Adding Contours to a slab-body Mustang?

[gerardguey]

I found a deal on a classic vibe 60's mustang locally, the only thing keeping me from pulling the trigger is the lack of contours. I've been wanting to build a red competition Mustang, now that I have a few refinishes under my belt (because of course I need ANOTHER project). I've already modded a few bullet mustangs that do have contours, but they require a lot of work and the bodies are too thin, and I like the build quality on CVs.

I figured it'd be worth it to see if anyone here has added contours to a contour-less mustang? Is it worth the trouble or should I just wait until I find a body with contours?

Any tips or examples with pics would be super helpful, thanks in advance.

[CROSS_guitars]

The new Vintera II Mustang bodies are contoured.
I'd probably source one of those.

It's always a shame to mess up a perfect factory finish.

[gerardguey]

The new Vintera II Mustang bodies are contoured.

If and when I find one (the orange one specifically), I will jump at the chance lol. TheStratosphere on ebay hasn't put any up yet, which is surprising considering they usually part most fender releases, got a few squier and MIM fender bodies from them.

Im not worried about messing up the finish on Squiers though, since I'll be refinishing it anyway. My only gripe with the new vintera 70s Mustangs is the stripe size and placement, too big and not angled enough IMO.

[GilmourD]

If you're refinishing it anyway, why not? Just make sure you mark out your boundaries.

[CROSS_guitars]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/26679008809 ... R_KCh_v0Yw

You should grab one of these.

[MayTheFuzzBeWithYou]

Or one of these:
Rosser Mustang

Why strip and refin a body when you can have a newly made body (and less work) for roughly the same money?
But that‘s just me.

[gerardguey]

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/26679008809 ... R_KCh_v0Yw

You should grab one of these.

That is exactly what I am looking for. Alas, I am in the mainland US, so with shipping and customs I might as well get a made to order warmoth or guitar mill now that I've looked into it more. Though something about the warmoth shape feels off to me, I can't place my finger on it. Sorry I am so picky lol

Or one of these:
Rosser Mustang

Why strip and refin a body when you can have a newly made body (and less work) for roughly the same money?
But that‘s just me.

Those don't seem to come with contours but I'll ask if they can add it, those look quality.

The benefit of buying the full Squier guitar IMO is getting a quality neck and prewired switches, tuners etc, so its cheaper considering all the little miscellaneous parts. But its definitely more fun building everything from the ground up.

[gerardguey]

If you're refinishing it anyway, why not? Just make sure you mark out your boundaries.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Just nervous about this type of woodworking considering my limited tools and workspace so I was hoping making this thread would either give me the courage to try it or talk me out of it, lmao

[CROSS_guitars]

I agree about the Warmoth bodies.
I believe they are amazing quality but I think the design looks off too.
I think it's the top left horn.

[GilmourD]

If you're refinishing it anyway, why not? Just make sure you mark out your boundaries.

Thats exactly what I was thinking. Just nervous about this type of woodworking considering my limited tools and workspace so I was hoping making this thread would either give me the courage to try it or talk me out of it, lmao

I may be an outlier but I'm always up for learning experiences myself. Sometimes I do things just to figure things out, even if they don't come out perfectly.

[gerardguey]

I agree about the Warmoth bodies.
I believe they are amazing quality but I think the design looks off too.
I think it's the top left horn.

You're right. Looking at pictures of Warmoth bodies, the upper horn goes ever-so-slightly outward, and the cutaway is slightly deeper. The donner mustang copy I got off Amazon does a similar thing. Once you see it you can't unsee it.


Derailing my own topic, I do like the slightly different, more aggressive looking upper horn on some 70's CBS mustangs. It has it's own vibe.

[CROSS_guitars]

Yeah, the 70's Mustang shape is bonkers!

[electric__ralph]

Looks like you could remove extra wood from the inside edge of the left horn and get the shape to match. That’s probably easier than adding contours to a slab body.