Robert Irizarry

I would be thinking about the sound though too...not just the aesthetics...P-90's have a distinctive sound, but they are single coil (typically). I quite like what that Zachary guys done...

Zackary Link

But these are more like mini humbuckers with extended covers that allow for screw mounts on the side. As you say he custom makes them, but a similar effect could be devised with mini humbuckers with custom made covers or some other devious means...anyone else got some ideas on this?

pete

Custom covers certainly sound like a good way to go for the clean look. Thanks!

Thanks for the welcome!

As you can tell by my interest in the Klein and this new Kramer, I'm particularly interested in ergonomic designs. It was this interest that drove me to the idea of building a guitar. The Klein electric, for all of its pluses, is essentially unavailable. I've been on the Klein Electric group over at Yahoo for the last couple of months and there are people who have been waiting two years or more for their guitar! In addition, the proprietor has been unresponsive toward these people (by their accounts). Meanwhile, used Klein prices are around $5000! Suffice it to say, the thought has been going through my head that I should try a replica of one but that's a story for another thread.

Looks like I found a solution afterall!

Here is wiring not only for variable coil splitting but a second solution that incorporates a push/pull pot so you can have your cake and eat it too - a regular tone knob in one position and a variable coil splitter in the other.

Here's the link: Variable Coil Splitting Solution

The site also contains other wiring diagrams as well.

Your link doesn't work.

At first I wasn't sure which one you meant since I recently posted three new ones. I realize you meant the link from the original post. I just fixed it. (one too many http://)

Thanks.

Thanks Gents! That certainly points me in the right direction! I'd love hear sample sounds of this Kramer sporting its variable coil spliiters but their site is still coming together.

Parker uses earless pickups and replaces 2(?) pole piece screws with longer ones that screw into the body. Or so I've been told.

Hmm. That sounds like a cool solution as well. Cut off the ears on a conventional humbucker and use longer pole piece screws. I suppose a hardware supply catalog would be in order to find the right length and thread.

Thanks!

Rhoads (Perry Ormsby) and VDL (Alex VanderLinde) have both posted guitars here with front loading, earless pickup routes.

Thanks! I started digging around further and came across this thread - Guitar of the Month March. Scroll down to erikbojerik's submission. A cavity was rear routed and the pickups mounted through - eliminating pickup rings and pickguards in the process.

I'm still looking for Perry Ormsby's post but in the meanwhile, I looked on his site and found the guitar where I first saw this example - Ormsby Vine. Its not the best image (a bit small) but you can see a similar look. The approach, however is quite different. This image shows that the route was done in the top wood before it was glued onto the body effectively "trapping" the pickups within the body - Route in Top Wood. Its an interesting solution but you'd better be committed to the pickups! I looked at other pictures on the site and there doesn't appear to be any way to get to the pickups.

I saw someone who rear-routed their pickup cavity on here, it looked like how I think you want it to.

Sounds good! I'll dig around some more.

Thanks,

Robert Irizarry

I think he's just looking for that 'bare' look, no pickguard ( ), no rings. Not necessarily the P90 form factor or look.

I'm sure there are ways of achieving something similar with humbuckers too...time to put the thinking cap on.

Since I like the sound of P90s, I'd just go with...P90s

That's exactly it! I chose the P90 form because it doesn't have ears which means it fits snugly in its route - no pickguards, no rings, etc. (Sorry, about no pickguard - )

If I could use conventional humbuckers or preferably single coils to get this clean look I would definitely do that.

Somewhere, I saw a guitar that appeared to have the pickups mounted from the back so that all you saw from the front was the pickup and the two screws necessary to hold them in place. Has anyone seen this? (I wish I had saved the link.) I would certainly go for something like that if I could get an idea of how to approach it. I suppose I could just route out a cavity in the back of the guitar and drop them through that way...

Thanks!

Robert Irizarry

lets not talk about this please... lol

I also found lightning bolt inlays which looks pretty cool: http://www.edromanguitars.com/guitar/quick...red_229_550.jpg

Since my band is called Thunderblitz, that should make a good combo

The lightning bolts look cool and they're thematic.

BTW - it just occurred to me but the Image search function on Google.com is probably a cool way to see a bunch of different designs both guitar and un-guitar related to feed the imagination in terms of inlays. I did a couple of searches using "inlay" and "geometric design" and some really interesting stuff came back. I think I just found how I'll be wasting the next couple of hours.

Robert Irizarry

Erm...eh? 'Soapbar' means P-90 single coil, to me; there are a few humbuckers (Stacked, generally) that are designed as drop-ins for those who don't like the P-90 sound, but that's it. I've never seen 'design specs' for stacked P-90s or similar anywhere, nothing detailed. All the usual suspects make several models, stacked and regular, so I guess my question is: what is it you're after? Do you want to make your own? There are a few discussions re: stacked buckers to be found, use search, see if that helps. Also simply google for 'pickup making' and/or pickup design, and see what comes up.

I'm not looking to make my own - I simply prefer the look of a soapbar and the way it looks mounted on the guitar - I'm after its form. If and when I attempt my first build, I'd like to make use of the soapbar's shape and means of mounting. It doesn't require pickup rings and the routing conforms to its shape unlike a conventional humbucker which has ears that require routing for them. As I mentioned, I'm simply looking at the shape for its aesthetic value. The link I provided in my original post shows the look I'm after.

