Vinyl Wrapped Mullen

[Dennis Montgomery]

Just finished a project I've been considering for several months...vinyl wrapping my Mullen. When I decided to buy a new PSG last year I was pretty sure the only way I'd get the finish I really wanted was to go the vinyl wrap route. So, while Mullen's blueberry strand mica was very nice, I knew it wouldn't be a permanent thing. Here's a pic of the original:



After first trying out the 3m 1080 vinyl wrap and not liking it at all (from both visual and difficulty to work with points of view), I eventually wound up getting a high gloss vinyl wrap from a company that makes them for snowboards. I figured that would also make it highly durable and expect it to last a long time. Since I love space scenes and orange is my favorite color, there was one choice that stood out from the rest:



I worked super-slow and carefully prepping the vinyl as one crooked cut would have ruined the pattern. Even after cutting the vinyl perfectly, you still have to have accurate application and trimming or it turns into a mess. No pressure Anyway, two days of work and I'm very happy with the result, so here it is!









I've seen quite a few threads about people considering changing their finish with vinyl wrap, after going through this I'd be happy to help out anyone who might be considering this

[Greg Cutshaw]

That's amazing!

[K Maul]

Really nice! You removed some pedals...

[Johnie King]

Very cool!

[Jack Turlington]

Way Cool! Can a lacquered guitar be covered?

[Dennis Montgomery]

Thanks guys! It was a lot of work but totally worth it

K: Yes, and I added a vertical knee as well. I've been into simplifying my copedent as much as possible - after trying all kinds of ideas - and am now playing an extended D9 which is mostly the standard Emmon's changes, but with the strings 4 & 8 raises and drops on opposite knees (rather than both on the left) and something cool I noticed Earnest Bovine does (dropping the strings 3-6-11 minor 3rd change on a knee). As I go through arranging more and more songs for solo pedal steel, it's good to know I have another 3 pedals I can always add for special changes I can't get any other way

Jack: Good question and based on what I know, all you need is a smooth, completely flat surface (otherwise any imperfections will show through the vinyl). The best way to make sure would be to use the contact form and ask:

https://www.extremeboardskins.com/email-contact.php

Mark was great to work with, answered all my questions and should be able to give you a definitive answer.

[Dustin Rigsby]

Kind of reminds me when Jackson was making their “standard” guitar they used drum shell wrap instead of mica. I think it’s a pretty cool idea as an alternative to mica or lacquer...or liquor...

[Damir Besic]

great job Dennis, this is my Carbon fiber wrap Franklin...




original green/black






wrapped....

[Dennis Montgomery]

Thanks Damir

[Larry Dering]

Guys that is really sweet. Love the look.

[Mark McCornack]

This is VERY impressive! I hope that some of the active guitar manufacturers see this. A nice alternative to boring ol’ mica. Well done

[Jack Stoner]

If I was still living in Kansas City I'd have my nephew wrap my Franklin. He does wraps for a living and I've seen cars and many items in pictures that he's wrapped.

[Dennis Montgomery]

This is VERY impressive! I hope that some of the active guitar manufacturers see this. A nice alternative to boring ol’ mica. Well done

Thanks Mark

It's a do-it-yourself alternative for anyone comfortable removing the pullrods, neck & changer. I've heard of people cutting the vinyl around the neck & changer, but I just can't imagine how I could have done that while still able to evenly stretch the vinyl creating a smooth finish...and if you ruin a piece of vinyl and have to recut, you've also just ruined the flow of the pattern across the surfaces. You might as well order a new $80 vinyl sheet and start over again...not something I wanted to do

[Doug Earnest]

Could you say if it made any difference in the sound of the guitar?
It does look nice.

[John McClung]

Cool-looking, Dennis! Hopefully I can see it in person this year.

[Dennis Montgomery]

Could you say if it made any difference in the sound of the guitar?
It does look nice.

Thanks Doug. I have noticed it sounds better because I'm happier when I play

Seriously though, I haven't noticed any difference in the sound or sustain.

[Dennis Montgomery]

Cool-looking, Dennis! Hopefully I can see it in person this year.

Thanks John, glad you like it

[Gary Patterson]

As long as we're talking alternative finishes, I thought I'd show you the one I'm working on, using drum wrap. Custom ordered the material to have the "inlay" strips at the correct spacing. Mechanics are mostly MSA. Cabinet is 3/4" maple.

[Dennis Montgomery]

Hey Gary,

I really like the pattern and how the front panel matches the side of the fretboard...very nice. Did you order that from Precision Drum Company?

[Gary Patterson]

Dennis,

The supplier was Walopus, from someplace in Canada. Thanks for the compliment.

[Dawn Jackson]

We've been using vinyl wraps on our Pro V Aluminum frame guitars for a couple years with great looking end results. Endless color and design selections (you can go traditional or get pretty far out there, as you can see in the photos. We can even customize your guitar with your own artwork)...a bit more economical than our lacquer finishes! We also use drum wrap finishes on our SlideKing Pedal Steels as another viable option. The SlideKings are available in six-, eight- and ten-string models, and can be built for either stand up or sit down playing styles. The Pro V aluminum model starts at $3000, with our all-bearing pulling system which accommodates most custom pedal setups. The SlideKings are $2200 with 3 and 4 (sit down model) or 4 foot pedals (stand up model), and come with our standard setups.

[Larry Baker]

Great job Dennis, however, I think you covered up a beautiful blue guitar. I'm old fashioned though.

[Dennis Montgomery]

We've been using vinyl wraps on our Pro V Aluminum frame guitars for a couple years with great looking end results.

These look great Dawn...I love this one

[Dennis Montgomery]

Great job Dennis, however, I think you covered up a beautiful blue guitar. I'm old fashioned though.

Thanks Larry! That's ok, beauty's in the eye of the beholder

[Patrick Huey]

Could you say if it made any difference in the sound of the guitar?
It does look nice.

Doug this could greatly expand a builder’s customer options as far as custom finished guitars are concerned. This stuff can be used on almost anything. I have a friend that owns a funeral home I work for occasionally that has had several caskets custom wrapped and the price was extremely reasonable.