New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

W

will.chivers

New member
Ok, I'm the first to admit that I know nothing about guitars in technical and electronic aspects, all I know is playing, tuning, and changing strings.

Now that that's out of the road, onto my topic.

A few years ago I bought a $150 6-string Strat rip off by the name of Magnum. In its current state (unused) it sounds rubbish. Come to the present day, I'm getting more into playing guitar and performing, I would love to make my own little Frankenstein guitar to play super heavy. I've always wanted to make my own little project.

Here's what I'm thinking for specs:

-Remove the pick guard and plethora of stickers, sand it down,paint it matte black all over
-SD Blackout Phase 1's If I can route it properly and make them work because they're active pickups, or if that doesn't work, a passive equivalent of those pickups
-If possible, a Floyd Rose tremolo bridge but I'm not sure, just something that stays in tune
-New tuners because the current ones are rubbish
-Here's the heavy part (besides the Phase 1's): I would really like to put a set of heavy gauge strings meant for an 8 string guitar on it. I've seen done by Ed Pickard of the band Black Tongue and thought it was a good idea as I don't play too much lead, mostly rhythm.


That's the plan anyway. Let me know what you guys and girls think. I can't decide whether it's really worth it to be honest, its a rubbish guitar. But let me know what youse think.

Cheers,
Will
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

By the time you are done, you will have invested enough to buy a decent used guitar... and you probably won't end up with a decent guitar. If the purpose is to mess around, and you have the money, then it will have been worth it. If you expect to end up with a great guitar, its probably not going to happen.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

If you want a good player that you'll be happy with, take the money you would be investing and buy a better instrument. Prs, Gibson, Washburn, Godin, etc all make great guitars for around $500


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

nightfall said:
If you want a good player that you'll be happy with, take the money you would be investing and buy a better instrument. Prs, Gibson, Washburn, Godin, etc all make great guitars for around $500


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity...

Which "great guitars" are you referring to by Gibson, PRS, and Godin for $500??
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Well mostly epiphone is what I'm referring too, I was just listing other companies. I own numerous epiphones that have impressed me immensely.


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

GuitarDoc said:
Just out of curiosity...

Which "great guitars" are you referring to by Gibson, PRS, and Godin for $500??
Click to expand...

Gibson LPJ:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=peavey+fury&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xgibson+lpj&_nkw=gibson+lpj&_sacat=0

PRS SE Custom:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Pual-Reed-Smith-PRS-SE-Custom-24-Guitar-/171376924986?pt=Guitar&hash=item27e6dc593a

Godin Session:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GODIN-HSS-SESSION-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-OH-CANADA-/371094104677?pt=Guitar&hash=item5666eeaa65

Could do this ALL day with any respected manufacturer.

There is always the "second kind of cool" factor with modifying a unique instrument.
You could also validate spending a heap of cash on doing a project, i.e. geeking out over components.
At the end of the day, you might have high quality replacement parts, but the actual foundation of the guitar, the fret job, body-neck joint, quality of wood, tremolo unit, are all crap. It's like building a castle on a foundation made of sawdust.

Buy as good as you can afford, don't fix what isn't broken, and only make small replacements to taste or out of necessity.
 
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Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

My kind of dream is having a really heavy sounding Tele-shaped guitar, because I love Tele-shaped guitars but can't be bothered spending thousands on actual Fender's that may not be worth it for the sound I want, which heavy, HEAVY metal. Since posting the thread I've done more research and have found the LTD TE-406 BLKS (6-string) and the LTD TE-407 BLKS (7-string). I already have a Schecter Omen-7 for my seven string and don't really need another one right now but the 406 sounds enticing...
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

9unslin9er said:
Gibson LPJ:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=peavey+fury&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xgibson+lpj&_nkw=gibson+lpj&_sacat=0

PRS SE Custom:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Pual-Reed-Smith-PRS-SE-Custom-24-Guitar-/171376924986?pt=Guitar&hash=item27e6dc593a

Godin Session:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GODIN-HSS-SESSION-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-OH-CANADA-/371094104677?pt=Guitar&hash=item5666eeaa65

Could do this ALL day with any respected manufacturer.

