Fernandes Project Follow Up

I almost forgot I’d promised to do a follow-up when the Fernandes face lift was complete…

Fernandes Project Here:

And seeing as I gave the guitar to my grandson for Christmas, I’m lucky I  took some pictures!

This is it:

Not the best pictures in the world, but, at least I did take a few.

The Village At Indian Springs

There are lots of interesting summer getaways across the Southeast, and the southern United States. And though I’ve yet to vacation, or even visit many of them, I have indeed seen my share of resort areas from Florida to West Virginia, from the mountains to the sea. For me, however, a Nature, History, and Native American enthusiast, few hold as much intrigue, as “The Village At Indian Springs.”

Replete  in early American history, dating from the Pre-Revolutionary, war era, Indian Springs, was held sacred among early Native American tribes from Alabama, to Canada, as well as from Carolina to Mexico. It had its skirmishes in the Civil War as well.

Today, It’s a must-see getaway. A memory making experience one will relive for a lifetime. And, with

The Village At Indian Springs offering everything from clean, comfortable, accommodations, and shopping conveniences, is the perfect place to spend an exciting, fun-filled family vacation. In fact, with nine different “Wedding Venues” to choose from, it’s a great place to start and raise a family.

Indian Springs is located just minutes from the Butts County, county seat, of Jackson, and I-75. Sort of a “Touch of Country” in the city kind of town, only without all the traffic and noise. There are two nearby state parks, including the oldest state park in America, Indian Springs State Park, and many lakes and falls.

Geographically, Indian Springs sits almost precisely in the center of the state of Georgia. And, like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting, sitting wonderfully, quietly, nestled between the rolling hills of southern Appalachia, in the Piedmont area of the state, is a cozy stream valley resort called: “The Village At Indian Springs”

“The Village At IndianSpring’s”shops include, but aren’t limited to the  following services, and locales. 

• The Big Chief Country Store
• Daisy Pearl’s Boutique ( popular fashions & brands )
• Ladybugs & Tadpoles ( children’s clothier)
• Mrs. Lee’s Stagecoach Sweet Stop (Ice Cream & Sweets)
• Vintage Post Antiques
• Watkins Outfitters
• The Village at Indian Springs Amphitheater

Visit The Village At Indian Springs @

 The Village At Indian Springs.Com

Surf Daddy Project

I’ve always wanted a Sea Foam Green, or Surf Green guitar,.. and, as luck would have it… I had the perfect suspect just waiting to hang- ten Yes… just one more too many (IMO) “Black”  Stratocaster Guitars.
While researching for the project, or, “Surfing” the Web… pun intended, I learned there was a whole new genre of music circling these rare, highly  sought after vintage colored guitars. 

Actually, it’s not a new music genre at all, but re-emerged phenomena called “Surf Music“ The“Surf” sound – began on the beaches of  Southern California circa 1963, and was all but “wiped out” by ’67 by the-“British Invasion” of pop and rock groups, with styles such as the Beatles, the Stones, the Animals, the Kinks, and Gerry and the Pacemakers… to name a few.  Although the colors, Sea Foam Green, Surf Green, Bahama Green, and their variants go back to the 50’s, “Surf Music” didn’t officially wash ashore until the  60’s.

No need to bore you with the whole paint stripping process, so without further ado here’s my version of  a “Surf” Guitar. These photos, of course… were taken in the closet… during the drying process.   (Temps were much warmer there.)

As far as the actual color they vary depending on the manufacturer — Going by the Fender Color Chart the one I chose is probably more of what they call “Ocean Turquoise.”

It’s probably no secret that great guitars aren’t born of  vintage aesthetics shiny hardware, and pretty paint, but, more from its tonal properties, and playability. Which is why I ordered a new bridge, and block tremolo assembly, and added the Custom made Canadian Rock Maple neck, with Celtic Cross inlay,( for a little added eye-appeal), and a new set of    “Fender”  staggered machine head tuners.

 I’ve also entertained the possibility of replacing the original pickups with a more vintage type, such as the Gibson P90’s, or a variant, known for their crisp, clear, punch attributed with “Surf” music, but, after re-wiring everything, double grounds, and shielding, the original bridge position double humbucker pickup seems to “Surf” on its own, and the neck and middle position “pups” have a sweet sound of their own as well.

