Kramers Rule

I am going to be a 1%’er and post something other than a guitar build here. I needed a multi-stand that would hold 5 guitars but I didn’t like the ones that any of the retailers had. I also just bought a house and the previous owner left one of those old console stereos. I didn’t want the stereo to go to the dump so I posted an add on Craigslist – free if you pick it up – but no one wanted it. That got me thinking… the pecan wood was in good shape and I needed a stand… Here is the before pic… it was just too large to do anything with. Also, before any of you tube enthusiast asks it was all solid state. If it had a tube amp needless to say I would have had another project on my hands! This demo took longer than I thought. When I was done I filled a small bucket with all of the wood screws. Also, a lot of it was glued together and that presented a lot of other challenges. After 4 months I finally finished. Since I shortened the length I had to re-cut the majority of the wood. I also removed the old fabric covered sides with some pieces of interior wood paneling that I stained black. I had to get the pipe and some hardware… but all of the other pieces either came from the original stereo or wood I bought at the local Re-Use store. This was a great project and I even have enough pieces left over to get a good start on a matching pedal board. Also if you can see in the before picture the two top panels… those are solid pecan. I may use one of them for a top on a guitar body. I never built a drop-top… and this may give me a good excuse to do so!

I need a stand for 5 electric guitars and I was looking for some ideas. I really don't want to get one of those foam covered tubular stands. Who out there has made a multi-stand out of wood? If you have or have any good ideas please post them. Any ideas and/or pictures would be much appreciated!

Thanks for the kind words. As far as the upside-down mounting of the bridge pickup... I mounted it how Dimebag Darrell had it in his Dean's. I am a big fan of his and I wanted to emulate his sound. I pretty much nailed it with these pickups. I don't know if the upside-down placement had anything to do with it... but like I said I am happy w/ the sound so I am not going to change a thing! I tried to find a link to the Guitar World interview where he explained why he did this but I couldn't find one. Pretty much every retailer of the pickup sites the interview. Follow this link to read why Dimebag mounted his bridge pick up upside down: http://www.musicbizness.com/bill-lawrence-...ckup-p-300.html

Thanks for the quick response!

First I want to say thanks to all those who provided guidance with my construction and part selection questions regarding this project. Every guitar I owned had a Floyd… so I wanted something different… that is why I went w/ a fixed bridge. Also, I wanted something unique but I didn’t have the time to do a scratch build so I used/modified existing parts where I could to get what I wanted. Here is the parts listing : Fender Heartfield Body: Originally it was routed for a Floyd and a HSH pickup configuration. I wanted a fixed bridge and a dual humbucker config so I made some modifications to the body to make it happen... I filled in the cavities for the trem and the single coil in the middle. Peavey Patriot Neck (I think): I had to sculpt the neck to mate w/ the AANJ joint of the body. Spirzel Tuners: I know… what is the point of having locking tuners w/ no trem? I wanted solid tuning and this is exactly what I got! Bridge: I liked a few of the older Ibanez Gibralter fixed bridges but I couldn’t find any for sale. So after an exhaustive search I concluded no one made a bridge that I liked for this guitar. I had to reach back to my high school drafting skills to sketch up a draft of what I wanted and had a machinist custom make one for me. I “borrowed” the saddles from another bridge I had laying around the house. The strings load from the back of the body. Pickguard: Again I went for something unique. I used an old one that I hacked up to make it work… when I get a chance I will get one made… probably out of anodized aluminum. Pickup Rings: I had to use over-sized ones to cover the large holes that were previously covered by the old pickguard. Electronics: I wanted something simple that would give me the sound I was looking for. I went w/ a pair of Bill Lawrence and just a volume knob and a 3 way selector for controls. Paint: I didn’t want anything fancy so I just went w/ a black matte. The white dust that is visible on the body is pick dust. Final Thoughts: This was a fun project and the guitar plays well and sounds like a beast. I just keep grabbing for the whammy bar that isn’t there!

I just finished a build and I want to post the pics but I cant figure out how to do it... If anyone can help me out it would be greatly appreciated!!!

I forgot to say thanks for the inputs... rotating the knobs back and forth mostly did the trick. It took rotating them back and forth approx 50 times for the static to go away! 98% of the static is removed. If the remaining 2% ends up driving me nuts I will buy some contact cleaner and finish the job. Thanks again!

First off... forgive me if this is not the correct forum for this topic. But this seemed the right place to seek advice for my problem. I have started playing an amp that has been sitting in my closet for the first time in many many years. It is a Fender M 80 combo. I remember liking it's sound a lot but now when I adjust the knobs to contour the sound it produces a lot of static. If you leave some knobs in certain positions it will stay staticy (is that even a real word ?!?!?) until you move the knob back to "more forgiving" position. Do you guys have any suggestions for a fix to remedy this problem? If so let me know... it would be greatly appreciated!

