GUITAR BUILD PROJECTS, DRUM FETTLING, CUSTOMISATION & DIY TECH
After refinishing the neck for my blonde "Mary Kaye"-type Jaguar build - I can finally tap the neck with new bolt holes, and check the neck alignment with a gold Bigsby B5 tremolo unit installed. This is already becoming a quite distinctive-looking build...
A properly cut bone nut is one of the keys to great tone - but cutting one properly can be a challenge. Even with the right tools and a refined approach - it can take a while. But it's well worth the effort.
...the next quick task is to fit some Fender "vintage-style" tuners to my finished JagStang neck...
The tinted nitro finish on the Dragoncaster neck has now had plenty of time to cure properly. I've been waiting to fit the neck, so I can push on with fitting the guitar out, but my current ocular situation means I can't really deal with much detail work. I can't just sit here though. Stuff to do.
With all the modifications in place, I can now setup the guitar. The new setup is going to unstop the tremolo - but since that's something I'll also have to do for the Black Strat, I need to get acquainted with the theory and practice of properly floating a Stratocaster tremolo.
I've now got all the remaining bits of hardware to finally complete my version of Dave Gilmour's iconic Black Strat. The specification draws heavily on a suggested parts list put together by Craig Wells at Overdrive Custom Guitar Works, in Stockton California. For my project, Craig has supplied one of his custom built acrylic scratchplates, which are faithful reproductions of Gilmour's original. I need to drill the holes in the body, so that I can install the plate - and that also means fitting the pots and switches in place. It'll then be ready for the pickups, and the wiring circuit.
I've got a growing number of boxes, from all over the world, arriving at Garageland. I've waited until I have a few, key components before I start the build. Neck, tuners, body and tremolo bridge will be the first to be assembled together. Then I can check the scratchplate sits properly, before I drill the screwholes and fit the plate. All the components on this build are genuine Fender, or specifically custom built for the job. So I'd hope that all the factory pre-drilled screwholes are accurately placed and dimensioned. Let's see how easy it is.
Garageland 