OLP MM1F Restoration: Part Two

Quick Links: Part One | Part Two | Part Three

In the previous post, we took a brief look at what needed to be done in order to restore this OLP MM1F to gigging condition. And so, this post outlines just that. We'll begin with the pickups, then. A brand new DiMarzio DP151 PAF Pro® (neck) and DP155 The Tone Zone® (bridge) were wired in; coil splitting enabled by an NKK (Japan) DPDT switch. 

Complementing the upgrade were an Alpha A500K pot, three-way toggle switch; and Neutrik/Rean NYS229 output jack. Gavitt® single conductor braided shield cable was used for the master volume-output jack run. Other repairs/enhancements included a thorough cleaning and lube job for the hardware and Floyd Rose-licensed trem, a new "football" jack plate, hole plugging and sealing, fret dressing; and additional trem spring.

 

 

OLP MM1F Restoration: Part One

Related Posts 
Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Howdy folks :) This post is the first of three regarding the restoration of an OLP MM1F electric guitar. Now, according to Reverb, the OLP MM1F features a "basswood body, maple neck, jumbo frets, sealed die-cast tuners, Floyd Rose-licensed tremolo, dual humbuckers, single volume knob, 3-way switch, maple fretboard; and chrome hardware." I'd like to add that truss rod adjustment is at the heel, via a "spoke wheel" nut.

Which brings us to this particular MM1F. The owner says that it had been put aside for nearly ten years and was now in a sorry state. However, as he was planning to gig again; he needed the guitar back in shape as soon as possible. A previous owner had swapped the stock "zebra" humbuckers for a pair of DiMarzios: a DP151 PAF Pro® (neck) and DP155 The Tone Zone® (bridge). He'd also wired in a DPDT toggle switch for coil splitting.

There was lots that needed to be replaced and/or fixed on this guitar. For example, the electronics were badly corroded and basically unusable. Then there was the Floyd Rose-licensed trem ~ both pivot posts were in danger of disintegrating! Besides this, the frets needed to be leveled and recrowned (fret dressing). 

There was also a gaping hole on the top horn, marking the spot where the strap button had originally been. Perhaps the saddest discovery was that only one coil of the DP151 PAF Pro® was functioning; while both coils of the DP155 The Tone Zone® were dead and buried. Well, certainly time for new pickups. That's it for this post. Thanks for checking in. Stay safe, stay healthy; and I'll see you soon :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Ibanez RGRT621DPB

Work done on today's fine specimen of Indonesian craftsmanship included hardware and electronics servicing, fretboard reconditioning; plus restring and setup. Along the way, I replaced numerous rusty screws, a missing string ferrule, all 12 saddle height hex screws; and the worn out volume and tone knobs. Thanks to Ibanez, I've managed to suss out some specs for your perusal.

Finish: Transparent Purple Burst Flat (TPF)
Neck: Wizard III 5-piece Maple/Walnut
Construction: Neck-through
Top: Poplar Burl
Body: Nyatoh
Fretboard: Jatoba/15.7" radius/24 jumbo frets/Sharktooth inlays
Bridge: Fixed/Strings-through-body
Controls: Volume/Tone/5-way switch
Neck Pickup: DiMarzio® Air Norton™ (Passive/Alnico)
Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio® The Tone Zone® (Passive/Alnico)

LTD EX-260 Gets Deactivated

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.

1991 Ibanez JEM77 BFP

This is a genuine 1991 MIJ Ibanez JEM77 BFP (Blue Floral Pattern). I'm certain it's a 1991 based on the six-digit serial number engraved into the neck plate. It still has the original blue pickups, namely a trio of DiMarzios in a HSH configuration. Unfortunately, one of the bridge humbucker's coils has shorted out internally; effectively cutting its output by half. As such, the neck humbucker is way more powerful. Now, the owner wants these pickups retained, and so I'll be isolating the broken coil from the circuit; and swapping the neck and bridge humbuckers.

The electronics are totally shot, save for the barrel output jack; which appears to be brand new. I'll be putting in Alpha 500K pots, a CRL 5-way switch, K40Y-9 tone cap; and Gavitt wire. The over-sized black machine screws someone had used to secure the pickguard and cavity covers will be replaced with ones of a more suitable size. This means that I'll have to plug the old screw holes and drill new ones, but it's all part of the job. The original blue volume and tone knobs do not fit the Alpha pots, so I'll be putting on a pair of  black metric Strat-style ones; which should match the black CRL switch tip nicely.

All hardware, including the Lo-Pro Edge tremolo and locking nut; will be cleaned and lubed for optimum operation. Finally, this guitar will be set up with a set of 10s. You might have noticed that I have not included detailed specs concerning the JEM77 BFP in this post. For more information concerning this fine instrument, do check out the Guitar Chimp and Ibanez Wiki websites.

YouTube Videos: Demo One (Armz-3D) | Demo Two (Armz-3D) | Demo Three (Armz-3D)