Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Talk about your equipment
Post Reply
User avatar
Calxplorer
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:17 am

Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by Calxplorer »

I've been wanting to rebuild my Dean ZX for somtime, I decided to metal flake the whole body a dark ruby red, as well as the headstock. The metal flake didn't take as well as I hoped on the wood originally, but after multiple coats and a lot sanding it finally took and started to come through. I than threw on some candy to make the red pop, this was all done about six months ago. I will try to find the pics of that process....

The guitar eventually got caked by over spray, because of a project car being redone in the garage. So I was pissed at this point, because a nice crack showed through the paint right where the neck bolts in. The guitar was prepped horribly from the get go, so I decided to take it back from where it had resided for the better part of two years and redo it.

I stripped the guitar to its base on the front by hand, leaving the sides and back painted. I also stripped the headstock and left the winged logo with a burned effect (the original blueprint for an Explorer showcased the now famous Dean version). I beveled the edges by hand and applied more red pearl overy the flake to give it a deeper look. The sides are pretty chunk from the stripper, as I had no intention of leaving the original color. It gives it some charcter looking appropriate given the age. I wet sanded the neck, thinning it a good inch for less action and way more slick feel. The necks feels as thin as a Mosrite would now. It has a bit off buzz, but with 10s it pretty stiff and feels like a Jackson or higher end Dean would. I rewired new pick ups and sanded the frest lightly with mineral spirits. The clear coated the front and headstock, but I left the neck bare on the back for smoother feel.

I love the Explorer shape and felt this a perfect Frankenstein body, as I already have Gibson V that I cherish daily.!!!

Thanx for lookin you animals!!! :twisted:
Attachments
IMG_20160306_183112.jpg
IMG_20160306_165357.jpg
IMG_20160306_165602.jpg
20160221_210331.jpg
11722613_1649736488613281_5306432788547913317_o.jpg
11754866_1649736491946614_4979886252535147821_o.jpg
Guitar Screechin' Heart Teasin' n' Hair Teasin!!!
User avatar
NashCoywolf14
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 2:26 pm
Location: My Room.
Contact:

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by NashCoywolf14 »

It looks so cool! Must have been hard tho, considering what had happened first time around. But from what I can tell, it was very much worth it! :D
I'm friends with Robert Fleischman and John Regan and it's really cool. You have no idea how much I freaked out when they actually became my friends. XD
*Be warned, I'll make puns whenever it fits. :lol:
User avatar
Genebaby
Site Admin
Posts: 17755
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 10:43 pm
Location: Australia

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by Genebaby »

Metal flake rules!!!
Commander in chief - VVF Army
Image
User avatar
Calxplorer
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:17 am

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by Calxplorer »

Progress photos
Attachments
20160221_210048.jpg
20160221_210416.jpg
Guitar Screechin' Heart Teasin' n' Hair Teasin!!!
User avatar
Calxplorer
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:17 am

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by Calxplorer »

Calxplorer wrote:Progress photos
Attachments
20160220_184004.jpg
20160221_210300.jpg
Guitar Screechin' Heart Teasin' n' Hair Teasin!!!
User avatar
NashCoywolf14
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 2:26 pm
Location: My Room.
Contact:

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by NashCoywolf14 »

It just gets better and better! :D
You must have a LOT of patience tho. That must take a LONG time to do!
I'm friends with Robert Fleischman and John Regan and it's really cool. You have no idea how much I freaked out when they actually became my friends. XD
*Be warned, I'll make puns whenever it fits. :lol:
User avatar
Calxplorer
Posts: 52
Joined: Fri Jul 01, 2016 8:17 am

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by Calxplorer »

NashCoywolf14 wrote:It just gets better and better! :D
You must have a LOT of patience tho. That must take a LONG time to do!
Twas a very long and at some points frustrating process. Playin it makes it worth it!!
Guitar Screechin' Heart Teasin' n' Hair Teasin!!!
User avatar
NashCoywolf14
Posts: 122
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2016 2:26 pm
Location: My Room.
Contact:

Re: Dean ZX Project "Frankenstein Explorer"

Post by NashCoywolf14 »

I have like NO patience XD I can draw very well tho. But if I were to try and do something like that, I'd have to practice A LOT! And manage to be more patient!
I'm friends with Robert Fleischman and John Regan and it's really cool. You have no idea how much I freaked out when they actually became my friends. XD
*Be warned, I'll make puns whenever it fits. :lol:
Post Reply