In reply to Gimp:
Wow... nice deal!
I've been thinking of revisiting the world of P-Basses. I've had the hankering for a road-worn looking P or J with a really hot pickup(s) and a blonde maple neck.
I've also been messing with my Epi Les Paul Standard lately. I love how that thing plays. Somewhere along the line, all my pots got scratchy. Is there an easy fix for this?
SilverFleet wrote: Somewhere along the line, all my pots got scratchy. Is there an easy fix for this?
It's easy enough to just replace them, but before you do, try spraying contact cleaner into them and working them back and forth REALLY fast. If that doesn't work just replace them.
Got a few projects in the mix at the moment. A couple electronic jobs, one pretty major structural repair on an old Harmony, and a new one for me: a mandolin. (Here's a really crappy cell phone picture that doesn't do the old nitrocellulose finish any justice whatsoever.)
Stupid lutherie question: does anybody know the standard for measuring tuner peg hole spacing? Is it center-to-center or the nearest edges of the holes, or...?
Trying to find some replacement tuners for this '56 Old Kraftsman mando that belonged to my girlfriend's great grandfather. It's in really good shape except the tuner buttons have all disintegrated. Buying a set of glue-on buttons costs barely more than a whole set of new tuners, so if indeed this thing conforms to standard mando tuner spacing, I'll just go with new tuners.
The other projects!
In addition to a missing bridge, this US-made Kay Vanguard needs...something done electronically. I haven't done a full diagnosis yet. I'm crossing my fingers that when I de-solder everything I'll find a dead pot or jack or just bad connections. If the stock pickups are shot, I'm sorta up a creek with this one.
'Cause I'd basically have to track down another good Vanguard pickup. Not impossible, but if that's the case I'll probably cut my losses on this one.
The other electronic project is this mongrel:
I've had this one for several years, and it's just started to act up. Despite appearances, it's no Hofner. No, somebody sawed the neck off a Hofner and slapped it haphazardly onto this (I'm assuming) Japanese body. The then they got blitzed and decided to route some holes for new pickups. And judging by the cleanliness of the route, they had a sneezing fit while they were doing it. This thing is scary looking, but it plays phenomenally well. Hofners has pretty wide/flat necks, and this one is blazing fast. The soapbars have all the spank and twang you could ask for. I love this thing. It's nasty, and it separates the players from the poseurs. Anybody who turns up their nose at this thing is not somebody I want to hang out with.
The unfortunate part is, the 3 way switch is dead, and there is literally no way short of cutting a hole in the back of the guitar to get it out. This thing must have been assembled with all the electronics installed before the back got glued on. (Which makes sense when you think about mass-producing semi-hollowbodies. Instead of paying workers to fish the electronics through the cavities, just leave the back off until it's wired, when slap it on.) So I think I'm going to rewire it with a couple mini switches down by the lower cutaway: one for pickup selection and one for series/parallel (or maybe in-phase/out-of-phase?) and just leave the dead 3 way up there as a red herring.
Pics of the Harmony acoustic project coming up. It's not pretty.
Not to do a thread highjack, but I have a question. I played many, many years ago, and was thinking of picking up another one just for my enjoyment. I always wanted a Rickenbacker, but no experience with them. Anyone owned one, or have advise? Good, bad, ugly?
Ricks are very nice, and more than a little idiosyncratic. I'd recommend playing several models (and several other comparable guitars) to make you dig how they play in addition to how they look and sound. But they're very high quality instruments, so if they agree with you, you won't be disappointed.
I find it interesting how tightly Rickenbacker has controlled their patents and trademarks over the years. You almost never see copies in the market, because Rick's lawyers come down on them hard. Just because I'm weird (and they're more realistic for my guitar budget), I'd almost like to have a Rick copy more than a real one, only because the copies are so obscure.
In college I had a telecaster, but my roommate had a Rick, wish I could remember the model. But that thing was so much nicer to play, and it sounded great. The neck wasn't huge either, which I liked. But it's the only one I've played, so not sure how it compares across the board.
alex wrote: .
Is this a full hollow guitar or a thinline/solid center block guitar?
