rick_here

RGGR- I've searched (& searched) but can't find anything under: "Van Halen Kramer." Got a Link? (or otherwise the thread's name/location?).....Plz, Thanx!

PS, schnarf- I'm no expert and don't even consider myself a "luthier hobbyist." Hobbyist, yes. Luthier, I'm still working on that...and will be for a long time. But, well, ummmmm.... *Tech Note* (on Wilkinson Trems). I don't have a link for you or other info offhand---thoh I'll look. I read someplace via Goooooogle at a Luthier 'Site that: Wilkinson Trems need to be "angled at 1.5 degrees" to work properly/optimally. This angle would be "toward the neck" (or otherwise to the North if you were looking at yer guitar in an "upright" postion/ like if it's on a stand). My Carvin-Kit came with the Trem-Studs drilled & all's I had to do was tap em in. (I have the original Assembly Instructions around here some place & will try to find em. But I don't recall that they (Carvin) "mentioned" this angle/ in Instructions). Looking back; this angle was "noticable" when I installed them. I think I was aware of it (back then) as I had gone over every single "spec" before I even bought the Kit...it's been 5 years now. The "angle" is visible/noticable when; I just (now) closely looked at the studs. So. I don't know if this "helps" or if you have access to tools that could "make" this correct angle for the Studs (?). I'm only a Hobbyist! rick ><>

schnarf- If yer Wilkinson is string-spaced at 2 & 1/8th inches---as I do-believe even "Wilkinson Copies" are---Yer All Set!!! I had a handy tool here to verify this: my "Carvin Bolt-On Kit" (Strat-type) guitar that has a Wilkinson Trem. I just measured the nut width; it's right at 42mm (+/- not very much at all). The 21st fret is in the neighborhood of 55.5mm. (I very carefully measured, btw). Thanx for the "lesson" (so to speak)!

GuitarMaestro- Thanks for that calculator! (But unfortunately, in my case, I'm extremely poor at any kind of math or "numbers"). Maybe I can get some help should I ever really need to use this(?)....... I mean: 1 + 1 = 11, right? (just kidding)

RGGR- Thanx, I've *noted* that. I bet that epoxy stuff they use to put on "bar tops" (used to be called "Envirotex") would work. I made a (wall) plaque with that stuff in 1974 and it's still hard as nails. Just one coat too; it's really thick & dries that way....Hmmmm. Yeah, the other body has the trem-route just as you see it. Iow, the back doesn't have the route for the springs & claw. So I'm just brainstorming about possibilities. I'm still a tad cautious about how the routing goes "against the body grain." And if I should install a trem...if it would have any effect on basically "anything." (How come I'll prolly just plug it & go hard tail). For some reason it just seems like the right thing to do. I'd still kinda like to put a Tele plate in it thoh. The newer/ not-routed body will prolly be (more or less) an LP Copy; rear-routed, 2 vols. & 2 tones. I'm just in a "dreaming" stage, I guess (???). 3 single coils?, Strat-ish pickguard?, 4-way switch (& that spare trem???). Decisions, decisions..... Guitar Wall Clocks/ my next hobby. Thanx, folks.

shakyhands- Ummmkay..... Do you really think he's that creative? In any any event; these various & sundry guitar parts could wind up being a Thing called (something like) a: "TeLesT-O-Paula-Caster"....(go figure).

Oh. You musta/maybe meant an "Ibanez RG" (???). I'm not sure what their string-spacing is....or if the Winkinson studs would easily retro-fit (without significant mods & rehabs). Anywayz....

AlGeeEater- What a moniker..... Naaaah, Rhavin could rewind the existing pups & make em Red Hot!!!

'Not sure what yer asking, Jamie.... Is this an acoustic guitar that "works thru the amp" (if you mike it/ you meant)? If it's a regular ol' "pot" (potentiometer)...they cost anywhere from about 3 to 15 bucks. You may just need a new one if that's what you "have"...if the thing's (really) "dead." But first check the pot to see if any of the soldering has become disconnected. If so, resolder it. Also, check the ground-wiring; if it's properly "grounded." Does it make any kinds of sounds when you adjust the volume? I'm not an "expert," btw, but I know ya have to have a good ground & soldering joints.

OK. How's about this? Go to a pawn shop & buy a really cheap/ trashed-out/ lame guitar. Then put new "pups" (pickups) in it and fix everything else. Adjust the neck, intonate & repaint it & what-else-have-you. If ya mess up...you've only lost a few bucks. And you've learned a lot (from yer mistakes). No? Right?

