And so it begins - Goth SG customization

[NovaSDF]

Time to rip apart the SG and transform it into the guitar I have in my vision. The base for the project is the Epi Goth G-400 SG.

Have on order:

Custom pickup rings
New pickups
custom ring for selector switch
custom one-of pickguard
CTS pots with Gibson knobs
Tonepros bridge

First project is going to be pickups

I've ordered a necklace that I'm hoping I can turn into the pickup switch ring. Found it on Ebay for $9. Looks to be about the right size. It's a Viking/Celtic style shield with 2 axes. If it's close, then I'll cut off the necklace part and fashion a hole in the center of the shield to make the ring. It's made of pewter, so shouldn't be too hard to work with since pewter is a very soft metal. Hoping it's the right size, otherwise I'll have to see if I can get the glue residue off the guitar from the old ring. I'm thinking of heating it with a hairdryer so soften the glue and then try to wipe it off. So long as the finish hasn't been blemished, we'll be good to go.

Really hoping that works out, since it would make a fantastic looking ring.

Otherwise, will find something suitable off the shelf for now.

Pickguard will be ordered from Germany, so it's going to take a few weeks to get it.

First project will be installing the new pickup rings with a complete rewire to 50's vintage. Already have some PIO caps for it.

Will add some photos once I tear into the work.

Very excited to finally get this project into gear. Looking forward to updating you guys as it moves to completion.

God, modding guitars if fun!!!

[NovaSDF]

Got the necklace in the mail today to make the custom pickup selector switch ring. The size turned out to be pretty good. The shield is a bit smaller than the ring, but the battle axes give it a good size ratio. It's going to look awesome. Just need to file off the necklace part and drill out the center.

Also got the Gibson hat knobs. Just waiting on the pickup rings, which should hopefully arrive tomorrow or Saturday - then the work can begin!!!

Photos soon.

[battra]

Go go go!

[NovaSDF]

Good day on the project yesterday. Got the custom pickup rings in the mail, so all the parts for the rewire in hand. Had a couple of hours before work, so stripped out all the electronics and sanded out the holes to install the CTS pots.

Also started fashioning the new pickup selector switch ring. Found a necklace that is going to make an awesome ring. Used the Dremel to cut away the necklace part and a file to file it down smooth. Then, since there was a bit of shiny silver from the part that was removed, I used one of the Mrs. emery files to go around the edge of it to make it uniform. It's cool the way it is, but I' suspect the pewter will dull a bit with age. Have a friend with a machine shop who is going to drill out the hole in it, so dropping the part off to him today.

Here's a teaser photo of the necklace. Will post a photo of it once I've finished the conversion into the pup switch ring.

[DDP]

that will make a cool toggle plate, how flat is it on the back? Maybe put it on a sanding block to make sure the back is flat so it doesnt put dents in the guitar.

[NovaSDF]

Originally Posted by DDP

that will make a cool toggle plate, how flat is it on the back? Maybe put it on a sanding block to make sure the back is flat so it doesnt put dents in the guitar.

The back is pretty flat overall. There is a slight ring that runs around the edge, but it shouldn't hurt the guitar - and it's all smooth with nothing jagged or protruding. Remember, it's a necklace so it's designed to sit next to the skin - so it's pretty smooth.

Here is the photo of the new pickup rings in place. The pickups are phat screamers, and I think the oversize magnets look good with the pewter goth rings.



I also trimmed off the pickup leads to about 1 inch, and soldered on leads made from the vintage braided wire to run back to the cavity.

Tomorrow's project will be the wiring (PIO caps, and rewire from switch to jack.) The only original wire left will be the ground wire from the bridge, but even that may get swapped out in the future. I'm hoping the metal shielding on the vintage wiring will make the guitar less sensitive to the noise generated in our old apartment. If not, then I suspect I'll have to shield the cavity.

Unfortunately, had to put the custom pickguard on hold for a couple of weeks. Spent part of the guitar budget on a new amp. Couldn't resist.

