How much do you think it would cost...

[projectx1106]

How much do you think it would cost to buy a Gibson Faded Flying V and slam a Floyd-Rose Original Trem in it? I've always loved the feel, sound, quality, and playability of Gibson guitars but there's one huge downfall I personally believe: THEY DO NOT SELL ANY GUITARS WITH WHAMMY BARS! Im thinking that I could just buy Gibson's faded flying V one of their cheapest guitars and have a luthier install a floyd rose whammy bar and maybe get a much nicer looking custom paint job. I don't think Les Pauls, and SG's would not look good with a whammy bar, and I like a guitar that I can go crazy with so that throws an Explorer out of the picture. I will probably also get some better pickups than the stock ones too. I've thought about obviously just buying a guitar with a whammy bar in it but I just can't find anything I like made out of Mahogany with a 24.75 inch scale. The guitar comes stock for $579.99 and I believe the Floyd Rose Original Tremolo (No licensed or copies) in chrome is $199.99 and up. Im not sure how much installation would cost since they would have to cut out the wood to install it so thats why im asking. I want to hear from people who have done something similar before or people that do this kind of thing for a living. Any feedback would be great. Pictures would help too.Thank you! :feedback:

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

a. you don't know what would be the effect on the guitar - so I would recommend avoiding it.
b. If you won't like it you can't repair it. again - don't do it.
c. It's hard to find a tech that would drill a hole for the bridge and a cavity for the springs - it would be painfully expensive.

You want to do it anyway?
a. buy a Khaler bridge - they are expensive but it would be cheaper then to rout the guitar - plus, if you don't like it you can take it off with minor damage to the guitar (screw holes).
b. Go for a Warmoth guitar - won't have a set neck but it would have more options, would be priced the same way as moding the V, have more color options and you can choose your own pups, wood, etc...

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

I would agree on a Warmoth too... honestly if a guitar comes with a fixed bridge let it stay that way. I understand the need for a tremelo..but I am sure you can look at other brands too.. dont shut ur self.. I did that too for a long time, and regret it now.

 

[lex666]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

It may be a bit of a compromise, but why not look at Jackson, BC Rich, or ESP for a V shaped guitar with a trem? I think the only thing you'd have to compromise on is the scale length...

 

[DepecheMoses]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

I would agree on a Warmoth too... honestly if a guitar comes with a fixed bridge let it stay that way. I understand the need for a tremelo..but I am sure you can look at other brands too.. dont shut ur self.. I did that too for a long time, and regret it now.

+1, on both points.

 

[sosomething]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

Guys - it's just a faded V. It's not like he wants to route a Historic for a Floyd. Cut him some slack.

---

The only issues I can think of regarding a mod like this would be:

1 - is the body of a Flying V thick enough to accommodate the tremolo block and springs of a Floyd? If not, it just isn't doable.

2 - would the drastic neck-to-body angle of a Flying V create problems with the angle / height of the trem? If so, a neck re-set is going to be more costly than it's worth for this project.

3 - would the spacing and location of the existing bridge studs cause issues when trying to install the new studs for the Floyd? If so, the existing studs could be removed and the holes doweled before installation. A good luthier would do that.

If those things don't get in your way, I say go for it. I have no idea how much it would cost, but it would definitely be cheaper than trying to get something like that custom-made from scratch.

 

[projectx1106]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

Well I have had my eye on a Jackson Rhandy Rhodes RR1 or RR3, and I don't have a problem with the whole sitting down whileplaying issue, but i've tried them before and I don't like the feel of the Jumbo frrets because they're too big for my small hands. Any other suggestions?

 

[sufferinrewind]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

Well I have had my eye on a Jackson Rhandy Rhodes RR1 or RR3, and I don't have a problem with the whole sitting down whileplaying issue, but i've tried them before and I don't like the feel of the Jumbo frrets because they're too big for my small hands. Any other suggestions?

Warmoth will make a neck for you with Fender-style small vintage frets or Gibson-style medium-jumbo frets, your choice. You can also choose the nut width, and a bunch of other things. They sell 24.75" Gibson scale conversion necks. Get one of them and buy yourself a Flying V body with a Floyd Rose trem route, and you've got what you want. It'll be a lot less expensive to go this route.

Warmoth has two different V shapes. They have the Gibson V and the Rhoads V.

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/radical.cfm?fuseaction=v
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/radical.cfm?fuseaction=v2

They also have the original Gibson Flying V headstock, and the Jackson headstock.

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=v_alternate2475
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=jackson_alternate2475

Just look around their site. I'm sure you'll find whatever you're looking for.

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/guitars.cfm

 

[projectx1106]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

Thanx for the feedback. My next guitar is definitely going to be a Warmoth. They look very professional, high end, and built like high quality instruments to your specifications. Thank you for pointing me in the direction of these badboys.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: How much do you think it would cost...

Good luck...
Just my humble opinion:
Go for the classic V body and headstockshape... the classics were sometimes made of white korina wood - it looks very cool...

Have fun!