Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

[drpietrzak]

Over 15 years ago I picked up a Carvin kit to learn to construct guitars. It was not perfect for sure. I had long ago parted it out with just the body and pickguard left. The various junk-caster threads here over the last few months inspired me to resurrect it. I had to get a neck as the various Warmoth ones I had were too loose. It is a 1 piece Af. Mahog. body with a triple bucker route. The pickguard is Warmoth. I had 2 Gibson BB Pro's in the drawer, and went from the sacked dual vol/tone pots to a single volume, tone and 3-way switch. The neck has a ebony board and 6100 stainless fretwire. I even reproduce teh sharpie headstock signature from day of old.

Body ...

http://drpietrzak.com/music/carvin_b.jpg

Headstock ...

http://drpietrzak.com/music/carvin_hs.jpg

Poor full guitar shot ...

http://drpietrzak.com/music/carving_f.jpg

The 15+ year old Tung oil body and newer 1 coat tinted poly neck. CTS pots, a .22 PIO cap and Gibson 3 way. I cut the nut slots and set it up pretty close. The truss rod is tweaked but it will take a couple days to settle in I would guess.

It plays way better than I remember. Nice action and the frets did not need a level. I need to fine tune the string height, and the intonation as you can tell by looking at the bridge. I have one string a little high.

I like the pups in this configuration but was not happy with them in my 05 Standard. Thank you all for your inspiration!

[SabbathFan0220]

Re: Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

I like it. I was expecting something much more thrown together when you called it a "junk guitar." Doesn't look junky at all. Nice work.

[guitarkid4143]

Re: Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

I like it. I was expecting something much more thrown together when you called it a "junk guitar." Doesn't look junky at all. Nice work.

You're right, it doesnt look like junk at all.

-gk

[drpietrzak]

Re: Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

Thanks.

I wish I had known what I had 15 years ago!

[MisterE]

Re: Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

Yep, not junky at all. A warmoth neck sounds like a good starting point.

[drpietrzak]

Re: Junk Guitar Rebuilt ...

I had Warmoth necks on it when Id di this the first time. It was what made me give up on the project and part it out initally. The Warmoth necks are about 1/16" narrower than neck pocket on the Carvin body. I used a laminate to fill the space when I did this originally. The Carvin neck drops right in and fits well. It is a very good guitar now. I have Les Paul's to do Les Paul. All I wanted - and received - here was this to sound like a great guitar. I does!