Related Posts
Further Exploration
Picking up where we left off in the previous post, let's examine the back of this RGX521 now. First off, you'll notice the Yamaha "Super Playability Joint System." Appearance-wise, it is largely similar to the Ibanez All Access Neck Joint [AANJ]. However, the main difference is that instead of a screw/bushing combo, the neck is secured to the body via two recessed oblong metal blocks and four screws. Moving on, we see what might be the most telling feature on the back of this instrument, the silver script decal that reads "... Made by Kaohsiung Yamaha Co., Ltd. in Taiwan ..." With this, any doubts concerning the origins of this RGX521 are dispelled.
 |
| RGX521 Body - Rear View |
 |
| Super Playability Joint System |
 |
| Close-Up of Upper Block |
 |
| Kaohsiung Yamaha Decal |
The tremolo cavity cover is missing, most probably by choice. Exposed to view are the tremolo spring claw, claw ground wire, three tremolo springs, and the Takeuchi tremolo block. They've all seen better days, but should clean up nicely after a good soak and scrub. Thankfully, the control cavity cover is still in place, secured with three screws. Removing this cover reveals a shielded control cavity housing full-sized generic volume and tone pots, an Oak Grigsby five-way switch, a treble bleed circuit, Sprague Orange Drop tone cap; and generic output jack. Nothing works, by the way, courtesy of a really gnarly wiring job.
 |
| Tremolo Cavity |
 |
| Control Cavity |
 |
| Output Jack Plate |
 |
| Generic Output Jack |
The pickups and electronics have now been desoldered for further inspection. According to the original owner, none of the pickups are stock. These comprise two Korean G&B humbuckers and a generic Alnico single-coil. The humbuckers are still functioning, but the lone single-coil is as dead as a dodo. This pickup looks like something out of Stranger Things, with its messy wiring mods, haphazardly rearranged polepieces, melted bobbins, and mangled cover.
 |
| Pickups and Electronics Desoldered |
 |
| The Lone Single-Coil |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for dropping by. All comments are highly appreciated.