Electric Guitar Build

[Charvel1975]

I just got to thinking about maybe having a Partscaster built from an unloaded Fender, ESP LTD, Jackson or Ibanez RG guitar? Maybe a Hum, Hum mahogany Strat or Super Strat body already routed for an original floyd.

I have an old EMG-81 (non quick connect) and old SA in the neck of my Charvel Model 5FX right now. I also have a newer 85 that was in it before the 81 was put back in. The 81 for some reason just don't sound good like it used to in that guitar and I tried the 85 before that and had decent low end but the seemed like the highs got lost? I'm currently looking for a different EMG bridge pickup to match with the SA in the neck of the Charvel.

What do you think about putting the EMG 81 and 85 in the Partscaster with a 3-way blade switch and either 1 or 2 volume controls and 1 tone control. I also have an 80's black Floyd Rose Original, just the trem no lock nut.

What are your thoughts?

 

[Mincer]

Well, I prefer Duncans, but that's me. I think every player should put together one at some point. I learned a lot about how parts work together and why I like certain things and don't like others. I also figured out that no one makes exactly what I like in a guitar, so I might as well assemble it myself.

 

[Charvel1975]

Well, I prefer Duncans, but that's me. I think every player should put together one at some point. I learned a lot about how parts work together and why I like certain things and don't like others. I also figured out that no one makes exactly what I like in a guitar, so I might as well assemble it myself.

I know what you mean about the Duncans, I just don't want the EMG pickups just laying around going to waste, I'm still on the fence if I want to go to all passive pickups in the Charvel and yes I do have posts about my Charvel on other threads here and am seriously thinking of Duncans for it if I do go passive pickups.

With the electric guitar build, I would probably take the unloaded guitar somewhere to have the EMG's, wiring, pots, tuners, tremolo, etc installed and setup to E standard tuning as I'm no guitar tech and simply do not have the time between work and our band.

 

[Mincer]

Good thing about EMG, is that everything snaps together so there is no soldering. You totally could do it.

 

[Charvel1975]

Good thing about EMG, is that everything snaps together so there is no soldering. You totally could do it.

Mine are the ones you solder.

 

[Charvel1975]

Good thing about EMG, is that everything snaps together so there is no soldering. You totally could do it.

Now if I just get all new EMG's for the Charvel, bridge humbucker and neck single coil, all their pickups come with the wiring, pots and output jack from what I've seen on their site.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Well, I prefer Duncans, but that's me. I think every player should put together one at some point. I learned a lot about how parts work together and why I like certain things and don't like others. I also figured out that no one makes exactly what I like in a guitar, so I might as well assemble it myself.

Yeah, that's one of the main reasons I got started building guitars (not just assembling...even parts for assembling weren't exactly what I wanted).

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, that's one of the main reasons I got started building guitars (not just assembling...even parts for assembling weren't exactly what I wanted).

While I don't have woodworking skills, I can bolt stuff together, and I was able to build my instruments from top-shelf parts for about the same price as a good factory guitar. And I got exactly what I wanted.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Superb.

It's always painting that defeats me.

 

[GuitarDoc]

While I don't have woodworking skills, I can bolt stuff together, and I was able to build my instruments from top-shelf parts for about the same price as a good factory guitar. And I got exactly what I wanted.

That's great. I'm sure you have the skills, they just need to be developed. But if you don't plan on making guitars professionally, you're doing it the right way. And actually, that's how I got started.

Skills are one thing but it's very expensive to make guitars...you have to have lots of expensive equipment, machines and tools (band saw, table saw, miter saw, planer, jointer, drill press, drum sander, several routers and router table, fretting saws and press, too many very expensive hand tools to mention, and several spray guns and a compressor).

 

[Mincer]

Yes, I remember from my luthier friends complaining about small-operation guitar building. I get it...it ain't easy or cheap. And you never get the money you deserve- and never get that time back. My interest develops from need- I can't find any big company that makes what I like without significant mods, and it is silly to spend money on an expensive instrument that has parts you don't want.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Exactly

 

[Charvel1975]

I just got to thinking about maybe having a Partscaster built from an unloaded Fender, ESP LTD, Jackson or Ibanez RG guitar? Maybe a Hum, Hum mahogany Strat or Super Strat body already routed for an original floyd.

I have an old EMG-81 (non quick connect) and old SA in the neck of my Charvel Model 5FX right now. I also have a newer 85 that was in it before the 81 was put back in. The 81 for some reason just don't sound good like it used to in that guitar and I tried the 85 before that and had decent low end but the seemed like the highs got lost? I'm currently looking for a different EMG bridge pickup to match with the SA in the neck of the Charvel.

What do you think about putting the EMG 81 and 85 in the Partscaster with a 3-way blade switch and either 1 or 2 volume controls and 1 tone control. I also have an 80's black Floyd Rose Original, just the trem no lock nut.

What are your thoughts?

I'm looking for a complete electric guitar that just needs pickups and already routed for an original floyd Rose tremolo or even if it already has like a licensed floyd rose on it, that could be swapped out for the original floyd rose I have now.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Yes, I remember from my luthier friends complaining about small-operation guitar building. I get it...it ain't easy or cheap. And you never get the money you deserve-.

I remember once calculating (many years ago) that I was making about $2.00-3.00 an hour making guitars, and that didn't even include the cost of tools and equipment. So I just considered it a hobby that gave me emotional fulfillment.

 

[Mincer]

I remember once calculating (many years ago) that I was making about $2.00-3.00 an hour making guitars, and that didn't even include the cost of tools and equipment. So I just considered it a hobby that gave me emotional fulfillment.

That may be the best way to approach it, unless you had someone investing in the business.