Current projects & plans

[Tim Plains]

Historics only.

I just made a few changes to a guitar recently and thought to ask what you all have on the workbench. Do you have a particular R you're presently modifying or plan to in the near future?

2013 R8 I've had since 2014. It got a MSSC harness and double ABR wheels from CreamTone almost right away but has otherwise sat stock ever since. The Custombuckers were great, and I didn't feel it needed any further upgrading, but I had sold a 2003 R0 this past December and had these laying around, so in they went:

Throbak SLE-101 MXV (NOS wire).
Bartlett rings.
Time Machine rhythm/treble chip.
Mojoaxe pickguard. Wrong size but I received another from Dan.

Of the five Rs I've owned with Custombuckers (sold two, swapped pickups in the other two) this has been my favourite stock guitar but Grundy's set was a noticeable improvement from the get go. I was never hung up on plastics but will admit that it does catch my eye a little more now.

 

[Tim Plains]

I'm the only guy currently tweaking?

 

[strat1701]

if I could solder worth a fuck I'd have a lot of projects going...but alas....I'm just playing them vs. modding them!

 

[pinefd]

I've got some really cool projects in the works!

But alas, they're all vintage.

So, never mind, and carry on.




Frank

 

[jenton70]

I'm about to start messing with an old '01 goldtop. I'm thinking of stripping all the parts and replacing the lot. Grovers, a set of Wizz I haven't installed yet, plastics collecting dust in my parts footlocket, and maybe a nice replacement bridge and tailpiece. Any recommendations? Just for fun, the guitar is fine but I like projects.

 

[guitarded_82]

'01 R9- Needs a fret dress (badly) and I want to go back to nylon nut. I accidentally put in the new pick-up mounting screws when I changed them last year, gotta put those back.

'10 ROG0- Going to swap out the bridge T-Tops for some BKP's. I haven't decided anything, still debating covered of uncovered zebras. Neck PU is covered/aged.

Before all that, I have a Roland VGA-8 (bedroom amp), 3 pedals and a wireless unit in need of repair.

 

[ESchmidt]

Ive got a '17 CME historic currently sent off to Andy at Badmojo Makeovers to do a Pearly Gates themed conversion. It took me quite a while to find the right historic with the right looking top and right back. I just sent it to him so it will be a few months before it is completed. I basically stripped it down to the husk and am filling it with genuine 50s parts and high-end repros. He will be refinishing, doing the holly veneer with correct silkscreen and logo, original pearly serial number, inlays, etc.--the whole nine yards so to speak. Parts list as follows:

-Bartlett back plates
-Bartlett cream pickguard
-Bartlett M-69 pickup rings
-Bartlett cellulose nitrate inlays
-Throbak aged Kluson single-line, single ring tuners
-Throbak aged PAF covers
-Crazyparts Germany cream switch selector ring
-Crazyparts Germany 1959 Gibson MOP logo
-Historic Makeovers nickel-over-brass ABR-1 posts/wheels
-Pigtail ABR-1 bridge
-ReWind Electric Low-Output PAF pickups, double cream bobbins
-1950s Gibson wide bevel truss rod cover
-1950s Gibson cream jack plate
-1950s pickguard bracket/screws
-1950s amber tip switch
-1950s Switchcraft no-logo pickup selector
-1950s Switchcraft jack
-1950s Switchcraft knurled nut washer
-1950s Gibson long anchor strap pins and buttons
-1950s Gibson wrap tailpiece
-1950s Gibson long 1.5” tailpiece studs
-1950s Centralab potentiometers (pot codes 3x134929, 1x134936)
-1950s Sprague bumblebee capacitors
-1950s Belden 2-conductor braided wire
-1950s Gibson amber bonnet knobs
-1950s Gibson knob pointers

 

[asapmaz]

Let’s see a before pic of the Pearly makeover.

 

[ESchmidt]

Let’s see a before pic of the Pearly makeover.

Before:

 

[Slater529]

Not exactly work in progress, it's one I just recently finished...

I got this 2000 R9 from a forum member last September. It was all stock, but the original '57 Classic pickups had at some point in time been removed, and then reinstalled. They sounded ok, but didn't wow me at all. The stop bar was the heavy zinc alloy variety, the ABR-1 bridge had an intermittent rattle, and the switch ring was an awful pink color.

The mods:

1. Sheptone BK pickups, unpotted, with Doyle Coils aged covers
2. Faber Aluminum stop bar with locking studs.
3. Maple Flame mod
4. Faber ABRH Bridge w/nickle plated brass saddles
5. Wizz switch ring

I love the tall/narrow frets on this guitar, and the mods turned it into a real keeper!

The completed project:

 

[Dazza]

There's a great condition early Historic LPB-3 coming my way. My thoughts are currently rummaging around in my parts drawer for pickup options. I've never been that keen on 57 Classics, though you never know, I might be surprised. But with years of playing CC/Sig Custom-buckers, Wizz, OX4 etc I doubt it.

Daz

 

[freebyrd 69]

Just got this 2001 R8 and decided to send it to my luthier for new inlays, tuner tips, pickup swap, and new RS harness. May end up doing Callaham bridge and tailpiece too, but I want to get it back first.

 

[Tim Plains]

Good stuff, all...even Frank.

 

[Dazza]

Well the LPB-3 arrived today. It's a '97 with a some pickup / wiring changes I'm uninterested in, but original parts are included. Even with that big chunk of Bigsby I'd put it maybe 9 1/2 lbs, tho somehow it feels lighter. I'm quite surprised. I expected heavier. Big comfy neck and frets.
Overall it's in great condition for a 20yr old guitar, and being black - which we all know shows every little scratch and swirl. Plays super easy, rings out loud acoustically. Not plugged in yet. Probably tomorrow. Pictures you say ? Nope. I'm not ready for that yet - we've just met. I'm still a bit confused about the stock wiring, which I'd like to do for a proper assessment first.
Hoorah for me
Daz