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Some more stuff...
Copper foil shielding:
Had to file the edge of the pickguard in front of the bridge to get it parallel. Just an aesthetic detail, but these things matter.
Last edited by Meggy; 07-25-2018 at 11:57 AM.
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07-25-2018 05:35 AM
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Nut still needs slots cutting to full depth, and final shaping, but getting close. Should have this done today - strings fitted to assist with getting the setup right.
Was hoping to avoid this, but unable to deny it needs a shim, so made one from some ash veneer I already had. Having got the guitar strung yesterday, it doesn't seem to cause any issue with the acoustic tone of the instrument anyhow.
Have changed my mind regarding the circuit I'm using, after finding this on the GuitarNutz2 forum website...
...which has necessitated drilling another hole in the scratchplate for a mini toggle (I'm not keen on push-pull pots). What I really like about the circuit is that it gives a separate 3-way "humbucker simulation mode", which will be accessible with just a flick of the mini toggle switch. It's also possible to get the neck and bridge pickups in parallel, as on a tele. I'm not massively keen on over-complicated circuits with lots of switches and options, but this one still maintains a standard strat mode (a key feature for me), and seems intuitive enough to navigate and remember easily.
I really am impatient to get hold of the pickups I ordered from Croatia now - I think I'll have everything else done and there will be a day of soldering as soon as I have them, and the guitar will be complete.
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Hej Meggy, I don´t know just how I have missed so much of your progress. Must be all the summer distractions. It is really taking form and looks very good! Your choice of PU´s sounds intriguing,( how ever did you find the PU winder?) and it will be interesting to read a written rapport. Thanks for the explicit fret work info. You are very handy! Good luck with the remainder.
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No worries and thanks Ozoro - I have a few distractions of my own to contend with, but I keep doing a bit on the build here and there, and it's amazing how it progresses. If I remember correctly, I saw the E-dis pickups advertised on ebay one time, and there was just something intriguing about them for me, and so the idea of buying some for the build came into my head. No probs re the fret work info and hope it helps, and appreciate the good luck - a bit of that is always useful!
Originally Posted by 0zoro
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Nut finally finished - may not look like it, but for me has been about the most time-consuming job on the guitar. Have been playing the guitar acoustically for a couple of days, and it's nice and resonant and lively-sounding, so I'm sure it's going to be a great instrument once the pickups are wired in...
...on the subject of which, a package arrived from Croatia this very morning
They look very good, and immaculately well made. Soldering is on for this weekend!
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Just some more pickup pics, including the nice purply-coloured plain enamel wire coils. Really very well-made and presented - very happy with the purchase, and fine value at £75 posted. E-dis pickups - give 'em a try if you're in the market for a strat set.
Soldering will start tomorrow, when I can concentrate.
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So, wiring done...
String tree (a Graphtech one) fitted...
Fingerboard cleaned and norished with a little almond oil - this has turned the rosewood noticeably darker - maybe it was a bit dry before, although it seemed OK. A bit surprising anyhow, as I've never seen quite such an effect before, and I've been using the same bottle of almond oil since the late 80s... Anyhow, it still looks good, and more like the Suhr that I originally took inspiration from, so it's fine.
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And the guitar is basically finished - I'm thinking I may treat it to a set of Gotoh locking machines before long, and also I may change the tone pot to a no-load type for a little extra zing. But pretty much done anyhow - these are just a few quickly taken shots near a window, and I'll get some better photos done when I have chance - it's bit hard to capture, but it is a very pretty guitar to look at.
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Beauty!
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Thank you very much! I took it to a jazz gig this evening, for it's first outing. It was a lot of fun to play, and although I wouldn't say it's the ideal tool for straight-ahead jazz (and was never intended to be) it can cover that nicely enough all the same, which is good. Hard to describe tones, but I am pleased with the pickups. Originally Posted by Jehu
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