blackburncustomguitars

Hi, There is so much voodoo/hoodoo on this! The cover will VERY slightly attenuate the sound, but not in a bad way. C'mon guys, cut the crap here! Peace, Dave

Hi, Give me a call at (USA) 810-376-8532 and I'll walk/talk you through the process. Peace, Daave

Hi Derek, Long time, no talk. I would strongly suggest (depending what sound you are after, which will be self-eveident as to my suggestions) that you go with Seymour Duncan PhatCat P90's, Harmonic Design Vintage Plus humbuckers, or Fender Custom Shop Nocasters. Any combo of the above will also sound great, with many tonal options and pleasures awaiting! Peace, Dave

I totally agree. I've used the 510's on a number of guitars for my customers, and the customers have been unanimous in their approval. (They look cool, too.) Peace, Dave

Hi, Go to www.grizzly.com, I think that's it. Anyway, Grizzly tools has a lot of LP-style switches in several finishes and for very good prices. I've used several of them over the last year with no problems. Peace, Dave

HI, To me, it looks like Andean rosewood. I've used it before and it looked remarkably similar. I have also been wrong before....regularly, actually. Peace, Dave

Hi, Well it IS soft. Usually it doesn't tap test well. I'd pop for the extra bucks and at least go for mahogany or maple. Peace, Dave

Hi, I've built many, many guitars, solid, semi-hollow, and chambered from cherry. I haven't found that it is bright. I feel it is very good throughout the tonal range. It is an outstanding tone wood and can be used for all styles. Yes, neck wood(s) can and do make a difference, just as they do with all neck/body combos. OK, now everybody can take shots! Ha! By the way, I've used this wood for every style from jazz to metal. Peace, Dave

Hi, As usual, Lovecraft is right on the mark, which is why I usually recommend contacting the maker and describing your playing style and desired tone. When my customers contact me, it sometimes takes a while to really narrow down the many, many options, basing all decisions on the players style. Peace, Dave

Hi, Contact Jim Wagner at WCR pickups with your info of exact body woods, playing style, amp, etc. and he will fill your needs perfectly. Also, Harmonic Design Vintage Plus humbuckers and Lollar Imperials are great choices. Just put a set of the Harmonic Designs in a totally zebrawood neck-thru and they sound great! Peace, Dave

Hi, The Estey says Model 401 on it, for whatever that means. It also says 18 watts, but I highly doubt that. Peace, Dave

+1, bro. Peace, Dave

Hi, If I knew how to post pics (computer dummy that I am), I would show you a tone of wonderful-sounding guitars that are glue-lammed of from several to MANY pieces of beautiful figured woods. If you use titebond, use great wood, carefully finish with oils or nitro, the results can be outstanding. I must say that I get a little tired of so-called "experts" who say that guitars MUST be this or that way. Please, I have many pros who swear by beautiful glue-lammed bodies. Sorry if I have offended anyone. Peace, Dave

+1 Peace, Dave Whats that mean? ← I think he means that he fit the bridge at twice (or 2x) the distance from the 12th fret to nut. It confused me also at first.. lol Like Frank said, the Stew Mac Calc shows where to mount the post, or bridge screws on a particular bridge. I just always set all the adjustments as far forward as they will go, and measure from the takeoff point on the little E string bridge saddle, to the takeoff point from the nut, which is where it meets the fingerboard. The saddles will never need to be closer than the scale length, only exactly the same or more to intonate properly. I hope this makes sense. ←

Hi, Yeah, I've got a Magnatone Varsity from the early '50's and a Magnatone Estey from about 10 years later. Miked up, they sound great. Just not good for gigs. Not to mention I would never move them out of the studio. Scared of damage. I wonder if they are in any demand now. Peace, Dave

Hi, I've found that, to my eyes and experience, they are typical import quality. I've used a couple of their five-way switches and found them satisfactory. The three-way toggle switches are better and are available in a variety of finishes. Hope this helps. Peace, Dave

Hi, Hmmmmmm, a little sitent on the details, such as the origin of the pickups and those cheap-looking tuners. Of course, if you pay sweat-shop pay rates, you could make slmost anything for $1000. Peace, Dave

Hi Lovecraft, Thanks for all your effort and help. After a little patient (??!!??!) trail-and-error, I've settled on the green as hot, red+white soldered together, and black+bare to ground. At least that's what gives me the best reading on my multimeter. You can bet I'll keep notes on this one! Once again, thanks for taking the time to help me with my problem. Peace, Dave

Hi, Sorry, I'm a little dense on this. My deal is working wood and finishes. The pups have 4 wires of different colors and a stranded ground. I don't know how to do continuity, but I DO have a multimeter. Please have patience with a guy who is trying. Thanks. Peace, Dave

Hi, I have a set of Harmonic Design Vintage Plus humbuckers. I've searched everywhere, and the company is not very responsive. Can anyone give me the color code for their wires in these babies? I'm wiring to a three-way switch with no splitting or anything. My electronics guy is gone for 2 weeks. I would greatly appreciate any help, and thanks in advance. Peace, Dave

Hi, Yes the build your own clone site is Big Tone Music Brewery. Peace, Dave I have enough trouble breakin' even on assembled and tested stompboxes! Thanks, but I can't afford an opportunity like that! The profit margin is about the same as a front yard lemonade stand. If you're lookin' for kits, try build your own clone - they've got a fair selection, and they come with boards and pre-drilled boxes. Once you build a couple of kits, you'll figure it out - you can do it yourself for about what it costs the kit maker to get everything together and send it to you. Any way you look at it, it's still always cheaper to buy a mass-produced pedal than to build the same thing. The only time I'd bother to build a clone is if the pedal is an expensive booteek box with mystical powers and a price to match, or if I'm looking for something popular that's been out of production long enough for the price to become unreasonable. But that's just me - as always, YMMV... ←

Hi, Big Tone Music Brewery makes many kits of all kinds of pedals. Good quality. Peace, Dave

Hi, In my humble opinion, cherry would look cool as a fretboard, but it is WAY too soft for a fretboard. Sorry. It IS a great tone wood, however. I use a lot of it. Peace, Dave

Hi, Go to www.rsguitarworks.net and get one of their wiring upgrades. You can get the parts, including a Hovland cap or you can have them solder it for you. Look for Melodymaker stuff or any other configuration. My costomers love the stuff they do. Peace, Dave

Hi, I'd go with the 4" one. It looks better and will afford a better structure. I hope you're not planning to possibly sell this one, because it LOOKS as if it is really off cednter. Of course, it could be me...... Peace, Dave