Upgrading my NK headless guitar

[Andyjr1515]

I like your methodology.  Looks a neat, functional result, too...

[flashriprock]

COPPER SHIELD CONTROL CAVITY

I next decided to copper shield the control cavity.  To do this, I bought the StewMac Standard Self-Adhesive Shielding Kit, which proved to be more than enough for this cavity.

[flashriprock]

[flashriprock]

I blame this next (unnecessary) step on Jeff Kiesel, specifically, his many video tours of the Kiesel Guitar factory.

On one particular video he showed how they copper shield every guitar, and then, how they tap in brass knurls to accept the backplate screws.  This way, each screw goes into a nice threaded knurl rather than directly into the wood.

I chose M3 threaded, 8mm long knurls that were 5mm in external diameter.  I matched them with 10mm long M3 screws.

 

Edited June 4, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

Here's what they looked like.

[flashriprock]

And here is the completed cavity.

[flashriprock]

NEW BACKPLATE

I really liked the copper, and decided it would be a shame to hide all that beautiful metal.  I wanted a cavity plate that would let some of that color show through.

I started with a sheet of clear polycarbonate.  You'll want it 1/16" thickness because that matches the stock plate's thickness.

Edited June 4, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

After some patient cutting and sanding, I eventually had a plate that fit.

[flashriprock]

I didn't want the cover to be crystal clear because then light scratches and swirls would show up.

To solve this, I lightly abrased the outside using fine grit sandpaper.  I set-up a guide and sanded it in a single direction, creating subtle straight lines across the entire width of the plate.

It's a little tough to see, but here's a pic.  (Note, the protective plastic film is still on it, and that film is clouding the the effect a little too).

Edited June 4, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

Here's a pic before installation.  I used excess StewMac copper shielding tape on the inside of the cover.  In this picture the cover is sitting copper-side-up.

Edited June 4, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

Finally, here's what it looks like sealed up.

[Fusion]

Wow thanks for your topic!! I signed up here just because of your topic. I bought a NK as well a month or two ago and I'm planning the following upgrades:

* replace bridge (which does NOT hold tuning well AT ALL) with Hipshot bridge (not the headpiece)

* replace pickups (which are horrible) by either an IronGear Hot Slag/Rollin Mill combo, a Entwistle HDN combo or Seymour Duncans

On sevenstring there's a thread about an NK mod as well but due to ehm... flack he received with regards to the guitar being a Strandberg copy (which it's not) that thread sort of got cut off. I PMed with that guy though and he put on the same bridge on the same guitar successfully.

I'm not technical at all (in the Netherlands we'd say "I have two left-hands") so a luthier will perform above upgrades for me.

I will follow this thread closely. Awesome stuff sir!!

 

[flashriprock]

11 hours ago, Fusion said:

Wow thanks for your topic!! I signed up here just because of your topic. I bought a NK as well a month or two ago.

Cheers @Fusion.  Pleasure to connect, and particularly with someone abroad in the Netherlands!  I was hoping others like you would find this post.  Many people who have bought the NK headless seem to like it enough to improve it, but very few have posted their project.

My build has been stalled for about a month now.  My next task will be to install new pickups.  I've had the pickups for a while now (Seymour Duncans: Distortion trembucker, Jazz neck), but I need to rout the pickup cavities to accommodate them.

Like everything else so far I will do that myself, and for the first time.  I bought a router and I sourced a professionally made routing template just for my project (a learning I'll soon share).  I received the template just this week, but I won't be able to spend time on this project for 1-2 weeks.  When I do, I'll share everything -- successes, failures, suppliers, learning.

Please chronicle your project too.  I'm very interested to see how the Hipshot bridge works for you.  You probably saw I almost chose it too, and it appears to be outstanding.  Your installation will be MUCH easier than mine.

[Fusion]

Awesomeness has clearly been bestowed upon thee my luthier. I could never even think of doing these things for the first time. I'd end up with a pile of splintered wood haha.

