Bus Bob

Well... Jemfest was a blast! The artist lineup was incredible! The lack of sleep was profound. As expected, I had a great time. It was so cool to meet all the people, or should I say "some of the people". I was just too dam busy to chat with everyone I wanted to. Good to see you again Brian. Photos are up at Jemfest.com

Yes. Congrats!! You deserve a break. It has been a long road. Now everyone seek out the Tremol-No and buy one... (When manufacturing is done and they are in stores)

Don't have many pics... The only flattering photo I have of her would probably get me banned.

We had to move a couple weeks after the surgery, so I never got any physical therapy. Drove the bus down from northern MN to Nashville with one hand. They did give me some papers explaining how to do it myself though... which I did religiously. I had a bright orange cast from mid forearm to finger tips. I'd hang it out the window while driving to keep it cool and cut down on swelling. People thought I was signaling a right turn. When you are a player, you can just never be too careful with power tools.

Hi. I'm boB. Some of you know me. Almost 49 - Drink too much - Love guitars - Married to a MILF - Been playing guitar, on & off, since age 15 - Have learned repair by default - Desire to build a custom to fit my personal needs and upgrade my present guitars. By trade I am a small studio owner that dabbles in Voice-Over, mixing and mastering. As far as building guitars, I guess I'm a wanna-be hobby builder and forced into repair and customization by great need and a lack of funds... As a guitarist I am also a wanna-be, hobby player. Time is the biggest enemy in both cases. I like this forum. With the exception of myself, it seems to attract some serious and talented people. I am here to learn whatever I can about the art of guitar building and just to rub shoulders with some old friends.

Normal fingers, but my hands are a bit larger than average. The unique feature I have is the remnants of a smashed finger. I smashed the pinky on my left hand while working on the bus. Every bone in it was broke, most crushed. The small knuckle was broke in half and part of it, along with the bone from the tip of the finger, was somewhere else in my finger. Several surgeons said they couldn't help. Finally one did, and she did a great job. It's healed now. I don't have 100 percent movement and it hurts to play, but I am playing the guitar again. I love the guitar and was quite horrified when I pulled the mangled finger out of the machinery. Now I have a slight bend in it that I didn't used to have. Not sure yet, but I think it may actually help me play some things better. If you are twisted enough, there is a post-surgery photo at the bottom of my bus page. http://homepage.mac.com/defiantbob/BobsBus/PhotoAlbum2.html

Hi Kev. I don't get on the forum as often as I would like to. Nice to read about all the positives with the Tremol-No. Send Larry over and I'll do the photo and on-line stuff with him if he wants... and I'll try my best not to be too intimidated by his abilities. I can go to him too, if that is more convenient. Whatever.

Rick, Deep Purple was my first real concert. I must have been at least 16. I drove a car load of kids to the show. Passed out behind the wheel on the way home... Nobody died. Anyway, It was the "Machine Head" tour and Rick Derringer opened. Blackmore ruled at that show. My second concert was Ted Nugent - back in the Amboy Dukes days. ZZ Top opened at that show.

"I consider myself "real lucky" to have grown-up" Me too. That aside... I am also 48 and in love with Prog Rock. I bought the first Black Sabbath album when "The Monkeys" were popular. After that my taste began to get more and more progressive. Big influences were Al DiMiola, Rush, Kansas, etc. These days I am diggin' the heavier stuff, but the Prog influence is always there. One of my all-time favorite bands... Dream Theater. I find it interesting that I seem completely unable to program simple drum patterns. Thanks to Prog Rock, I'll never write a hit song. That's probably not a bad thing.

I am a large person. The weight is no problem. The routing would be though. I will absolutely take your advice and have a pro do it. I'll settle for doing the finish and attaching the hardware and call it my own creation.