Here the project is still in its beginning stages… erm, well with me… nearly ALL modding projects are never-ending. It’s a lot like writing songs… “what to leave in – what to leave out”  

Anyway…Oh, also I couldn’t help but add a little artificial ‘Relic-ing” on the body when I was painting it. Relic-ed guitars are almost as big of “The Latest Craze” as are “Surf” green guitars, as seen in the pictures of this brand new Fender pictured below. A real bargain at only $6,499.99 bucks… and yes, I said a brand new guitar. As seen here:  themusiczoo.com

Geez, now that everybody wants a “Surf”, or “Seafoam Green” relic-ed guitar…maybe I no longer want one so much…

Oh but it sounds so good  – I’ve even learned a few ‘Surf’ tunes.  Anyway.. here it is… the “Surf Daddy- Moondoggy – What-Chama-Call-it” um, – Thing!   You’ve got to admit — even with my personal faded relic look…it’s an improvement over…One more “Black” Stratocaster-right?
Cheers

The Fernandes Project

 

I know it’s a gamble stripping down a guitar with the sole intent of staining, and not painting… As we all know, when the chips are down on the assembly line; “Ugly Guitars Get Paint”. But, I figured if it was too ugly Well, there’s always … more paint. Obviously, like my workshop, this flea market find ( though an awesome playing little guitar ) definitely needs all the help it can get in the looks department. 

In my humble opinion, there are WAY too many black guitars out there, at least, in the Stratocaster style. Although, I wouldn’t likely change the color of a nice vintage Strat, or, Tele, regardless of the color. There are certainly a few Tele Custom and Deluxe models I’ve played out there that still look good in black. But, when it came to the Fergie, nothing has ever been cut and dried black and white. 

She’s been with me some time, and plays as good as she sounds… just didn’t have the same sex appeal to me in the looks department, so, I visited the old strip club…
She was a tough one to break, though. I had to use all three trusted methods (Chemical Solvent, Heat Gun, & Sand Paper) to cut through all the poly plastic, and paint before it was over.. and it’s actually not over yet, as I still have to dress her in a clear coat. And rewire, and mount the hardware, pickups and chrome of course. 

Luckily, underneath all that aged polymer ( in my opinion) was some pretty decent wood grain. 

 

I’m not settled on the pick guard yet either, but, had one I’d tried to paint up a while back; or actually tried to copper relic, ( which I learned doesn’t work so well on flat objects) But, who knows…

I’ll be replacing the POT knobs with a more antiqued, or, bronzed looking ones most likely, and I need to make some type of input jack grommet, But other than that … she’s about done.

Fender Squier Special Run Telecaster (Nashville Cats)

Telecaster Light Fandango

As some of you who’ve seen my posts know, I am a sucker for the Fender Telecaster Guitar. Any Telecaster, for that matter, as some of my purchases, and photos reveal.

Thus, as I was rummaging a flea market recently, captivated by a little Tele, apparently abandoned by a child who was advancing either to the real thing, ( as this one is a toy) or, anticipating Santa filling their stockings with a whole new batch of toys for Christmas, I thought, either-way, even if it’s  just a toy it is a Telecaster.

“Let’s look over here at the paintings,” my wife said. Okay. I responded, her words reverberating, never quite striking a note of recognition in my preoccupied mind.

Something about this little guitar… I couldn’t put my finger on it, ─ as the look in my wife’s eyes said, “It’s Just a Toy!”

Oh … the monsterish look… the seething teeth snarling at me like Lizzie Borden with  her axe, saying;  ”Get over here before I tear your ears off and ─ “

No, not my wife silly, the Telecaster! Okay, okay, the toy telecaster. It’s still a Telecaster!

Something so familiar, seemingly calling my name had me under its spell, causing me to drift into a dream world. Then I remembered rescuing a guy who said there was a “Monster” hiding in his closet a few years ago. I fearlessly went in after that hideous creature, with its samurai sharp, skull crushing claws, and slithery, serpentine, scaled muscular body, grabbed it around the neck, reared my head back in the classic “Mel Gibson head-butting” position and ─                                                            kissed it like a baby!!!

