This LTD EX-260 was brought in by its owner, MATTRA frontman Waz Ramzah. As received, it was in none too good shape. Sweat, rust, crud and grime had taken their toll on this once beautiful instrument. Right away I made a mental note to replace everything that could not be saved, and give the fretboard a through reconditioning.
As it turned out, Waz was most concerned about the electronics; specifically the pickups. He'd been gigging all this time with just the bridge EMG-81 (active), as the passive ESP neck humbucker could not work with the 25K volume and tone pots. Understandably, he'd had the neck humbucker and toggle switch grounded so as not to cause any electronic interference.
I'd watched him perform live before, and noted that he was doing quite alright with his LTD EX-260 and EHX Metal Muff; given the "heavy" music he favors. However, he'd grown weary of having "just one sound," and felt that having a working neck humbucker would expand his sonic palette.
After some serious discussion, which included cost concerns; it was decided that we swap the EMG-81 for an F-spaced DiMarzio® Crunch Lab™ (DP228FBK). A couple phone calls to my main man Hezlan at Music Bliss sealed the deal. The DP228FBK arrived via PosLaju not long after, and it was time to get to work.
The EMG-81 and its associated electronics were desoldered and packed away carefully. I wired in a new three-way toggle switch, Alpha 500K volume and tone pots, K73-16 0.022uF cap; and Switchcraft #11 mono output jack. And, as the pickup and control cavities were already shielded with conductive paint; I also added a ground lug from the back of the volume pot to the control cavity wall.
The electronics having been taken care of, it was time to address the rust, grime and crud issue. Rusty screws and springs were replaced, and the fretboard reconditioned. Meanwhile, I had to do something about the poor condition of the tune-o-matic bridge and low-E side bridge post (see pic). I decided to do some de-rusting via electrolysis (thank you, Dan Erlewine and StewMac), and was extremely pleased with the results.
Once all the hardware was reinstalled, the LTD EX-260 was strung with Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys (10-46), and set up for maximum playability. I hope to see Waz Ramzah and Mattra in action onstage once the Covid-19 pandemic blows over, and hear for myself how he utilizes his newfound tonal flexibility.
As it turned out, Waz was most concerned about the electronics; specifically the pickups. He'd been gigging all this time with just the bridge EMG-81 (active), as the passive ESP neck humbucker could not work with the 25K volume and tone pots. Understandably, he'd had the neck humbucker and toggle switch grounded so as not to cause any electronic interference.
I'd watched him perform live before, and noted that he was doing quite alright with his LTD EX-260 and EHX Metal Muff; given the "heavy" music he favors. However, he'd grown weary of having "just one sound," and felt that having a working neck humbucker would expand his sonic palette.
After some serious discussion, which included cost concerns; it was decided that we swap the EMG-81 for an F-spaced DiMarzio® Crunch Lab™ (DP228FBK). A couple phone calls to my main man Hezlan at Music Bliss sealed the deal. The DP228FBK arrived via PosLaju not long after, and it was time to get to work.
The EMG-81 and its associated electronics were desoldered and packed away carefully. I wired in a new three-way toggle switch, Alpha 500K volume and tone pots, K73-16 0.022uF cap; and Switchcraft #11 mono output jack. And, as the pickup and control cavities were already shielded with conductive paint; I also added a ground lug from the back of the volume pot to the control cavity wall.
The electronics having been taken care of, it was time to address the rust, grime and crud issue. Rusty screws and springs were replaced, and the fretboard reconditioned. Meanwhile, I had to do something about the poor condition of the tune-o-matic bridge and low-E side bridge post (see pic). I decided to do some de-rusting via electrolysis (thank you, Dan Erlewine and StewMac), and was extremely pleased with the results.
Once all the hardware was reinstalled, the LTD EX-260 was strung with Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys (10-46), and set up for maximum playability. I hope to see Waz Ramzah and Mattra in action onstage once the Covid-19 pandemic blows over, and hear for myself how he utilizes his newfound tonal flexibility.
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