Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: WezV on February 07, 2010, 01:01:09 PM

Title: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 07, 2010, 01:01:09 PM
everything seems to have come to an end at the same time -bad planning on my part :blush

just got his back form the sprayer on thursday - its one for a friend we have talked about doing for a long time, PRS meets LP custom :)  MY first with a tradtional style  carved top, and also my first with multiply binding.  Totally happy with the carve, mostly happy with the multi-ply binding
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/a3-3.jpg)


This one has been on the go for ages and has a solid mac ebony neck.  I wasnt overly happy with the tone at first but have been playing with pickups and electronics and finally settled on some i like.... it will be raffled off for charity once i have it all sorted
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/a1-1.jpg)


i made a new neck for a friend a few years ago, now he wants a new body for it, its sapelle with a mac ebony veneer.  the old inlays on the neck aint my greatest but the overall look is good - the body just needs final shaping and finishing
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/a1-2.jpg)

and at the moment this is getting its final coats of tru-oil before assembly
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/mock2.jpg)

and i also have two top bound esquires due back from the sprayer neck week.  a blue sapelle one and a green mahogany one - pictures when they arrive


luckily i have a week off from the day job after next week!!!

Pickup wise i have Raw nickel nailbombs in the PRS/paul thing, Mule/manhattan in the burly tele, BL-USA's in the firebird.   Blackdog's for the two esquires i should have pics of soon... and i cant remember what the pickup is in Lew's
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 07, 2010, 01:25:38 PM
I especially like the blue Tele!  Did it end up at all neck-heavy with the ebony neck?
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Twinfan on February 07, 2010, 01:30:10 PM
Looking forward to the Top Bound Esquires!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 07, 2010, 01:31:28 PM
I especially like the blue Tele!  Did it end up at all neck-heavy with the ebony neck?

nah, but the body isnt particularly light, its a chubby little blighter that one
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 07, 2010, 02:40:31 PM
Amazing guitars, Wez! Love the look of the Firebird!!!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Ian Price on February 07, 2010, 03:42:21 PM
Looking forward to the Top Bound Esquires!

Me too!

I had a quick fumble on the tele - it's very nice indeed, the neck is great.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: sgmypod on February 07, 2010, 03:56:07 PM
Love the firebird...mmmmmm firebird
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 07, 2010, 05:33:07 PM
just got the oiling finished on this ones body
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/bodyoil.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 07, 2010, 05:48:25 PM
Looking awesome!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: roland_rat on February 07, 2010, 07:12:03 PM
They all look very nice. Keep them coming WEZ. Looks like some one will get a gem if they win that raffle.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 09, 2010, 07:29:04 PM
Scalloped frets, single bucker and a Floyd on a Tele, huh? Weird taste :P looking forward to see how it'll look with a guard.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 09, 2010, 08:02:19 PM
Scalloped frets, single bucker and a Floyd on a Tele, huh? Weird taste :P looking forward to see how it'll look with a guard.

Yeah, only a mental-case would think of that... :wink:

Looks good!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 09, 2010, 08:21:00 PM
Yea, it does. The body's korina, gonna be so many cool things on this axe; the side dots are aluminum bars, recessed straplocks, carbon rods either side of the truss, 25" scale with my amazing neck specs, set-neck with the sexiest neck joint ever... I could go on forever!

Not sure about the pick guard though, not having one works on these two because they have neck pickups...

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u76/d1dsj/DSC00541.jpg
http://www.online-discussion.com/GuthrieGovan/Photos/DK_ClassicT_01.jpg

...but think it might look unfinished without a guard with just the bucker. Time will tell!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 09, 2010, 10:10:32 PM
see, i have got to make a guard just so we can both be sure.   I know i will look great without one but i cant help feeling me will be missing a trick if we dont at least try one
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Ian Price on February 09, 2010, 10:16:09 PM
I know i will look great without one

I beg your pardon  :lol:
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 09, 2010, 11:14:43 PM
did i mention my keyboard is nearly dead  - i have to hit harder than normal

(i just typed 'nearly dad' and had to correct again!!!)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 16, 2010, 07:10:09 PM
1 esquire:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/16022010055-1.jpg)

the matchng blue one will be back soon as well

2 esquire - lews has some strings, time for set-up/settling in:
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/fin1-2.jpg)