Um, didn't you mean to say "an SG Standard?" Wilkinson/ wilkinson type trems have a 2 & 1/8th inch string-spacing and, therefore, would not work on an SG without lots of dowel-plugging holes & redrilling new ones. (A thing I've never done, btw). And, if I'm not mistaken, the Wilkinsons need to be angled at 1.5 degrees (to operate "optimally"). I wouldn't "do it"...(myself). A professional luthier might agree to do it. My guess is it would be about 50-75 bucks for the job. I dunno.

New pups...would be my vote on anything more "major." And I dunno if this qualifies as a mod or not; Grolsch Beer Bottle "washers"---they hold yer strap on real good. Just slip em over the strap buttons. Another "minor mod" I plan on doing is: making pup-mounting-rings from a regular "wall outlet/switch plate" (the thing that goes around light switches & wall-plugs). I have some humbuckers that are just slightly too big for a route I'm gonna make on a Tele body....and will need "larger" pup-rings than the ones that came with em. I like the options of being able to use: wood, metal (brass/stainless) or plastic ones. The plastic ones almost exactly match that Gibson "cream" color. Also, there's nothin like a rilly good trem-setup.

RGGR- Um, yeah. That is/would be on the Basswood one. But just from the pic I think you can see what I "have." I imagine I'll have to actually get & *spec* it to see what can be done. If the neck pocket is perfectly aligned to the pup-routes I'll leave it that way (I guess? What do you think?). And may need to sand/trim down the lower left part of the body to make it "symetrical." Yep. I'm going solid-color. Prolly with Dupli-Color (color undecided) and with Dupi-Color (automotive) Clear Coat. I'm really new at all this, except in "theory" and reading lots. Anywayz.....(any other feedback/ ideas)?

And as things go...I just "won" this for $38.05 on eBay (including shipping): (It's alder/ 1 & 3/4 thick, currently at 8 lbs.) So we're talkin' a regular ol' Les Paul Copy now, I reckon. But with this body...I could experiment. ('Have an extra Strat-type tremolo & that Tele-neck). Hmmmm....for some reason I don't wanna make anything "exactly like" what anyone else has. And since this stuff's been so inexpensive, I dunno...it's ("dream on")....

Sorry about my: mega-posting but I just have to share this: Checkout: hyunsu, a korean luthier guy Dude's Awesome (and also likes Kent Armstrong pups)..........

Wow, hyunsu....if you are not a "luthier".....(Guess what?: Oh Yes, You Are)! At 56K....I'm more than happy to sit here for a half-hour while Your Awesome Work loads!!! Thanks very much!

ooops.....jch4v, ps........ Yes. The 1 & 11/16ths nut and the 2 & 1/16ths Hipshot should be AOK. One way I "tested" these specs was to go to my local music shop and actually measure some guitars (the widths, etc., while the salesguy wasn't looking)..... One "Samick" Tele-Copy was exactly the same as what we're working with. 1 & 11/16ths nut and: it had a Strat-type tremelo....string-spaced at: 2 & 1/16th. Then I went & measured a LP. Same nut size & bridge (width). The bridge pup was 2" spacing --- a perfect string-over-match ---and I'm not for sure if the neck was the same (2" spacing). It may have been 1 & 15/16ths. And I need to follow-up on this or if anyone else could help (???). The concern here is: if the neck pup would line-up OK (with my 2" Kent Armstrong). I've guessed it will be fine...but may be very slightly "smaller" than the pole-piece spread itself. Better a tad small than too big, no doubt!

