Pigs Ear into Silk Purse
Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2025 1:51 pm
Since I have such little shop work right now (a joke. I have 15 guitars awaiting work), I've added a personal project. I have a Gretch semi-hollow body that I absolutely just love. I have a limited edition, but I love the look of the streamliner coral.
I found a 1961 Egmond Lucky 7 Princess. Egmond was Europe's largest mfg of guitars. This isn't exactly a sought-after guitar, although it wss a cut above the basic economy model. I don't feel the need to "restore" it. I picked it up for $75, which is perfect for the Gretch Coral Wannabe. So, I'm turning this poor thing into a coral Gretch-like guitar. It's an ES-335 Clone.
I've already gotten everything I need.
1. Set of new 59 vintage hunbuckers in nickel
2. All new pots and switches.
3. Cream colored speed knobs and switches
4. Cream color, single ply pg material
5. Cream colored hunbucker frames
6. B50 Bigsby clone tremolo in Nickel, made by AxLabs (beautifully made!)
7. Coral spray paint
I stripped the old stuff out, which wasn't worth saving. I filled all the necessary holes with wood and sanded. I didn't get 100% of all of the dings out, but it is a 1961. But any remaining boogers will be under the pg, fb extension, or tremolo..
Short of spending $30 per can for guitar vintage coral from StewMac (which ain't happening), I'm using Rustoleum American Accents 2x, an oil based gloss enamel. It's a pretty darn good approximation for the Gretch Coral. I've gotten a few coats on and I've been allowing it to harden. Today I'll wet sand and spray again.
I found a 1961 Egmond Lucky 7 Princess. Egmond was Europe's largest mfg of guitars. This isn't exactly a sought-after guitar, although it wss a cut above the basic economy model. I don't feel the need to "restore" it. I picked it up for $75, which is perfect for the Gretch Coral Wannabe. So, I'm turning this poor thing into a coral Gretch-like guitar. It's an ES-335 Clone.
I've already gotten everything I need.
1. Set of new 59 vintage hunbuckers in nickel
2. All new pots and switches.
3. Cream colored speed knobs and switches
4. Cream color, single ply pg material
5. Cream colored hunbucker frames
6. B50 Bigsby clone tremolo in Nickel, made by AxLabs (beautifully made!)
7. Coral spray paint
I stripped the old stuff out, which wasn't worth saving. I filled all the necessary holes with wood and sanded. I didn't get 100% of all of the dings out, but it is a 1961. But any remaining boogers will be under the pg, fb extension, or tremolo..
Short of spending $30 per can for guitar vintage coral from StewMac (which ain't happening), I'm using Rustoleum American Accents 2x, an oil based gloss enamel. It's a pretty darn good approximation for the Gretch Coral. I've gotten a few coats on and I've been allowing it to harden. Today I'll wet sand and spray again.