I completely reworked the 12th fret inlay on the PRS style guitar, i thought the individual letters broke the flow of the pearl blocks so went for an engraved 12th fret block instead


and something thats been missing a while - used to look like this
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/wv16.jpg)

its my first vendetta!!!   My own personal guitar for a long time, made from solid paduak which is naturally red - but doesnt aways stay that way ... after a few years it turned brown so i got my cousin to start respraying it... but hen he had a few major lifestyle changes and could not spray for me and it got stuck in limbo

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/v2.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Ian Price on February 16, 2010, 08:43:29 PM
The top bound esquire looks great Wez - well done! Looking forward to seeing the blue one.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: sgmypod on February 16, 2010, 08:53:13 PM
Liking the vendetta..would love clearer shot..what kinda weight is this
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Johnny Mac on February 16, 2010, 09:59:39 PM
Great looking work there Wez
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 16, 2010, 10:00:45 PM
yeah, all my pictures seem grainy at the moment - i need some natural light shots i think

currently its 7lbs, thats with a set of planet wave locking tuners installed but no other hardware.  Paduak can be quite heavy but this is a compact little guitar so its evening out to a fairly average weight
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: sgmypod on February 16, 2010, 10:04:05 PM
so new shot tomorrow in the light....didn't look that heavy, not played paduak what do they sound like..I E ash etc
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 16, 2010, 10:06:47 PM
This Vendetta looks mean now! love the Esquires
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 16, 2010, 10:38:39 PM
so new shot tomorrow in the light....didn't look that heavy, not played paduak what do they sound like..I E ash etc

its like middy maple, which is an odd description.  Nowhere near as bright as maple but has the clarity, i always found this guitar to be quite balanced but with a fast attack that really suited higher gain pickups in the 12-15k range


i dont think its been used on that many production guitars other than washburn N4's
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 16, 2010, 11:50:18 PM
It looks so much better with this mock guard, rather than bare. It looks so unique, but classic. I'm having kittens :D

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/fin3-1.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: TheIronBeast on February 17, 2010, 12:08:27 AM
Great work, Wez!

I must say I do really like that green Esquire ;)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 17, 2010, 12:14:31 AM
It looks so much better with this mock guard, rather than bare. It looks so unique, but classic. I'm having kittens :D

I'm not really sure... It looks gorgeous on both ways, but I prefer it "naked", looks more organic... But it's your guitar (unfortunately :lol:)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 17, 2010, 12:19:46 AM
I was unsure until Wez sent me that pic. No contest for me, that pickguard is perfect for it - the way it wraps around the control plate and bridge pup is great. It just looks unfinished without it.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: bucketshred on February 17, 2010, 01:39:45 AM
It looks so much better with this mock guard, rather than bare. It looks so unique, but classic. I'm having kittens :D

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/fin3-1.jpg)
[/quote

Stick a hardtail on that and I'd be buying one in a heartbeat!

Paddy.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Roobubba on February 17, 2010, 12:54:08 PM
Well you know what I think about Teles, Wez, but I have to say that carved top PRS/LP axe is absolutely gorgeous!!

BUT: You seriously need to take some better pics ;)

And I just know all those guitars are going to be lovely to play (such a waste of talent making Teles! Tut Tut!). :)

Take it easy,

Roo
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 17, 2010, 01:21:27 PM
better pictures when its acually done - which should be tomorrow for the PRS/LP
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: AndyR on February 17, 2010, 01:26:44 PM
Wow - I saw this thread when it first started and then missed how it's developed. Some lovely looking stuff here :D
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: HTH AMPS on February 17, 2010, 09:59:25 PM
It looks so much better with this mock guard, rather than bare. It looks so unique, but classic. I'm having kittens :D

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/fin3-1.jpg)

MUCH better with the pickguard - very nice Wez.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 17, 2010, 10:04:03 PM
MUCH better with the pickguard - very nice Wez.

Agreed!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: 38thBeatle on February 17, 2010, 10:14:45 PM
I agree too-the guard must stay.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 17, 2010, 11:10:44 PM
glad everyone likes that one since i just madea bloody template for it- the one in the pciture is just the cardboard mockup
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: shobet on February 18, 2010, 10:05:18 AM
I prefer it without, just to rock the boat.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: AndyR on February 18, 2010, 01:22:53 PM
I prefer it without, just to rock the boat.

