Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: kellar on October 22, 2008, 06:09:30 PM
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I am thinking about doing a Warmoth LP build and am debating tone woods. Being a novice, I really know nothing about the subject. For an LP though, I have narrowed it down to Mahogany or Black Korina. I am open to others as well, but lack of knowledge is getting in my way.
Anyway, I would rather veer away from Mahogany as I would like to try something different this time around. I am looking for something really beautiful though, something that would look good in a TobaccoBurst. Several Black Korina showcase items caught my eye. They are visually very appealing and really have some character.
Example: http://www.warmoth.com/showcase/sc_guitar_bodies.cfm?type=guitar&start=1&itemNumber=LPC102&menuItem=4&subMenuItem=0&subMenuItem2=0
I found the perfect piece last week, a Black Korina hollow body with a TobaccoBurst finish that was absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, I didn't have the money to front. So, I guess I am wondering if Black Korina is a nice tone wood? As a reference, I do like Mahogany but find LP's much of the time a bit too dark. I understand that this obviously has something to do with the quality of the wood. Nonetheless, as I want to try something a bit different anyway, I am wondering what kind of wood would be a bit brighter but still have the Les Paul character. Also keep in mind that I want this to be one sexy guitar!
Thanks in advance for any info. :D
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Korina is lovely ;)
Lighter than mahogany, not as thick sounding at the bottom end, with a sweeter midrange that really punches through a mix. Slightly more 'lower mids' than 'upper mids' if that makes sense?
I wouldn't be selling my PRS McCarty Korina if:
a) I didn't need some money
and
b) I didn't have a second one ;)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/McKorina_1.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/McKorina_2.jpg)
(http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/junkacct/McKorina_3.jpg)
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Korina is lovely ;)
+1
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That is exactly what I wanted to know! :D
Another annoying question: On the Warmoth site, when choosing a body, you have the option of hollow. Do they mean chambered? If so, other than weight relief, any added benefits there?
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Agreed with the above based on the korina McCartys. The sound is really warm and sweet, but there also seems to be a little more presence and airiness to the highs. Even though mahogany sounds so fat, I find it can sometimes be a little harsh/thin on really high notes, and you don't seem to get that with korina.
Having said all that, I'm not sure about the tonal differences between "white" and "black" korina.
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Thanks Philly, that was actually my other question.
Twinfan, that guitar is obviously White Korina. Any discernible difference between the two?
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Another annoying question: On the Warmoth site, when choosing a body, you have the option of hollow. Do they mean chambered? If so, other than weight relief, any added benefits there?
Normally when they say "hollow" they mean the body has a sort of "honeycomb" of many small holes. These bodies don't usually have f-holes and the main purpose is weight relief, the tone is similar to a solid body made from the same wood (although they claim improved resonance and sustain).
But they also sell some bodies with much larger chambers and f-holes, which does give more of an "acoustic" tone.
Unless the body is actually described as "chambered" it's usually "hollow", if that makes any sense. :wink:
Details here:
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/strat.cfm?fuseaction=strat_hollow (http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/strat.cfm?fuseaction=strat_hollow)
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/lp.cfm?fuseaction=hollow_lp (http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/bodies/lp.cfm?fuseaction=hollow_lp)
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Thanks Philly Q, didn't find that the first time around. :D
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Thinking of getting a Warmoth, kellar?
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Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:
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korina/limba is an awesome wood!! posh mahogany on steroids
Having said all that, I'm not sure about the tonal differences between "white" and "black" korina.
there is no perceptable difference. White and black korina both come from the same tree - Terminalia superba... they just have difference colouring is all. although any orange streaks are actually bug stains
although i think i have said before that terminalia ivorensis is also sold as korina or idigbo and sounds pretty similar as well... That has a slightly coarser/deeper grain and doesnt have a black variety. Neither is better than the other but i tend to think the stuff from the superba tree is prettier but idigbo can still be very nice. I have used both types a few times each and cant really detect a sound difference
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Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:
:lol: I was just thinking that...
