220111
Saturday the 22nd day of January 2011
the red Scorpion eight string guitar (which has started a storm of interest in our work recently) is on my bench for the last time
a new set of strings in a more rock-friendly set of guages is installed.. tuning A-A if you’re interested..
the wiring is changed a bit as well, adding a push/push coil tap on the tone pot
the knurked brass knob is too tall to be pushed down and is ground
and then turned down to fit over the pots nut
she is finally packed in the superb Hiscox case we’re using now, and she’s off to the USA
another guitar destined for the other side of the pond is Mikes Robert Fripp slimline.. her guts are shielded
and then a start is made on fitting the bespoke wizard pickups
I prefer direct mounting the pickups and using a massive spring or two for adjustment.. this gives much more physical transfer between the pickup and the body which, for some arcane reason, actually does result in better tones from your custom guitar!
I start making the custom nut, from Hippo ivory.. one of the benefits of coming from a long line of proffesional hunters I suppose
once carved the nut is installed.. my favourite headstock is starting to look almost complete!
ebony works well when waxed..
and buffed with a loose-leaf polishing mop
:)
now, the custom tremolo is one of our earlier attempts and needs a bit of.. modernising?
the trem blocks arse is shaped to give43 it a bit more travel in the cavity
and the machine screws that hold the graph tech piezo saddles in are changed out for better looking stainless steel versions..
also I’m turning a new fixing for the trem arm.. the old screw mounted version just wasn’t high tech enough
some adjustments to the body of the tremolo
and the new push-fit mounting is in place.. though as I type this I’ve realised a few ways to make this even better.. oh well.. more next week then!
the trem arm starts out on the lathe as well
and I’m very very happy with the final result!
she is strung up with a set of 11′s.. and for the first time ever thew action is a perfect 1.5mm high at the 12th fret and there’s no buzzing!!!
time for electrickery, excess lacquer is reamed out from the control holes
and the wiring begins
a new jaqck socket is formed from the end of an ebony board
very pretty and surprisingly strong
doesn’t this top look great? the blue is growing on me again!
after the first wiring attempt, and a fault somewhere in there, I tidy it all up and have another go
while the sun shines for a change
all the wires are shortened and soldered.. I can’t wait to hear this one at full satrength, twin coil-tappable humbuckers with both piezo and MIDI options she will be a truly versatile beast!