Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

At The Back => Time Out => Topic started by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 04:28:38 PM

Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 04:28:38 PM
i thought i would join in with transcends indecisiveness and seek opinions on my nearly finished guitar.  been uming and arring on this question for a while

Ok, heres the guitar, sure you have seen it before
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/venture2.jpg)

here it is with a scratchplate i knocked up for it
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/venture1.jpg)

Which one looks better???

Got to say i am really pleased with the kahler, i'm not usually much of one for trems  but this think works so smooth i love it.  One issue is that divebombs are so easy the trem arm will hit the guitar quite easily - a good argument for having a scratchplate to protect it.

Holydiver is great as well - its tricking me into thinking i can play :oops:

i know if i was keeping it i would probably go with the scratchplate - partly because the GF is happier having a less 80's looking instrument in the house :wink: ... but i aint intending on keeping hold of this one for long
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Twinfan on March 28, 2008, 04:33:36 PM
Without!  Much more 80s  ;)
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Will on March 28, 2008, 04:37:58 PM
I say without, although I like both looks.
Why not just await a buyer, and let them choose?
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: gwEm on March 28, 2008, 04:41:32 PM
sounds like a scratchplate is of practical use... why not a discrete single ply white one? very great guitar by the way
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: TwilightOdyssey on March 28, 2008, 05:20:57 PM
With.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Transcend on March 28, 2008, 05:24:02 PM
I would normally say without with it being an explorer.

BUT it needs to be there in this case, plus it looks so damn cool with it.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: il˙ti on March 28, 2008, 05:27:53 PM
With. The more stuff on that guitar, the less you notice the kahler.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Lazy_McDoesnothing on March 28, 2008, 05:30:44 PM
I think a white pickguard with a bevelled edge would look good.  Either one ply or three.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Antag on March 28, 2008, 05:33:41 PM
Without for me - just looks nicer IMO.

About divebombs, I tend to grip the arm (i.e. wrap 3 of my fingers around it) rather than just push down on it so for me it wouldn't be a problem hitting the body.

About the Kahler, is that a new one? (they recently started making them again) or did you find an old one somewhere?
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Jonny on March 28, 2008, 05:39:20 PM
I wouldn't have the scratchplate as far as the full width of the pickups. But I would go for 'yes' with the scratchplate.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 05:39:59 PM
the white scratchplate idea is a possibility - i hadnt really considered it because i was thinking the screws would take away from the simple look of the pure white version.  I think i only have 3 ply white in at the moment - single ply would look better i think

and i actually quite like the look of the kahler


oh, and when i say about the arm hitting the body easily - thats only in comparison to a normal pivoting trem.   The kahler feels very different is all
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 05:46:30 PM
the kahler is a new one - they are back in production

this is actually the cheaper 7300 hybrid rather than the original 2300 or 4300 x trem

the 2300 is only available from the custom shop and has a milled baseplate.  The 7300 has a cast plate but has the nice additon of a set screw for locking the trem off as a hardtail  and thats what i really wanted - both these are made by kahler in the USA.  The X-trem is the real budget one

can get them here:

http://www.wammiworld.com/index.html
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: dave_mc on March 28, 2008, 06:34:39 PM
i like either way, lol.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 06:35:36 PM
Quote from: dave_mc
i like either way, lol.


thats my problem too!
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: badgermark on March 28, 2008, 06:43:12 PM
I like it with, baring in mind i have a white tele with a black guard. Just looks classy, and I utterly despise white scratchplates for some reason.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Lazy_McDoesnothing on March 28, 2008, 07:17:40 PM
If it were me I would go with the single ply white with a bevel in a heartbeat.  As long as it matched in color perfectly I think it would flow very nicely.  Maybe even paint the screw tops.  And in keeping with the quasi-80's theme I would either chrome out the Kahler or black it out to match the pickup ring and knob.

Another thing I would do is make it so the pickguard comes away from the edges on the tip so it's slightly narrower more like this Gibson. (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefRTP.1H0VgBiYmjzbkF/SIG=13htocrs8/EXP=1206816979/**http%3A//www.musik-schmidt.de/osc-schmidt/catalog/images/GIBSON_Explorer-76-Classic-White_1.jpg)  Unless of course you're trying to get away from the classic Gibson look.

That is my final vote.  And if you make it, I will come to your island and buy it tomorrow! :lol:
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 28, 2008, 07:31:15 PM
Quote from: Lazy_McDoesnothing

That is my final vote.  And if you make it, I will come to your island and buy it tomorrow! :lol:


hey, if someone wants to spec the final shape of the scratchplate and wants to buy it i have no problems with that :wink:   Gotta be sold at some point - although i am not sure how much of a rush i am in to let it go - thats the bit i hate.

but the plan is to let the xplorer (actually i think its going to be Venture or Ventura in keeping with my V themed names) or the Veteran go soon so i am open to (reasonable) offers
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/wv26.jpg)
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Lazy_McDoesnothing on March 28, 2008, 10:59:45 PM
Quote from: WezV
Quote from: Lazy_McDoesnothing

That is my final vote.  And if you make it, I will come to your island and buy it tomorrow! :lol:
Gotta be sold at some point - although i am not sure how much of a rush i am in to let it go - thats the bit i hate.

