Dave Johnson ReTop Conversion

[HeeBGB]

Within the next coupla weeks he's gonna send me some pics of possible new tops for my Conversion! He said the guitar look good other than the top which has been sanded down too far. What he's gonna try to do is remove the top by steaming it off. That way I can save it and if I ever sell the guitar I can say I have the original top...or what's left of it after the original conversion and subsequent raping. He said he COULD try to save the top BUT it will never have a proper carve. It's too far gone.

Anyway, I think I have decided on a burst in BOTB that I want to pattern this guitar after. I believe it's on p.60 in BOTB. I'll confirm the page number when I get home tonight! I prefer flitch matched tops with moderate flame and lots of mineral streaks! Just my thing I guess!

On another front I spoke to Wolfe and he recommended the Dr.V's BUT after hearing the Legend clip I think I'm going to go that route.

I still need to get Tuners, Bridge and Tailpiece, strap buttons and EEEElectronics. AND Plastic too.

Any Suggestions? Keep in mind vintage parts are generally not going to be an option. At least initially I need to go aftermarket. Maybe when the financial shock of getting this project completed has disipated I will look for some vintage parts!

Here is a pic! I'll post a few more when I get home tonight! I'm very psyched about this project!

[thefishingline]

I would think you are better off leaving it alone and living with the carve the way it is...the value of the guitar and the originality will suffer GREATLY I would think by removing the original top.

[HeeBGB]

Yea! But because so much has been done to this guitar already I don't think the value can go much lower. Take a good look at the PUP routes and where the bridge stud holes are. The top has already been chopped up pretty good. At this point I feel I can't devalue it much more than has already been done so I figure why not burst it? Believe me I've been thinking about this for a few days now! I would LOVE to salvage the original top. But it has to be re-routed and blocked then re-drilled and the carve and binding still won't be right!

[FLICKOFLASH]

http://vintagecheckout.smugmug.com/gallery/2007646

[FLICKOFLASH]

fake58 makes some very good replica parts & they are growing like us & I am pleased is a patron of ours & hope they are involved in some future aging & Historic makeover Threads

http://www.fake58.co.uk/

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by HeeBGB

I prefer flitch matched tops with moderate flame and lots of mineral streaks! Just my thing I guess!

On another front I spoke to Wolfe and he recommended the Dr.V's BUT after hearing the Legend clip I think I'm going to go that route.

I still need to get Tuners, Bridge and Tailpiece, strap buttons and EEEElectronics. AND Plastic too.

I POSTED IN THE BACKSTAGE ABOUT THOSE PICKUP i AM THINKING LEGENDS MYSELF AFTER LISTENING TO THAT CLIP PLUS I LIKE THE AGING VIBE

[ptate]

fake58 makes some very good replica parts & they are growing like us & I am pleased is a patron of ours & hope they are involved in some future aging & Historic makeover Threads

http://www.fake58.co.uk/


Flick,

It's nice to see that my mate is getting some great reviews.

As you are aware, he is a top-notch guy and is also a full-time luthier (I take it you've seen his other site?), as well as a supplier of parts (some of which he actually makes himself). He takes guitars very seriously and is incredibly knowledgeable.

Cool.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by ptate

fake58 makes some very good replica parts & they are growing like us & I am pleased is a patron of ours & hope they are involved in some future aging & Historic makeover Threads

http://www.fake58.co.uk/


Flick,

It's nice to see that my mate is getting some great reviews.

As you are aware, he is a top-notch guy and is also a full-time luthier (I take it you've seen his other site?), as well as a supplier of parts (some of which he actually makes himself). He takes guitars very seriously and is incredibly knowledgeable.

Cool.

no I have not Please email me or post a link

[ptate]

This is the link to my mates website (the other one).

The Company is Julian Mullen Guitars. Each one is hand crafted (no computer controlled machines in this builders workshop!) and built exactly to the buyers specification.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/julian.mullen/

See what you think.

