Little changes that have a big impact

[playas]

Yep, that's the one.
Btw, good luck with the work.
A couple of comments...

1. From a purely practical standpoint wouldn't it be better to just remove what you need for each step to keep everything else together? i.e. just take off the neck to do fret work and replace the tuners etc. To avoid losing parts or not knowing what goes where if there's any possibility of that happening.

3. Check how the tuners are held in place, a stud offset screws etc and see if you can find what you need by way of replacement with the same attachment method. Might save you having to add more unnecessary holes.

I have some graphtech saddles & nuts.
I like them but note that the saddles will change the sound a bit.
I wouldn't bother with either unless there is actually something wrong with your current ones.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

1. From a purely practical standpoint wouldn't it be better to just remove what you need for each step to keep everything else together? i.e. just take off the neck to do fret work and replace the tuners etc. To avoid losing parts or not knowing what goes where if there's any possibility of that happening.

3. Check how the tuners are held in place, a stud offset screws etc and see if you can find what you need by way of replacement with the same attachment method. Might save you having to add more unnecessary holes.

1. Good idea, I'll do it in steps, unless I can advance on another part while one is on hold.

3. That was my goal, but I have the original machinehead from the previous neck with to diagonally oppossing hole. The problem is that I cannot find anything with this pattern, only some cheap ones from amazon... See pic below:



Does anyone know if there is a GOOD manufacturer that makes BLACK tuners with this hole pattern?

 

[playas]

I figured I'd mention the tuners in case you hadn't considered it. I haven't seen that pattern before - that doesn't mean you won't find tuners with a similar one - but you might be more likely to find tuners with one of the two that match...or may be so much hassle that it's just not worth it.

Good luck in any case.

 

[Mincer]

Hipshot tuners use a plate that might cover up any existing holes.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Hipshot tuners use a plate that might cover up any existing holes.

That's a great tip! I just saw them.

I'll see what I can get locally and online and then decide. But so far my shopping list is almost complete. I am really tempted to go all in and order everything that I need AND want...

 

[solspirit]

Even if you don't get anything to cover those holes feel comfort that it's a common thing.

 

[Mincer]

But really, there should be a standard tune footprint by now. How come there are so many?

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

But really, there should be a standard tune footprint by now. How come there are so many?

I was thinking the same. There are tuner with 2 screws likes the ones I had, and opposing screws like Fender. Then there are tuners with one screw either below, on the right or at 45 degrees. Then there are tuners with no screws but with two pins lime the sperzels…

I’ll pick the ones I like best and then refill and redrill. It’s all part of the fun!


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[Ascension]

The original Evolution bridge is going to be bright, probably brighter than you might like in that guitar, especially without a tone knob. If you like Steve Vais tone, the DiMarzio Breed works really well in basswood with an all-maple neck. Its warmer than the Evo and is more like a hot PAF with an Alnico 5 magnet. Its full and fat sounding but still has some bite when you dig in.

The Evo 2 bridge is said to be a little warmer than the original and to clean up better when you back off the guitar volume knob. I think there were good reasons for coming out with that pickup, and for changing the fretboard on the white Jem production model from ebony to rosewood.

Agreed on the Evo bieng a little harsh and bright the Evo 2 is better but still not my thing. My absolute favorite Vai pickup is the Gravity Storm. HUGE sounding alinico 5 pickup that is fat but very balanced. A pickup that I have used a couple times really cool pickup and one of only a few Dimarzios i really like.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

But really, there should be a standard tune footprint by now. How come there are so many?

It seems to me that the double pin is becoming the standard, I've seen it on different models and most Fender necks come pre-drilled like that.

I think im going for the Graph Tech RATIO locking tuners. I liked the idea of the different ratios since I first read about them, they come with the double pin design too, but they include different plates to fit most headstocks, so I may need to redrill at all.

 

[AdrianSD]

How would you compare the Gravity Storms and the Breeds? It sounds like from our brief descriptions that they might be similar.

Offtopic side note: I have the GS neck, not my thing in the neck position, not enough sparkle and clarity on the clean channel, but for some reason it sounds exceptionally well when you throw a lot of gain at it. Great as a bridge pickup, too.

