Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

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mizbiz
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Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by mizbiz » Tue Dec 10, 2019 10:29 am

Well, I was finally able to put this all together… It’s been almost a year in the making. So, the story goes that I, like many, fell in love with the Marauder II prototype upon learning about its existence many years ago. I knew then I had to have it, but was pretty uncertain on the logistics of ever obtaining one. I have some guitar assembly skills, but none whatsoever when it comes to fabrication. I started by asking a friend in a machine shop if it was possible to fabricate the plates. He assured me it was, but it would most likely be a costly and time consuming undertaking. I all but gave up on it as being a plausible venture. I just figured that I could get BILT to put together something roughly similar if need be…

Fast forward many years to January 2017… Jazzprod puts a bunch of Deep Seat Guitars prototypes up for sale to fund some machinery purchases and in the lot is a Marauder II replica! I never have emailed and DM'd so fast in my life… but unfortunately I was late to the game. It was already spoken for. I was devastated, however hopeful because now I knew where I could obtain one if I ever was ready to pull the trigger on a custom guitar of that caliber. But, ultimately the thought of owning one was put on the back burner…

Fast forward again to January 2018… Holy Jebus Christo!!!… the same Deep Seat Marauder II pops up on eBay! So, I shoot my shot (or shot my shot, I guess), send a long winded message to the seller on how I have been in pursuit of this guitar in the past, present an offer, and super fortunately score the DSG Marauder II! Hell, if you google Fender Marauder II, the DSG Marauder II pops up! I changed the pickguard and pickup covers to give it more of the prototype vibe. It looks like this now:

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So that brings us up to Januaryish 2019… After completing a custom Meteora replica with a Jazzmaster configuration, I figured, hell… why not try to cobble together a replica of the Marauder II as closely as possible to the prototype with a reasonable budget. I reached out to Rosser Guitars to see if they’d be interested in potentially adding the Marauder II style body to their lineup, but he respectfully declined. I put the feelers out here on OSG, and Sonichris from Texas Toast Guitars answered the call! Body down! I got all the plates from Faction, which took a shit long time. Plates Down! Ordered a Mooncaster neck from Warmoth. Neck down! Sent the body and neck off to GuitarPaintGuys to be painted similar to the prototype here:

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That took an even longer ass time! But finally last month I had all the components together to assemble the damn thing! So, without further ado, here are the pics of the completed guitar…

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I’m pretty damn happy with it! It plays beautifully. I’m actually getting a brighter, hotter sound out of this than my DSG. This has Duncans in it. They have a bit more clarity and presence to them, if that makes sense. The DSG has stock ’65 reissues in it. The Warmoth satin finished neck feels awesome, and it just feels like an all around super comfortable guitar to play. What can I say, I’m stoked and it was totally worth the journey to obtain another version of this guitar, mainly since it’s been my dream guitar for so long now!

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Embenny » Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:09 pm

Both of those look absolutely beautiful. I finally joined the marauder II club this past year, myself. Probably Fender's coolest design. Congrats on the NGD!
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Rgand » Tue Dec 10, 2019 4:57 pm

Looks great! Congratulations. It's really cool to realize an ambition. :w00t:

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by stafflod » Thu Dec 12, 2019 4:17 am

Cool!

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RIORIO
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by RIORIO » Thu Dec 12, 2019 9:12 am

Wow these are both STELLAR!

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Zork » Thu Dec 12, 2019 1:34 pm

Now let us see them both side by side. :w00t:

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by zip73 » Fri Dec 13, 2019 11:43 am

Looks great! Here’s mine:
Image

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The Dead Ranch Hands
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by The Dead Ranch Hands » Fri Dec 13, 2019 3:10 pm

Gorgeous! :-* :?

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Sonichris
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Sonichris » Fri Dec 13, 2019 6:46 pm

mizbiz wrote:
Tue Dec 10, 2019 10:29 am
Well, I was finally able to put this all together…
Image
Wow, that looks great! I saw pics of the body and neck on GuitarPaintGuys Facebook, and was shocked at how great it looked. You have to be happy with the way it turned out! Nice Job!
mbene085 wrote:
Tue Dec 10, 2019 1:09 pm
Both of those look absolutely beautiful. I finally joined the marauder II club this past year, myself. Probably Fender's coolest design. Congrats on the NGD!
You know, I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of yours...... 8)
zip73 wrote:
Fri Dec 13, 2019 11:43 am
Looks great! Here’s mine:
Image
Did I make that body too? even if I didn't, that thing is cool!

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Sat Dec 14, 2019 12:20 am

Isn't that one an original?

If not, someone did a great job of replicating the Mustang-style trem unit.
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Embenny » Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:22 am

I'm 99% sure that was a stereoridnary build from a number of years ago (maybe 2007 or something?)

Chris, my marauder still looks exactly as you sent it to me. Will take some new photos whenever I get around to my mods, but my life outside modding put pretty much all my projects on hold throughout the summer and fall. Winter sucks here in Canada so I'm looking forward to spending more time at the workbench.
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by zip73 » Sat Dec 14, 2019 5:08 pm

Paul did a run of bodies in ‘14 I think it was. Mine was one of those. I gathered up the parts from various places. Faction did the plates inc the Mustang trem plate. Body sprayed by MJT, then shipped it all back to Paul to assemble for me. The Moog rocker switches were hardest to find.

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by Mechanical Birds » Sat Dec 14, 2019 11:44 pm

FUCKIN
NEED
THAT
IN
MY
LIFE

Never been a fan of the moon caster necks but this looks great holy shit good job!

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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by N0_Camping4U » Sun Dec 15, 2019 7:15 pm

I want to do a Type 1 Marauder build but this definitely has me moving toward a type 2 now. Super super cool man. Very impressive.
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Re: Fender Marauder II Prototype Replica

Post by PorkyPrimeCut » Mon Dec 16, 2019 7:43 am

mbene085 wrote:
Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:22 am
I'm 99% sure that was a stereoridnary build from a number of years ago (maybe 2007 or something?)
Aaah, right. That'd make sense. That guy paid serious attention to detail.
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