Almost kissed the guy who sold it to me too, but, I didn’t want him to raise the price for the guitar…

You may remember the one featured here: Obey Propaganda Telecaster .

And, of course, as I stated in the post, the “Obey Propaganda Fender Squire Telecaster ” wasn’t my first choice of paint and graphics, but, just like this little toy ─ it is, after-all a Telecaster.

Suddenly, I awakened from my trance, snatched back to reality, when my wife called out; ” Oh, look at this one.”

I turned, barely making out her shapely form meandering through a double row of lanterns, lamps, and shades, when… the light came on in my head…

I  turned again to my little Telecaster (toy) friend, beaming a whole new tune, knowing exactly how to fit him into the shopping cart, and get him back to my little work shop;  with my wife’s harmonious approval, and ─ well, the rest is ‘Telecaster History”

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY DON’T IT

Blue Bird Hotel

After seeing a blue bird on a fence in the remaining day light hour before darkness,  I walked a few more steps, opened the door and felt the assuring warmth of home wrap her invisible, loving arms around my shivering soul.

I wasn’t thinking of how wonderfully blessed I was to have such unseen opulence embrace and welcome me as I stepped in from the cold, but, as soon as it did, I thanked God.

It’s amazing how we can come to the same home, open the same door day after day and not realize what a blessing it truly is to have.

One of the things this caused me to do was remember to praise, and thank God for abundance of things He has told us in His word not to worry about, or, to give thought to.

(Matthew6 : ^25″ Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment”?

The ensuing verse  illustrates  how He takes care of all the needs of the birds of the air also.

^{(Matthew 6:26″} Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they”)?

Unlike male, and female, roles in our human condition, the male bluebird gets to pick out the home. Of course, the choosing of the dwelling couldn’t be a joint effort anyway, as he only chooses a suitable  “House”  or, “Covey hole”, to attract a female to come in and make it a home.

Along with his duty of choosing a potential residence, the male Bluebird is responsible to move all the building materials to the lot before beginning  his wing flapping, love-sick song and dance, in hopes of attracting an interested companion.

The female ( after the wedding of course ) moves in, does all the decorating, builds the nest, lays the eggs and sees the off-spring through the nurturing days.

How wonderfully well planned and provided for all God’s creatures are. 

When these realizations  nested in my heart and mind, I could not help but follow through the full gestation of both thoughts to fruition.

First of all,  I meditated on,  and quoted the verse in God’s Word that kept resonating it’s subliminal, chirping, Tweedledee, sing-song through the surround sound system of my soul:

^{(Matthew 6:33 “}But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”.)

After cooing thankfulness to God, who cared enough about me as an individual to nestle me with such incomprehensible, immeasurable provision, and cue, I set out to prepare a small bit of real-estate for my neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bluebird Picture#1 @ Peanutt_28’smedia Photobucket

Bluebirds#2 @ poker4848’smedia Photobucket

Bluebird house @ sons of thunder patron

“DickHead” and “Putz”..

Alternate Feature Post

Where’s the real entertainment these days? Where’s the TV, and Broadway flare when we need it the most? Were Walter Matthau, and Jack Lemmon living imitations of art, or,  as two Grumpy Old Farts, just emulating artful life?

In the late 1960’s I grew up hearing elder peers singing, and shouting quotes from TV shows they grew up on in the 1950’s  (Before Reruns Existed) … Then came shows I now remember, and love from the late 1960’s and early 70’s.

Obey Propaganda Fender Squier Telecaster

This is the latest addition to my art gallery of Telecasters. What possessed me to buy something with such  sadistic looking graphics? You’re probably asking yourself. Your guess is as good as mine. I actually wondered the same thing about the Artist ( Shepard Fairey) and his fixation on “Obey Propaganda” in his highly popular works of art. I went here OBEY, to his about page and read in his words EXACTLY what he means by the statement.   I STILL DON’T HAVE A CLUE.

Wait what was that noise?

 

IT’S ALIVE IT’S

 

ALIVE….hEL-P