Filling the neck pickup hole?

[metallica_tyler]

I have an Ibanez 7 String... and I would like to fill the neck pickup and the toggle selecter and just rip them out. Then I would like to sand it all down and repaint it all and once that is all done put a emg 707 in the bridge. Would this be too difficult? how much for the paint? just like a solid black color.

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

if its just gonna be black.

just get a wood block to fill cut to fit for the pickup cavity.

and a dowel the right size for the toggle selector (if its a 3way gibson style), or maybe wood filler/putty would be best for a blade style.

theres a few tutorials about how to strip a surface and refinish it.

$$ wise. I wouldn't know. Figure around $20 for parts + whats an EMG707 go for these days? 90? $110 maybe.

[metallica_tyler]

alright.. Would it matter what kind of wood I'd use to fit in the neck pickup hole? Would the wood make it sound any different? I'm assuming i'd just fit a piece in there the that I can then fit the small cracks with wood filler, etc?

Thanks.

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

well getting a piece of wood the same type thats the guitar is made out of is the best bet.

BUt i personally don't know how a different wood would sound like that when used like that.

And yeah...use woodglue/putty/filler (thats sandable and stain/paint-able) to secure it in place and make everything flush.

[metallica_tyler]

alright... and since i'll only be using one pickup instead of two should I just rip out all the cords and everything in the guitar? i'm probably gonna have a guy at my local store install the pickup.

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

if ur set on the EMG 707. It should come w/ all new electronics (exept switch, which you say u wont need)

So yeah. Pull it all out, becareful though. Cuz you may want to reuse those in another guitar or maybe sell them.

Do you know how to solder and desolder?

[metallica_tyler]

Yea I do know how to solder... but i'd rather have someone else do it like at the guitar store. I don't have soldering gun either but I wish I did. I took apart the majority of the guitar today but The only thing left is the neck which is easy, but i'm having trouble with the volume and treble knobs.. do you know how to easily get these off? I saw the tutorial on how to take them off but the whole shirt grabbing thing doesn't work one bit. hmmmmmm what do I do?

[weezerboy]

get a piece of plastic coated wire (just standard thin wire) and wrap that under the knob and then wrap around your hands and yank really hard

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

it might have a lil screw on the side. might need a tiny screwdriver (like the ones for eye glasses)

I dunno what kinda knobs u have. So either it might have the screw, and u forgot to loosen it (becareful u don't totally unscrew it...u may lose it).

Or you might just have to get some leverage some how to pop off the push on type.

[metallica_tyler]

yep I got it off.. I took some paper and a flat screwdriver and pryed it off. No damage done to the wood. Everything's removed. Now I just need the EMG and some paint. I'll post a pic when I'm done.

[metallica_tyler]

wait a few more quick questions! How would I secure the wood in? I was thinking screws and carpenter's glue.. is that alright for securing?

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

that i wouldn't know.

i wouldn't go w/ screws though, because they might show up on the finish.

[krazyderek]

try and fit it as best you can, then just press it in and keep it clamped while the wood glue dries, screw heads just make one more thing to fill

[metallica_tyler]

well I have the guitar neck off and I was thinking I could put maybe two screws in the wood. I wouldn't have to fill them in and it wouldn't be shown on the finish.

I'd put them in looking down at the guitar while it's vertical. if you know what I mean. I'm going for the Dino Cazares look on the 7 string. I'd also like to take one of my other guitars sometime and put an oil mahogany finish on there.. I think that'd look sweet.

[YDoesGodMockMeSo]

u mean screw it in from inside the neck pocket?

That should work, as long as you countersink the screwheads, so they don't interfere w/ the neck placement at all.

I think if you just make it a good snug fit, and use the right amount of glue and let it cure enough. That + the paint/laquer should keep it in place.