Body thickness question.

[Artie]

I just received a "project" Epi SG (G-310) from a forum bro, (that has a horrible paint job). (Thanks low_fi.) Here's what I'm hoping to do: I want to strip or sand the paint off, and then attach both a front and rear "cap". I want the front cap to be, maybe 1/8" of some nice wood. I was thinking walnut or spruce. Then on the rear, do the same with a 1/4" thick piece. I'm going for this basic look:

Not exact. Thats just the basic idea. Here's my question: Does adding wood in this manner add to the effective thickness of the body tonewise? I know that SG's are known for a "thin" sound. Will this impact that, or not?

Then, on a side note, would Phat Cats work good in this guitar?

Thanks all.

Artie

P.S. My "thanks" to low_fidelity2100 isn't sarcastic about the paint, (he didn't do it), but sincere about the nice deal.

 

[Artie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Just thought of another question - how do I go about pulling the inserts out that mount the bridge and tailpiece?

Thanks again.

Artie

 

[flank]

Re: Body thickness question.

i think you might get a little change in sound by adding that wood, i guess depending on what kind you add, but overall, i couldn't imagine that it would change the sound a whole whole lot, just as maple cap and non-maple cap les pauls have a different sound, but in the end, they still are both les pauls and have that same les paul tone.

oh, and p90s sure sounded good for Pete Townshend in an SG

 

[Artie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Thanks flank. Thats what I suspected. For the time being, and unless someone convinces me otherwise, I think Phat Cats it will be.

Artie

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Body thickness question.

I just received a "project" Epi SG (G-310) from a forum bro, (that has a horrible paint job). (Thanks low_fi.) Here's what I'm hoping to do: I want to strip or sand the paint off, and then attach both a front and rear "cap". I want the front cap to be, maybe 1/8" of some nice wood. I was thinking walnut or spruce. Then on the rear, do the same with a 1/4" thick piece. I'm going for this basic look:
...
Not exact. Thats just the basic idea. Here's my question: Does adding wood in this manner add to the effective thickness of the body tonewise? I know that SG's are known for a "thin" sound. Will this impact that, or not?

Not in any notable fashion.

Ißlll get to the inserts tomorrow when I´m awake

 

[Artie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Not in any notable fashion.

Ißlll get to the inserts tomorrow when I´m awake

Thanks Tim. I'll wait with "beered" breath.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Body thickness question.

There's a nice chapter in one of my Dan Erlewine's book on how to remove these inserts... I'll see if I can get a hold of the book and type some of the info here...

 

[Artie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Thanks Doc. On the other hand, I keep meaning to buy Dan's book. Perhaps I should take the plunge. I currently have three guitars in pieces.

 

[Arkitkt]

Re: Body thickness question.

Another problem that I see (don't know if it's really a problem) would be that all the routings would be 1/8" too deep after you add the "cap" on the front.

 

[Artie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Another problem that I see (don't know if it's really a problem) would be that all the routings would be 1/8" too deep after you add the "cap" on the front.

Yeah, I thought about that. I don't see any problems so far, but I may do a "mock-up" just to see if there's anything I didn't consider. It shouldn't matter that the pup holes are deep, but string alignment, as it pertains to "action", could definitely be a consideration.

It'll be a learning experience, for sure.

 

[Surgeon]

Re: Body thickness question.

Another problem that I see (don't know if it's really a problem) would be that all the routings would be 1/8" too deep after you add the "cap" on the front.

Yeah but these can be plugged easily afterwards tho...

Artie: I have 2 of his books and I learned a lot in there... good reading. There is stuff we know but these books cover a lot of bases so it's always very nice to have 'em handy...

 

[rspst14]

Re: Body thickness question.

I believe Stewart MacDonald makes a special tool for removing inserts, but Zerb might know of a way to do it that doesn't require buying stuff.

Ryan

 

[theodie]

Re: Body thickness question.

Just thought of another question - how do I go about pulling the inserts out that mount the bridge and tailpiece?

Thanks again.

Artie

You use a drill press. Get a bolt with the same size threads as the bushings, cut the heads off of them, lay the guitar on the table of the drill press, screw in bolt, clamp down guitar, chuck the chuck around the bolt, and pull up. This method pulls the bushings STRAIGHT out. It will not damage the wood or anything else.

 

[theodie]

Re: Body thickness question.

I believe Stewart MacDonald makes a special tool for removing inserts, but Zerb might know of a way to do it that doesn't require buying stuff.

Ryan

Already addressed the issue! Damn, I am good!! LMAO!

 

[Arkitkt]

Re: Body thickness question.

Yeah, I thought about that. I don't see any problems so far, but I may do a "mock-up" just to see if there's anything I didn't consider. It shouldn't matter that the pup holes are deep, but string alignment, as it pertains to "action", could definitely be a consideration.

It'll be a learning experience, for sure.

I think I would take a planer and take off the 1/8" before I glued the cap on. It would avoid potetial problems with string alignment, pot thread length, bridge post hole depth etc.

make sure you give us a report.