GMW Guitarworks, 220 N GLENDORA Avenue, Glendora, CA (2026)

09/01/2026

This vintage 1981 Charvel strat arrived as a box of parts, a body, plus the neck. The original body that arrived at the shop is shown in final photo # 8. The first order of business was to remove the Floyd Rose style bushings, plus the 1/4" mini switch hole. There was also a broken old bridge screw present in the body, which was removed. Next, the finish was carefully sanded in order to reveal the true original factory color. This opaque magenta color may be seen in photo # 5 resting over a black base, and under a dull urethane topcoat. So a color match was made to replicate the magenta color found under the old topcoat. It's unclear why a black base was present, so that was ignored in the steps leading up to the paint process.

Next, after a few tests, a color that was very close to the factory color was developed. The test results for this new color are presented in photo # 6. Once it was established that the correct replacement color was in hand, the existing finish on the body was removed. The guitar was then sealed with the same gray primer color found on the original body. (Photo # 7) The new magenta based color from the earlier discussion was then applied, followed by an all urethane topcoat. Final reassembly and set up work followed before the guitar was returned to the customer.

This job is done! - Lee

08/23/2026

In this post, we really flex our upgrade muscles by starting with a used Jackson Kelly Star guitar provided by a long time customer. The initial guitar that arrived at the shop is presented in the final photos #9 and #10. Based on a new Jackson Custom Shop Rhoads model that incorporated a substantial amount of koa in its construction, the customer requested that a similar construction process be implemented using his Kelly Star guitar as the foundation. Therefore, the two sides of the guitar were removed before a new set of solid mahogany wings were installed. A book matched koa laminate top was then installed, followed by the inclusion of black body binding. This process resulted in the removal of the usual front body bevels that are present on a Kelly Star model. The resultant flat top variant may be clearly viewed in close up photo #2. The new mahogany wings are presented in photo #8.

Next, the factory fingerboard was removed before a new koa fingerboard was installed. This process included the installation of black neck binding, a set of black Jackson sharkfin inlays, along with a set of Jescar 6100 stainless steel jumbo frets. Final work on the headstock included the installation of a koa laminate koa cap, plus additional black headstock binding. This last step completed all of the wood related work on the guitar. Note: The factory control cavity was replicated on the new set of mahogany wings, while an additional recess rout for an Original Floyd Rose trem system was incorporated into the guitar construction. The used gold Schaller bridge ws returned to the customer, along with the old R2 nut clamp.

Final work involved a full paint refin using a matching candy brown color for the neck and two mahogany sides, whereas all of the koa wood on the guitar was left au natural. A black Jackson logo with the additional "Star" designation, was provided by the customer. The customer provided all of the koa used for the project, along with the set of gold top EMG-81 and EMG-60 model pickups. However, the gold Original Floyd Rose bridge system with a 32 mm Fat Brass trem block, along with a set of Jackson USA black anodized aluminum rear cavity plates, were provided by GMW. A new custom form fitted case from the G & G case company was also provided by GMW.

This job is done! - Lee

08/17/2026

Many roads lead to a Rhoads, with this next set of two projects being prime examples. Both guitars were returned to their respective owners for final reassembly work. So this post carries only the content related to the refinishing process.

(1) This first project started with a used black Jackson Rhoads guitar. The customer requested full removal of the paint on the back of the neck, along with restoration of the jet black headstock color. A set of neon pink painted bevels were first prepared during the refinishing process on the body. After the required masking was performed on the front and back set of body bevels, the remainder of the body was painted jet black before the spray masks were removed, and the bevels detailed. The guitar was then returned to the customer.

(2) This second project utilized a new seven string replica neck and body for a Jackson Rhoads. The customer provided a set of reference photos for an Ernie Ball "Her Majesty's Request" haloflake sparkle finish that he wanted reproduced. After generating a few test color panels, a very close facsimile for this color was finally achieved, including the "gold shimmer", or off angle reflective characteristic of this particular paint color . The neck was reattached to the body, along with the rear cavity plates, before the project was returned to the customer. The initial replica Rhoads guitar that arrived at the shop is shown in the final two photos.

These jobs are done! - Lee

08/13/2026

Before diving into the heavy duty wood related upgrade work, this next set of two posts presents some common candy color based finishes. They're being presented in no particular order, and with the last two projects, the owners elected to complete the final assembly and set up work on their own. The first project required some electrical repair work to the sustainer system, so after restoring the body, that work followed during the reassembly process.

(1) This rare left handed Jackson PC-1 guitar arrived at the shop with some noticeable semi "refinishing" work by an unknown owner. When the current owner submitted the guitar to the shop, he requested full restoration and retention of the original factory finish, along with restoration/repair of the factory sustainer system. The neck and headstock were also cleaned and buffed where appropriate, and the frets milled and dressed prior to the reassembly step.

