Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: WezV on November 04, 2012, 07:27:41 PM

Title: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 04, 2012, 07:27:41 PM
so this is a bit daft  and it almost makes more sense to start from scratch.

but i have been asked to see if i can convert a headless steinberger style hohner cricket bat into something more like a flying V.   Not a steinberger mini v shape but actual flying V styling

so here are the preliminary mockups showing potential sizes and styles next to the source guitars (controls and pickups are not to scale)

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/mini-vs.jpg)


essentially I will be trimming the original guitar down to just past its pickups/bridge routes and treating it as a neck through - but am also considering doing it as  a full new body so the  original centre section can slot into it


 I am pushing for the large scratchplate style as it will hide a lot of sins


...


probably the most shocking thing about this idea is that its not for gWem ;)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 04, 2012, 07:33:59 PM
OMG - don't let gWem see this post
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 04, 2012, 07:34:18 PM
probably the most shocking thing about this idea is that its not for gWem ;)


 :lol:

The '67 style definitely looks way better.  The '58 style doesn't lend itself well to the small body, IMO.

I notice that the scratchplates and controls are scaled down to fit the mockups - do you think there'll actually be room for 3 controls and a switch, in practice?
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: d1dsj on November 04, 2012, 07:34:41 PM
I think it's a great idea. Looking forward to seeing the finished guitar.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 04, 2012, 07:36:57 PM
I notice that the scratchplates and controls are scaled down to fit the mockups - do you think there'll actually be room for 3 controls and a switch, in practice?

yeah, but probably not full size pots/knobs.   deciding stuff like that will be the next stage, if it comes down to loosing a pot then I am fine with that
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 04, 2012, 07:43:22 PM
OMG - don't let gWem see this post

there has even been mention of the potential for a schenker style paint job. 
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 04, 2012, 07:45:03 PM
Or is gWem actually involved in the project?

I've done my fair share of Hohner G2/G2T or G3T rebuilds and pimp jobs

Still have my own one

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/pimped/hohnerg23.jpg)

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/pimped/hohnerg24.jpg)

Here she is just after I stripped her and re-veneered the body

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/pimped/hohnerg21.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 04, 2012, 07:49:09 PM
Or is gWem actually involved in the project?

nah, he really isn't - I must have found his evil twin.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Telerocker on November 04, 2012, 07:49:57 PM
Awesome. Can't wait to see the result.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 04, 2012, 07:51:21 PM
Are the Hohners basically the same as the "Spirit by Steinberger" models, or were they different manufacturers?

(Those rebuilds look great, by the way!)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on November 04, 2012, 11:23:47 PM
They were made in the same factory with largely the same parts.

Although a very interesting project.. I'm sort of not-so-keen on the combined version, though I love both Steinberger GP and Flying V models individually of course.

The black 58 style one is perhaps the nicer design I reckon.

Did you ever make the headless Corvus you were sketching out?
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: dave_mc on November 05, 2012, 12:06:52 AM
they actually look pretty good in the mockup

jonathan's one looks badass, too.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 05, 2012, 12:37:31 AM
They were made in the same factory with largely the same parts.

Looking at Jonathan's guitar, I see it has a fixed bridge?   My Spirit had a trem, which I really hated.... and those tuners were bar-stewards to use.  I do still like the original Steinberger concept, though.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on November 05, 2012, 07:41:42 AM
They were made in the same factory with largely the same parts.

Looking at Jonathan's guitar, I see it has a fixed bridge?   My Spirit had a trem, which I really hated.... and those tuners were bar-stewards to use.  I do still like the original Steinberger concept, though.

The hohners were available before the spirits, very early on, in the 80s I believe. The very very first models had the choice of a fixed bridge. They are quite rare now, though you see them on eBay sometimes.

They also offered a Schenker-alike paint scheme.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 05, 2012, 07:49:02 AM

Did you ever make the headless Corvus you were sketching out?


nah,  although i still think it has potential.    I also drew a large bass version that i think has real style.

I do have a moderne body cut out ready to do something with
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on November 05, 2012, 02:23:24 PM
I thought the headless Corvus was a strong idea.

Heres the Schenker-ish Hohner:

(http://images01.olx.com.ua/ui/11/11/64/1304549353_195670764_1----Hohner-Professional-G2-Tremolo-Licensed-By-Steinberg-Sound-420.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on November 05, 2012, 02:43:04 PM
LSR (aka the evil Ed Roman) have headless Flying V designs - from about 1/2 way down:

http://www.edroman.com/guitars/lsr.htm

visually, I think their tweaks work quite well.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 05, 2012, 10:07:45 PM
customer sent me a tweak  with the finish he wants and a revised control layout - jack mounted inside the fin

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/MSmockup2.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 05, 2012, 11:11:52 PM
LSR (aka the evil Ed Roman) have headless Flying V designs - from about 1/2 way down:

http://www.edroman.com/guitars/lsr.htm

visually, I think their tweaks work quite well.

