What The Hell??

[Redbowties88]

What the hell is this? I saw it listed on a local Facebook buy/sell group for $20 and couldn't resist. The guy I bought it from apparently was given it by his uncle years and years ago. He said he remembers it coming in a Lotus box, but had no idea if it was a lotus guitar or just the neck. I'm not sure who did the modifying but I would be willing to bet they had just as many screws loose as this guitar has. The bridge humbucker reads Gibson USA but that's the only marking I see. There doesn't appear to be any makings on the neck and middle pickups. The bridge pickup was just sitting in the pick guard not being held in by anything at all :eyecrazy:. I also have no idea what the switch is for or what the other holes in the guard are/were for.

Take a look and let me know what you think. :thanks:

 

[Ratchet]

Re: What The Hell??

Frankenstrat from hell! That's got just more brand names on it than a Nascar. Pretty cool, hope it plays nice. You gonna fix her up?

Maybe it's all Lotus and someone just stuck the Ibanez plate on there when they swapped the Gibson Pickup in. Mysterious.

 

[Demanic]

Re: What The Hell??

The toggle turns the bridge pickup parallel to itself. In effect, makes it brighter.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

The toggle turns the bridge pickup parallel to itself. In effect, makes it brighter.

Ok cool, I was figuring that if I leave it HSS I would coil split the bridge. I'll probably redo it with a push/pull pot though since I have a couple laying around.

Do you think the body is Lotus? Or perhaps Ibanez?

Also, is there any way to determine what pickups these are?

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: What The Hell??

Whoa, crazy mashup of parts there! But for $20, you scored that in the bridge pickup alone. lol

I actually like the look of the body–that has some nice grain showing.

 

[uOpt]

Re: What The Hell??

The body is from an Ibanez Roadstar II.

 

[ginormous]

Re: What The Hell??

Lotus = Asian mass-market brand. Mostly made by either Cort or Samick. Some of the good ones (a few made by Matsumoku) are coveted.

Yow, that humbucker rout looks like it was done by a kitchen knife. You can see the veneer flaking off around the edges.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

The body is from an Ibanez Roadstar II.

I was doing some searching on google images, I found a few that have similar pick guards and are SSS but it seems like just about all the Roadstar II's have a trem...

Lotus = Asian mass-market brand. Mostly made by either Cort or Samick. Some of the good ones (a few made by Matsumoku) are coveted.

Yow, that humbucker rout looks like it was done by a kitchen knife. You can see the veneer flaking off around the edges.

More like a gorilla with a chisel. Other then that though I really like the body.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

Actually I just found this one with the same bridge. I guess the guy moved the controls. Can anyone tell me if those single coils are any good? I'm probably gonna look on ebay for a new pick guard.



http://medias.audiofanzine.com/images/normal/ibanez-roadstar-ii-series-706694.jpg

EDIT: On second thought, maybe I'll leave it. It sort of gives it character. Plus I'm glad he moved the pots further away from the bridge. I pick with an open hand (bad habit) and have a tendency to accidently turn the volume pot with my pinky. The original necks are also available for around $100 but I probably won't bother with that unless there ends up being a problem with this neck.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: What The Hell??

The toggle turns the bridge pickup parallel to itself. In effect, makes it brighter.

From the pic its seems like the Middle pup is connected to the toggle.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

From the pic its seems like the Middle pup is connected to the toggle.

I'll try and get some better pics tonight or tomorrow to verify.

What do you guys think about a p-rails in the bridge? I've been looking for an excuse to get one of those.

Also of course I'm still looking for opinions on the neck/mid pickups.

 

[rgand]

Re: What The Hell??

For $20, you got a deal in parts alone. If it sounds good, it's worth putting a little more into it. I think I'd keep it as close to it is now as possible. It's nice to have a guitar you don't have to worry about. :bigok:

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: What The Hell??

Well.. you got 20 bucks worth... paint it green but some bolts in it and call it frankenstein

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

For $20, you got a deal in parts alone. If it sounds good, it's worth putting a little more into it. I think I'd keep it as close to it is now as possible. It's nice to have a guitar you don't have to worry about. :bigok:

Just about all my guitars are like that..

Well not really, but I don't think any of my guitars are worth much more then $250.

Well.. you got 20 bucks worth... paint it green but some bolts in it and call it frankenstein

Throw a SLUG in the bridge, run the output straight to the jack, and ditch the other 2 pickups and controls


Does anyone know how I can identify that Gibson Humbucker? Would be nice to know what I'm working with. Although that ay end up in my Wilshire and I may snag some p-rails for the the frankanez.

 

[uOpt]

Re: What The Hell??

I was doing some searching on google images, I found a few that have similar pick guards and are SSS but it seems like just about all the Roadstar II's have a trem...

No, that bridge is pretty common on Blazers and Roadstar IIs. It is the cheaper version of the cast brass hardtail.

 

[Kac]

Re: What The Hell??

That's pretty sweet. I'd pay $20 for that all day every day. Nice score.

 

[uOpt]

Re: What The Hell??

Too bad the pickguard is torn up. I need one of that format and would pay good dollars for it.

 

[jtougas]

Re: What The Hell??

From the pic its seems like the Middle pup is connected to the toggle.

Yup... that's a phase switch, not a tap.

Roadstar body (looks like maybe Koa veneer over alder?), Lotus Neck... neck & middle pickups may be original, try 'em out, see how you like 'em first.

 

[DeathMetalRob]

Re: What The Hell??

Well.. you got 20 bucks worth... paint it green but some bolts in it and call it frankenstein

Frank it with some cool colours..?

Looking at the switching, I'd say coil-tapping / parallel wired - not that I do that myself so, I could well be wrong there.

And for a score, you've done well there. Just replace the decayed pieces and it'll be a smart piece of kit.

 

[Redbowties88]

Re: What The Hell??

Too bad the pickguard is torn up. I need one of that format and would pay good dollars for it.

I saw a handful on ebay, probably worth keeping an eye out.

Yup... that's a phase switch, not a tap.

Roadstar body (looks like maybe Koa veneer over alder?), Lotus Neck... neck & middle pickups may be original, try 'em out, see how you like 'em first.

Frank it with some cool colours..?

Looking at the switching, I'd say coil-tapping / parallel wired - not that I do that myself so, I could well be wrong there.

And for a score, you've done well there. Just replace the decayed pieces and it'll be a smart piece of kit.

I didn't get a chance to open it back up last night and check again on the wiring, hopefully I'll have some time tonight.

I'll probably leave the body alone, It's got that "loved" feel and look. You know, like an alcoholic loves his no good cheating wife.