Not sure whether my luthier will make photos of every step, but I'll be sure to post whatever info and pictures I have here. Or would you prefer I make a separate thread of my own?

I'll order my pickups and bridge this weekend. It'll probably take a few weeks before he can fit my guitar into his schedule but I'll give a shout when I have something.

Good luck with your endeavours!!

[D_stone]

This is an inspiring build! I didn’t discover this until after I ordered a blue headless guitar from guitar163. I have messaged the seller many times to try and change or upgrade to a non-finished model like you bought. Guitar163 hasn’t responded to my inquiries. How long did it take before you recieved contact from seller guitar163 from eBay?

[D_stone]

Meant to @flashriprock my previous above post. Thanks!

[Fusion]

Hi there that S the same seller I bought mine from usually he replies within .max 3 days. 

[flashriprock]

Hi @D_stone.  I'd suggest being persistent.  I too had to email more than once sometimes, but I eventually received a response.

I consciously tried to send my inquiries during their business hours in China so my messages were fresh.  When I got a response, I'd pounce to keep the conversation going real-time.  I tried to have contiguous dialogues when possible rather than stretching them across many days.  English is a second language, and it's easy for things to get lost in translation.  I also sent pictures with arrows and highlights to help, and I wasn't afraid to keep checking after a period of time.  I got the feeling they were doing their best.

Best of luck!

[D_stone]

I appreciate the information @flashriprock. I actually was able to get in touch with the seller today and they allowed me to order the one I wanted. It will be a bit before I receive it, but that gives plenty of time to plan. I have another question regarding one of your first post that showed a 2D drawing of the guitar body. Is it hollow all the way up to the side of the bridge? I was hoping to cut it in such a way that I could change the shape of the body to look more like that of a Grote brand headless guitar. This may not be possible if the body is hollow. Once again thanks.

[flashriprock]

@D_stone, the picture you’re referring to (and pasted again here) was sent to me by guitar163 from eBay.  I could tell the body was chambered when I got it, and I requested a picture to understand where.

I can’t easily verify the illustration without poking a hole in mine, but based on the drawing I would not suggest trying to mod the body.

Edited June 23, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

For those looking to mod or custom build the NK Headless, I notice they recently started selling the guitar in a kit form now too on eBay.

Edited June 23, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

NEW PICKUPS

This topic is usually a pretty quick post.  The person drops-off their guitar to their local shop and voila -- it has new pickups!  Or, the experienced luthier glosses over the process because it's so mundane that it barely merits explanation.

My process was neither.  Because I decided to DIY this process by myself, I had to figure out a few details on my own.  I'll share the process for others who might also like to do this by themselves.

First, here's a look at the stock pickups and cavities.

[flashriprock]

Below are the dimensions of both the pickups (which are identical in size measured at their widest points) and the cavities.

Pickups (L x W x D): 67.7 mm x 37.0 mm x 16.34 mm
Cavities (L x W x D): 85 mm (widest) and 69.5 mm x 38.0 mm x 11.0 mm

Each pickup sits on a pair of black form pads to help adjust height.

Edited June 24, 2018 by flashriprock

[flashriprock]

Here's a sketch of my pickup cavity dimensions.  Notice that mine were routed about 1.25mm off from a true center line.

Edited June 24, 2018 by flashriprock

[Fusion]

On 6/24/2018 at 9:05 PM, flashriprock said:

Here's a sketch of my pickup cavity dimensions.  Notice that mine were routed about 1.25mm off from a true center line.

Any progress on your project? Following it closely hehe. I received the Hipshot bridge, but found out that one needs ball-ends as well, so if I wanted to keep the original black NK headpiece, I'd end up having to use double ball-end strings. But the problem is that these won't fit through that original headpiece. So I'll either need to go the the accompanying Hipshot headpiece (but not sure whether the head is long enough to accomodate that one at the right string angles etc), or perhaps ask my luthier to look at your solution  Thanks for pioneering man!