It was determined that the 18V battery box was no longer functioning, and that the clip providing power to the circuit board was also damaged. Using an EMG connector cable, the three pin clip on that cable was removed, and then attached (soldered) to the leads from the battery box, which has been replaced with a new battery box. By pure luck, the clip on the EMG cable was a direct match to the three pin connector on the circuit board. After establishing the functionality of the sustainer system, the two new DiMarzio gold pole X2N and Sugar Chakra pickups provided by the customer, were installed by soldering on the two pin clips that allow each pickup to be attached to the circuit board. The final electrical system inside the control cavity is shown in photo # 2. After a final set up, the guitar was returned to the customer.

(2) This alder Fender Tele body arrived at the shop as shown in photo # 5. Per the owner's request, creme body binding was installed on the front face before the body was painted a standard three tone burst. Front and rear views of the body are presented in the post.

(3) This unfinished Peavey Wolfgang body arrived at the shop as shown in initial photo # 7. The owner initially requested a candy pink color for the maple top. However, as many people and painters will notice, the wood found on the body is to dark (brownish) for a candy pink color. Candy pink requires a much lighter colored maple in order to achieve its full visual effectiveness. (Note: For reference purposes, a piece of suitable light beige colored flame maple has been placed on top of a portion of "wet" maple present on the actual body, per photo # 8.) After recommending several suitable candy colors that would serve well as alternates to candy pink, the customer selected candy apple red. Other color options such as trans black, candy green, candy brown, candy purple, or candy blue would have also been suitable.

Therefore, the flame maple top was stained and sanded 3x using a dark cherry wood stain, as shown in final photo # 9. Faux au natural wood binding was also requested, as shown in the final candy apple red finish color for the maple top (photo # 6). The back and sides of the body were painted the standard jet black.

These jobs are done! - Lee

08/08/2026

Our previous post presented a standard pearl based finish common on many instruments from the '80's and '90's. By continuing this trend, this next project again utilizes a custom pearl color from Urechem called Lambo Lime Green Pearl. The used Hamer Steve Stevens model arrived at the shop as shown in final photos # 9 and # 10. The factory finish was first fully removed (photos # 7 and #8) before the guitar was refinished using the Lambo pearl color just described. This particular color is applied via a two part process that starts with a pastel type Part A green base (Photo # 6) The final Part B Lime Green/Gold pearl is then carefully applied in a subsequent step.

The factory serial number was reproduced on the back of the headstock in the same size and location as the original serial number. However, since the headstock is now a matching Lambo Lime Green, a white replacement Hamer logo wouldn't be highly visible. Therefore, a black Hamer logo was installed instead.

After completion of the final reassembly and set up process, this job is done! - Lee

08/05/2026

This 1980's solid creme Charvel Model 6 neck-thru-body Soloist guitar arrived at the shop bearing the usual wear and tear of a circa 40 year old guitar. The original Jackson bridge was removed before a set of 1/2" diameter Schaller conversion bushings were installed. The guitar was then set up for a new Original Floyd Rose bridge provided by GMW, which was paired with a 42 mm Fat Brass trem block. The guitar was then refinished using a modified Jackson Platinum Pink color that was treated with additional pink/violet pearl.

Final reassembly and set up work included the new black Original Floyd Rose bridge just described, along with a new set of black paddle mini on/off pickup selector switches. The customer provided a new replacement JE-1200 active electronic circuit, which was installed during the reassembly process. But the factory bridge pickup was replaced with a new Duncan JB (SH-4) pickup provided by GMW. Final reassembly work included a new set of black anodized aluminum USA Jackson Soloist control and spring cavity plates, which replaced the standard plastic plates common with this model.

This job is done! - Lee

07/06/2026

This post presents a series of finishes that aren't found on a routine basis from most manufacturers. Therefore, in this post, three differing projects are presented, each bearing a feature that's not commonly found. All of the final reassembly and set up work was performed elsewhere. So only the actual paint work is described with each body.

(1) This old BC Rich Warlock import body arrived at the shop bearing an unfinished buckeye burled maple laminate top that suffered from multiple large scale voids and missing burl wood. The original body that arrived at the shop is presented in photo # 3. A close inspection of the body at the midway point reveals large sections of burl that are absent. Therefore, the resulting body had to be sealed and sanded multiple times before those large voids could be fully filled using a black polyester material. Surface sanding removed the excess black polyester, as shown in photo # 4. Next, the body was fully sealed before the back and sides were sprayed a jet black color. A final mild rootbeer burst color followed for the buckeye burl maple top.

(2) This older model 1980's Kramer Pacer American body arrived at the shop, as shown in photo # 6. After removal of the factory creme color (photo # 7), the resultant body was refinished using House of Kolor Neon Blue. (Photo # 5)

(3) This alder Tele style body was original painted elsewhere using some type of vintage two or three tone burst. This finish had been removed by another party, so the body arrived at the shop, as shown in final photo # 10. The body was refinished using a 0.008" silver metal flake base that was paired with a semi transparent black burst. While not readily observable in the two photos provided, this burst was generated using trans black, rather then a full solid jet black color. As such, the underlying silver flake is just barely visible when viewed up close.