I have done some pretty difficult wiring jobs on old hollowbodies using different color pieces of string through the holes for switches and pots. Tie a string to each switch, jack and pot. Pull all the bits out the pickup holes, repair or replace the offending bits and start pulling on the strings to pull everything back where it needs to be.
Of course all that is useless if there is a centerblock with only a tiny hole for the wire to pass through.
EDIT: Just noticed the tune o matic. Yep solid center block.
racerdave600 wrote: Not to do a thread highjack, but I have a question. I played many, many years ago, and was thinking of picking up another one just for my enjoyment. I always wanted a Rickenbacker, but no experience with them. Anyone owned one, or have advise? Good, bad, ugly?
I've only ever played Ric basses before, and they are majestic. They just feel, play, and sound great. Be prepared to shell out some serious $$$ though, because they are always sought after.
In reply to SilverFleet:
+1 on Rick basses, though I've found the 4003 series to be lacking compared to the 4001. Also, if you want a cheaper alternative that sounds and plays just as nice, look for a Danelectro Longhorn repop from the 1990's. Seriously, I was shocked. It's also now my favorite bass - even compared to my '68 Hagstrom 8-string, or hand-built lefty 5-string. Oh, and the Dano weighs about 1/2 as much as a Rick does. 
SilverFleet wrote:racerdave600 wrote: Not to do a thread highjack, but I have a question. I played many, many years ago, and was thinking of picking up another one just for my enjoyment. I always wanted a Rickenbacker, but no experience with them. Anyone owned one, or have advise? Good, bad, ugly?I've only ever played Ric basses before, and they are majestic. They just feel, play, and sound great. Be prepared to shell out some serious $$$ though, because they are always sought after.
My old bass player uses a Ric - actually a somewhat rare "Black Star" model that was the signature model for the bass player in the Smithereens. He bought it used back in the early 90's and paid maybe $400. Nobody watned Ric basses back then unless you were a Motorhead fan (he was/is). 20+ years later it's still his #1 bass and he's worn off a quarter of the finish.
A Ric bass also happened to be one of my best buys. I was in my local store and when I walked in there was a guy looking at a used one they just got in. I asked the clerk, "how much for the Ric?" "$200 with case" "SOLD!" and I literally grabbed the bass out of the guy's hands. Then got whatever I was there for (strings, probably) and headed off to band practice, "Hey Sam - got you a present!" We played a good number of songs in dropped-D tuning so him having a 2nd bass was nice.
Well look what showed up in the mailbox!
time to cut some holes in the new 51
Ian F wrote:SilverFleet wrote:My old bass player uses a Ric - actually a somewhat rare "Black Star" model that was the signature model for the bass player in the Smithereens. He bought it used back in the early 90's and paid maybe $400. Nobody watned Ric basses back then unless you were a Motorhead fan (he was/is). 20+ years later it's still his #1 bass and he's worn off a quarter of the finish. A Ric bass also happened to be one of my best buys. I was in my local store and when I walked in there was a guy looking at a used one they just got in. I asked the clerk, "how much for the Ric?" "$200 with case" "SOLD!" and I literally grabbed the bass out of the guy's hands. Then got whatever I was there for (strings, probably) and headed off to band practice, "Hey Sam - got you a present!" We played a good number of songs in dropped-D tuning so him having a 2nd bass was nice.racerdave600 wrote: Not to do a thread highjack, but I have a question. I played many, many years ago, and was thinking of picking up another one just for my enjoyment. I always wanted a Rickenbacker, but no experience with them. Anyone owned one, or have advise? Good, bad, ugly?I've only ever played Ric basses before, and they are majestic. They just feel, play, and sound great. Be prepared to shell out some serious $$$ though, because they are always sought after.
I love walking into a music store and randomly getting a deal you just can't pass up. 
That's pretty much what happened when I bought my Warwick. I waked into a local chain (Daddy's Junky Music, now closed) looking for a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz. I had seen one and loved the way it looked, especially the blonde neck with the black block inlays. I played it, and then I looked for something expensive to stack it up to to see if it was worth it. I reached out and grabbed this minty Warwick Streamer they had. I had never played a Warwick, and the thing was just awesome. As I go to put it back, it hits me: the Warwick was the same price ($299) as the Squier! 