[mapleflame]

Originally Posted by HeeBGB

Within the next coupla weeks he's gonna send me some pics of possible new tops for my Conversion! He said the guitar look good other than the top which has been sanded down too far. What he's gonna try to do is remove the top by steaming it off. That way I can save it and if I ever sell the guitar I can say I have the original top...or what's left of it after the original conversion and subsequent raping. He said he COULD try to save the top BUT it will never have a proper carve. It's too far gone.

Anyway, I think I have decided on a burst in BOTB that I want to pattern this guitar after. I believe it's on p.60 in BOTB. I'll confirm the page number when I get home tonight! I prefer flitch matched tops with moderate flame and lots of mineral streaks! Just my thing I guess!

On another front I spoke to Wolfe and he recommended the Dr.V's BUT after hearing the Legend clip I think I'm going to go that route.


I still need to get Tuners, Bridge and Tailpiece, strap buttons and EEEElectronics. AND Plastic too.

Any Suggestions? Keep in mind vintage parts are generally not going to be an option. At least initially I need to go aftermarket. Maybe when the financial shock of getting this project completed has disipated I will look for some vintage parts!

Here is a pic! I'll post a few more when I get home tonight! I'm very psyched about this project!

Are you sure there isn't enough carve, do you have a side picture

[FLICKOFLASH]

Originally Posted by ptate

This is the link to my mates website (the other one).

The Company is Julian Mullen Guitars. Each one is hand crafted (no computer controlled machines in this builders workshop!) and built exactly to the buyers specification.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/julian.mullen/

See what you think.

Very kool I need to discuss a compensated nut for my upcoming 7 string LP

[HeeBGB]

It's hard to see in the pic I posted. Try These http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...3LP/?start=all

Dave said it's pretty bad in a coupla spots. I trust his judgement!

The binding is higher than the top in several places. That will never be right! The edges will always be thinner than they are supposed to be and therefore the binding will be as well!

What it boils down to, for me anyway, is that the guitar had been previously converted and so the originality and value are already out the window! Would I like to save the top? Hell yea! But if the value is gone and anyone looking at that top even restored is gonna say it's not right so it's not worth the big money!

Honestly I am not really worried about resale anyway. If it's as good as my R7 (I am hoping it will be better) then it will probably be with me 'til I'm gone anyway!

[ptate]

Originally Posted by FLICKOFLASH

Very kool I need to discuss a compensated nut for my upcoming 7 string LP

Just for info. The George Lynch Monster he has on the gallery is all hand carved/finished. I've played it and its very, very cool.

[FLICKOFLASH]

Here is what can be done

http://vintagecheckout.smugmug.com/gallery/2007646

[mapleflame]

The top carve is here, but I can't see the middle. I know we can trust Dave, he's worked on four guitars for me

[HolyGrail]

Just joking guys !

But it immediately took me back to that other place where
we'd be slapped on our hands or afraid to say one word .

Great info and thanks !

This is what we've all needed !
Thanks Alex & Flick !

[GuitarDean]

The top COULD use a bit more carve, and as mentioned, Dave does good and reliable work, so I vote for going for it. Curious as to what those two plugs were needed between the bridge PU and Bushing holes too.

Parts are another story.
DMC, RS, and a few others all have some great looking and sound upgrades, and Pigtail Bushing's and studs are an absolute MUST in my book. The thing is though, what kind of music do you play, because that's intricale to what you need to install. I LOVE the RS Super Pots, RS Jensen paper and oil caps / Sprague Black-cats or Bumblebees, a vintage wiring set up with a top wrap and the Classic 57's or Timbuckers. That's because I love a nice "Bluesbreaker's, Freddy King" sound, but nearly everything mentioned above would make a LP suck for metal, heavy metal or country. So, in a nutshell, where are you looking to go, musically?

[HeeBGB]

Musically I am in the same camp as you! I like classic rock and I even like metal but I don't want to play it! At this point the spandex is a bit tight and no one wants to see that!

