AprilEthereal777

I think your guess would be spot on anyway!

I guess your guitar is actually a W, lol.

hahaha.....yep that's it, A FLYING W....it's the latest thing

I agree tim_ado, more contour would have been great however I was limited on this build with only a 6mm top.....I wasn't keen to cut into the body on the edges, although in hindsight, the contrast may have been a bonus. Oh well, that's what I love about this game, I can always pull it apart, do some mods and refinish it! After all, I only varnished it and are now geared up and acquiring the knowledge to spray a lacquer finish....thanks for the idea! It will be considered.

your V grew a wang

hahahaha....well I already have a traditional 1980's Gibson styled V and my sirname begins with W. I also like the obligatory heavy metal symbol with the hand with the 2 outer fingers up so here's my take on the V!!!

I must admit though, we do not use the word 'wang' down under so I can only guess at what you mean!

Hmmm. A couple of people have suggested it is mahogany that have seen the the timber up close. You may be right though as I am yet to experience working with mahogany so could not categorically say that this is not it. I have an Ibanez SZ720FM that is a mahogany body and maple top.....sounds very warm, not like my V.

If you or anyone can identify the timber from the pics I would really appreciate it. It is VERY porous with a lot of loose fibres, almost furry when working it. Took a lot of shellac to seal it before the finishing coats. Oh yeah the dust also smells very sweet!

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Yes I do need to improve on my control cavity covers! The cavity is spot on but getting the cover to seamlessly fit is another challenge. I'll get there

The sound straight into my Marshall JCM2000 TSL100 is somewhat bright with incredible sustain. Brightness as in plenty of treble but needs a bit more more warmth for my taste which surprised me as I expected Mahogany to be very warm sounding. When I use a Zoom G7 though the sound is absolutely sensational as the pedal adds the warmth etc.

Hi Folks,

Thought I'd share this project with everyone. I'm reasonably happy with it but I am very much learning about how much time and skill is required to create really outstanding guitars. The specs for this project:

Body: Old Mahogany 2 piece reclaimed from a mantle piece which was removed from a block of flats built in the 1920's. Very old timber but not sure what type of mahogany was used in Australia back then? I have been told Brazillian or Honduras?

Top: Bookmatched QLD Maple cap

Neck: 3 piece US Cherry outside and Walnut centre piece. Santos Rosewood fret board with paua shell dot inlays and mahogany binding

Other Stuff: A GFS loudmouth pickup with split coil available on the vol control, Wilkinson locking tuners, 22 frets, 25" scale

It is very lightweight for it's size and has a nice tone although a bit 'bright' for me. I have used 500k pots so might try 250k pots in there to warm it up a bit.

Finish is brushed on varnish , and ah yes I am now learning how to spray lacquer now that I have the gear! Also I decided on the one pickup for this axe as it will be mainly used for metal rythm stuff......not a big fan of playing acoustics on a V.

All comments most welcome. I am very much a beginner and owe a massive thank you to my good mate oztradie for his brilliant advice and incredible knowledge. And also a big thanks to all the posters here on PG! It is from PG and oztradie that I have acquired the knowledge to get this far so thanks a million

This timber in figured form is amazing and in my opinion leaves American Maple for dead in terms of appearance and figure. I am yet to discover it's tonal qualities (or lack thereof) but visually, it is amazing. I am sure the tone will be ok sittting on a blackwood body....just a matter of tweaking the electronics to get the tone you're after....here is a bookmatched tas oak/vic ash top I am working on...

Hi Ray,

Getting poor service stinks at the best of times. I am really surprised at the response you got. Did you email them pics of the lumber? I reckon I bought one of these at the same time you did....it was about $65 and was 6mm or so....I must have been lucky as mine is a stunner...I used it on a V kinda project on a reclaimed mahogany body I scored.....

I suggest sending them some photos as I have always received excellent service from this mob.