I got my Baja back from Jonathan last Friday and accidentally bought another tele on the way home :roll: - loving them both, but struggling to bond with either because they're very different and I can't play both at once...
I'm suspecting that several of us are actually incurable :lol:
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Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:
I feel like buying a cheap Warmoth and a guitar too.
I think I'm worse, I'm PLANNING to want to buy two guitars lol
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Yup, and I just bought an ESP Eclipse! :oops:
I feel like buying a cheap Warmoth and a guitar too.
I think I'm worse, I'm PLANNING to want to buy two guitars lol
My problem is worse though! I just bought an expensive guitar, and I am planning an EXPENSIVE Warmoth build!! :lol:
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Here's a nice one
http://www.gumtree.com/london/93/30161693.html
(http://www.gumtree.com/posting_images/93/30161693__1224695041__1__1-63c85d8fea3a65f4a0888e30607c53a7.__big__.jpg)
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That is nice Johnny, but that natural finish is really not my thing. I also prefer the black Korina over the white (from what I have seen so far) as the black has some really nice characteristics and markings. The white seems a bit plain. :D
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I know what you mean, Black Korina/Limba is where it's at!
Yummy stuff.
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That is nice Johnny, but that natural finish is really not my thing. I also prefer the black Korina over the white (from what I have seen so far) as the black has some really nice characteristics and markings. The white seems a bit plain. :D
Black Korina Body and all Ziricote Neck... Sorry for that (http://216.211.140.132/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/cool01.gif)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/TroubledTreble/KorinaFP3b.jpg)
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Haha! Hey Fernando, you're everywhere! I was just checking out some photos on the Warmoth forum and there you were, same avatar pic and everything! You get around man. :lol:
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and all Ziricote Neck...
i tried to get some solid ziracote neck blanks a few years ago... the price was shockingly high for neck grade stuff
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I would've put a Mac Ebony fingerboard on that, I don't like when lines run together. It makes the eye drift over than look at definition and of course extreme awesomeness.
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Anyway, I was thinking about this:
Black Korina body with a tobaccoburst finish and cream lip-over binding.
Oh my God, I am getting weak in the knees! This Warmoth thing is getting ridiculous!
(By the way, what finish should I go with on the back?:lol:)
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Haha! Hey Fernando, you're everywhere! I was just checking out some photos on the Warmoth forum and there you were, same avatar pic and everything! You get around man. :lol:
There my nick is Nonsense Tele (hey Roo, I think you'll agree with the nick :lol:)
Well, there is only two foruns that I post, here and Warmoth!
Haha! Hey Fernando, you're everywhere! I was just checking out some photos on the Warmoth forum and there you were, same avatar pic and everything! You get around man. :lol:
There is no more (or never had and I remember wrong) price on Warmoth, but I think it's the same as Flame Koa and Macassar Ebony at least... Yes, it's very expensive... How much they quoted you?
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There is no more (or never had and I remember wrong) price on Warmoth, but I think it's the same as Flame Koa and Macassar Ebony at least... Yes, it's very expensive... How much they quoted you?
i was after a 1-piece ziracote bass neck.. not from warmoth - just the lumber. i wanted perfectly quartersawn top spec stuff with it being a 1 piece neck. This meant using wood reserved for acoustic sides. cant remember the price i was quoted but it was enough to make it a non-starter... and i was expecting expensive when i asked
here is the solid ziracote guitar that made me want a neck blank
(http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/showyours/dpmasunder2.jpg)
luckily i do have some solid mac ebony blanks that i got at a very good price
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That guitar just looks crooked to me. :lol:
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that would be the crooked bits.. like the fanned frets, bridge and pickups
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:lol:
I know, that was just my attempt at sarcasm. :D
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it does create a weird illusion from that angle... kinda like the guitar is tilting back and fretboard, bridge and tuners tilt forward... but it just looks so damn tasty!!!
