Buckers to soapbars.

Hackmaster

Ambassador of the Trifecta Magnetica
Lifetime Member
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It's all about what you want.
And what you can get. Sometimes they're not the same.
But with a few resources, there's no reason one can't truly have what they desire, within reason.

Case in point. I wanted a gloss finish P90 SG.
I have no cash, I can't just run out & buy a new one.
Scouring Craigslist everyday within 100 miles of home, looking for that too good to pass up deal.
Also trying to sell an amplifier at the same time.
The amp wasn't moving so I had an idea.

I made the amp work for me. Advertised the amp, with will trade for P90 SG.
So after weeding thru all the unrealistic trade offers a real SG was finally offered.
A 2014 SGJ. A very good Gibson for the money. It caught my interest.
I made the drive with the amp & tried it out. I liked the way it played and that was all I needed. And the maple neck intrigued me. A deal was struck.
Not a P90, not a gloss finish, but still an SG.
DSC04974_zpsevz9uagr.jpg

So with my newly acquired prize in hand I eagerly headed home & proceeded to gut it. Everything.
Down to a bare carcass. Then sprayed the body & headstock in clear gloss lacquer.
DSC05003_zpskj2vpeug.jpg

Things were looking good at this point. Now to fit the P90's.
Minimal routing was actually needed, and by mounting the P90's into wood instead of pickguard mounted, even less routing was required.
DSC05017_zpslggqkxnp.jpg

Just the top corners & top edge needed to go.
Once everything was fitted with new pots & wiring I decided on a black pickguard.
Then a Bigsby B7 with Vibramate mount and I strung her up.
DSC05055_zpsgr9ybzck.jpg

A striking difference, with minimal cash outlay.
Compromise can work to your advantage if you have a plan.
 
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Thanks, I couldn't be happier with it now.

That's whats nice about this forum, all like minded and creative people with a guitar sickness.
 
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It's all about what you want.
And what you can get. Sometimes they're not the same.
But with a few resources, there's no reason one can't truly have what they desire, within reason.
A striking difference, with minimal cash outlay.
Compromise can work to your advantage if you have a plan.

She's a real beauty. Superb work Hackmaster!
 
DUDE--- you TOTALLY TRANSFORMED that guitar if it wasnt for the 12th fret marker I woulda swore you had taken shots of a different guitar......

giphy.gif
 
That's what we call a major upgrade. Good choice on the black pickguard. I love the result. Gives me ideas ...
So,what's the picture closest to the real color ?
 
That's what we call a major upgrade. Good choice on the black pickguard. I love the result. Gives me ideas ...
So,what's the picture closest to the real color ?
This is a natural sunlight shot before it got wet sanded & buffed out.
DSC05005_zpssuadfsrf.jpg

It's a little redder than my 61RI, but that could be due to 12 years of fade on the 61.
DSC05057_zpsylcmlhll.jpg


Not as washed out without the flash.
 
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Great Job man, outstanding!
that P90 retrofit via pickguard trick is burned permanently into my brain.
With the masses of used HB guitars out there I will be doing some thinking along these lines to expand my P90 guitar arsenal.
Right now I only have 1/2, and another kinda 1/2.

i am waiting on an incoming 2 P90 guitar (my first); probably before the end of Dec.
 
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