XII Build (my first ever lefty)
- Rgand
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Yeah! That looks great! Looking forward to seeing how it looks as it progresses.
- CROSS_guitars
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
wow!
Show us the painted body!
Show us the painted body!
- JVG
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Will do that soon, but first a couple of wiring progress pics.
Went with Novak pickups for this build because (a) every other Novak pickup I’ve used has been great, and (b) i’m not willing to pay the silly prices people are asking for vintage pickups. The big decision was whether to go with the “standard” bridge or the “fat” version. I normally run a mile from any pickup described as “fat”, but in this case i was talked into it.
The rotary switch is an Alpha 2-pole, 4-position, which cost all of about $2. Again, i wasn’t willing to pay for a vintage one. I wired the switch to provide series/parallel options when both pickups are on, rather than phase options. I was surprised how simple the wiring was - much easier than a Jag or Jazzmaster - and it worked first time
Pickguard loaded, ready for wiring:
Cute little holes drilled in the guard next to the rotary switch. I was a bit nervous about doing these, but took it slowly to make sure they were precise, because any small wandering of the drill bit would surely make it look bad. Very happy with the way it looks. I used a 1mm bit, and drilled right through the guard - i subsequently learnt that the originals didn’t go right through, but because the holes are so small you can’t tell at all. (Note that the protective plastic is still on the guard here; everything will look cleaner when it comes off).
- YALCaster
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Looking great! I love the look of that loaded pickguard
(Any chance you could provide a diagram for the wiring?)
(Any chance you could provide a diagram for the wiring?)
- JVG
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Thanks!
I put together my own wiring diagram by combining others I found online.
This one for the rotary switch:
https://www.pickguardian.com/portfolioe ... replica-2/
And this one for the overall scheme:
https://www.harmonycentral.com/forums/t ... re-jangle/
My diagram is below - bear in mind it is for a lefty, so the pots are wired the opposite way to how you’d normally see them. I’m using 250k pots and a 0.033 cap (because i want to - i’m not too fussed what the vintage values are). If it turns out that i don’t like this configuration, they are easily swapped.
I put together my own wiring diagram by combining others I found online.
This one for the rotary switch:
https://www.pickguardian.com/portfolioe ... replica-2/
And this one for the overall scheme:
https://www.harmonycentral.com/forums/t ... re-jangle/
My diagram is below - bear in mind it is for a lefty, so the pots are wired the opposite way to how you’d normally see them. I’m using 250k pots and a 0.033 cap (because i want to - i’m not too fussed what the vintage values are). If it turns out that i don’t like this configuration, they are easily swapped.
Last edited by JVG on Sat Nov 23, 2019 11:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- N0_Camping4U
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- Location: Houston Texas
Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
This is so cool, dude! I went Firemist Gold but ALMOST went Charcoal Frost... I went Charcoal on a P bass instead
I'm loving this thread, check out my build from some years ago too!
I can't wait to see yours
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 6&t=109635
I'm loving this thread, check out my build from some years ago too!
I can't wait to see yours
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/vie ... 6&t=109635
"I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, now I am the master."
- JVG
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Oh yeah, I know your guitar - it’s a beautiful piece of work and was a major inspiration for my project! I’ve looked at that thread many times. Firemist Gold is an amazing colour, and your birds-eye neck is delicious.
Cheers!
J.
Cheers!
J.
- JVG
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
So....back from the painters!
I was a bit nervous about this phase of the operation. There aren’t too many people here in Australia doing this kind of thing, and I don’t have the facilities to do it myself.
The choice was to either take a chance on a local guy or send it overseas for paint. I chose the first option, as the guy offered to do it for AU $500. Having it done overseas would have cost close to AU $1000 by the time return postage was factored in.
I was very specific about the colour - i wanted Charcoal Frost Metallic, preferably towards the darker end of the spectrum. Luckily the painter was very patient and showed me the job in progress to make sure i was ok with the colour.