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There is no more (or never had and I remember wrong) price on Warmoth, but I think it's the same as Flame Koa and Macassar Ebony at least... Yes, it's very expensive... How much they quoted you?
i was after a 1-piece ziracote bass neck.. not from warmoth - just the lumber. i wanted perfectly quartersawn top spec stuff with it being a 1 piece neck. This meant using wood reserved for acoustic sides. cant remember the price i was quoted but it was enough to make it a non-starter... and i was expecting expensive when i asked
here is the solid ziracote guitar that made me want a neck blank
luckily i do have some solid mac ebony blanks that i got at a very good price
Yes, I know... You're a good builder, no need for buying Warmoth... I'm in that level (yet, I hope :lol:)
I saw that guitar on G.H., but I don't like it, not only because the fanned and zillion strings, I think it's to dark... I feel the same for my Imbuia veneer strat... But the woods :o
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That is nice Johnny, but that natural finish is really not my thing. I also prefer the black Korina over the white (from what I have seen so far) as the black has some really nice characteristics and markings. The white seems a bit plain. :D
Black Korina Body and all Ziricote Neck... Sorry for that (http://216.211.140.132/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/cool01.gif)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/TroubledTreble/KorinaFP3b.jpg)
LOVE the neck - that is awesome looking
LOVE the body - again, awesome looking,
but for me the two don't seem to match too well :( That's probably unfair, and I'm sure it's fine "in real life" so to speak, but anyway, the two bits separately do look bloody lovely!
:)
Roo
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That is nice Johnny, but that natural finish is really not my thing. I also prefer the black Korina over the white (from what I have seen so far) as the black has some really nice characteristics and markings. The white seems a bit plain. :D
Black Korina Body and all Ziricote Neck... Sorry for that (http://216.211.140.132/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/cool01.gif)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/TroubledTreble/KorinaFP3b.jpg)
LOVE the neck - that is awesome looking
LOVE the body - again, awesome looking,
but for me the two don't seem to match too well :( That's probably unfair, and I'm sure it's fine "in real life" so to speak, but anyway, the two bits separately do look bloody lovely!
:)
Roo
It's the wall. The wall spoils it
Seriously. Picture the guitar without the wall and it looks stunning.
Well done, Fernando.
Mark.
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Well done, Fernando.
This isn't mine :cry:
Is from a member of Warmoth forum... he is beggining to make pickups, too...
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How often does Warmoth update their showcase items?
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How often does Warmoth update their showcase items?
Fernando can probably give a more specific answer, but they seem to update it pretty frequently - several times a week - albeit only a couple of items at a time. I guess they're generally concentrating on custom orders rather than making random pieces for the Showcase which might sit there for months.
When something is sold, it disappears from the Showcase immediately, so no worries on that front.
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Thanks Philly Q. :D
I found THE body I was looking for a few weeks ago. It was exactly what I wanted down to every spec.
I went to buy it the next day and it was gone. :(
So, instead of jumping into an impulse build (this Warmoth thing has REALLY got me itching to build one) I have convinced myself to be patient and watch the Showcase for a few weeks, maybe something special will pop up or I will find something that spurs a few new ideas. It certainly isn't easy though. :lol:
I have also decided that it is much better to buy the body, make sure it is exactly what I want, and THEN order a neck that will match up with it nicely. The other day I had the entire order form filled out but a lot of questions remained. It seems easier to do it a piece at a time. :D
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This is a black korina Warmoth Mockingbird with a wenge/ebony neck. It has nailbombs on it (the bridge has double screw coils), and an LFR trem. It also has a 6-way varitone like an original BC Rich. The mark around the top left is a reflection from the lampshade. I put Sperzels on it and no lock nut.