The rest is history.
I still want to get a vintage feeling and looking bass, but that Warwick was just too good to pass up and I know I made the right choice. It's a cheaper one with two MEC passive humbuckers, but it is a real Made in Germany Warwick and not one of the cheaper ones made elsewhere. I guess they are pretty rare to find, and most have a single humbucker, not the double. Cheapest one other than mine that I've seen has been $500+. I still can't believe I own that.
When you see a deal, grab it. I learned my lesson a few weeks ago after seeing and playing a sweet Dean Vendetta 6'er for just $99, and when I went back to get it, it was gone. 
I just picked up a Highway 1 Telecaster on Monday--Blonde with Rosewood fretboard. I'll post up pictures later this week. It was advertised as Made In USA Blonde Telecaster for $475, so I jumped on it thinking it was a standard and I was getting a deal of the century. As it turns out, I got a fair to good deal after realizing it was a highway 1.
SilverFleet wrote: I love walking into a music store and randomly getting a deal you just can't pass up.
When I went back to the store a few days later, my sales buddy said the guy I yanked it from was none too happy... but I acted so quickly with the sale the guy didn't realize what was happening until I was gone.
He who hesitates, waits. Or in that case, goes bass-less... 
Working next door to a music store was a dangerous thing... I was in there every day during my lunch hour... and people wonder how I ended up with 22 guitars at one point.
I just picked up a used Gibson USA case for one of my Les Pauls off eBay. It's from a shop in PA not far from me and I'm going up tomorrow to pick it up. I'm planning to take one of the other LP's up to have them do a rebuild/set up. If it goes well, they will eventually get all of my guitars to finally repair the flood damage from the mid-90's. It'll be nice to have a guitar or three I can actually play without being in pain afterwards.
Ian F wrote: Working next door to a music store was a dangerous thing... I was in there every day during my lunch hour... and people wonder how I ended up with 22 guitars at one point.
Only those of lesser intelligence wonder that 
My post from earlier in the thread:
mtn wrote: I already have a dreadnaught, but this one is Maple back and sides, so it is completely different. Oh, I already have 2 dreadnaughts, but this one is all laminate, so it will be my beater. Oh, I already have 3 dreadnaughts, but I don't have an electric one and I don't want to put a pickup in any of mine. Oh, I already have 4 dreadnaughts, but this is such a cool sunburst! Oh, I already have 5 dreadnaughts, but this is the coolest pickguard EVAR! Oh, I already have 6 dreadnaughts, but none of them are Rosewood! Etc., etc.
(note: I only have 3 dreads, counting the girlfriends, and 8 guitars total, including 2 that aren't really mine. Oh, and a mandolin)
In reply to mtn:
I was like that with Les Pauls for awhile... I think I had 5 at one point. One I had to buy as it was a duplicate of my main one: an early black Studio with a factory installed Kahler bridge (labeled Gibson rather than Kahler). Of course, I immediately added EMG 89 pick-ups like mine had/has. It was a bit excessive when I would bring 4 or 5 guitars to gigs when usually 3 would do (different tunings).
I'm now down to 9 guitars (6 electric + 3 acoustic) plus 4 crap/junk guitars. I'm trying like hell not to buy any more until all of the current ones are fixed and working again. Most just need a good rebuild and set-up so the shouldn't cost too much. The '71 Les Paul will need the most work - probably a $1K or so for a new fretboard and headstock repair. But considering what vintage LP's are sellign for these days and how much I paid for it, it'll be a worthwhile investment.
Here it is. Routed and installed
Jaguar/jazzmaster tremelo and bridge installed in a Squier 51. This thing is even more or a mutt now than when it was designed. I need to fab up a buzz stop for it. I am way to heavy handed for the low break angle this setup provides.
Trying to decide on a lipstick tube
Or a surf 90
for the neck position. That TV jones P90 is a keeper though.
In reply to ditchdigger:
I somehow missed the earlier post about the TV Jones P90... Friggin awesome!
an early black Studio with a factory installed Kahler bridge (labeled Gibson rather than Kahler).
