Sunday, September 29, 2024

Techno RD41 Headstock Repair | Part 2

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Right then, let's get down to discussing the actual headstock repair on this Techno RD41EQ3T. I expect this to be a long-drawn-out process, no thanks to the unpredictable weather. Cutting to the chase, this guitar recently suffered a bad fall, resulting in its headstock snapping right off. 



Headless Neck - Front View

Headless Neck - Back View

Snapped-Off Headstock | Front View

Snapped-Off Headstock | Back View



During a dry run, I was able to mate the headstock and neck after careful realignment, followed by a gentle hammer tap or two. So, then, here are pics of the break and the first Titebond glue-up. The spring clamps are there to provide a little pressure while the glue cures.



Initial Glue-Up/Spring Clamps



The clamps are now off, affording us a clear view of the rejoined neck and headstock. I'm pleased to say that this initial glue-up has turned out quite nicely, with hardly any gaps to speak of. As for the cracked headstock veneer, the owner will decide if he wants a touch-up or faceplate replacement.



Post Glue-Up | Headstock Face

Post Glue-Up | Back of Headstock



To strengthen the joint, I've decided on a hardwood inlay, flat on top but with a convex bottom surface. This inlay spans the length and breadth of the break, and should provide sufficient reinforcement. To accommodate the inlay, a matching concave recess has been carved into the back of the headstock and neck. 



Hardwood Inlay

Concave Recess



The pic you see below is from this afternoon, right after the hardwood inlay was glued in and clamped in place. We'll leave the clamps on for at least 48 hours to allow the Titebond to cure completely. Stay tuned for further updates, folks.



Hardwood Inlay Glued In and Clamped


Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Squier Strat Needs Some Help

It's 10:05 am on September 20, 2024. A dad, mom, and son have traveled all the way from Pekan to join me for breakfast. Along for the ride is the son's ailing Olympic White Squier Affinity Series Stratocaster. In this video, both father and son share their thoughts on what they think is wrong with the guitar. Naturally, you'll also hear a comment here and there from yours truly.





Les and Paul in London

These two Gibson Les Pauls are having a well deserved rest after a bedroom jam session somewhere in London. Image Credit: Pie Blues



Les and Paul in London

 

Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Syed Aziq | Boss GT-100 Demo

Syed Aziq demos five custom patches on his Boss GT-100 COSM Amp Effects Processor
Syed Aziq is available for gigs and session work
Kindly call/SMS/WhatsApp 019-6615980

Signal Flow

2010 American Special Stratocaster®
Boss GT-100 INPUT Jack
Boss GT-100 L/MONO OUTPUT Jack 

Boss GT-100 Settings

Preamp A [PreA]: OFF
Preamp B [PreB]: OFF
Compressor: ON
EQ: ON 
Reverb: ON 
Delay: ON

Orange Crush 35RT Settings

Channel: Clean
Volume: 12 o'clock 
Gain: 12 o'clock
Treble: 12 o'clock
Middle: 12 o'clock
Bass: 12 o'clock
Reverb: 0





Sunday, September 22, 2024

Syed Aziq | Music Man Luke Solo

Syed Aziq solos on a Music Man Luke II BFR True Gold
Syed Aziq is available for gigs and session work
Kindly call/SMS/WhatsApp 019-6615980





Konsert Inderapura 3 Budaya Akustik Klasik Rakyat

Date: September 21, 2024
Time: 9 pm
Venue:
Auditorium Darul Makmur,
Kompleks Penyiaran Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, 
Kuantan

Main Performers:
Kombo Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan [MBK]  

Guest Musicians:
Damir Idris - Alto Sax
Chegu Farid - Guitar
Aki - Flute
Che Mat - Violin
Kurie - Percussion
Malai - Tabla
Masri - Keyboards

Image Credits:
Sheikh Khalid, Abdul Rani Ali



Konsert Inderapura 3 Budaya Poster

L-R: Rani, Sheikh, Damir, Rudy


Monday, September 16, 2024

Syed Aziq | Live Performances

Syed Aziq is available for gigs and session work
Kindly call/SMS/WhatsApp 019-6615980





Sunday, September 15, 2024

Syed Aziq | Band Rehearsals

Syed Aziq is available for gigs and session work
Kindly call/SMS/WhatsApp 019-6615980





Saturday, September 14, 2024

Syed Aziq | Solo and Group Jams

Syed Aziq is available for gigs and session work
Kindly call/SMS/WhatsApp 019-6615980





