maybe reshape that headstock.
I'll be interested to see a review. I'm tempted by the black Tele.
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:42 pm
by Chankgeez
oldangelmidnight wrote:Definitely cover that logo and maybe reshape that headstock.
Sawn off?
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2015 11:56 pm
by oldangelmidnight
Maybe give it some horns to match the body?
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 3:38 pm
by colossus
It hasn't arrived yet!
And I think I'm just going to flatten out the headstock rather than recarve it. Likely going to repaint it. Or maybe if the paint isn't too thick, remove it and give it some stain. Not sure yet.
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2015 5:00 pm
by colossus
Got the guitar today.
The good; the PUP sounds great; seems solid overall; neck/frets aren't too rough.
The bad:
The relic-ing is way less subtle than I was hoping. I'm probably going to touch up some of the sides. It's just too much.
Some sharp frets and a bit of buzz on the lower frets even with high action. I'm going to check the truss rod and such but this might need some fretwork...which would suck
I like satin necks but this one is just too satin. I'm going to find out what they put on it and maybe add a bit more to it.
Overall, I'm happy with the purchase. It sounds great. Now...the mods.
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:47 pm
by jrmy
I.... kind of dig the headstock.
Pity about the relicing, neck, and action.
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2015 10:39 am
by colossus
Yah, the angled headstock might be growing on me. I was going to chop it to be more melody maker but I might just leave it as is, but still throw another layer of paint on. I'm also toying with painting the back of the neck black with a couple layers of satin nitro. I've never had a painted neck before (and I've never had a Gibson-esque guitar before) so I feel like this might be a new twist for me. And I ordered some black dupliclor to touch of the crappy relicing. Pictures soon! It's already looking better with the black PUP cover and amber knobs. Tone control is going in today!
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 12:20 pm
by antennafarm
if the worst you have to do is a little refinishing and fret-dressing, that's not too shabby! $199 for an almost-ready guitar? bad. ass.
is the relic "painted on" or actual "damage?"
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 7:23 pm
by colossus
It's actually sanded away.
Here it is thus far. The PG is a bit rough as I rushed it a bit but I'm happy.

Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 8:43 pm
by gnomethrone
Lookin great man!
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:02 pm
by Chankgeez
That does look way better.

Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 9:46 pm
by skullservant
It looks great with that pickguard dude
Re: GFS Slick SL59 project
Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2015 11:04 pm
by van_muddlestein
It looks a ton better already just by switching colors on the knobs and adding that pickguard. The relic job on it definitely isn't pretty but I'm sure that's an easy fix. GFS pickups are great so it's not surprising that it sounds good. I'm thinking about getting one of the slick tele's at some point maybe as a beater project.