NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

[astrozombie]

Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Loosen all strings to slack.

With a Q-tip, lubricate the gears on the tuners with the lubricant of your choice. I usually use something like a tiny bit of vaseline, you can even use a drop of 3 in 1 oil or something equivalent. It has to be minimal though, you don't want whatever you use all over the guitar.

carefully tighten the gear. do not put muscle into it if at first it does not move.

this should help your tuner debacle.

 

[Wattage]

Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

RIGHTEOUSNESS!!!!

btw Seymour does a pretty badass MM pickup

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Nothin wrong with the stock pickup in an early 60s Melody Maker, imo:

 

[YeRedHouseOverYonder]

Re: NGD: '63 Melody Maker goodness

Update disclaimer: Purist, look away! Lol.

So the tuners got replaced. Any tuning adjustment felt like I was going break them. I got "vintage correct" klusons. They fit right in the headstock with no mods. Even got to keep the old bushings on it. Tuning is still spot, but now I don't have to worry about busting up my hand, the tuners, or the guitar.

The bridge posts were worn the f*** out, so I got a graph tech resomax bridge. The post are 5/16" thread. The original inserts have the same thread. Went in without any hassle. Holy jebus, does this thing make the guitar ring! Unplugged, the guitar sounds louder. The top end has shifted a little due to the saddles, but it still has the perfect amount of sizzle. The sturdier design is transferring better string vibration imo. The auotlock feature on the bridge is great. Huge improvement.

Pickup is still stock. I removed the original guard to have a copy of made. The next string change will have the original guard on. No new holes have been made. The SD pickup booster came in and it solved my issue with the pickup. It's responding better to gain both on my amp and the Plexitone. Digging the tone out of the "0" (original) and "2" setting (high output humbucker).

To all the guys who are thinking hot rails or other pickup options, I salute you. I get the guitar has vintage value, but what's the point in keeping a guitar if it isn't going to be played? I'm tweaking it to my liking so I can play it. For now, I'm happy with it. I might test a hot rail in the future. Will post results in the pickup lounge if I do.

For now more guitar porn:

I did end up catching that my knobs had been reverse