 

[solspirit]

Make sure you look in the vault to see how straps affect your tone. . .

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Make sure you look in the vault to see how straps affect your tone. . .

I saw it once and was not sure if it was a joke or not... I guess I'll try with my leather, neoprene and nylon straps and see if I notice any difference...

 

[solspirit]

I saw it once and was not sure if it was a joke or not... I guess I'll try with my leather, neoprene and nylon straps and see if I notice any difference...

I was just kidding but I do think that the material may change your attitude thereby affecting how you play.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

Hello everyone! I have some updates regarding the guitar project.

The other day I went to a friend's workshop to work on the neck. Previously I had filed the fret edges and leveled and polished the frets, the change was very noticeable. At the workshop we sanded the whole neck to give it an even finished, we also sortened the headstock 4mm (3/16in) so it would fit better on the new Gator case I bought. Once it was even an clean, I applied three coats of danish clear oil (letting dry overnight between coats) and two coats of clear wood wax (also letting it dry overnight). The I rubbed the back of the neck with a rug to smother it out. The results are amazing, now it has a great touch and does not feel "cheap" anymore. I also plays and sounds great. I installed new Ernie Ball 9-46 hybrid strings on it and she was ready to go.

So, according the the initial list, this is where we are so far.

• I think it sounds a bit too high for my taste. So I'm thinking about adding a tone control? -> Nothing for now, it may have been the settings of the iPad's amp. Through a real it sounds good to me.
• Some of the machine heads are a bit stiff, and since they are the original cheaper ones, I might replace them.-> I new ones are on the way, so I will install them early next year. The older ones are really bad now...
• The neck is on bare wood and has a (strange to me) dry feel. -> Done! and with great results.
• I think, that some of the fret edges are a bit sharp. How can I smooth them out? -> Done too!
• In my opinion, it sounds well. Would she benefit from a Black TUSQ nut and/or bridge saddles? -> The old saddles are very worn out, specially the screws. So I ordered the graphtech saddled and some string tree. Since the nut is still good, and quite firmly attached to the neck I decided to leave it as it is.

So, this is it. Here are some pictures of the neck, I will upload more of the whole guitar soon!

Happy holidays!

 

[Mincer]

I am happy this project is progressing nicely! I always think a tone control is a good idea, but I am one of those players that use mine all the time. A series/parallel switch can add a thinner, clearer sound that is still humbucking. With more powerful pickups, this can sort of mimic a single coil sound, but you really have to try it to see if it is your thing. Some players like it, some don't.

 

[waltschwarzkopf]

I am happy this project is progressing nicely! I always think a tone control is a good idea, but I am one of those players that use mine all the time. A series/parallel switch can add a thinner, clearer sound that is still humbucking. With more powerful pickups, this can sort of mimic a single coil sound, but you really have to try it to see if it is your thing. Some players like it, some don't.

Thanks! I am still trying so, I may add the tone later on.
I am also considering the series/parallel switch, but I just remember that my 498T is a classic single connector pickup, so it may no be so straightforward…


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[waltschwarzkopf]

Here a few more pictures! Still the old machine head, but the new one are on the way.

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[waltschwarzkopf]

New machine heads are in!

I was able to use a column drill with a digital X-Y-Z table, so precision was 0.005 mm, amazing!

The machine heads even came with instructions and drill bit sizes to use, so they fit perfectly.

Boy, are the tight and smooth! Day and night difference with the old ones. And the different ratios really allow for a more precise tuning. And locking tuner do make it easier to string, I had forgotten all about them.

As you can see the string trees are also in, as as are the saddles (not shown). I’ll post more pictures later, but it is 99% finished. After I intonated it and adjusted the action she was playing like butter!

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[waltschwarzkopf]

I still have to test the tuning stability, since the new strings are still stretching, I’ll have to wait a couple of days. Do you have any tips for stretching out new strings? Sometimes, I tuned it 1/2-1 step higher and leave it overnight and then I go back to standard tuning.


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