The Electra Forums

Got it from Craigslist. Was going to be super cheap, but due to bidding war it wasn't. Oh well.

It's old and was well played. It toured in a band from 1983 to 1995 I'm told, and then on to a cover band for the rest of it's life up till now. It was however well cared for, but never cleaned by the looks of it. It looked strong but like it had been working for 30 yrs without a break or a bath.

This thing had serious clouding/hazing all over the surface, along with a million scratches and oxidation all over. Fretboard was a dirty mess as you can imagine. These photos are AFTER it had been cleaned with warm water, dawn, and conventional guitar cleaning sprays. Still super cloudy and hazy, scratches throughout.










So this was my challenge. I disassembled the old workhorse and went to work scrubbing, buffing, polishing, etc. I didn't want to make it perfect, I kept the worn parts "worn" (like the bridge saddles are worn, the pickup rings is worn) and didn't replace them. One tuning peg had already been replaced, and the owner actually cared enough to carve the Electra "ee" into the back of it! So I'm not replacing that, either. There's something cool about a guitar that's actually seen some things and been places. It's got that mojo that comes honestly.






The refurb was intense, but it worked out pretty well I think...













I'm having another clear pickguard made from Pickguards.com, I sent them the old broken one. I ordered knobs as well, and swith tips. So once those things come in, I'll be in much better shape. Then I'll just have to mess with the volume and tone pots that don't respond.

AND I need someone to make a tracing of their "Omega" truss rod cover, please! Arthur perhaps? Once I get a tracing I can have one made for me. Someone please PM me and I'll get you my address.

So now the X240 plays great, sounds great, and looks simply amazing. My favorite position is "3" on the rotary switch, sounds great with overdrive and doesn't squeal too much. She's not in perfect condition but is in great shape over all, I won't be scared to gig with her. Most importantly, she will continue life getting played very, very often, both at home and on stage.

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton

Lookin' sweet!

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"This is the way that pop ends, Not with a BANG but with a box set whose fourth disc you never get around to playing” - Simon Reynolds

"My guitar wants to kill your Mama" - Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention

W O W....nice work there. She's actually turning out to be a beaut. I've been wanting one of these for a while, maybe I'll find one soon.

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JD's Electras

That looks great Chad - Excellent job!

Great job!

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RCSBlues

man I love that color... very nice....

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Thanks guys, I'm loving this thing. I have knobs, switch tips, and a new clear pickguard ordered. Arthur (Mortarman) is tracing his Omega truss rod cover for me, which is great of him, so I'll have a custom cover made to match it. Once all that's done, I'll be good to go!

Plays great. Sounds great. This guitar, as compared to the X935, has more of that Les Paul sound. Especially through a Marshall. So fun, I'm very glad to have it!

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"GREAT Googiley moogilie Jack...jumpin jehosephat, hot dang and all".
- jdwhealton