The Electra Forums

I finally sat down and did it... I finished the X-140

At this point, I stripped the finish (it was natural, jacked UP, with a sharpie Frankenstein monster on the back) and hand-rubbed my own 'french polish' mixture about 10 times over the body, repaired the headstock where it was burned Jimi style, cleaned the bridge and replaced the missing height adjustment screws, re-wired it as follows: 3-way selects neck/both/bridge in paralell. Fat switch adds the middle pickup in series. Required replacing both switches, other electronics stock. I have had some trouble tracking down a brass nut, so in the interest of getting this old girl playing, I've installed a bone strat type nut. I've also laminated a small strip of cherry to a larger strip of Walnut and am waiting for it to dry to try as a nut. I've been having good luck with that combination for my cigar-box guitars lately.

I'll post pics if someone can tell me how...

Also, check out my cigar-box fiddle for sale on e-bay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270147395665

Also JUST found out the proper switching arangement. Quote:

1 master volume, 1 tone master knob; 3-way switch (selects each pickup individually) plus "fat" micro-switch to pair up either neck/middle or bridge/middle for that out-of-phase Strat-like sound.

Hey Mark!

You have inspired me to restore my X140 that I have had since it was brand new. I even have the original hardshell case. My folks bought it for me when I was just starting out. I played it in in a battle of the bands my sophmore year in high school in 1985. The body and neck are in perfect condition but the guitar has been disassembled and in pieces since 1988. The important stuff remains, but I am missing the pick guard.

Do you know where I can find one?

My 10 year old son found the X140 pieces and wants to restore it with me so he can learn to play.

Regards,

Sean

Fantastic! X140's are great players, and those ash bodies are really light and resonant. French rub is an ideal choice for a finish!

We'd love to see pics- PM me if you need help.

I don't have a spare pick guard but I'd be happy to trace the pickupard on my X140 if somebody needs it. That would be a great instrument to restore together, because when you're done you have a superb instrument!

Here's one for reference:

Thanks a million for offering to do that for me. I'll gladly take care of any costs you incur.

My Sunday was spent sanding the neon yellow, green, and orange paint. Yes, you read that correctly! In 1989 my college room mate decided he did not like the boring original white finish so he painted it with Krylon paint. I nearly killed him! As payback, I seem to remember shaving one of his eyebrows when he was passed out drunk a few weeks later Anyway, I disassembled the guitar so I could remove the paint and then lost interest all these years until now. I was very happy this morning when I successfully wet sanded the green paint off the headstock. The Electra logo slowly appeared I sanded down to 2000 grit and polished with a 2000 finishing compound.

I was considering restoring to original but I might just have to try a French rub...

Thanks,

Sean

Looking awsome! I'm gonna send that PM, it's time I get some pics of mine up.... The french rub works amazingly on the ash, up close it looks almost flamed or 3d in a lot of places on mine....

This poor guitar has looked so bad for so many years that I am determined to give it a new lease on life.

Do you have link you can direct me to to read up on a French rub?? Looking forward to seeing pictures of your guitar!

Sean