Replacing Mica

Dennis Olearchik · Post by **Dennis Olearchik** » 13 Apr 2003 7:56 pm

Anyone ever replace the mica on a pre-owned guitar with another mica color/design? Is it possible to replace the the mica with a nice wood veneer (e.g. birdseye maple)? If so, did it turn out o.k.? Was it a very expensive thing to do?
Thanks.
Dennis[This message was edited by Dennis Olearchik on 13 April 2003 at 08:57 PM.]

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 14 Apr 2003 1:15 am

Hey Dennis,
My guitar was black Mica and I bought a strip of solid oak at Lowe's home center which was thin and narrow as I only had to cut off about 1/4" from the side. I cut it to length and glued it to the front between the metal framing. Before I attached it I sanded the edges so they were round and then finished it with a light stain and Spar varnish. I left the black mica on the top and neck and it's a great looking contrast for the front of the guitar. As for expense, I already had the contact cement so the wood strip, stain, and varnish it was only 12 or 15 bucks.....JH

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

[This message was edited by Jerry Hayes on 14 April 2003 at 02:18 AM.]

Dennis Olearchik · Post by **Dennis Olearchik** » 14 Apr 2003 8:50 am

Thanks Jerry!

Has anyone actually removed "all" the mica from their guitar and replaced it?

Larry Phleger · Post by **Larry Phleger** » 14 Apr 2003 9:14 am

I believe Carter has info on mica replacement on their web site.

Robert Parent · Post by **Robert Parent** » 14 Apr 2003 9:33 am

I replaced the mica on a D10 several years ago. It was a major project so not sure if I would do it again. Unless you really loved the guitar I would suggest selling it and buy another in the color you like. It really is a fair amount of work as everything needs to be taken apart.

The hardest part of the project was getting the old mica off the body. Installing the new material was fairly straight forward and having a laminate router was a plus for finishing the edges.

Ann Fabian · Post by **Ann Fabian** » 14 Apr 2003 10:01 am

Thanks Larry

Restorations and Repair Techniques videos are located at our second web site SteelGuitarInfo.com.

Hope that helps

Ann Fabian
Carter Steel Guitars
www.SteelGuitar.com

Dennis Olearchik · Post by **Dennis Olearchik** » 14 Apr 2003 3:30 pm

Thanks Robert, Larry and Ann!