Memphis Junior double cut

[lowatter]

Hey all...newbie here. I like what you have going on. I had an Ibenez Studio electric in '80 or so and loved what I had for the money. I had no issues with it being a Japanese made axe. I wish I still had it.

I need some info on a Memphis Junior double cut that I may be getting in the near future. It's a (2) P-90? model with a bolt-on neck. There is a sticker on the neckplate that says... TV100 and that may make it a (2)P-100 pickup model if the sticker is original to the guitar. I have yet to find a date on the guitar to get any correct info on it but it apprears to be from the 70's or perhaps early 80's. I was hoping that someone could tell me more about the body/neck materials used and anything else about it. I'm hoping that the body isn't plywood and is solid mahogany. Does anyone know? Thanks and best wishes from SC-Lowatter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/2728840539/[][/url]

[VintAxe]

Hi lowatter and welcome to the Forum.

The Memphis TV100 is advertised in the 1977 Memphis catalog I have uploaded in the Catalog Library. There is a nice picture of your guitar in assorted colors but the description is pretty thin. They do state that the body is mahogany but don't mention neck wood.

[lowatter]

Thanks for the welcome and the info. I can't believe I haven't stumbled upon this site before. My dream guitar is the real '59 Gibson Junior double cut which I could never justify buying for the price they are going for. Now that I know the Memphis is mahogany(sweet), I plan to strip it and stain it cherry with a minimal finish to give it some vibe. I'm thinking that I may set the neck and dowel in the screw holes with mahogany(or perhaps maple) dowels. Keystone tuners are in order as well. I may also do some kind of headstock inlay or slide-off sticker label probably just saying 'Junior' in the Gibby font.

I hope that these mods don't offend anyone here, but I can't see that the value of the guitar in it's present condition would be worth much. If I'm wrong I hope that someone stops me before the stripping begins. I'll post pics of the process for anyone that is interested. Thanks and best wishes-Lowatter http://www.flickr.com/photos/10000602@N04/

[VintAxe]

Hey lowatter,

I doubt you'll have very many people willing to throw themselves in front of your sander if you decide to strip the Memphis. Between the paint and the thick polyurethane finish I've seen on most of these instruments, the mahagony probably deserves better.

We would love to track your refinish job all the way from a "before" pix to the completed job. Good luck

[theehman]

Why not just get one of these in cherry?



These Eastwoods are great guitars! I bought my 16yo daughter a Sidejack Mosrite copy and I just picked up a Coral Hornet copy. Unbelievable values for the money! I think the P90 Special is next on my list.

[cheepaxes]

"theehman" said: "These Eastwoods are great guitars! I bought my 16yo daughter a Sidejack Mosrite copy and I just picked up a Coral Hornet copy."

I noticed that Scott McCaughey, who plays with REM, has been using an Eastwood Mosrite copy of some sort. He was using it when they were on Colbert Report and I've seen some other clips of him using it.

-Scott

[lowatter]

Man, that is a sweet deal on a great looking DC Special JR-ish guitar. I'm going with the Memphis for a few reasons...1) I like the unique use of the dog-eared neck pup P-90 while still utilizing the JR DC pickguard shape(I don't care for the shape of the Special pickguards). 2) apparently this is a solid mahogany body. 3) the lawsuit-ish headstock will look great with a set of keystones. 4) I wanted a cheap garage project challenge that should only cost me less than $200.00 total with the satisfaction that I tweaked it myself. I'm taking this on because it's not a LP or Strat. My other guitars are a modded Squier '51(the anti-strat/tele) and a soon to be modded Melody Maker 2007 RI(the anti-LP).

BTW-Besides Re-Ranch...does anyone have any good DIY links on refinishing with paint stripping covered and proper cherry staining? Thanks and best wishes from SC. Jam-on brethren