Metropoulos Forum

Last year, I had Kyle (Divebomb) cut and route me an Explorer body. Body and neck Korina with Macassar Ebony Fretboard. I'll be doing all the finishing and wiring.

Step 1: 3 coats of Bartley's oil based Grain Filler

Pictured here is the 2nd coat applied and drying.

I've posted comments before, but again I'll reiterate. Divebomb does not just do EVH strats. His work is absolutely pristine. I'd use him again in a second.

That looks awesome!! Kyle does great work. I just got a VH 1 era Frankie neck (Lynn Elsworth type) from Kyle and its pretty nice. Still waiting on the body though.

I've talked to Kyle about a Destroyer and its nice to see a pic. Got anymore pics? This is neck thru correct? How does it compare to a real Destroyer, spec wise? Pretty close?

Thanks
Mark

Very Nice!

Korina is my favourite wood for neck and body. I have one korina-strat with flame maple top, in Tobacco Sunburst. Even though the flame-maple is beautiful it is the back that is KILLER.
I will bet that korina will look good in any "see-through" finish.

Divebomb; I want one.

Great project! Please keep us updated, wdelaney72.

Please do not cover it in black or something...

bluesguy wrote:This is neck thru correct? How does it compare to a real Destroyer, spec wise? Pretty close?

Thanks
Mark

This is based on Explorer specs... set neck, as both Explorers and Destroyers are set neck.

Macassar Ebony is not true to spec, but based on research, it's what I wanted. It feels and looks like Rosewood with more grain showing.... quite beautiful. Tonewise Macasar Ebony is brighter than rosewood, but not as obnoxiously bright like the ebony normally used.

I won't be using any stain. I like the color as-is along with the grain. Just grain filler and ntiro-lacquer with black pickgaurd. I have a smits A8 to go in the bridge with Tonepros bridge.

Grain Filler done.
2 coats of Wood Conditioner Done.
1 coat Honey Maple Stain. Done.
First coat of Ntrocellulose Lacquer on and Drying.

Wow, that looks really nice!

That looks damn NICE Walter! I can't wait to see the final product!

Beautiful Walter, nice..nice..nice. bet she sounds as good as she looks!! The ebony board on my Hamer Chapparal has a very mellow tone and great sustain and attack/feel, so she will be sounding great..excellent choices!! What pickup selections/pickguard are you using??I see Smits in the bridge, what neck p/u?
yngwie308

Duncan '59 in the neck is all I have to use for now, so I'll see how that one goes.

My wife is going out tonight and it's beautiful here in Chicago, so wetsanding and coat #2 should happen tonight. Woo-hoo!

Walter,

Any more progress on the Destroyer/Explorer?

Nothing new... nitro is on and drying. I need to do a final round of wetsanding to finish it off.

I kind of took a break as the nitro hardens, but will pick it back up shortly.

Here's something else I got going on for you Walter. I'll be starting the clear next week. The neck will be done by the end of the week to and I'll start on some of the really cool detail work then. It'll look like you've been playing it forever.

Yummy!!!

OK... finally back to this project.

Pickgaurd cut. Bridge installed. Tuning Machines installed. Pickups mounted.

Still need to wetsand a bit and install nut.

Any updates on this one Walter? PICS PICS?