I already have NOS Bumblebees. Still in the plastic wrap. Unfortunately they are 600v caps labelled as 400v. Here



I am also a fan of the RS wiring kit. I have the older version (pre-super pots) in my R7. PUP's will be wolfetones! I had a set of Tims in my R7 and they didn't mesh with that guitar. I actually sold them to help finance this conversion! I would not be against getting another set down the road BUT i don't have 2 years so i will try the Wolfe's which I have played before and they are outstanding! I tend to like lower output PUP's these days as I find them more articulate and detailed! Something around 7.5k-8k. I am also using a pigtail wrap tail on my 50's junior so I am on board with that too. The DMC stuff is nice. Not sure if I'm gonna pay $500 for a set of rings though! A bit steep for two plastic rings that literally cost $1 to make the set.

I'm looking forward to progress pics Greg. That guitar will turn out incredible!

[jimi55lp]

Was the guitar a 53' wraptail originally? I would also vote to replace the top since it looks like it's had it's day, but good luck with steaming that monster off. I can't imagine anyone would value the old top. The only way to get a burst top that you like is to install one, the veniered tops don't do justise. Great project, "DON'T CRUSH EM', RESTORE EM' "

[lp junior freak]

cool restore as many as u can while ur alive the next gen needs to see them

[Sgt.Pepper]

Hi, real old parts don't have to cost a fortune! for example, check out ebay item No. 300100375451 and 300100376160

[HeeBGB]

Thanks!

[HolyGrail]

Originally Posted by HeeBGB

Musically I am in the same camp as you! I like classic rock and I even like metal but I don't want to play it! At this point the spandex is a bit tight and no one wants to see that!

I already have NOS Bumblebees. Still in the plastic wrap. Unfortunately they are 600v caps labelled as 400v. Here



I am also a fan of the RS wiring kit. I have the older version (pre-super pots) in my R7. PUP's will be wolfetones! I had a set of Tims in my R7 and they didn't mesh with that guitar. I actually sold them to help finance this conversion! I would not be against getting another set down the road BUT i don't have 2 years so i will try the Wolfe's which I have played before and they are outstanding! I tend to like lower output PUP's these days as I find them more articulate and detailed! Something around 7.5k-8k. I am also using a pigtail wrap tail on my 50's junior so I am on board with that too. The DMC stuff is nice. Not sure if I'm gonna pay $500 for a set of rings though! A bit steep for two plastic rings that literally cost $1 to make the set.

Wrong caps, I'll make you a Bro deal on some correct pieces.
Especially because of Dave . I have the correct New Old Stock Wax Caps.
The Toggle switch and nut .

[Dave Stephens]

You really should keep that guitar as original as possible, that wood is HISTORY, you are its keeper, I wouldn't alter it if it were mine. Priceless man....

When you get around to pickups, I'm going to be announcing a new set that I've spent five years of research, blood, sweat and tears on. PAF research exclusively. I research all the steel alloys that compromise the pole pieces and the keeper bar, those pieces of steel are crucial to PAF tone. Some of the good sounding ones weren't alinco 5 or alnico 2 a vastly overlooked fact. I am hand making the slugs and keepers because no one sells them, the poles screws I had made to my specs in two different correct alloys to voice the neck and bridge seperately. I haven't come up with a name for the set so will be looking for ideas. I'll be posting sound samples in the ToneFreaks area here on the forum, so stay tuned. Very proud of this set and they would be perfect for an authentic old piece of wood like yours. Take care of the guitar, RESTORE it don't turn it into something it isn't......there are many talented luthiers who can fix that thing without putting new wood on it......

[plaintop]

Too bad about the carve. Looking forward to in-process shots and the ultimate completion.

[HeeBGB]

Just got an email from the man himself! We may have a winner! I like the mineral streaks!

[plaintop]

Sweet!

[GuitarGal]

Interesting~

[GuitarDean]

yeah, thats a nice board, especailly on the upper bout.