Ibanez S-series Guitar Rebuild
Here is a fun project I undertook, rebuilding a used Ibanez I bought used for about $300 dollars. I loved the style of these Ibanez but wasn’t a fan of the style or the pickups used so I decided I would rebuild with a new finish and new electronics. I wanted to build something versatile that would sound nice across several different styles of music and draw everyone’s eye when they walked into the room
Step one was disassembling the guitar, which turned out to be much easier than I had expected. After removing the strings, the neck bolts came out relatively easily, and the picks came off with relative ease. As I didn’t plan on using or reselling the pickups I cut them out from the existing harness with lots lack left for me to adjust for the new pickups installation. After that I removed the floating bridge, the volume knob and tone knob. All that was left to do was unscrew the strap mounts and the body was ready for prep!
Step one was disassembling the guitar, which turned out to be much easier than I had expected. After removing the strings, the neck bolts came out relatively easily, and the picks came off with relative ease. As I didn’t plan on using or reselling the pickups I cut them out from the existing harness with lots lack left for me to adjust for the new pickups installation. After that I removed the floating bridge, the volume knob and tone knob. All that was left to do was unscrew the strap mounts and the body was ready for prep!
The surface clean and prep was BY FAR the hardest part of this project. Turns out, the guitar manufacturer knew a thing or two about painting and sealing, making the removal of the sealant and finishing layers, then the eventual paint layers and absolute nightmare. I started off by etching the surface finish with some 80 grit sandpaper, then applying a paint stripper to its entire surface. I’d let it sit for anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes, then use a paint scrapper to attempt to remove any loose surface finish. Note that if you are going to be use a paint stripper of any kind, you should do so with the proper PPE and in an open well vented area! I got some on my bare skin and it was NOT fun.
The surface clean and prep was BY FAR the hardest part of this project. Turns out, the guitar manufacturer knew a thing or two about painting and sealing, making the removal of the sealant and finishing layers, then the eventual paint layers and absolute nightmare. I started off by etching the surface finish with some 80 grit sandpaper, then applying a paint stripper to its entire surface. I’d let it sit for anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes, then use a paint scrapper to attempt to remove any loose surface finish. Note that if you are going to be use a paint stripper of any kind, you should do so with the proper PPE and in an open well vented area! I got some on my bare skin and it was NOT fun.
After rinse and repeating the above step for what seemed to be hours upon hours I finally had the surface down to faded paint, at which point I used a medium grit sand paper and an orbital sander to remove any of the remaining finish. Now, with the raw wood exposed, I was able to use wood filler and sanding to correct some of the few dents and blemishes that the body had over its years of use.
After rinse and repeating the above step for what seemed to be hours upon hours I finally had the surface down to faded paint, at which point I used a medium grit sand paper and an orbital sander to remove any of the remaining finish. Now, with the raw wood exposed, I was able to use wood filler and sanding to correct some of the few dents and blemishes that the body had over its years of use.
It was then time for painting! In order to get that pop I was looking for, I decided to go to a local paint and finishing shop here in Ottawa (Sketches Ink Custom Paint & Hydro graphics) that had the ability to hydro dip the piece for me. I chose to go with a white marbled look, mainly because it was something unique I hadn’t seen before, and fit the aesthetic of the guitar neck (Which I had no intention of touching). After a couple weeks in the paint shop, it was ready for pick up installation.
It was then time for painting! In order to get that pop I was looking for, I decided to go to a local paint and finishing shop here in Ottawa (Sketches Ink Custom Paint & Hydro graphics) that had the ability to hydro dip the piece for me. I chose to go with a white marbled look, mainly because it was something unique I hadn’t seen before, and fit the aesthetic of the guitar neck (Which I had no intention of touching). After a couple weeks in the paint shop, it was ready for pick up installation.
I chose to go with Seymour Duncan pickups, specifically a lighter Jazz pickup for the neck to give me smooth clears and their distortion pickup for the bridge for a heavier sound. I modeled it after Mark Tremonti’s setup from Alter Bridge as I’ve always enjoyed the range of sound he could get. I don’t have pictures of the pickup installation as I followed a wire map I found inline that worked for me, and had it done in 30 minutes!
I chose to go with Seymour Duncan pickups, specifically a lighter Jazz pickup for the neck to give me smooth clears and their distortion pickup for the bridge for a heavier sound. I modeled it after Mark Tremonti’s setup from Alter Bridge as I’ve always enjoyed the range of sound he could get. I don’t have pictures of the pickup installation as I followed a wire map I found inline that worked for me, and had it done in 30 minutes!
And Voila, the final product! For my first crack at a rebuild I am fairly happy with the turn out. The total cost of materials all in, including the purchase of the guitar was probably closer to $650 – $700 CAD but worth it in my opinion for my own custom look and custom sound. I’m looking forward to my next rebuild project, and I’d love to see yours! Share your builds in the comments below, love to see what everyone else has done.
And Voila, the final product! For my first crack at a rebuild I am fairly happy with the turn out. The total cost of materials all in, including the purchase of the guitar was probably closer to $650 – $700 CAD but worth it in my opinion for my own custom look and custom sound. I’m looking forward to my next rebuild project, and I’d love to see yours! Share your builds in the comments below, love to see what everyone else has done.
1 Comment
looks sick!