Obviously, this is not a critical component to a design but I tend to like clean designs and this is about as clean as it gets in terms of pickup mounting.

Thanks,

Robert Irizarry

I was looking at the Kramer Delta Wing guitar and it incorporates a variable coil splitting feature where a potentiometer gradually splits the pickup. Not knowing anything about electronics (I'm trying to learn) does anyone know how this is done? It sounds like a very cool way to get a wide range of sounds.

Thanks,

Robert Irizarry

I'm pretty sure he's talking of the Iron Cross. Which would make for some kewl looking inlays Good luck on your project and post some pics.

Actually, he's talking about the swastika - from his last post just a few above ours:

Yup, actually its the Swastika that I find really cool. But the Iron Cross looks good too. For the inlays, I'm not planning doing it myself. I'll probably just buy it custom from a company that makes custom fingerboards.

I simply cmmented on what was posted...

Robert Irizarry

I was wondering if anyone has any one can point me to information regarding pickups in the soapbar format? I'm not looking so much for the sound of the soapbar as pickups that fit the design - humbuckers, single coils etc. I've seen a few models that Dimarzio carries but are there any other manufacturers that offer their pickups in this form factor? My main interest in the format is, admittedly, aesthetic. I love the clean look of the soapbar - no pickup rings and a route that fits perfectly around the pickup. A good example can be found at Zachary Guitars Z2-T model. He makes his own but does not sell them.

Thanks,

Robert Irizarry

I love the look of the swastika aswell, but you might just get your ass kicked if you have it on your guitar and the wrong guy (or group of guys) sees it. It was actual an indian symbol for like peace and nature or something like that, then hitler put it at a tilt and there you have the most recognized symbol for hatred in the world. If you could put the swastikas in flat (edges parallel to the edges of the fretboard) you may be alright, then they'd look like block inlays from a distance.

Agreed on the ass kicking part. Symbols have power for people and while someone may think it looks "cool", it is what it is - a symbol of hatred and bigotry. There are plenty of sites out there that explain its historical background but none of that changes what it has come to represent. Given its current and obvious meaning, is its use warranted simply because it looks "cool"?

Just my .02. Other than that all the best on the project itself.

Robert Irizarry

The lighting everywhere in the house was causing a brutal glare and the can had the only good lighting available...

The extra low string is going to be a Low F#. I have to dremel out the hole in the tuner to accept the thicker gauge string.

I basically ripped off the Myung bass inlay. I saw the Yamaha Myung model at the local store down here and thought it was really cool looking. I wanted something neat on the fretboard and I wasn't too confident about doing inlays as this was my first, so I did the dot pattern. Ive got another guitar in the works now as well and I'm going to be doing something a little more complex.

It looks fantastic! Very nice work! I went back and read the previous posts and I appreciate your reasoning for the cutout at the bottom of the guitar. I find I'm most comfortable in the classical position and I appreciate your decision to follow function over form. That said, it fits the overall context of the guitar so well done!

Robert Irizarry

Hi all, I figured I'd sign up.

I am GodinSD(Daniel's) brother, Chris.

I'll see y'all around!

-Chris

Hey Chris:

I'm new to the site as well. I'm so thrilled I found out about this site. There is a wealth of information and ideas here and great people as well. I contributed within days of registering. I haven't found a better source than this. I don't know when I'll take a stab at my own project but in the meanwhile I will absorb what I can.

Robert Irizarry

Hi Everyone:

I'm new to the forum and excited to be here. It didn't take me long to realize what a great site this is - lots of great information and lots of great people.

Right now, I'm dreaming/planning of building a guitar. My main interest is in headless guitars. I'd like to take a stab at a Klein electric style guitar. My primary interest is in its great ergonomics. Despite my interest in headless guitars (I own a Hohner G2T), the Kramer Delta Wing has given me some additional food for thought. If you haven't seen it, its quite interesting - Gary Kramer Delta Wing.

While dreaming of building, I'm also trying to learn to play the guitar. - (Maybe I need to dye my hair like this guy)

Anyway, just a brief introduction and I look forward to learning from everyone!

Robert Irizarry

Getting the intonation right isn't a big deal --it's a matter of proper measurement, and there are plenty of resources to help you with that. My biggest worry was getting the neck pocket straight --that problem was solved when I discovered the joys of using a laser...

Really, the most important thing I learned was to be patient --take your time, figure out how to do what needs to be done, practice, read, etc. In the end, you're going to have a guitar that's much more satisfying to build.

Not that I'm trying to take away custom from LGM or anyone else. If you really want a pro quality guitar (especially in the finish), go to someone like LGM. If you don't mind a few warts, as long as the guitar plays properly, go down to the hardware store and start pricing tools...

Just wanted to thank you for the encouraging words. I'm new to the forum and I'm also considering taking a shot at building a guitar. I'm thinking headless - I own a Hohner headless and I've been fascinated by the Klein electric for its ergonomics. Right now, its more in the dreaming/planning stage. Fortunately, I discovered Project Guitar which has been an incredible source of information.

Rob Irizarry