SX SE3 Needs Some Help | Part 2

◀ Part 1

Fretwork

At a glance, the medium jumbo nickel silver frets on this SE3 appear to be in good shape. However, closer visual inspection and checking with a fret rocker reveal numerous flat spots and high frets. This being the case, the entire length of the fretboard needs to be worked on. Yes, it's time for a full fret level and crown. Now, while I was removing the synthetic bone nut, it snapped in two. So, we'll be adding a new bone nut to the to-do list.

Broken Synthetic Bone Nut

High Frets Identified and Marked

Fretboard Taped Off

Fret Leveling in Progress

Fret Leveling Completed

Recrowning the Frets

Abrading and Polishing the Frets

Fretwork Completed

Finishing Touches

This section will not feature a detailed pictorial, and for that I apologize profusely. Anyhow, let's start with shielding matters. The toggle switch cavity has been left unshielded as it's really tight and I do not want to risk any of the lugs shorting out against the cavity wall. This leaves the control cavity and cover, which have been shielded with conductive paint and copper foil, respectively. Wiring-wise, there's only a pic of the control cavity before the pickups and output jack were installed. Besides the two new humbuckers, other upgraded components include Alpha A500K pots and a Switchcraft #11 output jack. Finally, I should mention that the owner has high hopes for his SE3, and has even provided a genuine Gibson Gear hardshell case for its comfort and protection.

Control Cavity Shielding

Testing Shielding Connectivity

Rewiring in Progress

Toggle Switch Wired In

Bridge and Tailpiece Bushings Installed

Test Fitting the New Bridge and Tailpiece

Safe and Sound in a Gibson Gear Hardshell Case

SX SE3 Needs Some Help | Part 1

Part 2 ▶

Overview

There's nothing really outstanding about the SX SE3. It's basically a typical budget-friendly LP-style featuring a solid basswood body, a bolt-on Canadian maple neck, chrome hardware, a rosewood fretboard, and two-way truss rod. Which brings us to the subject of this post, a gloss black SE3 that has seen better days. 

Someone's Messy Workspace

Bound Rosewood Fretboard

Canadian Maple Neck

Serial Number 20280235

Solid Basswood Body

Gloss Black Finish

Hardware

The hardware on this SE3 is caked with crud, grime and rust, as one would expect. A good soak and scrub should do wonders for the plastics, but all those corroded components have me worried. I expect to replace most of the screws and service the rest of the metallic components with a good dose of elbow grease, Autosol and lube. And, as rust has eaten its way into the bridge and tailpiece components; they will not be reused.

Tuning Machines

Rust Never Sleeps

Knobs, Bridge, Tailpiece and Neck Plate

Bridge and Tailpiece Bushings Removed

Replacement Bride and Tailpiece Components

Electronics

On the whole, this guitar features quality components and wiring. The pots are full sized, the three-way toggle switch isn't your typical cheapo box-type, and the output jack is secured to a sturdy metal plate. Equally impressive is the extensive use of shielded cable and heat shrink tubing. However, the overwhelming presence of tarnish and whitish salt deposits tell me that these components need to be replaced.

Output Jack and Volume Pot

Volume and Tone Pots

Three-Way Toggle Switch

Pickups

As with a typical LP-style solidbody, the SE3 sports two humbuckers. Despite their weathered appearance, both pickups are still functioning. The neck pickup DCR reads 9.9K, and the bridge, 12.7K. Corroded humbucker components include the pole pieces, chrome covers, brass base plates, springs, height adjustment screws; and mounting ring screws. Meanwhile, the creme mounting rings themselves suffer from grime, discoloration, and deep cracks. Long story short, none of these shall be retained.

Neck Pickup Base Plate

Bridge Pickup Base Plate

Side View of Both Pickups

Current Pickups - DCR as Measured

Replacement Pickups

Replacement Pickups - DCR as Measured

Epi ES-300 V-Style Hybrid | Part 3

Related Posts

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

• Listen to the Epi ES-300 V-Style Hybrid on SoundCloud

This project has finally been completed, thank goodness. The Epi ES-300 V-Style Hybrid features an overall hardware color scheme of gold, save for the volume knob and output jack. At the headstock, I've dispensed with the original disc-style string retainer for the E and B strings. In its stead, a string retainer bar has been installed. This bar provides the necessary string break angle at the nut for all six strings, and does not impede access to the truss rod adjustment socket. 'Nuff said, then. It's time to look at some pics.

Epi ES-300 V-Style Hybrid

Epi ES-300 Headstock

String Retainer Bar

Rosewood Fretboard

Legit Guitar Kits Body

Wilkinson M Series Stacked P90

Bigsby-Style Vibrato Unit

Kaynes Locking Tuners

Maple Neck

Wooden Control Cavity Cover

Snarling Tiger Neck Plate