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.

 

 

2010 American Special Stratocaster® | Part 3

1 | 2 | Part 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Electronics Work

This post mainly highlights what was done to this American Special Stratocaster® electronics-wise . We'll start off with the owner's specific request that (i) the brass base/grounding plates be removed, (ii) the pickups be rewired with Gavitt wire; and (iii) the pots, switch, jack and hardware beyond saving be replaced.

And so out went the old electronics, and in went 100% Gavitt wiring, new CRL five-way switch, CTS 250K pots, 0.022uF tone cap, Switchcraft #11 jack socket, pickup tubing, miscellaneous screws; and a set of vintage-style bent steel saddles. Besides all this, the owner, desiring a "fresh new look," had me replace the stock off-white pickup covers, knobs; and switch tip with black ones.

Greco EG550B Restoration: Part Three

Quick Links: Part One | Part Two | Part Three

This is the third and final instalment concerning a restoration job carried out on a lovely Greco EG550B. I'm thankful to report that this guitar now plays and sounds as good as it should. Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

I'll start with the electronics, then. Everything was replaced, period. Among the upgrades were Alpha A500K Long Shaft pots, K40Y-9 0.015uf and K73-16 0.022uf tone pots; plus a Neutrik/Rean NYS229 jack socket. Wiring-wise, the original pickup leads were retained, while the rest was replaced with Gavitt Vintage Stranded Core Push-back Wire and Alpha RG174 Coaxial Cable (longer runs).

Next, hardware. Let's see now. The bridge and tailpiece were replaced, as were all pickup screws and springs. I managed to find a suitable replacement neck pickup ring, and added a new Gibson PRPG-020 Les Paul Custom Pickguard. Making the Gibson pickguard fit properly was a real challenge; as there was a lot of filing and sanding involved. Last but not least, the cracked output jack plate was replaced with a shiny new StewMac Plastic Jack Plate for Gibson® Les Paul® (the real deal, folks).

After the fretboard and frets were reconditioned, this Greco EG550B was strung with Ernie Ball Super Slinkys (10-46), tuned, set up; and put through its paces. I first tried it unplugged, and was surprised by the lively acoustic tone. I'd observed similar tones playing Strats unplugged, but this was the first time I'd ever heard a solidbody LP-style sing like this. Anyway, here are three YouTube videos I uploaded in honor of this guitar:

Greco EG550B demo - Unplugged

Greco EG550B Demo - Clean

Greco EG550B demo - Overdrive

Hope you enjoy the videos, as well as the pics I've posted below. Working on this Greco EG550B has been an unforgettable experience, I tell you. There's just this unmistakable build quality you sense with vintage Japanese instruments that's missing from their modern-day counterparts. They sure don't build 'em like they used to! Take care, and do drop by again soon :)

Yamaha ERG121C Makeover: Part Two

Quick Links: Part One | Part Two | Part Three

In Part One of this series, I'd put down about a half dozen coats of Tru-Oil; and this included a light scuffing with 0000 steel wool every 3 coats or so. Well, after 20 coats of Tru-Oil, I lost count and just concentrated on achieving the desired finish thickness. After the final coat, the body was set aside for a week to allow the finish to cure. Then it was time to take care of the conductive paint shielding and grounding tabs.

Following this, the pickups and electronics were installed. Now, since a complete rewire was on the cards, I decided to do a minor upgrade and put in a Russian K73-16 0.022uF tone cap, Gavitt cloth-covered pushback wire for short runs; and Gavitt single-conductor braided shield wire from the volume pot to the output jack. I felt that it was only fitting as the owner had already spent his hard-earned money on bona fide Seymour Duncan pickups, CTS 500K pots, CRL 5-way switch; and Switchcraft #11 jack.

As I type this the rewiring's been completed, tested; and everything checks out okay. What's left is to reattach the neck, string her up with 10s; and do a complete setup. Do stay tuned for updates on this Yamaha ERG121C. Till we meet again in cyberspace, stay home, stay safe; and avoid crowded spaces.

1983 Ibanez AR30 Restoration | Part Three

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four

In Part One of this series, we took a look at the early stages of restoration work done on this 1983 Ibanez AR30. Then, in Part Two, the refinishing process was completed; and the AR30 left aside for a month. We are now at the electronics stage of the restoration process.

I've been provided with a pair of used PRS Dragon I humbuckers and a pair of mounting rings. The "Dragon Bass" is the neck humbucker, and the "Dragon Treble," the bridge. Unfortunately, neither of the seller's rings seem to fit the profile of the top correctly. In fact, the bottom of the neck mounting ring is completely flat. But I do have on hand a pair of Gibson pickup mounting rings: PRPR-015 (neck) and PRPR-025 (bridge). Yes, they seem to fit better than the ones supplied by the seller; so they'll be the ones I'll use.

Other than that, I've shielded the pickup and control cavities with conductive paint, and screwed in grounding tabs/wires where needed. I've also wired up a harness consisting of three Alpha A500K pots, 3-way toggle switch, K40Y-9 0.033uf tone cap; and Neutrik/Rean NYS229 output jack. Note that genuine Gavitt cloth push-back wire was used throughout. The original output jack plate also needed to be replaced as it was beyond saving; even after a thorough de-rusting.

The AR30 has been strung with Elixir Nanoweb 10s, set up, tuned; and put through its paces with the help of my trusty Fender Champion 40. By the way, here are two YouTube videos of yours truly doing exactly that: Video 1 | Video 2