Sky Scorcher Half Wrap

Playing With Color and Texture

Last summer I built the first wrapped Sky Scorcher, and I got a great response. That piece was inspried by old vinyl wrapped Hofners from the 60’s, but for the follow up I wanted to go in different direction. Since the two piece, bolt-together design allows for a completely different finish on the top and back, I decided to play with texture and sheen in addition to color.

The front features the natural beauty of figured walnut finished to a high gloss, while the back is wrapped with a carbon fiber textured vinyl wrap. The wrap is a rich purple color, with a woven fabric look and feel. I was particularly influenced to try this by the work of the Chicago Electric Piano Company. They successfuly mix colored tolex wrapping with natural wood, and paint in thier vintage piano restorations.

I brought the purple color to the top of the build with the decal and pickup covers. The Curtis Novak GTX-HMBs feature a reflective top that sparkle in blue and violet. The purple and pink decal is cut from a hawaian printed vinyl film, and is applied under the clear coat. The decal is cut to flow around the custom pickup rings, and echos the shape of the body. Both the top and back share black accents from the ring, hardware, and flush bolt heads.

The fretboard is made from pistachio. It sits on top of a three piece cherry neck. Both are finished with Emmet’s Good Stuff. Its an oil finish with a great color, and can be repaired easily. I’ve left it with a satin sheen. The inlays are made from colored frit glass.

This electronics and styling were inpired by one of the muscians at the monday night fusion jam in Ocean Beach, San Diego Ca. For fusion and funk playing the ability to get both a fat humbucker tone, and a bright single coil tone is a huge asset. THe GTX-HMBs are two full goldfoils in a single housing. When split you get the sound of a tiesco spec goldfoil, and a much more power sound in humbucking mode. The use of a six position Free Way Switch allows for the splitting without adding any extra switches, push-pull pots. It works just like a standard toggle, but if you pull the switch up you split the coils. It also looks great with a hawiaan shirt.

There are no external access panels for electronics. This gives a cleaner look to the back. Threaded inserts in the walnut top allow for serviceing without risk of stripping out the wood.

The two piece design allows different pieces of wood to be used for the top and back. While the front is a featured piece of figured walnut, the concealed back is humble peice of basswood. This is primarily for weight, as a full walnut body would be quite heavy. Additional weight relief can be achieved by carving into the hidden side of the walnut. This also allows for large wire channels between the switch, pickups, and cavity.

This one isn’t avalible yet, and I may hold on to it for display this summer at the Fretboard Summit in Chicago. If you are interested, get in touch with me.

I’ve got lots of ideas for Sky Scorcher and Berto bolt-together designs. What can I build for you?

Thanks,

-Justin Motander Jones