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There is no more (or never had and I remember wrong) price on Warmoth, but I think it's the same as Flame Koa and Macassar Ebony at least... Yes, it's very expensive... How much they quoted you?
i was after a 1-piece ziracote bass neck.. not from warmoth - just the lumber. i wanted perfectly quartersawn top spec stuff with it being a 1 piece neck. This meant using wood reserved for acoustic sides. cant remember the price i was quoted but it was enough to make it a non-starter... and i was expecting expensive when i asked
here is the solid ziracote guitar that made me want a neck blank
(http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/showyours/dpmasunder2.jpg)
luckily i do have some solid mac ebony blanks that i got at a very good price
PWHOAR!
Who made that?
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This is a black korina Warmoth Mockingbird with a wenge/ebony neck. It has nailbombs on it (the bridge has double screw coils), and an LFR trem. It also has a 6-way varitone like an original BC Rich. The mark around the top left is a reflection from the lampshade. I put Sperzels on it and no lock nut.
That wood is absolutely beautiful Phil! I am planning on something of that nature with a Tobaccoburst. :D
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PWHOAR!
Who made that?
not sure, it was on this website
http://www.galleryhardwoods.com/showyours.htm
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Although this tread has drifted off into a bit of a guitar showcase I'd just like to get back to the core question. Korina as a tone wood is as good or as bad as the piece of timber you actually manage to get your hands on.
That goes goes for any type of tonewood you want to mention; you can only predict trends not absolutes. I have forty year old Honduras mahogany here that is almost twice as dense and totally different in colour to most of the stuff that is generally available today and is consequently totally different in terms of tonal qualities.
The curse and the blessing of forums is that you can gather a lot of opinion but much of that is stated in absolutes based on very small sample sizes ("my mate has one and it's great"). In guitar making there is no such thing as an absolute answer to a question on the qualities of one tonewood versus another unless you've landed a couple of tons of it from one source and you're gonna make a couple of hundred similar guitars out of it.
Probably the best (if somewhat vague) way to describe the attributes of Korina is somewhere between swamp ash and mahogany. Taking all the variables into account that's a pretty wide tolerance band.
I know this may not be very helpful but it's true.
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damn.. thats usually my line ;)
i do like korina though!!
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Probably the best (if somewhat vague) way to describe the attributes of Korina is somewhere between swamp ash and mahogany. Taking all the variables into account that's a pretty wide tolerance band.
Especially vague since both mahogany and swamp ash are similarly vague in their own tolerances, right? :) Great post, mate. Just wondering, though, do you think there are certain woods (maybe basswood) that are a bit more consistent than others?
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Just wondering, though, do you think there are certain woods (maybe basswood) that are a bit more consistent than others?
this is one of the big shills of buidling guitars... finding an appropriate piece of wood for what you want. Basswood is still a tree that grows how mother nature intends with all the variation that suggests. genrally i dont like basswood, but some bits have suprised me!
i think i have mentioned before on here about 2 identical neck blacks i had for phil kings black through neck sg. Both mahogany from the same reliable source, both exactly the same size and colour. no difference between them at all - till you picked them up. One was literally twice the wieght of the other. so much so i had to weight them to confirm i wasnt going mad. Both would make very nice guitars but their wieght did alter their inherent tone and also how i used them
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Although this tread has drifted off into a bit of a guitar showcase I'd just like to get back to the core question. Korina as a tone wood is as good or as bad as the piece of timber you actually manage to get your hands on.
That goes goes for any type of tonewood you want to mention; you can only predict trends not absolutes. I have forty year old Honduras mahogany here that is almost twice as dense and totally different in colour to most of the stuff that is generally available today and is consequently totally different in terms of tonal qualities.
The curse and the blessing of forums is that you can gather a lot of opinion but much of that is stated in absolutes based on very small sample sizes ("my mate has one and it's great"). In guitar making there is no such thing as an absolute answer to a question on the qualities of one tonewood versus another unless you've landed a couple of tons of it from one source and you're gonna make a couple of hundred similar guitars out of it.