Good luck with it

Ok, got impatient, tested the neck pickup and there was no output! Will be sending that one back to GFS! New neck pickup works a treat however I now have NO sound on the middle selection.....which is the outer coils in series......back to the workbench.....

Hi Folks,

I have just 'finished' wiring up my 4th build, a guitar for a friend. I am running 2 GFS Crunchy humbuckers with a Stew Mac PRS wiring kit including the 5 way rotary dial. I have wired 2 of these kits before with great success and have triple checked my wiring job to the diagram and also checked continuity of the solders/joins. The problem I have is that when you select the switch option that is turned fully to the neck end (which I assume would be the neck bucker on it's own), the volume drops considerably when compared to the other 4 selections (which I assume all have the bridge pup contributing to the volume). All 4 options except the far right sound great, but when you select the neck end (far left turn as you view from playing position), the volume drops heaps. You can still hear it but it's not right/no where near loud enough. Pickup heights are all ok and all components are brand new.

I have searched this and other forums and haven't found any threads with a vaguely similar problem. After checking and checking and re-checking I'm at a loss! Does anyone think the neck pickup may be faulty? Maybe a faulty switch? I am relcutant to pull it all out as I don't have another switch on hand although I do have a spare neck pup that I could try. Hopefully someone has experienced this situation before and can save me some heartache.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

I have tried 2 types of Humbuckers from GFS and been very happy with both for METAL sounds and also rock, blues...you name it. I have used the FAT PAF's and the CRUNCHY PAF's.....my favourites are the CRUNCHY'S with a really nice distortion tone from the bridge bucker and great acoustic tones from the Neck bucker.......although you will need a single coil in there for a Strat....can't help you with single coils I'm sorry, but I recommend the humbuckers for sure.

Thanks Mickguard and Melvyn. Yes I have used the Stew Mac calculator before...positioning isn't a problem....you are right Melvyn, it is those simple yet very obvious factors that can catch us out. Very useful advice, much appreciated.....pencil is now being sharpened! The trem is 51mm in height exactly including top so I may be better off only recessing in 5-7mm....now I'll finish that drawing to see if I have a neck angle problem in the making...thanks once again.

Hi Folks,

Super source of information this place. This is my first topic and yes I'm a newbie although I have finished one custom strat/prs/sg/ibanez/les paul jarrah carve top on blackwood body that I am very proud of....although far from perfect! It sounds and plays super so I have a bit of clue. Second project about 2 weeks from it's first palm muted Em!!!!

My 3rd project is a custom V....Brazillian Mahogany Body with Figured QLD Maple Top....one LOUDMOUTH GFS humbucker and a Gotoh/Wilkinson tremolo, 25" scale.........

I have purchased the Stew Mac trem routing templates (including recess plate) and plan to recess that trem flush with the body and therefore allow 0 angle neck.....

I find the whole concept of trem installation quite daunting and are seeking any general tips or advice as to what to do or more importantly what NOT to do.....the Gotoh/Wilkinson trem is of the "fulcrum" variety with the trem simply slotting up against the posts...it has 4 springs.....kinda like the Gotoh/Wilkinson VS100N but with more of a wraparound effect to it....

My total body/top depth at trem rout point is 51mm...sorry no pics at this stage.....haven't figured the whole photobucket thing out yet.....let me know if pics would help and I'll spend the time.

Thanks in anticipation all you trem gurus

Yep echo all comments....this is an outstanding guitar....the first build factor just makes us mere mortals seem....well..mortal! I am lucky enough to have seen this guitar in the flesh and it looks every bit as good as the pics and probably better.......and the sound? Absolutely AWESOME cleans and monster distortion

Go on mate go for GOTM it's one of the best guitars I have seen...period....and no I'm not pumping up your tyres

Oh yeah and when you're finished 'learning' from it.....you can flick it my way ...I've then just gotta learn to play like Hendrix

Cheers,

Jon