Will have a couple of hours tomorrow to work on the wiring. I'm a bit concerned that I'm going to be a couple of inches short, since I hadn't planned on using vintage wire for the pup leads. Good news is that another 10 feet should show up in my mailbox Monday. Should at least be able to get one pup up and running tomorrow though - and perhaps both.

[Jim]

Slap some polish on that thing dude.

[djwilbanks]

Originally Posted by jimbxavier

Slap some polish on that thing dude.

Yep, polish a matte black guitar. Good idea.

Anyway, looks like a cool project, the necklace for the toggle plate looks like it'll be pretty cool as well.

[NovaSDF]

Some days you should stay far away from a soldering iron, and yesterday was one of them. Wish I'd stayed in bed at one point. Seems like my fingers had a mind of their own, that of a mentally retarded 5 year old.

Anyway, toughed it out and got the new electronics in the guitar wired up and sounding good. Went with braided vintage wire for everything, and PIO caps (.018 in the neck and .028 in the bridge.)

The AC in our old apartment is horribly dirty. I was hoping that the vintage metal braided wire would be a tad quieter. I even went so far as to cut the leads from the pickups about 1 inch from the pups and solder on vintage braided leads. Seems to have worked, the SG seems considerably quieter than the LP - so much so that I've ordered vintage wire and will rewire the Les with it as well.

My friend was going to drill out the pickup switch ring on the weekend, but I likely won't see him for a few days. Definitely coming along.

[NovaSDF]

Got the new pickup selector switch ring back from my friend. He did a perfect job drilling the hole pretty much dead center. Here it is, in all it's glory...



And here it is, mounted on the SG...



He cut the hole about 1/64 smaller than the original pickup ring hole. It fit just snugly over the switch with no play. If I upgrade to a switchcraft switch at some future point, it may be a hair tight, but pewter is a very soft metal - so a few minutes with a round file would take care of that.

I think it looks bad ass for sure, and was exactly what I had in mind. Can't wait to save up now for the custom tribal pickguard. The Les Paul was "romantic Goth" - whereas the SG is taking on a more Medieval warrior feel. Again, pretty much what I'd hoped for - that the two guitars would look related, but would each have a different personality.

The Gibson knobs look really good as well. Went with all black, to get rid of the silver dots on top that the stock knobs had. The Gibson knobs have finer and crisper printing than most of the knock off knobs, and certainly more delicate than the Epi knobs.

Having a lot of fun with this guitar!

[Ole'Lefty]

Hmmmmmm--not many AARP eligible folks are into Goth.(I am limited in my interest to the construction of Middle Age cathedrals;especially those flying buttresses). Sadly, I am such a stuffy old fart that when I am near to facial piercings, I keep having to freeze my left arm as it goes for the Leatherman tool in my pocket! My apologies.

[NovaSDF]

I'm not into heavy Goth, such as Marilyn Manson. More the elegant Goth style.

I've been thrashing around, trying to decide what I wanted to play - and finally settled on what is close to "funeral metal". Basically, I like clean vocals (not just guttural growls) with a slow tempo, lots of distortion and deep tones. Funeral Metal pretty much has that. I'm just not into a barrage of notes hitting you, would rather every note be carefully selected and given a chance to speak - if that makes sense.

Ironically, I'm not at all anti-establishment or anti-authority. I guess I just feel like there are too many love songs in the world and too few people willing to look at the darker side of life in an artistic way. And unfortunately these days, those who do venture into the dark seem more fascinated with violence in their songs.

I joke with the Mrs. that we'll be the only Goth band touring Sr. Citizen homes. Wish I'd taken all this a lot more seriously when I was in my 20's, but life kinda got in the way. Trying to make up for lost time now though.

[Ole'Lefty]

Damn-I'm glad you have such a healthy sense of humor!!!!

[NovaSDF]

Lefty, my man, when you get to be our age a sense of humor is 90% of what gets you though the day. (9% is fortitude and the remaining 1% is some intangible that science is still struggling to identify.)