Is that the Studio "Lite" with the thin chambered body? I need one of those.
poopshovel wrote:an early black Studio with a factory installed Kahler bridge (labeled Gibson rather than Kahler).Is that the Studio "Lite" with the thin chambered body? I need one of those.
No. Just a standard Studio from 1981. It was my first Les Paul and was my high school graduation present from my mother in 1988. That guitar will stay with me until I die. I may be destitute and homeless, but I'll still have that guitar.
Give D-Town guitars a call. They may have one. I was in the store yesterday and they have more Les Pauls hanging on the walls than I've ever seen in one place before. http://dtownguitars.com.p10.hostingprod.com/
It was kinda funny - 4 walls of guitars with 2 more 16' double-sided racks from the ceiling . just about any Gibson you could imagine... they have THREE Moderns... Three?? Fender Strats and Tele's galore... (TWO carved-top Tele's.) Yet not a single Floyd Rose equipped guitar to be seen anywhere.
Woohoo! Hour and a half drive to a Denny's parking lot in Centralia, and I totally didn't get mugged... Instead, I got these:
A Crate 4x12 cabinet with Celestions of some kind (haven't actually looked yet) and a Carvin X100B head.
I've only played through it a couple of minutes to verify that I didn't spend three hours driving just to give someone a pile of money for some carpet-covered boxes, but it sounded really good with just the PO's base settings (and some highs pulled out of the EQ a little from there...)
I've got a lot to learn about this amp and how it wants to be twiddled, but I'm stoked. I think it's going to be great, and already seems much more in character for the current band. Hopefully I can find a manual for this era of X100B; the current one is considerably changed in terms of control options.
EDIT: Just wanted to add another happy CL entry, since we hear so much about the BS. While he didn't answer my initial email, I half understand that; it was rambling and attempted to ask some pretty subjective stuff about the Carvin. Anyhow, after deciding that this would be a good rig for me and the price made the trip worthwhile, I called. He answered, I offered to add a little gas money for meeting me almost halfway to cut my round trip down to three hours from five, and we picked a time and place. I arrived about a minute before, he arrived about a minute after; not bad for each having driven well over an hour to be there. He was nice, the gear looked fine, and he declined to take my gas money addendum. I'm hopeful that he was as pleased with the transaction as I am; since I turned up on time, had cash, didn't haggle, and offered to give him gas money, I suspect that's the case. Score another one for the world not being staffed entirely by idiots and shiny happy people.
Congrats!
Send Carvin an e-mail or give them a call. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a copy of the manual somewhere. Maybe they can e-mail a PDF to you.
Ok... here's a question for the guitar hive:
I have a '71 Les Paul Standard... some previous owner scalloped the fretboard... and I want it fixed... When I discussed this with the shop on Sat, they mentioned a '71 should have a Brazilian rosewood fretboard vs. the Indian rosewood current guitars use. I found a Brazilian fretboard from a '60 LP on eBay: $695 and it needs frets. It also has dot-inlays vs. the trapeze inlays my guitar has. Frets are shot and will need to be replaced. There is also an Indian fretboard on eBay: $200; no frets at all, but has the correct inlays.
Right now I'm leaning towards the $200 board. The guitar is by no means so perfect that I'm really worried about screwing up it's collector-value. Personally, I buy guitars to play, not collect. Can anyone give me a compelling reason to spend $700 vs. $200? Bearing in mind, I paid $700 for the whole guitar (12 years ago...) and I'm probably looking at a grand or so in repair labor (fixing a cracked headstock as well as replacing the fretboard).
In reply to Ian F:
Since the guitar already has other issues, I'd say fix it the way you want it. It will never be 100% original again, yet it will always have value as a '71. The questions you need to answer are 1.) would the ~$500 repair cost difference make the guitar worth ~$500 more(or higher)? 2.) do you give a damn about #1?
In reply to petegossett:
That's pretty much my line of thinking as well. I brought the guitar into work today since I'm going to the shop afterwards and my guitar-playing co-worker also agrees.
The guitar in question:
<img src="
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