Go and stand in the corner (with Fernando) :lol:

glad everyone likes that one since i just madea bloody template for it- the one in the pciture is just the cardboard mockup

Glad you said that - I've only skim read the posts in here, so may have missed something relevant, but I was thinking yesterday "yep, like it with the guard, like the guard shape, but are you sure about the material? Looks like a cheap old piece of cardboard you've stuck on..."

:lol:
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 18, 2010, 02:10:32 PM
I prefer it without, just to rock the boat.

Go and stand in the corner (with Fernando) :lol:

glad everyone likes that one since i just madea bloody template for it- the one in the pciture is just the cardboard mockup

Glad you said that - I've only skim read the posts in here, so may have missed something relevant, but I was thinking yesterday "yep, like it with the guard, like the guard shape, but are you sure about the material? Looks like a cheap old piece of cardboard you've stuck on..."

:lol:

He says it's a mock but Wez' original idea was to sell his guitars with half a dozen different cardboard shapes and a ball of blue-tack.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 18, 2010, 04:05:59 PM
:)

two finshed off and set-up today
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finish10.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finish4.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finish11.jpg)

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finisht1.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finisht6.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/finisht5.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2010, 04:20:04 PM
Cripes!  They both look excellent.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Frank Z on February 18, 2010, 04:38:35 PM
That blue Tele..... must not jizz my.... pants.....   :D
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: AndyR on February 18, 2010, 05:30:48 PM
They do look good. :D

I personally prefer the black one. But that's probably because I don't get too excited by exotic woods. I can see others being well taken with the blue one.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2010, 05:51:08 PM
Even though I disapprove of PRS putting binding on their 25th anniversary models, it is really cool to see something PRS-like with neck and body binding and block markers!  The new 12th-fret inlay's a definite improvement too.  :)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: roland_rat on February 18, 2010, 05:55:42 PM
Some very nice instruments you got there Wez.  What is the wood on the neck of the blue tele  like it a lot?
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Afghan Dave on February 18, 2010, 06:08:36 PM
That blue Tele..... must not jizz my.... pants.....   :D

Too late!!!  :o

Lovely.

Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 18, 2010, 06:22:40 PM
its 1 solid piece of macasser ebony with a wenge skunk stripe and heel cap

completely finish free - just polished with micromesh up to 12000 grit

Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2010, 06:45:42 PM
its 1 solid piece of macasser ebony with a wenge skunk stripe and heel cap

completely finish free - just polished with micromesh up to 12000 grit

Ah, that reminds me of a question I wanted to ask!

I have a solid rosewood Warmoth neck which is a bit too sharp around the edges of the headstock etc, I want to round it off a little.  What grades of paper should I use?  I was thinking start off with maybe 240 or 320, then work up?
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: 38thBeatle on February 18, 2010, 06:48:47 PM
They look great Wez-the "Tele" especially.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 18, 2010, 07:02:47 PM
I have a solid rosewood Warmoth neck which is a bit too sharp around the edges of the headstock etc, I want to round it off a little.  What grades of paper should I use?  I was thinking start off with maybe 240 or 320, then work up?

i would probably be scr@ping it after doing the fretboard edges, i likes me razor blade :) but sanding with 240 upwards will be fine
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2010, 07:06:46 PM
Cheers Wez.  I will try the razor blade thing eventually!   :)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 18, 2010, 07:48:11 PM
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/18022010060.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: blue on February 18, 2010, 08:18:41 PM
those all look fantastic Wez, every guitar you do just seems to get better and better!  i may have to order one off you :)

are those two tele's gonna beat each other up?

oh, for my tuppence worth, i prefer the Floyded tele without the scrathplate.  sorry ;)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 18, 2010, 08:51:13 PM
 :lol:  I didn't know there was a Rangers one on the way too!  Don't keep them too close together!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 18, 2010, 09:00:25 PM
Who will belong the Rangers esquire???