As it turns out, i love the colour! Like most metallic finishes, it can be difficult to get an accurate picture. In some light it looks very grey, while other times it appears very dark, almost black.
As for the headstock, i was unsure whether to use a decal, but the painter enjoys doing then, and my arm was fairly easily twisted. I hope it doesn’t offend anyone.
I was a bit nervous about this phase of the operation. There aren’t too many people here in Australia doing this kind of thing, and I don’t have the facilities to do it myself.
The choice was to either take a chance on a local guy or send it overseas for paint. I chose the first option, as the guy offered to do it for AU $500. Having it done overseas would have cost close to AU $1000 by the time return postage was factored in.
I was very specific about the colour - i wanted Charcoal Frost Metallic, preferably towards the darker end of the spectrum. Luckily the painter was very patient and showed me the job in progress to make sure i was ok with the colour.
As it turns out, i love the colour! Like most metallic finishes, it can be difficult to get an accurate picture. In some light it looks very grey, while other times it appears very dark, almost black.
As for the headstock, i was unsure whether to use a decal, but the painter enjoys doing then, and my arm was fairly easily twisted. I hope it doesn’t offend anyone.
- Rgand
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Man, that's top fiddle work. The headstock really does it well. Just beautiful.
- N0_Camping4U
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
God this is fantastic!! Can't wait to see it completed.
"I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner, now I am the master."
- Shadoweclipse13
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Gorgeous work! As a lefty myself, can I just say? THANK YOU for putting a proper decal on the headstock. Frequently Fender puts on these shitty little decals that are different from righty guitars, and they always look horrible.
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
- JVG
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Thanks!Shadoweclipse13 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:59 pmGorgeous work! As a lefty myself, can I just say? THANK YOU for putting a proper decal on the headstock. Frequently Fender puts on these shitty little decals that are different from righty guitars, and they always look horrible.
I know what you mean about Fender decals, and it’s indicative of the fact that they have never given a shit about left handers. They just can’t be bothered spending a few extra bucks, as it would eat into their profit margin. It’s conflicting for me, because i (obviously) love Fender guitars, but have no respect for the way they go about business.
J.
- Shadoweclipse13
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Completely agree. That's why I prefer giving someone like Warmoth or Guitar Mill my business, or building my own stuff. I ordered an American Pro JM vibrato, because they have a lefty AM Pro JM and I figured it would be a decent vibrato. Fender tried to get the shop I ordered it from to give them a serial number. As in, they only want to SELL you one if it's for a repair. Fuck Fender.JVG wrote: ↑Mon Dec 02, 2019 1:08 amThanks!Shadoweclipse13 wrote: ↑Sun Dec 01, 2019 10:59 pmGorgeous work! As a lefty myself, can I just say? THANK YOU for putting a proper decal on the headstock. Frequently Fender puts on these shitty little decals that are different from righty guitars, and they always look horrible.
I know what you mean about Fender decals, and it’s indicative of the fact that they have never given a shit about left handers. They just can’t be bothered spending a few extra bucks, as it would eat into their profit margin. It’s conflicting for me, because i (obviously) love Fender guitars, but have no respect for the way they go about business.
J.
Pickup Switching Mad Scientist
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
http://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=104282&p=1438384#p1438384
- JVG
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- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:54 pm
- Location: Sydney, Straya
Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
.
A week or two ago I had the chance to fit the hardware. Here she is starting to get dressed up - looking pretty sexy if I do say so myself.
Since these pictures were taken, I sent her off to a professional to put in a nut and do the set-up gruntwork.
Cheers!
J.
A week or two ago I had the chance to fit the hardware. Here she is starting to get dressed up - looking pretty sexy if I do say so myself.
Since these pictures were taken, I sent her off to a professional to put in a nut and do the set-up gruntwork.
Cheers!
J.
- CROSS_guitars
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Re: XII Build (my first ever lefty)
Wow, wow, wow!
did you find a proper string tree?
did you find a proper string tree?