HELP ME! I think I am done modding my main guitar!

Gahr

Gahr

Ambassador of Blues & Brews
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So, today I swapped the stock thumbwheels on the ABR-1 and the stop tailpiece and studs on my 2014 Derek Trucks SG for nickel parts. I have lost count of how many times I have done things to this guitar, stupid many times anyway. My goal has been to 1964-ify it as best as I could. The only stock parts left at the moment (not counting the neck and body) are the poker chip and knobs...

I have changed tuners for double-ring Klusons, the TRC, put in a Monotone wiring harness, removed the faux Lyre tailpiece, swapped the 57 Classics for 1964-65 pre T-Top patent sticker pickups, added tall pickup rings, changed the bridge for a nylon-saddle nickel one, added a pickguard (which only has five screws, not six as would be correct for a 1964, I guess) and today finally the tailpiece, studs and thumbwheels. Phew... All parts are now nickel, and they are at least resembling a '64. And for what? FOR FUN, GOD DAMMIT! I love this stuff.

BUT WHAT DO I DO NOW? There is nothing left to do! My life suddenly feels empty... :p Thank God I still have work to do on my Les Paul Goldtop!

Anyway, I'm happy with the results. I know a 1964 Standard would have had a Vibrola, but I won't be adding one. I know the crown on the headstock is in the wrong position as well, but hey, it's close enough. I have n idea how much money I have spent on the guitar, but it is a stupid amount...

Forgot to wipe it properly down before taking the pics, so it is a bit dusty.

vcuamYs.jpg


7u1Xphn.jpg


fMMi23s.jpg


Yesh45r.jpg
 
Gahr, that really is a BEAUTY. Makes me happy to know you were blessed to find it.
This goes for all the sweet guitars y'all have. I mean I love Col Mustard's babies. Adrian's acquisitions and even cast offs, Robert's Frankenstein " patients" Bastard's V, 67's Strat and sweet Amps, Voxy's ES guitars, Smitty's first SG, His LP's and the beautiful Strat his wonderful wife gifted him. Heck, I even love Shreddy's Helena and Mr Tuner's PRS's and Parts project guitars etc. Dave SLoven's Basses and Guitars too

To know so many of us have been fortunate enough to have work and could buy guitars so we could enjoy the magic of making music and even admiring the works of art a builder/builders had a hand in making from mere lumps of wood and metal, makes me very happy for you guys. AND Bea HEHE
 
Gahr said:
So, today I swapped the stock thumbwheels on the ABR-1 and the stop tailpiece and studs on my 2014 Derek Trucks SG for nickel parts. I have lost count of how many times I have done things to this guitar, stupid many times anyway. My goal has been to 1964-ify it as best as I could. The only stock parts left at the moment (not counting the neck and body) are the poker chip and knobs...

I have changed tuners for double-ring Klusons, the TRC, put in a Monotone wiring harness, removed the faux Lyre tailpiece, swapped the 57 Classics for 1964-65 pre T-Top patent sticker pickups, added tall pickup rings, changed the bridge for a nylon-saddle nickel one, added a pickguard (which only has five screws, not six as would be correct for a 1964, I guess) and today finally the tailpiece, studs and thumbwheels. Phew... All parts are now nickel, and they are at least resembling a '64. And for what? FOR FUN, GOD DAMMIT! I love this stuff.

BUT WHAT DO I DO NOW? There is nothing left to do! My life suddenly feels empty... :p Thank God I still have work to do on my Les Paul Goldtop!

Anyway, I'm happy with the results. I know a 1964 Standard would have had a Vibrola, but I won't be adding one. I know the crown on the headstock is in the wrong position as well, but hey, it's close enough. I have n idea how much money I have spent on the guitar, but it is a stupid amount...

Forgot to wipe it properly down before taking the pics, so it is a bit dusty.

vcuamYs.jpg


7u1Xphn.jpg


fMMi23s.jpg


Yesh45r.jpg
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Practice, Practice, Practice and Gig, Gig, Gig!!!
 
it's never over....mics & preamps ........my guitars amps cabs are done....but what a new trip to take.,,,,that might even mean more in the long run than any of my other gear..a few degree angle changes..pre amp adjustmenats..holy crap, can hear my guitars tone come through the chain now..i never knew..
 
I did a lot of the same things to my 2001 LP Classic. It was supposed to pay homage to 1960, so I did the single line double ring tuners as well. Blank truss rod cover, tall pickup rings and silver insert gold knobs. It already had an abr-1, but I swapped the tail piece for aluminum. Everything was nickel from the factory. Never understood why they went half way with those guitars.
 
ivan H said:
Very nice, you've done a great job. An amber switch tip would complete it . Cheers
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Thatbastarddon said:
I’m with @ivan H ....IMO, you need an Amber switch tip to truly finish that SG :wink:

Nice work! Beautiful axe!
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Well, actually the amber switch tip seems to be a Custom Shop thing, if you look at pics of vintage SGs they usually have white (albeit faded) tips. I have put an amber one on my LP Goldtop, though. They actually look pretty cool.

SG John said:
Right! Well if you're done with that one, you know what to do next....

Time to buy another guitar!

:cheers:
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Oh, I wish I could, but for the time being I'll work on the ones I have. I have got some hardware coming in for the LP Goldtop already, a new bridge (it actually NEEDS a new one) and some other nickel parts. When that one is done, I REALLY don't know what to do! Maybe it will be time to sell some things and look for some more vintage stuff. I've been eyeing up this "players' grade" 1969 SG Special lately, but I need to free up a decent amount of cash for that one.

eSGEe said:
thew area in the hearth there..............that is the area normal used for storing FIREWOOD, no?????

look DO NOT BURN THEM I will pay freights really--- send them here!!!!!!
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Hahaha! W actually keep the firewood in the hearth itself. It is an open fireplace, which will actually become illegal here next year, so there is another free standing fireplace (more heat efficient and clean burning) installed that connects to the chimney outside of the picture. If we were using the old fireplace, I wouldn't keep the guitars where they are, because of the heat. My guitar stand (meant for five guitars but holding eight...) fits perfectly in that nook.
 
Mr Grumpy said:
It's a lovely guitar, and I prefer Nickel to Chrome myself.

Have you consider chiselling out the Logo and putting in a golden pearl one - I love those; just a suggestion... :)

Don't touch the gold top!
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Hey, Grumpy. Long time, no see!

Well, the goldtop has been touched a lot already... But nothing has been done that can't be undone. I have kept the original parts, although I don't have the original pickups. I sold one 57 Classic, and the bridge was already swapped for a Duncan Seth Lover when I got it. I'm changing the hardware to aged nickel, I gave it tal pickup rings, and the pups are now a set of ca. 1969-70 Gibson T-Tops. I'll post pics when it is "done" as well.
 
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