Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Twinfan on February 18, 2008, 10:27:26 PM

Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on February 18, 2008, 10:27:26 PM: I've had some 'DC fun today :D

(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/DC_axes.jpg)
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ian Price on February 18, 2008, 11:26:33 PM: Very cool. I now need both of those guitars. That's now about 20 guitars added to my 'must have' list since signing up to this forum.
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2008, 11:36:14 PM: When did you get the Gretsch, Dave?
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sambo on February 18, 2008, 11:40:29 PM: Awesome!

Isn't the one on the right something that Hunter posted in another thread or something?
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ian Price on February 18, 2008, 11:40:50 PM: Quote from: Philly Q
When did you get the Gretsch, Dave?

If reputation is anything to go by surely there should be two Gretsch's?
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: dave_mc on February 18, 2008, 11:45:20 PM: Quote from: Philly Q
When did you get the Gretsch, Dave?

+1 :lol:

it's very nice, though. :)
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: noodleplugerine on February 18, 2008, 11:50:19 PM: Quote from: Ian Price
Quote from: Philly Q
When did you get the Gretsch, Dave?

If reputation is anything to go by surely there should be two Gretsch's?

I laughed :D
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: blue on February 19, 2008, 12:47:17 AM: isn't that "Malcolm"'s from your tribute band? so not actually yours? yet! :wink:
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Philly Q on February 19, 2008, 12:50:13 AM: Quote from: blue
isn't that "Malcolm"'s from your tribute band? so not actually yours? yet! :wink:

Yeah, I belatedly saw the thread title and wondered if it was just a one night stand. :wink:
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on February 19, 2008, 08:21:28 AM: I love the way everyone assumes I'd bought a Gretsch (or two) - I think my reputation precedes me! :lol:

It's just a one night stand unfortunately. I'm dropping it off for a setup on my way home from work, and it does indeed belong to Malcolm from YC/DC. Otherwise known as Jon ;)

I've not really played it before and it's a great guitar. Very light with the chambered mahogany body, but it's not neck heavy at all. Not too deep a neck, similar to a 60s taper Gibson, but it's a bit slimmer in width. Very comfortable to play, although I didn't try any widdling on it. It seemed wrong to be playing anything other than chords on it 8) The pickups are nice and low output which are great for that open and crunchy 'DC rhythm tone. It just works so well.

My favourite tracks to play with it?

Dirty Deeds
For Those About To Rock
Long Way to The Top

With the appropriate stance of course ;)

(http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/membre_groupe/photo/Malcolm_Young-4740.jpg)
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on February 19, 2008, 08:37:59 AM: Ahh gas again...would love one of those
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ratrod on February 19, 2008, 09:37:22 AM: Dirty Deeds
For Those About To Rock
Long Way to The Top

Those are my favorites too when I'm playing AC/DC with my Jet.

What strings are on it? It's a big part of Mal's tone. He uses Gibson 12-56 pure nickel roundwound strings (including wound G).
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on February 19, 2008, 10:44:11 AM: It's got 12s on at the moment, but no wound third. I couldn't find a regular set with a wound third easily?

It'll be set up with Ernie Ball Not Even Slinkys - 12-56 with a plain 3rd.
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: hunter on February 19, 2008, 11:34:17 AM: I want one too. Or two....

Among many other things :O(
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ratrod on February 19, 2008, 12:01:53 PM: Hell, why not buy six?

A red one with one pickup;
a red one with two pickups;
a maple top with one pickup;
a maple top with two pickups;
a flame maple top with one pickup
and a flame maple top with two pickups.
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on February 19, 2008, 12:03:22 PM: i fell in love with a gretsch like this quite a while back... maybe its time to build one for me this year!!
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ratrod on February 19, 2008, 12:10:43 PM: This is how a Jet looks on the inside. Better get some new router bits.

(http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/7582/jetbodysr0.jpg)
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Ian Price on February 19, 2008, 12:15:59 PM: Quote from: Twinfan
I love the way everyone assumes I'd bought a Gretsch (or two) - I think my reputation precedes me! :lol:

It's just a one night stand unfortunately. I'm dropping it off for a setup on my way home from work, and it does indeed belong to Malcolm from YC/DC. Otherwise known as Jon ;)

I've not really played it before and it's a great guitar. Very light with the chambered mahogany body, but it's not neck heavy at all. Not too deep a neck, similar to a 60s taper Gibson, but it's a bit slimmer in width. Very comfortable to play, although I didn't try any widdling on it. It seemed wrong to be playing anything other than chords on it 8) The pickups are nice and low output which are great for that open and crunchy 'DC rhythm tone. It just works so well.

My favourite tracks to play with it?

