Plugging holes

[Gahr]

Ok, first of all, damn you, @RVA. But damn you in a good way, really. Ever since I posted the last pics of my modded Derek Trucks SG I have been thinking more and more about adding a Lyre Vibrola. The reason is a small comment made ny Raymond about plugging the stop bar holes. I had no intention of adding a Vibrola to the guitar, really, but now I can't get the thought out of my head. CrazyParts sells a very nice replica of the Lyre Vibrola, and I have a sneaking suspicion my soul will not find rest until I have tried fitting one. The thing is the Derek Trucks guitar already has the required holes for fitting the Vibrola, so I won't "ruin" anything (except the thickness of my wallet, of course) by fitting one.

However, if I like the addition of a vibrola, the question then becomes how to deal with the stop bar holes. I could just leave them, I mean, they willl not look THAT bad, but I reckon I will want to plug them at some point. The question then becomes: How do I safely remove the anchors from the body, and how do I go about plugging them without ruining my guitar? The job does not have to be 100 % perfect, because the holes will not br particularly visible if one does not inspect them very closely, but I want the colour to be reasonably right (mahogany and heritage cherry), and would prefer the finish to be fairly shiny. Should I risk taking on the task myself, or is it something I should let a luthier take care of (a job that will probably set me back quite a few dollars...)?

Where do I get the proper mahogany dowels needed? And the nitro?

 

[RVA]

Ok, first of all, damn you, @RVA. But damn you in a good way, really. Ever since I posted the last pics of my modded Derek Trucks SG I have been thinking more and more about adding a Lyre Vibrola. The reason is a small comment made ny Raymond about plugging the stop bar holes. I had no intention of adding a Vibrola to the guitar, really, but now I can't get the thought out of my head. CrazyParts sells a very nice replica of the Lyre Vibrola, and I have a sneaking suspicion my soul will not find rest until I have tried fitting one. The thing is the Derek Trucks guitar already has the required holes for fitting the Vibrola, so I won't "ruin" anything (except the thickness of my wallet, of course) by fitting one.

However, if I like the addition of a vibrola, the question then becomes how to deal with the stop bar holes. I could just leave them, I mean, they willl not look THAT bad, but I reckon I will want to plug them at some point. The question then becomes: How do I safely remove the anchors from the body, and how do I go about plugging them without ruining my guitar? The job does not have to be 100 % perfect, because the holes will not br particularly visible if one does not inspect them very closely, but I want the colour to be reasonably right (mahogany and heritage cherry), and would prefer the finish to be fairly shiny. Should I risk taking on the task myself, or is it something I should let a luthier take care of (a job that will probably set me back quite a few dollars...)?

Where do I get the proper mahogany dowels needed? And the nitro?

The dowels and cherry color was the subject of the original post from me that you mention. My offer stands to get them to you. I put the links to the products, so if you can guide me back to my original post, that would make it easier.

By anchors, I assume you mean the bushings you screw into? If so, I have done this many times with a socket, a screw that fits the bushing, a washer, and a cushion for the wood. Here is how it works.

 

[67plexi]

Well Gahr it will look like this holes not plugged

 

[Gahr]

The dowels and cherry color was the subject of the original post from me that you mention. My offer stands to get them to you. I put the links to the products, so if you can guide me back to my original post, that would make it easier.

By anchors, I assume you mean the bushings you screw into? If so, I have done this many times with a socket, a screw that fits the bushing, a washer, and a cushion for the wood. Here is how it works.

This is the original thread. Your post is #20-

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

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...

www.thetonerooms.com

I think I will take you up on your offer, Ray.

Well Gahr it will look like this holes not plugged

View attachment 36437

That is a stunner! 1964 or 65? I will definitely leave the holes unplugged for some time, if for no other reason than making sure I actually like having the Vibrola there.

 

[RVA]

OK, so depending on how involved you want to get with the dowel fill, there is either a

lacquer pen

www.amazon.com/Colortone-Touch-up-Marker-Cherry-Lacquer/dp/B0731GCMVH

or spray

www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Finishing_Supplies/Finishes_and_Solvents/ColorTone_Tinted_Aerosol_Guitar_Lacquer.html

And here are the dowels

www.amazon.com/Mahogany-Dowel-3-8-Round/dp/B00H2BAUDC

Let me know!

 

[Gahr]

Is 3/8” thick enough for the stop bar holes?

The sellers will not ship any of those goods to Norway, so I’m at your mercy here! I’ll PM you my details later, I’m really in the middle of dinner here. But THANK YOU SO MUCH, Ray!

 

[Thatbastarddon]

Grounding? What are you going to do about grounding? The stop bar bushings are usually part of the ground path...not to be a party pooper...because I like the vibrola idea a lot!

 

[Gahr]

Grounding? What are you going to do about grounding? The stop bar bushings are usually part of the ground path...not to be a party pooper...because I like the vibrola idea a lot!

I have had the same thought as well. How were the old Vibrola-sporting guitars grounded?

 

[67plexi]

No ground on my 1965

 

[Gahr]

No ground on my 1965

View attachment 36446

No problems with that?

 

[67plexi]

I was wrong it is grounded

 

[Gahr]

I was wrong it is grounded

View attachment 36447

So, is the ground wire connect to the bridge posts, or to the underside of the Vibrola?

 

[67plexi]

Under the Vibrola

 

[Gahr]

Under the Vibrola

Thanks! I have to figure out a clever solution here.

 

[syscokid]

Thanks! I have to figure out a clever solution here.

Did you make sure your DT SG doesn't have a ground wire tunnel somewhere in the control cavity already?

 

[JohnnyGoo]

YOU LET ME KNOW HOW IT WORKS GAHR.i was thinkin the exact same thing for one of my JRs.i used a body protector and a claw hammer to pull bushings. no lie,works good. i used wood dowels to plug the wrap around post holes then drilled the holes for a ABR 1 bridge when i modded it.nice thing with the Trapeze tailpiece i could just slide the abr 1 around till i found the intonation spot perfect.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Now your gonna want to match the dowels pretty close cause it will be seen more than mine is.mine is plugged where the bridge sits.

 

[Gahr]

Did you make sure your DT SG doesn't have a ground wire tunnel somewhere in the control cavity already?

It is definitely grounded. I think the wire is connected to the stoptail bushings.

 

[syscokid]

Is 3/8” thick enough for the stop bar holes?

The bushings themselves are 1/2" in diameter.

 

[JohnnyGoo]

Oh ya no ground wire is hooked up to new bridge cause i used the old school just threaded studs into the wood. i may do the bushings some day. its not a bit noisier than with the ground wire atached to the bridge.