These jobs are done! - Lee

07/01/2026

This post presents a series of finishes that fall into the popular transparent candy color burst category. This style of paint work has been prevalent for multiple generations, and continues to be a favorite for scores of players, both young and old. All of the final reassembly and set up work was performed elsewhere. So only the actual paint work is described with each body.

(1) This new quilted maple laminate top Tele body from Warmoth was first stained using a medium brown wood stain for the maple top. (Photo # 2) After sealing the body, the black limba portion of the body was painted using a dark candy brown color (photo # 3), which paired well with the final medium honey burst color that ultimately followed for the maple top. Candy amber was then applied to the maple top (photo # 4), followed by a mild application of candy rootbeer as a fade to complete the paint process shown in photos #1 and # 5.

(2) This solid swamp ash Charvel strat style body from Woodtech was painted using a very mild vintage rootbeer fade, paired with a light candy amber center color. This finish was predicated on following a similar color scheme found on an older model Charvel strat from the San Dimas era.

(3) This second solid swamp ash Charvel strat style body from Woodtech was painted using a very mild vintage orange "cherry burst" type fade, paired with a medium density candy amber center color. Use of a medium density candy amber color for the center allowed for the use of a very mild application of candy apple red along the perimeter to generate the final mild candy orange color shown in the burst. This finish was also predicated on following a similar color scheme found on an older model Charvel strat from the San Dimas era.

(4) The quilted maple laminate top Soloist body was first stained and sanded 3x using a dark green wood stain. After sealing the body, the maple top was painted candy green, followed by the application of a dark candy brown color over the solid mahogany body. Careful masking work along the perimeter of the maple/mahogany wood interface kept the two candy colors separate.

These jobs are done! - Lee

06/25/2026

The black 7-string Ibanez RG7621 model guitar arrived at the shop as presented in the last photo # 6. Following an extensive work list provided by the customer, the first order of business was to remove the neck and oversize bridge pickup routs. This process was followed by the preparation and installation of a 1/4" thick solid maple cap on top of the body. The 1/4" thickness of this maple cap also allowed for the simultaneous elimination of the original factory controls. The customer requested placement of the single volume control in the location where the original tone control was present. The results of this work are shown in photo #5.

Next, the mounting and string ferrule holes for the original Gotoh hardtail bridge were filled before the two mouting holes for a new Hipshot "Ibanez Gibraltar style" seven string hardtail bridge were located and installed. A form fitted rout for a new Duncan seven string bridge pickup was also installed at this time. A custom routing template for a Schecter type brass insert was prepared before the back of the body was routed for this insert. This solid brass unit served as a replacement for a set of standard rear string ferrules, and may be clearly viewed in rear view photo # 2. (Note: Once the Hipshot bridge was in place, it became a simple matter to locate and install the new holes for the strings to pass through the body. The location of the brass insert block then followed the string hole locations.)

After installing a single volume control hole were the original tone control was located, the body was refinished using a a Galatic haloflake color scheme. This process utilized the medium application of a mixture of 0.008" and 0.015" silver haloflake over a jet black base. The headstock on the Ibanez neck was restored to jet black with retention of the original silver Ibanez logo. Meanwhile, the rest of the neck was stripped to wood, which cleaned and restored the neck prior to application of a vintage amber satin finish. A new set of 5/64" diameter Luminlay neck side dots were also installed . Final reassembly and set up work followed using the aforementioned Hipshot bridge and rear brass insert, along with a new set of locking Gotoh machine heads provided by the customer. The guitar was then returned to the owner.

This job is done! - Lee

06/14/2026

The used cobalt blue Jackson Kelly import bass shown in the final two photos # 5 and # 6, was refinished using a standard black crackle process developed at the paint shop. The initial base color under the black crackle was generated by applying 0.015" Pink Flamingo metal flake, "to taste", over an initial 0.008" pink metal flake base. The results of that procedure may be viewed in the first set of close up photos. No additional refinishing work was performed on either the neck or headstock.

Final reassembly work included jettison of the cheap chrome import bass bridge, with its replacement being the installation of a new black Gotoh 201-B4 bridge. The original pair of Seymour Duncan soapbar bass pickups were retained. However, the factory active electronics were found to be defective. As such they were replaced with a new EMG BQ/S tone circuit (individual treble, stacked midrange, bass functions), along with inclusion of a new black stacked k**b set for the midrange control. The factory chrome Jackson machine heads were replaced with a suitable set of black Jackson tuners of the same make and model from Gotoh. Finally, the black plastic Soloist rear control cavity plate was replaced with a black anodized aluminum USA Soloist control plate A new custom form-fitted Kelly bass case from G & G was also provided by GMW. After a final set up, the bass was returned to the customer.

This job is done! - Lee

GMW Guitarworks

09/01/2026

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