So that's what I did. I had pickups, knobs, various switches, caps, wire, neck plate all ready to go. The decision was actually made when I found a Squier Classic Vibe lefty trem, bridge, thimbles and bar for £40 (which I thought was a huge bargain!). Really happy to find that as the bridge is 9.5" radius like the neck, and also the narrower 52mm spacing so the Es won't be so close to the edge of the fretboard. So after buying that, a couple of rollers for the rhythm circuit, the L-shaped bar thing that the rhythm pots attach to (whatever it's called), a cheap pickguard (£8.95!!!), some new wire and foam this is where I was in August:
Wired up the pickguard:
I've changed plenty of pickups and broken switches over the years, but this is the first time I'd wired a full guard - I have to say, I'm really pleased with how it came out! (Disclaimer - the lead circuit pots/input jack were part of a harness I had already bought...proper lefty pots too!). Ordered an unfinished lefty body from guitarbuild.co.uk.
Body arrived:
Only tiny flaw was a small splinter at the top neck screw hole.
Mocked up with parts:
Incredibly the cheap pickguard fit perfectly! Had expected to have to work on that.
Put it together properly to do the pickguard, pickup and trem screw holes. Neck pocket was snug, and I did a tiny bit of sanding on one side to make sure it could go in perfectly straight. Had a set of strings that had gone rusty from sitting in a box for a decade which I used to test it. Very pleased everything aligned! The pickups were out of phase in the middle position, as it’s a Fender neck pup and Bareknuckle bridge. Should have remembered they wind them differently. Easy fix.
Then it was off for painting by the very talented Rexter Guitars.
Pickguard shielded:
Sealer on the body.
First colour coats done <3
First clearcoat:
Ready to ship!
And it's done!
Body arrived yesterday and I spent the evening assembling. I couldn't be happier, the finish is flawless - top quality work. I can't recommend Rexter Guitars highly enough. It's really quiet, no buzz at all - first time I've properly shielded a guitar...well worth it. The guitar itself sounds great, and plays well - I haven't done a full set up yet, but it's pretty damn close. In terms of weight it's also very close to my Am Pro, just 3oz heavier, coming in at 8lb1oz. It's definitely got a bit more snap to it, sounds a bit more percussive which must be partly due to the maple neck, but it's different pickups too so they were never going to sound identical (thankfully). Has been a lot of fun and I'm really please it didn't mess up the wiring!
Copper shielded:
Done:
