PRSfan nym 1985
New member
Hey Guys,
I used to have a DeArmond M77T that I really miss (should never have sold her but that's another story).
Anyway I've decided to trade my PRS Santana SE in for an Italia Mondial Classic so I'm going to take my Fralin Pure PAF hb's out of my Xaviere XV550 LP semi hollow and put them in the Mondial.
Since I've been missing my DeArmond so much the pickups, the bigsby, etc I decided to possibly transform the Xaviere into a similar style instrument.
Basically my idea is to do the following mods:
1. put in a set of GFS Surf 90 pickups probably with white covers (I will try to give them an aged or creamy look). I may change vol/tone pots to a different value like 250 to get a creamier tone but we will see
2. Swap out the TOM bridge for a roller bridge (like one of these two)
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Roller-Bridge-Chrome-plated-fits-Les-Paul_p_661.html
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-Brass-Roller-Bridge-Locking-Studs-Chrome_p_866.html
3. Add a Bigsby/Bigsby licensed tremolo/tailpiece
what would you guys suggest a B70? something else (I'm on a tight budget so just bare that in mind)
4. Eventually I'd like to change out the stock tuners for either Grovers or Sperzels
I've already put a bone nut on this guitar and done extensive setup work. I know there a lot of guys that will say just leave it alone and buy a guitar with a bigsby already installed but I'd really prefer just making this guitar work as the pickups, bridge, and tailpiece would be a lot cheaper than me getting a used bigsby equipped guitar and it'd give me a fun project to do in my spare time.
Attached is a photo of the subject in question in it's current state
I used to have a DeArmond M77T that I really miss (should never have sold her but that's another story).
Anyway I've decided to trade my PRS Santana SE in for an Italia Mondial Classic so I'm going to take my Fralin Pure PAF hb's out of my Xaviere XV550 LP semi hollow and put them in the Mondial.
Since I've been missing my DeArmond so much the pickups, the bigsby, etc I decided to possibly transform the Xaviere into a similar style instrument.
Basically my idea is to do the following mods:
1. put in a set of GFS Surf 90 pickups probably with white covers (I will try to give them an aged or creamy look). I may change vol/tone pots to a different value like 250 to get a creamier tone but we will see
2. Swap out the TOM bridge for a roller bridge (like one of these two)
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Roller-Bridge-Chrome-plated-fits-Les-Paul_p_661.html
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-Brass-Roller-Bridge-Locking-Studs-Chrome_p_866.html
3. Add a Bigsby/Bigsby licensed tremolo/tailpiece
what would you guys suggest a B70? something else (I'm on a tight budget so just bare that in mind)
4. Eventually I'd like to change out the stock tuners for either Grovers or Sperzels
I've already put a bone nut on this guitar and done extensive setup work. I know there a lot of guys that will say just leave it alone and buy a guitar with a bigsby already installed but I'd really prefer just making this guitar work as the pickups, bridge, and tailpiece would be a lot cheaper than me getting a used bigsby equipped guitar and it'd give me a fun project to do in my spare time.
Attached is a photo of the subject in question in it's current state
