Talk me out of this...

[jtougas]

So, sometime last year, I bought (basically) a pile of junk off ebay: a plywood Epi Les Paul Jr, everything but the electronics. Neck's in good condition, but needs new tuners.

Not a problem, I have those. Got the rest of the electronics, too.

I've even got a Gibson P-90, should I make a body. But, I also have a pair of GFS minihumbuckers.

So. Here's what I'm thinking.

Buy an ash body blank, rout it out to fit the Epi neck, and all three pickups.

Mini at the neck and bridge, P-90 in the middle. Rat tail bridge.

2 three way LP switches. One to switch between the 2 minihbs. The other to switch between the minihbs and the P90. Then volume and tone.

 

[d1dsj]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Sounds like an awesome project, I ain't gonna talk you out of it.....I'd like to see it!

 

[nonpartisanartisan]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Don't do it.
Ok?

Starting with a blank is a pain.
Lots of work and easy to mess up.

Get the EPI spec for the neck and know what it fits (or doesn't) and shop for an existing body that would fit the neck. New GFS or used and pack route for a snug fit if you need a bit more room. Shim a little if the pocket is too wide.

Me? I'd put the P90 in the bridge, the mini in the neck.

(There is a strat with the Red Hot Chili Peppers that has a mismatched replacement neck that has a gap in the pocket - I don't think they shimmed it.)

It is more fun to assemble than to do the entire guitar body right down to the finish and you have a better chance of finding a deal. Also, if you don't like the way it plays you can sell the stock body more easily and move on to try a different body until you satisfy your itch.

... you asked and if you feel indecision and confusion my job is done....

 

[jtougas]

Talk me out of this...

Except you missed that I have two minihbs...

I also have a fairly complete workshop... Not quite complete, but I'm working on it.

It isn't the work I'm worried about - it's the choice of materials. Ash vs P90... Vs short scale neck... Rat tail bridge vs TOM + tailpiece...

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Do what makes you happy, my friend.

 

[CTN]

Re: Talk me out of this...

hell, just change the mags in the P-90s or mini-hums until it complements the ash body.

You should ask around the warmoth forum, I'm sure quite a few dudes there have done ash-body LPs and would probably be able to give you some good feedback in terms of what kinda sounds to expect and how to tailor your pickup choices/modifications to it.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Okay... one piece of good news: all of the pickups fit between the neck and the bridge.

And I just won an auction for an ash slab. :naughty:

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Instead of doing a two three way switches, use a three way switch that changes between the neck and bridge pickups and use a on off switch for the P90.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Instead of doing a two three way switches, use a three way switch that changes between the neck and bridge pickups and use a on off switch for the P90.

The reason for two Gibson style switches is I get to turn the P90 on by itself, then switch to either blended with the minihbs, or the minihbs by themselves (though I may go with Gibson style + Tele blade switch to reduce confusion).

 

[YabbleDabble]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Sounds awesome. The greater the risk of failure the greater the reward, jump in.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Talk me out of this...

The reason for two Gibson style switches is I get to turn the P90 on by itself, then switch to either blended with the minihbs, or the minihbs by themselves (though I may go with Gibson style + Tele blade switch to reduce confusion).

Or even a 5 way switch with the neck pickup on an on off switch.

 

[Dr. Vegetable]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Re: Talk me out of this...

Do what makes you happy, my friend.

You really suck at following directions!

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Talk me out of this...

NO U

 

[jtougas]

Re: Talk me out of this...

Okay... hard ash, or swamp ash?

Keep in mind, we're talking hot minihbs, and a P90...