There is always the "second kind of cool" factor with modifying a unique instrument.
You could also validate spending a heap of cash on doing a project, i.e. geeking out over components.
At the end of the day, you might have high quality replacement parts, but the actual foundation of the guitar, the fret job, body-neck joint, quality of wood, tremolo unit, are all crap. It's like building a castle on a foundation made of sawdust.

Buy as good as you can afford, don't fix what isn't broken, and only make small replacements to taste or out of necessity.
Click to expand...

There you go, my point exactly. My favorite guitars are my modded Epis. Having something that is truly you and customized is what makes a favorite. I even used to have a squier I upgraded and did a good fret job on. That turned into a great player and I made a large profit on it.


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

To add: modding is fun as hell so I condone it wholeheartedly!


Words are cheap, let your fingers do the talking
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

9unslin9er said:
Gibson LPJ:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=peavey+fury&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xgibson+lpj&_nkw=gibson+lpj&_sacat=0

PRS SE Custom:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRS-Pual-Reed-Smith-PRS-SE-Custom-24-Guitar-/171376924986?pt=Guitar&hash=item27e6dc593a

Godin Session:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GODIN-HSS-SESSION-ELECTRIC-GUITAR-OH-CANADA-/371094104677?pt=Guitar&hash=item5666eeaa65

Could do this ALL day with any respected manufacturer.
Click to expand...

At those prices I wouldn't consider those "great" guitars. Also you might have noticed that, with only a couple exceptions, the Gibsons that are close to $500 are bidding not selling prices.

At much less than those prices I would rather buy a brand new Epi LP Std Pro with their ProBucker pups already set up with p/p pots for split and end up with a much better guitar.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/epiphone-les-paul-standard-plustop-pro-electric-guitar


9unslin9er said:
There is always the "second kind of cool" factor with modifying a unique instrument.
You could also validate spending a heap of cash on doing a project, i.e. geeking out over components.
At the end of the day, you might have high quality replacement parts, but the actual foundation of the guitar, the fret job, body-neck joint, quality of wood, tremolo unit, are all crap. It's like building a castle on a foundation made of sawdust..
Click to expand...

Not so. There are many guitars with a price of around $200 or even less which are an excellent foundation to build on and definitely worth spending some time and $$ upgrading. I've been doing that a lot lately. Most of them aren't great out of the box, but I make them that way. For example: my latest acquisition is a Dean EVO which I got new for about $80. I may be lucky, but the neck and frets are much better than most Gibsons costing 30 times that. With new Duncans, pots, caps, switch, and paint it will end up looking, sounding, and playing like a guitar that cost 10 times my total investment.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Op, you want a hard hitting tele, the Jim Root and John 5 telecasters are mas forte. Or...
There's a guy selling some blackouts in the trading post for cheap. Maybe snatch those, then mount them to a pick guard and slip it onto your old, spraypainted guitar body.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

the only upside to this idea of yours is, gaining knowledge to this lack of "technical and electronic aspects" that you mentioned...I agree with the people on here who say its best just to buy a new guitar that comes closer to the specs you are after, but if you have expendable cash, doing these modifications yourself (especially on a cheap guitar) gains you VAST knowledge and will help you down the road should any light work need to be done to one of your more treasured and expensive guitars...I can say ive saved THOUSANDS doin work myself....only because I feel comfortable doing it through trial and error on cheapies
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

jon the art guy said:
Op, you want a hard hitting tele, the Jim Root and John 5 telecasters are mas forte. Or...
There's a guy selling some blackouts in the trading post for cheap. Maybe snatch those, then mount them to a pick guard and slip it onto your old, spraypainted guitar body.
Click to expand...

I have looked at both Fender and Squier editions of the Jim Root Tele which are both almost the same. One of the only difference being that the Fender version has active EMG's in it whereas the Squier has passive humbuckers.

What I failed to mention previously is that I'm only 16 so money is not exactly plentiful for me currently (after spending $500 on my Schecter). So at the moment I can't just go and drop between $750 - $2300 on a new signature Jim Root Tele, but trust me I've thought about it...
 
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Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Look for used, man. Its the 16yos who wanted a B.C. Rich and got a JR Tele that you may get a deal out of.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

I agree with the others, sell or give away the 'rubbish' guitar and buy something better. Typically you can pick up used mexican Strats or Teles for under $300. As mentioned Epiphone makes really nice guitars - certainly much better than a no-name Strat knockoff. Also I've heard Godin is really good too. Really there are many brands that have a lot to offer for not much money - especially used.