Probably the best (if somewhat vague) way to describe the attributes of Korina is somewhere between swamp ash and mahogany. Taking all the variables into account that's a pretty wide tolerance band.
I know this may not be very helpful but it's true.
Damn good post Bob
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Yeah, thanks for that post Bob (and for getting me back on topic!). :lol:
I do understand that there will be variations. I think that is kind of what makes it exciting though. There are so many variables involved. As a beginner, though it may not be completely reliable, I have to get a rough idea of what woods lend to what characteristics, understanding of course that different pieces (though the same type of wood) may swing the pendulum a bit in one direction or the other.
I have owned and played enough guitars to get a basic understanding of how one guitar may sound different than another, though the build may be nearly identical. I had the privilege of growing up in a very musical household with a father that had numerous guitars and that helped a lot. Recently though, I have found myself being less interested in playing and more interested in experimenting/building. One thing i have learned already: It certainly isn't any cheaper! :lol:
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That is nice Johnny, but that natural finish is really not my thing. I also prefer the black Korina over the white (from what I have seen so far) as the black has some really nice characteristics and markings. The white seems a bit plain. :D
Black Korina Body and all Ziricote Neck... Sorry for that (http://216.211.140.132/Smileys/Lots_O_Smileys/cool01.gif)
(http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o290/TroubledTreble/KorinaFP3b.jpg)
ZOMGZ FERNANDO!!!!! THAT IS SOOOO FVCKING GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!! I am kind of here or there about Strats, but mutha fvckin goddamn, i have NEVER seen a more beautiful Strat in my life. EVER!
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The only other change I'd make to that strat (aside from removing the brick wall to ensure that the neck really does go with the body!) is to remove the pickguard - it's in the way of that lovely, lovely wood!
Roo
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sometimes the lovely wood comes before the guitar... but most times the guitar should come before the wood. might have been interesting to see that guitar before the pickguard - but i dont think it looks bad with it
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I actually like the pickguard, seems to match up well. :D
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sometimes the lovely wood comes before the guitar... but most times the guitar should come before the wood. might have been interesting to see that guitar before the pickguard - but i dont think it looks bad with it
It would look better with some visible-polepiece pickups. Otherwise, mighty nice.
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How often does Warmoth update their showcase items?
Fernando can probably give a more specific answer, but they seem to update it pretty frequently - several times a week - albeit only a couple of items at a time. I guess they're generally concentrating on custom orders rather than making random pieces for the Showcase which might sit there for months.
When something is sold, it disappears from the Showcase immediately, so no worries on that front.
About every Monday... But there is no "rule"... sometimes it's in the middle of the week, sometimes in the end...
Roo.
I thought it about the pickguard, but now I think it wouldn't look as cool without it:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2120/2270141844_42faeceab0.jpg?v=0)
This is a guitar from another guy from Warmoth Forum... Even his Korina doesn't having a figuring as nice as the other, I think the first looks way better... That one is on my top 10 guitars, ever! (yeah, opprobrium, Strats aren't my favorite one, but this one.........)
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sometimes the lovely wood comes before the guitar... but most times the guitar should come before the wood. might have been interesting to see that guitar before the pickguard - but i dont think it looks bad with it
It would look better with some visible-polepiece pickups. Otherwise, mighty nice.
Sorry mate, I think it would ruin the look...
(http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1270.0;attach=845;image)
(another one from Warmoth forum... the first made a legacy)
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Hmm, I still don't agree with you. That one you just posted, with the wood of the first guitar (and without the bright pickup rings) and I think you just may have me sold! :)
Roo
(Both LOVELY looking guitars, though)
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Hmm, I still don't agree with you. That one you just posted, with the wood of the first guitar (and without the bright pickup rings) and I think you just may have me sold! :)
Roo
(Both LOVELY looking guitars, though)
Stop tempting me, devil :lol:
Yes, would be great! Even more with a single Humbucker and all black, no pole pieces and the Bare Knuckle write on it...
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i do like flamed limba!!!