Lovely guitar Wez, just lovely!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Twinfan on February 18, 2010, 09:51:21 PM
The Rangers Esquire is for Wez's body painter I believe  :)

That blue would look great with a bit of sparkle  ;)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: sgmypod on February 18, 2010, 10:20:08 PM
That blue would look great with a bit of sparkle  ;)
+1
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 18, 2010, 10:20:59 PM
+2
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 18, 2010, 10:21:19 PM
yeah, mike is a rangers fan so when i asked about spraying a celtic esquire he suggested making it a pair.

they will both be identical with a single blackdog bridge pickup - i routed for a neck pickup just to allow future mods.  Only difference is that the rangers one is sapelle and celtic one is proper honduran mahogany.  The sapelle did have a noticeably brighter tap tone and i am going to be interested to see how much of that i can hear trhough the amp ... since i havnt built identical guitars before

I havnt spoken much about specs have i:

The wez paul:
1 piece mahogany body
Laminated deep set neck mahogany/maple/mahogany
Semi gloss finish
Ebony 24 3/4" scale fretboard
2-way truss rod and dual CF bars
Sperzel tuners & gotoh bridge/tailpiece
Raw nickel Naibombs
Standard controls

Esquires:
Mahogany/sapelle bodies - top bound
subtle contouring to soften the tele slab
Maple allparts necks
blackdog humbucker
3-way switch wired split/parallel/series
Master vol & Tone with push/pull tone preset on the tone (either 'c--ked wah' or the more traditional 'fixed bassy'
Gotoh hardware

Burl tele:
Mahogany/maple burl body
Raw macasser ebony neck
Wilkinson VS100 trem
Sperzel locking tuners
Manhattan/mule pickups


Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on February 18, 2010, 10:30:39 PM
Wow! Now you caught my attention, really!
I'd like to see a clip of this Wez LP, always interested in a good clip of Nailbombs on a "LP"
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: 38thBeatle on February 19, 2010, 06:20:00 AM
They look great. Even I have heard of those teams.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: TheIronBeast on February 19, 2010, 09:57:20 AM
Both the Celtic and Rangers Esquires are looking great Wez!

Love the other tele and the LP too. Great work!

Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: PhilKing on February 20, 2010, 03:37:54 PM
The Wez Paul looks great (though I would have had a wrap around tailpiece - bus it's not my guitar!).  The auction tele looks brilliant.  Now get these out of the way and get my stuff together  :lol:
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on February 28, 2010, 02:26:51 PM
just about done with this one:

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/pg4.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/pg7.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/pg8.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/new/pg9.jpg)

old frm esquires following shortly after :)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: AndyR on February 28, 2010, 02:43:24 PM
Looking good - I was dubious about the headstock originally, but it's grown on me :D

Still quite can't get over the look of a bridge like that on a tele (or, any guitar) personally, though!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 28, 2010, 05:25:11 PM
dear god that Esquire looks $%&#ing awesome....
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on February 28, 2010, 05:58:31 PM
dear god that Esquire looks $%&#ing awesome....

Good job you like it!  :wink:

What's the battery compartment for?
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Lew on February 28, 2010, 06:05:41 PM
It's to access the jack, I didn't want the stupid traditional Tele jack cup.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on February 28, 2010, 10:46:19 PM
:lol:  I didn't know there was a Rangers one on the way too!  Don't keep them too close together!

Especially after todays result :P

Great looking guitars Wez!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on March 07, 2010, 06:10:12 PM
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/teleday6-1.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/teleday2.jpg)
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Philly Q on March 07, 2010, 06:16:55 PM
The Celtic/Rangers Esquires look great!  Are they identical (apart from the livery)?
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: WezV on March 07, 2010, 06:42:53 PM
the celtic is old mahogany, the rangers is sapelle. and the rangers has a chunkier neck  Other than that they are identical construction

wiring is Blackdog pickups with a c--ked wah push/pull and series/split/parallel on the 3-way switch

there is a slight tonal difference, the celtic has a little more meat to it but the rangers has a little better single coil tone... but they can be made identical with a little eq tweak
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: MrBump on March 07, 2010, 06:48:23 PM
They look great, Wez.
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: sgmypod on March 07, 2010, 06:53:58 PM
nice collection
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: Ian Price on March 07, 2010, 07:17:55 PM
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/teleday6-1.jpg)

The Rangers one reminds me so much of the LPB Esquire I sold to Dave  :(
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: TheIronBeast on March 07, 2010, 07:23:05 PM
They are looking really great, Wez! :D
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: bucketshred on March 08, 2010, 12:34:05 AM
ESQUIRE GAS!!!
Title: Re: busy busy!!!
Post by: FernandoDuarte on March 14, 2010, 02:19:17 PM
Awesome!! I like so much Lew's Esquire!! And now I'm thinking that perhaps it's nicier with the pickguard :)