Can't imagine.  It's like you're a mormon that just can't stop having babies so you have to decide which ones to give up for adoption because you can't take care of them all. :crzy:
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Dreichlift on March 28, 2008, 11:12:35 PM
I'd say without, or perhaps a thin adhesive clear scratchplate like Joe Satriani did on his chrome guitars. On the other hand how about a non holed black scratchplate stuck on like an acoustic, it'd protect the guitar and keep the lines clean.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 28, 2008, 11:15:15 PM
Without!
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Ian Price on March 28, 2008, 11:24:40 PM
Without.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: prozacbear on March 29, 2008, 07:16:44 AM
With
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Fikealox on March 29, 2008, 07:27:57 AM
I'd say without :)
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Ratrod on March 29, 2008, 11:03:44 AM
I vote 'YES' for the scratchplate. Without is too 80's hair metal. The guard gives it a nice two-tone look.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: ailean on March 29, 2008, 12:33:31 PM
With, in black.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: noodleplugerine on March 29, 2008, 12:52:49 PM
I definetly think it needs something - But the scratchplate proposed isn't right.

I think perhaps a white scratchplate with a black pinstripe around the edge or something like that.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: gingataff on March 29, 2008, 01:57:03 PM
Why not put it on with blu-tack or double sided sticky tape and then it could be taken off and put on at any time? You could even make a set of plates in different colours so the player can change them to co-oridnate with their stage outfit.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: lepersmeesa on March 29, 2008, 05:34:03 PM
Go for it Hetfield.
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 29, 2008, 05:51:46 PM
i think i have decided i prefer the black scratchplate.. i like the two-tone look - but i am going to leave it off untill i have a buyer.  Like will said at the start - probably best to let whoever buys it have the final say

 actually i think something in red and white would be pretty special - but maybe not this time

not sure about sticking it on instead of using screws - the guitar feels very solid thanks to the extra long neck tenon and simple design and having a scratchplate that falls off if knocked may take away from that.

speaking of the neck - its a pretty special design.  Its a laminate of maple wenge and walnut  and if that wasnt stable enough  it has a two way truss rod and dual carbon fibre  bar for extra stability.  Plus the tenon extends all the way to the pickup cavity.  Just about as stable a design as you can get with a wooden guitar .  This was all left over wood from a through neck bass so i didnt really mind covering it all in white
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/neck.jpg)
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: noodleplugerine on March 29, 2008, 06:34:45 PM
What's that curved line that goes from the bottom of the headstock to the fingerboard?
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 29, 2008, 06:52:51 PM
its a spliced on headstock with an accent line thrown in - obviously its pointless since we sprayed it white.

splice joins dont always have the best reputation since they tend to open up on cheaper guitars but when its done well its a lot stronger than a normal one piece neck.  this guitar is spliced because i wanted to get the most out of a relatively small amount of wood - sometimes a throw a accent line in there just to show off that its a splice join... nothing to be ashamed off
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Ted on March 29, 2008, 11:02:43 PM
With!!!

Is it a full size explorer shape or slightly smaller?
Title: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on March 30, 2008, 12:04:01 PM
I took the outline from a 90's Xplorer Pro - so its smaller than a traditional Explorer, very ergonmic actually
Title: Re: to scratchplate or not
Post by: gwEm on December 07, 2008, 12:55:45 PM
had a chance to try the ventura out this weekend. its a really lively instrument, an absolute hoot to play! sound was everything you want through my boosted jmp50.

the kahler was quite interesting, a different set of advantages and disadvantages compared to a floyd rose. its hard to say, but i reckon i prefer the kahler to floyd.

definitely looks perfect without the scratchplate.
Title: Re: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Sifu Ben on December 07, 2008, 02:32:19 PM
I thought you'd sold the veteran! I had the money for it at the time, but not now :(
 I'm not sure about the scratchplate, but I think it looks a little bare as it is. Maybe a graphic?
Title: Re: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Twinfan on December 07, 2008, 02:52:55 PM
So has Wez not sold the Ventura then?  It would look great in my rock band......
Title: Re: to scratchplate or not
Post by: WezV on December 07, 2008, 05:16:28 PM
i still have the ventura and i am not after too much for it either!    The veteran sold ages ago
Title: Re: to scratchplate or not
Post by: Sifu Ben on December 07, 2008, 05:31:58 PM
Confused by gwEm's thread necromancy  :oops: