OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

[Eren Semonik]

Hey all!
This is my second thread started on the Seymour Duncan user forums! Woop woop!

This here thread will be dedicated to a build log of the modifications that I will be making over the next month or so to my OLP MM1, purchased for $99 bucks and change at Guitar Center. The main reason why I started a thread about this is to pick the brains of all you pro luthiers out there. I'm just starting out with this kind of stuff, and I know this project requires significant modifications to the guitar that could potentially result in a total flop, so please, if you're a nay-sayer, go cry to someone else.

Anyhow, my inspiration for the project, although not exactly what I wanted to do to the guitar, is here:
http://www.halen.com/evh/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=676100
and here:
http://www.halen.com/evh/index.php?...pic&t=679389&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Here is what I am looking to do to the guitar, in order of priority:
1-Install Floyd Rose bridge (pro installation) and Kahler locking nut, will also require neck shim
2-Install killswitch and second volume pot
3-Replace stock p/ups (not currently decided on which make or model)
4-Replace tuners with Schallers or Gotohs
5-Install straplocks
6-Replace volume knobs with MXR style knobs

This project doesn't really have a set budget, but I'm looking to keep it under $400, not including the cost of the guitar.

Some pictures of the guitar:
The entire guitar (for some reason the post editor keeps rotating this image)

The body (Pretty decent looking for a picture top)

Headstock

Shot of the shoddy tremolo, model no. POS

Neck p/up and truss rod adjustment, really convenient


Sorry 'bout the fact that the damn thing is covered in dust, but I just wanted to snap a few pictures before I messed with it. If you have any sort of contributions to make, or any ideas, please feel free to express yourself, as I posted this on a forum for a reason

 

[Wolferine92]

OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Looks interesting, always a lovely guitar shape that!

Are you planning on doing it all yourself? Routing drilling etc. If so be sure to measure one, twice, three times because you cant fudge up even once!

 

[Top-L]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

I think you can do a really good job with a surface mount floyd.

I just got a cheap guitar with a Floyd Rose Special which stays in tune perfectly and sounds good when I upgraded the sustain block to brass. They are about $80 for all the hardware.

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Looks interesting, always a lovely guitar shape that!

Are you planning on doing it all yourself? Routing drilling etc. If so be sure to measure one, twice, three times because you cant fudge up even once!

It is lovely! Thanks!

Anyways, I will not be installing the bridge myself, since I can't bear to take such a large drill bit to a guitar with my little expertise, so I will have one of the guys at the shop help me out. Everything else, though, including installing p/ups, Kahler string lock (mounts behind the nut so I can retain my radius and action), neck shim, etc, will all be installed by me. Thanks for the advice though!

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

I think you can do a really good job with a surface mount floyd.

I just got a cheap guitar with a Floyd Rose Special which stays in tune perfectly and sounds good when I upgraded the sustain block to brass. They are about $80 for all the hardware.

I might go with a Special, but probably a licensed Floyd that I did some research on. It's actually the same one used in the Halen.com thread that I linked to at the top of this page. I might eventually upgrade to a Special or maybe even an Original, but this is my first build/mod, so I'll go the cheap route for now.

 

[dominus]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

I might go with a Special, but probably a licensed Floyd that I did some research on. It's actually the same one used in the Halen.com thread that I linked to at the top of this page. I might eventually upgrade to a Special or maybe even an Original, but this is my first build/mod, so I'll go the cheap route for now.

The Special is only a few dollars more than a Licensed and uses the same routing. I would skip the Licensed.

 

[B2D]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Playing devils advocate here...

For the kind of money you're talking about spending, you could spend slightly more and get a used Sterling AX40D which is a higher quality instrument, comes stock with a double-locking trem and DiMarzios, and then you'd only have to worry about the smaller extraneous personalized stuff. Plus you wouldn't risk making a mistake on the bigger mods, like the bridge. Have you looked into going that route?

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Playing devils advocate here...

For the kind of money you're talking about spending, you could spend slightly more and get a used Sterling AX40D which is a higher quality instrument, comes stock with a double-locking trem and DiMarzios, and then you'd only have to worry about the smaller extraneous personalized stuff. Plus you wouldn't risk making a mistake on the bigger mods, like the bridge. Have you looked into going that route?

Actually, I looked into buying an AX40D new! I decided to go this route because I wanted to learn a little bit more on building guitars, and to be able to apply those skills, so this is mainly an experiment, and if it turns out, I'll have a kick-ass guitar at the end of it all! I chose the OLP because of the price, and its rave reviews that it gets on Halen.com and other sites. Thanks for the input though!

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

The Special is only a few dollars more than a Licensed and uses the same routing. I would skip the Licensed.

I'm not going to be recessing the tremolo, so the routing isn't an issue, but I might consider going right up to a Special. I'll see what kind of deal I can snag, since the licensed one is only $30, and many have claimed it has outstanding stability, so it's kind of a no-brainer... The quality of the nut, which typically brings forth most tuning issues with Floyds, won't really be an issue, since I'll be using a separate Kahler string lock (these things kick ass, give them a try!) that mounts behind the original nut, so I can maintain my radius and action. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Update: This Project has not been abandoned! I will be ordering the Kahler string lock tonight (in chrome, of course!) and I will update you guys once I have it and get it installed. Happy Friday!

 

[Eren Semonik]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

I have installed the Kahler string lock, and the guitar is in the shop to have a Floyd Rose special installed. More pictures to come soon!

 

[fullbug03044]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

I have installed the Kahler string lock, and the guitar is in the shop to have a Floyd Rose special installed. More pictures to come soon!

I am about to do the same to mine. I was wondering if you would be willing to outline the steps you took (how to measure for placement, the drill bit sizes used, tips/tricks, etc.) to install your Kahler locking nut? I ask because the actual drilling is easy for me, but I am worried that I would measure incorrectly before mounting it on the head stock. Thank you.

 

[ECB]

Re: OLP MM1 Modifications: Build Log/Questions

Hi there Eren.

I'm doing a similar mod/upgrade to my Sterling SUB Ax4. Went with a FR 1000 which fits post measurement from the Licensed one. I decided on Duncans. JB Trembucker bridge/Jazz neck. (I already picked one up at a killer price).

FR locking nut already in place, but Interested in the Kahler Install.

I originally was going to recess the FR 1000 but going to explore shimming the neck with maple veneer. Do you have any experience with this? It will be new to me but I have other guitars to practice on first. I'm also curious if the OLP and the AX4 have same size neck pocket for future builds.

Thanks,
ECB