NGD. American Pro Strat

not_the_dj

@Alnico how's it going with the Pro Strat now you've lived with it for a while?

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on one...

Cheers,
Col

Alnico

JFDI

It's the best Strat i've played to date.
The neck is stunning, it sounds stunning and it's actually built and finished really well.

Worth it in every respect for me.
It's never further than 6ft away from me.

guitars4you

hard to argue with white and rosewood on a Strat  - A true classic combination - Not played a Pro Strat yet - hope you both enjoy many good hours together 

Alnico

Thanks we are doing.
It stays out because it's so stunning to look at and playing it is simply inspiring.

not_the_dj

Alnico said:

JFDI

Expect a new guitar day thread on Saturday ;-)

Alnico

not_the_dj said:

Alnico said:

JFDI

Expect a new guitar day thread on Saturday ;-)

Get in, well done.

Alnico

Here is Dad's 60's strap laid over the top of my Levy's suede strap. I've had and used that suede strap for years and it's like an old friend. It also fits my Strat perfectly for me on it's longest setting, it's the type that you feed a thinned separate piece through whichever slot you want for the length you need, it's not a buckle adjuster.
There's a seamstress here in town that could professionally sew this onto the suede strap as a backing and make it all work as one.
This is what it would look like....

http://i.imgur.com/eziX0jx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mVMVwep.jpg

fendergibson

That's a cracking guitar, don't ever part with that one 

Alnico

fendergibson said:

That's a cracking guitar, don't ever part with that one 

I won't.
The way this guitar came to me is one of the defining moments of my life. The person who made it possible (Not Natasha) was always close to me but this took my breath away and still does every time i look at it. As a guitar it's amazing, it's everything i want but in terms of how much it means to me.........

Some friends go so far that no matter how bad life gets, their words and actions will always stop you from breaking.

Grateful is an understatement. 
"Mind blown every time i so much as look at it" is closer.

Actually....
"Not alone in this world" just about nails it.

How special is that ?

Bellycaster

Must have missed this first time round, that is a lovely Guitar indeed.

drippycat

Must admit I'm tempted to try one of these. +1 for the tall narrow frets as well. For a while I couldn't figure out why playing my LSL telecaster was a nicer experience than the Fender tele even though the action is a touch higher. Then I realised that the Fender has standard medium jumbo frets while the LSL has 6105 frets. The Fender by comparison feels a little indistinct when you play them one after the other.

Blackjack

It's totally gorgeous mate.

i am just so happy for you, you deserve some good stuff amongst the shit. 

Loving the strap, looks perfect on the Strat

james

This really isn't helping with wanting one, it really looks good, and I like what they have done with them. I didn't really want a one of the old US ones, looking at a AVRI instead, but this has got me looking at these instead!

p90fool

I've only just seen this thread buddy, looks awesome, glad things are looking up!

Alnico

p90fool said:

I've only just seen this thread buddy, looks awesome, glad things are looking up!

Thanks

Things are looking a lot better.
What they say about playing better on a guitar that inspires you is true, this is un-put-down-able and i haven't had that since i was a teenager.
I've got it hanging right next to where i sit all day so it's within arms reach the whole day and i sit next to my amp.

Retirement rocks !

Alnico

Alnico said:

Here is Dad's 60's strap laid over the top of my Levy's suede strap. I've had and used that suede strap for years and it's like an old friend. It also fits my Strat perfectly for me on it's longest setting, it's the type that you feed a thinned separate piece through whichever slot you want for the length you need, it's not a buckle adjuster.
There's a seamstress here in town that could professionally sew this onto the suede strap as a backing and make it all work as one.
This is what it would look like....

http://i.imgur.com/eziX0jx.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mVMVwep.jpg

Alnico said:

Dad's original embroidered 60's guitar strap looks rather good with it !

http://i.imgur.com/9ox652d.jpg

It was handmade in Mexico and bought when Dad was in the Army, Belize, Circa 1967.

The ends fell apart years ago and it needs some kind of backing to be really use able as it's quite thin material so it's being sent to Heistercamp soon to be recommissioned.

For my eyes, the Real Thing on the 60's inspired guitar looks stunning and in some sentimental way, it means something.

The last time that strap would have been used by him would have been to entertain troops in the naafi, Germany 1970.
It started life in some tiny Mexican rural village and was made by someones Wife to sell on their stall outside their house, along with leather goods and whatever the whole Family could make.
It was on Dad's guitar when we were kids and i used it when i was learning to play in the early 80's, my Brother used it with his 70's precision special Bass when we were in a band together in school.
Now it's draped over my new Strat looking perfect and (to me) just begging to be put back into service and become THE strap for this guitar.

I would be really interested to hear what people think about this?

Suits it or not ?

Ok so the idea developed a little further and now here it is mocked up and ready to go to the seamstress next week. 

The calavera [plural:calaveras] (Spanish -pronounced: [kalaˈβeɾa] for "skull") is a representation of a human skull. The term is most often applied to decorative or edible skulls made (usually by hand) from either sugar (called Alfeñiques) or clay which are used in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos cona )

The woven strap had a bare end that was unfinished and i needed something to blend it into the suede strap underneath.
I went looking for a sew on patch the right size and when i saw the calavera in that colour i knew it was perfect.

The Suede strap is mine from my younger days and the woven strap from Mexico is from my Late father's, bonded together now for all time and finished with a Calavera right where the two meet the body of the guitar.

I have to look right past that every time i play and that inspiration, is as a very close friend put it to me today........."Like having your Dad's hand on your shoulder whenever you play and on every stage"..........................

#Speechless

http://i.imgur.com/12jSvSz.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/ssIeH98.jpg?1

http://i.imgur.com/nvgYRHg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TOfxRTF.jpg