If Maple is bright sounding I need to consider it. The sound of the low b is a big issue with me. I could live with the standard Lo-Pro, but a new trem would be cool. Maybe by the time I get ready to start this Brian or someone will know how to rout it. I am getting rather excited about this. I love UVs, but have always desired more sustain and a little brighter sound. This may be my answer. I wonder how freaky it would be to use the standard UV template for the body, but make it a little thicker, like maybe Les Paul thickness? I bet those strings would really hum.

Thanks guys. Ash seems to have the properties I am looking for. A couple others have suggested it as well. I think I am going to have a body made. Let the pros do it, ya' know? I will try one myself, but not the first time. My first custom will present me with a big enough challenge just getting the neck on right. I will do the routing for the Sustainer myself. Scott, sustainiac is the only 7-string sustainer I am aware of as well. I have been asking around. Now, I wonder if I can find one of those new style Edge trems...

Houston Texas for the last 10 years. Moving to Northern Minnesota April 25... Well, leaving then. I'll officially be there May 1st.

I quit my job. Besides finally having time to play my present guitars, I am looking forward to starting work on my own custom. I want it to be like a UV or RG 7-string with a sustainer in the neck position. I will probably look for a used Ibanez 7 neck and get custom inlay done. I am lost on the type of wood to use for the body though. I want gonzo sustain and bright tone, two things that probably don't go together. Suggestions please.

The frequencies that the "Contour" knob controols do seem to affect the way the distortion sounds rather profoundly. I think its a pretty nifty knob.

Guitars: UV777PBK UV77MC Prestige RG2027 Les Paul Custom Washburn A-220 Lo Prinzi Acoustic-Hand Made Ibanez 5-string bass-forgot which model Amps: Marshall-1978 JMP-50 Watt Rivera TBR-1SL POD-Mostly used to record bass. Marshall 4X12 bottom FX: I have lots, but here’s what is dedicated to my guitar rig. Alesis Quadraverb Bad Horsie Wah Little alligator Volume DS1 Distortion Rolland EQ Digitech Whammy Pedal I don’t use any of them. I always seem to just plug straight in. I also like to record using Line 6 Amp Farm for Pro Tools. I like this plugin. I dislike the POD.

That is amazing! What an awesome axe! :o Nice geography too. Wish I was there. I tried to get a job there once. They must have hated my accent. You are a lucky bastard Simon.

Just my opinion, but I would like to see the maple top without the sunburst. I vote for no black paint on the top... Just the stain and the clear. I think it would look sweet with the binding. I suppose the headstock would look out of place then?

That rocks Patrick! I love deals! I have a Digitech like it that was given to me after it got wet in a flood. It powers up, but makes no sound. I wish I knew how to fix it.

Seems like everyone I speak to is using an Ironing Board these days. Am I the only one still using a work bench? My work bench, however, is very cluttered with bus parts these days. I may have to consider the Ironing Board.

Gabe, I think it would look sweet without a pickguard. The binding will make it classy and the extra busieness of a guard, unnessesaiy. IMO....

How many atoms did it take to make that?

I just want to reiterate that the temp of the wax is important. I have ruined a couple pups in the past. If you don’t have a thermometer, do as Brian wrote and take your time melting the wax. I used to let it sit and cool until a thin crust formed on top of the wax before dipping the pups. I think that’s a good way to gauge the temp.

The small counter-sunk, brass screws that hold the threaded plate under the saddles on some Lo Pro Edge trems, between 1998 & 99 were glued in. They will break when trying to unscrew. Soak the trem plate in Mineral Spirits for 5 minutes and they will break loose. Source-Self. Replacing the broken screws requires connections in the industry. Really obscure, as few have the glue. I was just lucky enough to run into it twice. I do not know if Mineral Spirits damages the chrome on a trem. I wouldn’t think so.

I knew a move was coming, but Ohio was a surprise to me. I know you will enjoy the extra space. Now you'll be able to use the kitchen counter to prepare food instead of re-fretting guitars. I suppose the Critters will have their own area too. I would love to come visit. Perhaps a road trip is in order some time next summer.