Dirty Deeds
For Those About To Rock
Long Way to The Top

With the appropriate stance of course ;)

(http://www.spirit-of-metal.com/membre_groupe/photo/Malcolm_Young-4740.jpg)

Not sure if I would be too happy if you tried to 'widdle' on one of my guitars!
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on February 19, 2008, 12:37:45 PM: :lol:

I managed to keep the cats off it too, they're big widdlers ;)
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on February 19, 2008, 05:19:45 PM: Quote from: Ratrod
This is how a Jet looks on the inside. Better get some new router bits.

nah, i have hollowed guitars out more than that before.. it aint that difficult if you plan carefully

although if i am doing a jet i would probably do it as a neck though since i dont like having that much neck hanging free off the body. i could still chamber the wings and behind the bridge but probably woudnt worry about under the pickups - i have a maple top that would really suit it as well which really means i have to do it!!
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 01, 2008, 08:29:43 PM: well this thread has obviously been bouncing around in my head for a while - because i found myself with a bit of spare time yesterday and ended up with this

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/gv.jpg)

now i know the body shape isnt exactly like the gretsch - didnt see the point of doing a straight copy. and i am still tinkering with it as its not flowing quite right on all the curves just yet.

probably not going to chamber it either. decided to go with a deep set neck tenon that goes all the way under the carved maple top.. different way of building for me, and that means approaching things from a different angle

it will have a simple wraparound bridge and just a bridge pickup, sorry buts thats going to be a TV jones filtertron +. Its a pickup i have had on a few different guitars and it needs a more permenant home!!
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on April 02, 2008, 12:02:27 AM: Wow - nice one Wez! Is it for you, or will the guitar be for sale?

I can feel the GAS, now.... :roll:
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 02, 2008, 09:13:04 AM: i havnt decided yet - since i am trying out a few things i havnt done before i will leave it till its finished before i decide.... takes all the pressure off
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on April 02, 2008, 09:22:57 AM: Cool. Look forward to seeing the finished article!

What colour are you going for? A transparent cherry on that top would look fantastic!
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 02, 2008, 09:25:47 AM: i was thinking just a few coats of oil - just to give it a nice semi gloss sheen. The back is black walnut which looks and feels great under oil. The plan for this is to keep it all simple - probably wont do binding or fancy inlays either
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on April 02, 2008, 09:41:49 AM: Awesome.
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on April 02, 2008, 09:35:23 PM: am liking it so far.....can't wait to see progress on this one..keep us upto date
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 02, 2008, 10:04:18 PM: alright - this style of construction is a bit wierd.

First i install the neck into the walnut and level off the neck tenon that sits above
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/1-14.jpg)

then the top has to be cut around the fretboard area
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/2-11.jpg)

then when it all fits together nicely it can be stuck together

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/3-10.jpg)

its like the best mix of set neck and through neck construction

thats the first hurdle new hurdle i was worried about out the way :D
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Twinfan on April 02, 2008, 10:09:16 PM: Looks like you need to be super accurate with everything - I'd stand no chance! :lol:
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 02, 2008, 11:25:12 PM: the 'hold your breath' moment is cutting into the top.

The way gibsons and gretsch's are made means any inaccuracy is hidden by the fretboard... no such luxury here
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: Philly Q on April 02, 2008, 11:54:18 PM: I like that neck joint design :) - presumably it's similar to what ESP call a "set-through". I imagine it must be super-sturdy too?
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: noodleplugerine on April 03, 2008, 12:52:29 AM: Quote from: Philly Q
I like that neck joint design :) - presumably it's similar to what ESP call a "set-through". I imagine it must be super-sturdy too?

If it is - That's what I have on my Viper.
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: FernandoDuarte on April 03, 2008, 01:02:41 AM: Never saw the deepth of the joint on these ESPs, but could be it or longer, untill the bridge, etc...

It's getting nice Wez!!
Which wood for the neck/fingerboard?
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 03, 2008, 06:57:33 AM: neck is mahogany and wenge, fretboard is granadillo which is another rosewood substitute

This style of neck join has intrigued me for a while so i thought i would give it a go. some people make them longer to go under the bridge, and some dont. In this instance i didnt because i can still get another neck from the same blank. I think phil kings new bass has a similar idea but the neck extends all the way to the bridge and peeks through the top... that would have been a lot harder to do than this
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 03, 2008, 08:15:20 AM: Quote from: Philly Q
I imagine it must be super-sturdy too?

definately - the explorer i did has a similar join without the top and it does give a very solid feeling neck join... i dont like guitars you have to be gentle with!!

So far i have only done joints like these with single pickup guitars... not too sure you will see the benefit as much with a neck pickup route thrown in, but it should still be a lot stronger than the traditional ones. Not saying i wouldnt do it with a dual pickup design - just that its an especially good choice for single pickup guitars
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on April 03, 2008, 09:00:02 AM: nice..is making me want a gretsch again
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 03, 2008, 10:51:08 AM: well thats not good :wink:
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on April 03, 2008, 11:19:45 AM: or a wez original
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 03, 2008, 03:42:59 PM: better, thanks :wink:

I hope people realise i am kidding - i wouldnt mind a gretsch myself... making guitars is not as much a cure for GAS as you would expect
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on April 03, 2008, 04:33:49 PM: it isn't...glad I didn't take up that as well then..have liked all the guitars you've done.....still like the Solid Paduak Vendetta
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: WezV on April 03, 2008, 04:38:41 PM: well maybe i manage to resist the GAS a bit more- but it does get broekn down into WoodAS, PickupAS, HardwareAS ToolAs and lots of other aquisition syndromes
Title: New toy for the evening... ;0)
Post by: sgmypod on April 03, 2008, 04:48:13 PM: yeah can understand that..mine started as guitars..then went a bit gear mad....now i've built a pedal and a amp..want more of them to build...
might have to sell my Orange Tiny terror as it isn't getting a look in