Friday, September 13, 2024

Sqoe SEST230 | Part 2

Part 1

General Information

Serial Number: SQISO02398998
Origin: China
Body Material: Basswood
Body Shape: S-Style
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane; Black

Bridge

Type: Six-Screw Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Color: Black
Tremolo Block: Zinc; Die-Cast
Tremolo Springs: Chrome



Bridge - Top View

Bridge - Front View

Bridge - Rear View

Bridge - Left Side

Bridge - Right Side

Tremolo Cavity



Pickups

Pickup Configuration: HSS
Bridge Pickup: Sqoe Ceramic Humbucker
Middle Pickup: Sqoe Ceramic Single-Coil
Neck Pickup: Sqoe Ceramic Single-Coil



HSS Pickup Configuration

Sqoe Single-Coil Neck Pickup

Sqoe Single-Coil Middle Pickup

Sqoe Bridge Humbucker



Pickup DCR Readings

Neck: 4.07K
Neck and Middle: 2.03K
Middle: 4.02K
Middle and Bridge: 3.22K
Bridge: 15.47K



DCR - Neck

DCR - Neck and Middle

DCR - Middle

DCR - Middle and Bridge

DCR - Bridge



Electronics Overview

Unshielded Pickup Cavities
Unshielded Control Cavity
Aluminum Foil Under-Pickguard Shielding
Ceramic Pickups
Three Mini Pots
Five-Position Blade Switch
Mono Output Jack



Pickguard Unscrewed

Unshielded Pickup Cavities

Unshielded Control Cavity

Underside of Pickups

Ceramic Neck Single-Coil

Ceramic Middle Single-Coil

Ceramic Bridge Humbucker

Mono Output Jack



Close-Up of Control Cavity Electronics

Y10638-XT Five-Position Blade Switch
Volume Pot
Tone Pot 1 - Neck Pickup
0.047uF Neck Pickup Tone Cap
Tone Pot 2 - Middle Pickup
0.047uF Middle Pickup Tone Cap



Mini Pots and Selector Switch

Y10638-XT Five-Position Blade Switch

Switch PCB

Volume Pot

Tone Pot 1 - Neck Pickup

Neck Pickup Tone Cap

Tone Pot 2 - Middle Pickup

Middle Pickup Tone Cap


Sqoe SEST230 | Part 1

Part 2

General Information

Serial Number: SQISO02398998
Origin: China
Body Material: Basswood
Body Shape: S-Style
Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane; Black



Sqoe SEST230 - Front View

Sqoe SEST230 - Rear View

S-Style Basswood Body

Black Gloss Polyurethane Finish



Headstock

Tuning Machines: Sqoe Die-Cast Sealed; Black 
String Retainers: Butterfly; Black 
Truss Rod: Two-Way Truss Rod
Hex Key Size: 5/32"



Headstock Face

Headstock Label

Truss Rod Access Channel

Back of Headstock

Sqoe Die-Cast Sealed Tuning Machines

Serial Number



Neck

Material: One-Piece Maple; Rift Sawn
Construction: Bolt On
Finish: Clear Satin



One-Piece Maple Neck

Middle Section of Neck

Attractive Figuring

Neck Heel - Screw Side

Neck Heel - Left Side

Neck Heel - Right Side

Neck Heel - End View

Neck Pocket



Fretboard

Material: Hardwood
Scale: 25.5"
Radius: 16"
No. of Frets: 22 
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
Inlays: Pearloid Dot
Side Dots: Pearloid
Nut: Polyphenylene Sulfide



Hardwood Fretboard

16" Fretboard Radius

Nut - Headstock Face

Nut - Fretboard Face

Nut - Left Side

Nut - Right Side

Pearloid Dot Inlays

Pearloid Side Dots



Body-Mounted Hardware

Pickguard: Three-Ply Faux Tortoiseshell
Control Knobs: S-Style; Black
Switch Tip: Black
Neck Plate: Four-Bolt Sqoe; Black 
Jack Plate: S-Style; Black
Back Plate: Single-Ply, Black
Strap Buttons: S-Style; Black



Three-Ply Faux Tortoiseshell Pickguard

Controls and Selector Switch

S-Style Jack Plate

Upper Horn Strap Button

Rear End Strap Button

Four-Bolt Sqoe Neck Plate