1955 special to '59 conversion

philb · Sep 26, 2006

With all the conversion talk , I thought I should post a picture of mine , too. This started out as a 1955 special that had the finish removed and had a big groove in the top . I debated whether to just have it refinished , but opted for the conversion .
It's about 9 lbs. w/the added maple cap . I used the '55 caps and pots, and the wraptail for the tailpiece. It currently has 2 black PAF's in it . Plays great and sounds great , too. Articulate , not mushy in the low end like historics I've had.
I left the logo where it was to show it's heritage. The only signs that it was a special are two rosewood dots at the 12th fret , which are hardly noticeable with the new inlays, and some added mahogany around the neck joint . I'll post clear pictures of those items when I get a chance . I'll be busy for a few weeks so it won't be happening for a while .
Brian Monty did the work . Hope you like it.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/philb/55conv.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/philb/convwosun.jpg

Tom Wittrock · Sep 26, 2006

When you say "I thought I should post a picture of mine ",

you should post it! :dude:

burstman59 · Sep 26, 2006

I was always told it was really hard to convert a special to a Standard. alot of work involved and so on. How did Monty do the neck joint/tenion? Did he actually add some wood to the tenion ? and the special's cutaway differs a whole lot as well. I have had chances to do this to trashed specials before and a few builders convinced me that its not worth it but in the end yours looks pretty damn good.

Red Baron · Sep 26, 2006

You'd never guess that used to be a Special, great job, lovely top too. :jim

philb · Sep 26, 2006

Hi Tom - Thanks for posting it , I only know how to set up the link.

I think he did a great job , and the maple and color is really nice , too.

I'll take pictures of the neck joint , the tenon , etc . and get them up here in a week or two . I'll be tied up with some personal business 'til then.

BurstMe · Sep 26, 2006

Looks great! maybe I should convert my special...hmm

burstone · Sep 26, 2006

Great top on that one!

kiergtr · Sep 26, 2006

Wow!! That top is great!! I'd like some details too. This is killer!!

Chef Greg · Sep 26, 2006

Very cool! :dude: I would like to see the back someday...

Tom Wittrock · Sep 26, 2006

philb said:
Hi Tom - Thanks for posting it , I only know how to set up the link.

Quite simple.
You can click on the yellow icon with the mountain in it [on the "reply to thread" page], and insert the link there.

You can also hit quote and see the html code someone has used at each end of the link. :2cool

DANELECTRO · Sep 26, 2006

Beautiful guitar!!!:dude:

I am very curious how the neck set and tenon were handled. The neck joint on a a Special is not undercut tenon as it is a a Standard, it is the full width of the neck. Removing the extra chunk of wood in the cutaway would have exposed the side of the neck joint as well as weakened the neck. Was an undercut tenon machined into the neck and mohogany added to the body to fill the void in the cutaway?

rays44 · Sep 26, 2006

That's a beautiful looking guitar. Considering all the work done to it, it hardly shares any relationship to a conversion in the traditional sense. With the altered build and wood, I see it the same as a parted out Strat. If it sounds better than a great Historic loaded with original paf's, consider yourself very lucky.:salude

Electric Lloyd · Sep 27, 2006

Great axe! I know where a '56 Special is hiding out that has been changed to a tune-o-matic & humbuckers. Wow! What a great idea!!!!

dwagar · Sep 27, 2006

looks really good, but I don't quite get it.
With the high $ specials are getting these days, wouldn't it be more economical, and more correct, to sell the Special and buy an old gold top with issues to convert?

MapleFlame · Sep 27, 2006

dwagar said:
looks really good, but I don't quite get it.
With the high $ specials are getting these days, wouldn't it be more economical, and more correct, to sell the Special and buy an old gold top with issues to convert?

I was thinking the same thing. I would think a restored Special would be worth more or better. I would restore and then sell, to get a Gtop. But nun the less that guitar is very good looking.:biggrin:

Tom Wittrock · Sep 27, 2006

dwagar said:
looks really good, but I don't quite get it.
With the high $ specials are getting these days, wouldn't it be more economical, and more correct, to sell the Special and buy an old gold top with issues to convert?

philb said in the first post:
"This started out as a 1955 special that had the finish removed and had a big groove in the top ."

I think it depends on what issues it already has. There could always be a point where we feel it is so "boogered up" that we feel it's a toss up, as to which way will bring more "value".
But restoring does seem the better option to me.

fast ricky love · Sep 27, 2006

So far I think you did the right thing... I'd LOVE to play that guitar. Let's see some more pics - cutaway for sure and back. Thanks!

burstone · Sep 27, 2006

Rich, you got mail...

HeeBGB · Sep 27, 2006

I considered doing that to this

But in the end I came out with this

I had no regrets until I saw yours :biggrin:

Nice job!

jjguitarranch · Sep 27, 2006

That all makes sense to me, but sometimes you just have to work with what you've got. I can't remember the last screwed up GT conversion candidate I've seen.

Looking to get more information about the process and some more detailed pics.....

TW59 said:
philb said in the first post:
"This started out as a 1955 special that had the finish removed and had a big groove in the top ."

I think it depends on what issues it already has. There could always be a point where we feel it is so "boogered up" that we feel it's a toss up, as to which way will bring more "value".
But restoring does seem the better option to me.

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