Dave, I asked a friend of mine about this and he said to use air dry enamel inks. More research shows you can use a 2-part epoxy ink which will be tougher.

Inks can be found here: Nazdar - Screen Printing Products

you want to look at NAZDAR 59000 Series Enamel Plus Gloss Screen Ink and NAZDAR ADE Series Epoxy Screen Ink

I would call their technical department (have regularly found these kinds of guys like phone calls like this) to make a final decision.

the hardest part will be the actual printing. You will have to make a jig to hold the guitar neck and the frame for you to squeegee the ink onto the neck. Could be as easy as jacobson clamps hold the screen on with a spacer in between.

I'm happy to make a screen for you but you may want to consider a laser-cut template in combination with these inks. Easy to test and modify application to make a perfect print, but can see why you would want to screen directly onto the guitar for that authentic touch.

I would not be so sure about that. ;)

My attention to detail can be excruciating at times. :D

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/283326-stradvari-paradox.html

If the same paint is applied via a mask or a fine silkscreen, the end result will be the same.... a thin layer of the paint on the product. Silkscreens are great for mass producing images, but any decal shop could make him a mask which would be much simpler/cheaper if he only needs to do a couple projects.

other than originality, the only reason I see using a screen is you are guaranteed a perfect print. a mask will require a roller and a roller will not lay down a perfect layer of ink. But you can practice until you get it right.

I would simply mask it and spray the paint on with a small trim gun or airbrush.

sure, but now you are waaaaay away from original.

How so? If it is the same paint, the end result would be identical would it not?


Oh well it does not matter to me.... just trying to be helpful.

exactly!

Tim, thank you for your ideas and help. While this guitar is not a 100% copy, I still am trying to keep true to a lot of detail. The silk screen is one of them. If asked about the signature, I'd rather be able to answer that is was done the traditional way, via silk screen, rather than mention that the originals were silk screened, but I used a stencil or decal. I can easily buy a water slide decal that looks very much like the silk screen. :)

Btw, Tim... Question on the glue you used... Hide glue? Almost looks like it from the squeeze out.

Also, Stradivarius violins... The finish has been debated for a long time as to contributing to the sound, but the wood had a lot more to do with it than thought. Turns out that the wood he acquired was special, not by design, but just happened that the climate was such that the woods were a lot more dense during that period, unbeknown to him. The same could have been true for the 58-60 Les Pauls.

Wood has changed over the years. Not so much in the 19th century, but recently for sure. I think Steinway holds their lumber for 25 years before milling it.

Yeah I used store bought hide glue..... Thus far it has held together perfectly.