Not trying to rain your parade OP, but go with the plan you mentioned and you'll end up with at best an ok playing piece of crap, at worst a badly playing piece of crap. Save yourself the grief and buy something decent instead.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

GuitarDoc said:
At those prices I wouldn't consider those "great" guitars. Also you might have noticed that, with only a couple exceptions, the Gibsons that are close to $500 are bidding not selling prices.
Click to expand...

The LPJ is a tremendous guitar.

The PRS SE line in general is amazing.

A North American HSS Strat clone for under $400 is awesome.

These are all guitars you can buy, not even necessarily require setting up, and go to a gig. That's value.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Thank you all for the suggestions, greatly appreciated.
One thing I am worried about with buying a used Tele or Epi is putting active pickups in it.
First off, if I got a Tele second hand, I would have to reroute both the holes for the pups (I was thinking Duncan Phase 1's or EMG 81 -85 combo).
And secondly, even if I didnt have to reroute holes on say an Epi or a PRS, how in hell do you wire up the actives on a passive equipped guitar?
I've seen diagram of the wiring and my brain exploded a bit.

Either way, I think my rubbish Strat rip-off can go in the bin and I can buy something else
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

will.chivers said:
Thank you all for the suggestions, greatly appreciated.
One thing I am worried about with buying a used Tele or Epi is putting active pickups in it.
First off, if I got a Tele second hand, I would have to reroute both the holes for the pups (I was thinking Duncan Phase 1's or EMG 81 -85 combo).
And secondly, even if I didnt have to reroute holes on say an Epi or a PRS, how in hell do you wire up the actives on a passive equipped guitar?
I've seen diagram of the wiring and my brain exploded a bit.

Either way, I think my rubbish Strat rip-off can go in the bin and I can buy something else
Click to expand...


The new EMG's are plug and play with a solderless wiring system. Actives are no harder than any other pickup. The only added things are a stereo jack and a battery wire hookup. Dont let that scare you.
 
Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Will - Ignore the haters. They are mostly people too afraid toy try it themselves.
* Disclosure - I have some nice Gibsons….so I don't care if I fail at hacking a plank.
* COST is a factor, but not the only one.

Here is my critical assessment of your thoughts:

#1 Actives are easy to wire as any pickup, and cost is the same no matter what the guitar. Go ahead. I love my Duncan Blackout (see Orange guitar below).

#2 Floyd - That is a bit more effort; Lot's of work there (and cost) and potential for error. I'll suggest trying to work with a flat mounted / blocked (dive only) version of the standard trem first. Maybe work on the nut. And locking tuners if you are getting them. You can always add the floyd later - if you need it. If you are not a whammy weirdo, don't worry about it. Plenty of guys play guitars with Floyds and never use them - total waste. If you don't use it excessively, maybe no Floyd. Otherwise buying one already Floyd loaded cheap may be better.

#3 Tuners - CAN be expensive but don't have to. See above. Fit to the holes is always the issue there. KNOW what fits/doesn't. If the tuners are crap, they are crap and need replaced. But like I said - good tuners can do a lot for a standard term. I had a start (Yamaha) with a Wilkinson trem and Spertzels that locked - my VH guitar. No Floyd needed.

#4 The nut is likely to need work anyway for heavy strings. What tuning? A lower one I expect…..And a well cut/lubed nut slot will do a lot for a standard trem if you aren't all EVH/Vai on it.

As mentioned - there is a LOT to be mentioned for learning how to do this stuff, and having an axe that is truly yours and unique. There is also something to be said for NOT putting 500 dollars into a 150 dollar guitar, and still have crap. Very easy to turn a great cheap project into a money pit.

That said….


I started with a couple of these for $50:



I put some effort and another $50 into them and now I have these:








Make your dream happen Will - but be sensible about it too.
 
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Re: New custom guitar made from cheap rubbish

Ace's Dean Vendettas turned out real nice! Nice lil projects. No race just pace to make them right and what you want.

Kind of like building model kits too. If you were good at that you might be good at building a guitar out also.
 
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