Without a doubt Jason Becker ranks amongst the best... it is too bad he isn't more popular than he is.

I have a set of Sperzel's they look good and are very solid... I have them mounted to the completed neck... but I can't use them yet until I finish the body! I'll let you know how I like them after I finish the build.

Here is an assortment of guitar parts for sale... visit the below link to view the auction: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...E:IT&ih=020

I posted the below question on the "I Can Help You With Your Kahler Questions" thread... but I dont think too many people are reading that thread any more... I only got one response (thanks Anti-Idiot). So here is round two, so if anyone has any experince regarding this subject, your advice will be greatly appreciated. Has anyone ever used a Kahler Trem w/ out the locking nut? I have a hard tail that I was thinking of converting w/ the flush mount trem, but I don't want to modify my neck to put a locking nut on. I already have locking tuners, so I am thinking that should be enough. What do you guys think... good idea or bad idea? I would appreciate any advice!

Has anyone ever used a Kahler Trem w/ out the locking nut? I have a hard tail that I was thinking of converting w/ the flush mount trem, but I don't want to modify my neck to put a locking nut on. I already have locking tuners, so I am thinking that should be enough. What do you guys think... good idea or bad idea? I would appreciate any advice!

Thanks for the advice... I'll mull it over for a few days to decide what is "right" for this build. I'll post the picks when I am finshed!

First off, I want to thank everyone who has provided me advice and guidance w/ my first build... it is really starting to come togather... with any luck it will be ready for July's GOTM competition! I just finished building my neck. It is maple w/ a rosewood fretboard. The frets are already installed, they just need a level and polish. What do you guys reccomend for the finish??? I am looking for something extremely low maintenance. I dont feel like applying a new coat of polish or whatever once every few weeks. Also, how would I apply the finish? Do I need to tape off the sides of the fretboard, or should that get finished as well? I keep hearing about Tru-Oil... what is that???? Thanks again.

I have an old bridge humbucker that I want to put in the neck position, but the wiring is too short. I know the technical answer to the question is that yes, you can solder extension leads to the existing wiring, but will this in anyway decrease the sound or overall output? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for the advice... I'll mull it over for a day or two then decide on a plan of attack! I'll post some pics when I finish to show you all how it came out.

I like the tuning machines and neck that I have... so I would really like to use them... hopefully w/ out modifying the headstock! I did some measuring... the tuner holes in the head stock are 10.5 MM (aaprox 0.412 in). All of the conversion bushings that I saw online are for use on 10 mm holes. If anyone knows where I could get some that are for use w/ tuner holes that measure 10.5 mm please post the link! BTW The string posts are 1/4"-diameter. It would be greatly appreciated.

My new tuning machines just came in the mail and I installed them and they are not a tight fit. I would say they are about 1/16 of an inch smaller in diameter than the hole. Will these work as is... (after I tighten the nut and screw it in of course)??? Or will having them slightly "loose" in the headstock hole kill the sustain of the guitar. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I am building a super-strat... I have all the wood work done, now I am in the process of picking what electronics that are going to go into my build. Have any of you had any experiance with the ToneStyler tone knob. Supposedly it will give you 16 different tones out of it. Here is their web site: http://www.stellartone.com Let me know if you used it and if was worth the $99. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice! I am going to install the tuners on my guitar. I'll post some pics when the guitar nears completion!

I am building a super strat w/ a fixed bridge. I know... I will use my other guitar if I get the urge to play w/ the whammy bar! I have always liked the idea of locking tuners... would it be dumb to put locking tuners on a guitar w/ out a trem system I would appreciate any feedback.

I have been working on a super-strat build for what seems like an eternity but it is finally time to paint! Here are my questions: 1) What should be the order of sand paper grits I should use after each coat of paint for the body??? Should I be using water as a lubricant for the sand paper or something else??? 2) My neck is maple w/ a rosewood fingerboard. What is an easy way to finish it??? I keep hearing about tru-oil. How is that applied? Is it durable? Do I have to re finish it with tru-oil on a regular basis. Are the cans of Nitro from Stew Mac any good? If I used nitro, what are the order of sand paper grits I shoud use? I am looking for a durable and relatively maintenance free finish. Also, do I need to tape off the fret board when I finish the neck? I am open to any suggestions! Thans for you help... and when I finish the build I promise to post some pics!

I am in the middle of a build and I was thinking of trying something new. Does anyone have any experiance w/ brass nuts??? I know they were semi-popular in the 70's and Yngwie uses them! I am looking for every way possible to increase the sustain on this guitar. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Thanks for the advice... I am going to pass on the Dimebuckers. I'll post some pics when my guitar nears completion!