Hendrix Monterey Strat Paint Job Fender MIM Guitar Paint Guys

I purchased a used Black 2000 Fender Standard (MIM) Stratocaster off Craigslist. I always planned on getting the Hendrix Monterey paint job on it. This is the guitar Hendrix lit on fire after his performance at Monterey. The only other famous person I’ve seen with a remake is John Mayer. The paint jobs have slight differences, I personally think Mayers replica looks better/cleaner.

After looking around I found two sources for the job, Guitar Paint Guys (www.guitarpaintguys.com) and Guitar Guru LLC (www.guitargurullc.com). After recieving quotes from both I decided to go with Guitar Paint Guys. They were around half the price, which was important for me as the guitar isn’t overly expensive to begin with (MIM not American). They were also very courteous and prompt with the responses. I have a good feeling they will add some great eye candy on this guitar. This post will document my experience with Guitar Paint Guys, and show the final product.

Here are some shots of the guitar in action for final comparison:

Jimi

John Mayer

Jan 2nd

I emailed them asking them the current turn around time, prices, how they painted (masking or strip/refinish), if starting color matters, and if I needed to send the body and pickguard alone or if I could ship the entire guitar.

Jan 4th

They responded with the following email answering all my questions (I removed pricing information to respect any future changes):

- Hendrix Monterey Paint Job

GuitarPaintGuys would be happy to refinish your strat in the Hendrix Monterey Style!

We currently quote this refinish at $$$$ plus actual return shipping (at current USPS/UPS Rates)(bolt on neck guitars)

This includes all prep work, sealer, primer, color coats, graphics, and clear coat.

It does not matter what color your guitar currently is, as most of the original finish is removed in our prep stage.

We typically only need your guitars body and pickguard sent (no hardware or electronics)

If you would like us to handle the dis-assembly/re-assembly as well, we can do that too!!!

This “Full Service” Option adds $$$$$ to the finish price and includes:

*Initial testing and inspection of the complete guitar on arrival.
*complete dis-assembly of your guitar prior to paint
*complete re-assembly of your guitar after paint
*Base Set-up and intonation adjustments
*Your choice of strings – 9′s, 10′s, or 11′s.
*Final Inspection and testing of your newly finished guitar prior to shipping.

The minimum turn around time for this refinish is about 4-5 weeks.
We do send you regular updates while your custom finish is in progress.
Based on our current workload, we could begin your guitar on the SAME DAY that we receive it.
There’s a lot of information here, so please feel free to let us know if you have any questions, or would like to schedule your refinish.Thank you for considering GuitarPaintGuys!

GuitarPaintGuys

Jan 4th

After reading over the great information they sent, I decided to go through with it and ship just the guitar body and pickguard. I asked them to send along the next steps for shipping and payment.

Jan 5th

Their response:

Feel free to send your guitar body and pickguard whenever you are ready!

Our Shipping Address is:

GuitarPaintGuys
(address removed for privacy)
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Once your guitar body and pickguard arrive, we will notify you, and begin your refinish on the SAME DAY!

Again, we do send you regular progress updates throughout your entire refinish!

Once the refinish is completed, we will send you the invoice (via Google Checkout or Paypal) for the quoted total, and your guitar will be ready to ship back to you!

Jan 6th

I shipped the body and pickguard today.

Jan 13th

Your guitar body and pickguard have arrived!

We have sent them into our prep stage to begin their refinish.

We will keep you posted with new updates as we progress!

Thanks again for choosing GuitarPaintGuys, and have a great day!

Jan 23rd

Today I received an update on my guitars progress. See the email and pictures here:

Things are progressing well with your refinish! Your strat is in excellent condition, and is a perfect candidate for the Hendrix Monterey Style Refinish.

Your guitar body has completed our prep stage, and has been sent to the paint shop to begin the base and color coats.

Here are a couple of pics of your guitar body after completing the prep stage. We shot the white base color coat on the body today, and it is scheduled for the Fiesta Red on Monday.

We’ll keep you posted with updates as they are available.

Guitar after “prep stage”:

Jan 28th

Update for today:

We have a few more updates for you on your “Monterey Style” Refinish!

I have included pictures of your guitar in its white base coat, and also the fiesta red color coat.

Your guitar gains more “mojo” every day! :)

We will be working with the graphics on the pickguard and the body over the next week. We will keep you posted with new updates as they are available.

Feb 4th

Update for today:

Another update on your Hendrix Monterey Style Refinish!

We have been working with the guitars graphics this week, and thought that you would like to see some of the progress. Bear in mind, the guitar body is now further completed than this picture shows, but you can see how things are starting to get cool!