jch4v- (as I'm hogging-up the thread).... Right; the Hipshot. Q: where did you "view" it? At Hipshot's site (where they have all the exact specs)? or at: Stew-Mac? There are two types of these, ya know. Both have the same basic design but one has a "thicker base." Just what one Stew-Mac has, I dunno. You'd prolly have to call em as they don't say which. StewMac's is much less expensive (same thing).... Hipshot Home Then, "Guitar Bridges" and the second from the top. (You have two "floor thicknesses" of .125 and .175, repsectively). I'd go with the lower one offhand but can't say fersure. Stew-Mac prolly sells the most "generic" (or adaptable size)....??? And, yeah, we oughta keep in touch on all-this-stuff (here seems like a good spot for it)! Re: routing for pups. Some others (here) have said things about that. What I "know" is that the rings that came with my Kent Armstrongs; the neck one is too small. Iow, part of the existing route would show if I used a Strat-type (the Hispshot) hard-tail. So, if I used a regular Tele-Style (for a 'bucker)...it would cover-that. I'll make a pup ring for the neck to solve this, I think I already mentioned. As a side-note on these KA's; the rings are "angled" and I'm not sure if I like that (???). Re: Yer choice of woods Mahogany body & neck....hmmmm......(pretty well much LesPaul-ish then). One thing about Yer Pups would be getting some that aren't "muddy" --- that have adequate mids & highs. My body's a "Musikraft" ash. I'm not sure but it sure looks like hard (baseball bat) Northern Ash. My neck's one piece hard maple. (Soon I'll have a camera to post pics, whatever)....... This isn't "my" thread. So I'll shutup now!!!

The Guy just ok'd a link & says he may drop-by: Warmoth Telecaster Project Says he's willing to answer any Q's from his email-link.

Oh yeah. The Guy put another Kent Armstrong P-90 in the bridge position...I didn't ask if he got their one specially "matched" to the neck pup, but assume he did. His Tele-Copy is all Warmoth except for the neck (which is a used Mighty Mite he got for cheap on eBay). The "Tele-Custom" style pickguard; this fella had em route it to fit the Humbucking-Bridge (there's no extra charge for that OR the regular humbucking-route at the neck). However, Warmoth doesn't guarantee a "fit" for bodies that ain't theirs. Genbloke & johnsilver- Right. That Schaller bridge was one I considered. It sure looks well-designed and has that adjustable spacing (from 1 & 29/32nds---thru---2 & 1/4). I'm prolly gonna get the Hipshot if I go Strat-type hard tail as I'm undecided to use a pickguard? or pup-rings? The Schaller would solve any string-spacing problems (a definate plus). I want to go "thru-body" as I think it might enhance overall tone. FYI (anyone); Carvin pups would solve the string-spacing dilemma as they have the "extended" (22 altogether) pole-pieces....(for what it's worth). I have Carvin's Allan Holdworth humbucker in my Bolt-on Kit (Carvin Strat-copy). It sounds ok enuf but it's hard to say what it would sound like in another body. (The Bolt-Ons are routed for 3 Humbuckers....almost a "hollow-body")!

Oops, (take two on the pic)....

This is not my guitar. It's from a web-search I did using "DIY Guitar" (I think). I found this: "Warmoth Tele Project" link and this is one of the guy's pics. I emailed him telling him I was gonna post a pic and informed him of Project Guitar should he wanna come and post the link & what have you. (I didn't link to his link as I thought he might get bombarded w/ unwanted emails). That's "his" Tele-Copy, pictured w/ a Kent Armstrong P-90 (reverse wound, humbucking size, 2" spacing) in the neck position. The bridge pup is a Carvin which the guy has since replaced. He was/is truly "amazed" at the KA P-90 sound.

I've never actually "built" a guitar. I mean, what qualifies as: "guitar-building?" I have, however, "made" a Carvin-Bolt-On (Strat-style) guitar from their kit. It was a lot of fun and is a decent looking & playing guitar (if you don't mind it's distinct "Mark Knopfler-ish" tone....which has to do with the ebony neck + the large body routing---the thing's almost a hollow-body)!!! I've heard lots of good about Saga kits. With (these kinds of) Kits, one wouldn't learn much about wiring as they're basically already wired & ready to go. You would learn about "finishing" and the basics of putting-a-guitar-together (assembly). The Carvin Instructions (for the Bolt-On) are pretty good/ clear & to the point. Stewart MacDonald catalogs are free...and I'd also recommend them (just for all the free info). Plus they have stuff ya might need! I know I (surely) have.... I'm currently stepping up my "guitar building" in my buying separate parts to "make" a more customized guitar. But this (still) wouldn't be "building" in the stricest sense of: "Luthiery." The pros do it from scratch.

PS- Pat Metheny (and) Henry Kaiser say, "Derek Bailey" Go figure....

Jeff Beck says, "Eric Clapton." I'd say "both." And would add: Mike Keneally Steve Vai Henry Kaiser and anyone else who does it right in their own genre/style.... "Anyone" can play Neil Young but: He's The Guy Who First-Did-That, see?