Hmmm, not keen.  Despite the Leslie West connection.  :?

I do quite like the one which looks like an Ovation Breadwinner (although it's not really very Steinberger-ish).  And the Klein-alike, which makes me think of some kind of amoeba or jellyfish....


(http://www.edroman.com/guitars/abstract/images/abs-preacher-01-550.jpg)
(http://www.edroman.com/guitars/lsr/images/lsr_ergo_bryce_500px.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 14, 2012, 03:40:14 PM
Ok, so first step is to turn the hohner into even more of a cricket bat.   edges trimmed off and body thinned down from the back

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv1.jpg)

then i will be making a whole new body for this to slot into - not just glueing on new wings - started a quick pine mockup to get a better idea of size/shape.  the actual body will be obeche

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv2.jpg)


lots of chips around the existing finish, but its all got to come off anyway
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/SV3.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 16, 2012, 12:54:51 PM
scary bit done

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv4.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 17, 2012, 01:10:44 AM
Just looking at the original body - what was it, a 3-piece through-neck?  Makes sense I suppose, not much needed to be added in the way of body wings.

Thinking back, the Spirit had a pretty nice chunky neck - but the fretting was quite bad.

I am starting to get Steinberger GAS.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 17, 2012, 09:00:27 AM
yeah, 3-piece maple with alder wings
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 18, 2012, 12:04:08 PM
I'd be tempted to make the Vee points, err, pointier - why deny it, the guitar screams for it   :lol:

Anyone seen the EVH-painted Steinberger? - not much of a stretch if you haven't, just the usual EVH red/white/black paint job.

Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on November 18, 2012, 01:00:10 PM
(http://halen.com/evh/modules/PNphpBB2/files/steinberger_367.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 18, 2012, 03:18:10 PM
I'd be tempted to make the Vee points, err, pointier - why deny it, the guitar screams for it   :lol:

nah, goes against the classic V styling I am aiming for (with everything except the headstock and bridge)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on November 20, 2012, 03:50:20 PM
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv7.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv8.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on November 20, 2012, 04:44:45 PM
cute!  :D
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on December 04, 2012, 01:55:45 PM
got the plate cut
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv9.jpg)


its clear so it can be painted half black/white on the back

not perfect yet but getting there


it meant i could transfer control locations and route the control cavity.  also added a rout to the side of the lower fin for a strat style jack socket
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/sv10.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on July 15, 2013, 07:05:22 PM
Well paint took a long time on this one, but its finally back - and its been done exceptionally well

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/1_zpsbd109baa.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/2_zps69f9d9f4.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Kiichi on July 15, 2013, 07:26:41 PM
Oh my, that is very very tasty.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on July 16, 2013, 09:16:26 PM
got the bridge and headpiece on so couldn't resist another pic

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/WP_20130716_002_zps611e412e.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Dave Sloven on July 17, 2013, 06:20:27 AM
I like the way it looks with the Floyd on.

I have to admit though that I am curious what this would look like with reverse zebra open humbuckers rather than the covered ones.  Too much of a good thing?
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on July 17, 2013, 10:35:28 AM
I have to admit though that I am curious what this would look like with reverse zebra open humbuckers rather than the covered ones.  Too much of a good thing?

Yeah, I think I would prefer uncovered pickups.  Customer's choice, of course!  :)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Dave Sloven on July 17, 2013, 11:14:33 AM
Looks wise I probably would have went with Aftermath or Warpig reverse zebra open coils with nickel bolts, and maybe even some Triple Shot black pickup rings.  In my mind that would really make this guitar look amazing.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: gwEm on July 17, 2013, 01:55:33 PM
I like the way it looks with the Floyd on.
Not to be pedantic, but its a Steinberger R-Trem ;)


I have to admit though that I am curious what this would look like with reverse zebra open humbuckers rather than the covered ones.  Too much of a good thing?
I was wondering the exactly the same thing! I kinda like the covered look with the schenker harlequin pain scheme though.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on July 17, 2013, 06:37:21 PM
i think i would only be happy with zebras if they were pure white/black rather than cream, but tbh then i would want each coil split in half too... it ends up being too much.

i was not sure about the nickel at first, but now the paint is done i think it works
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Telerocker on July 20, 2013, 02:25:51 PM
i think i would only be happy with zebras if they were pure white/black rather than cream, but tbh then i would want each coil split in half too... it ends up being too much.

i was not sure about the nickel at first, but now the paint is done i think it works

White/black-zebra's would be the icing on the cake.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on August 01, 2013, 03:11:27 PM
getting there... might change the knobs for white

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/3_zps3faef078.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/4_zps1e4d9ad2.jpg)


and also something else i am finishing up,   I hate planet waves tuners when assembling guitars - that is why a string is missing
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/5_zps980981fb.jpg)
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/WezV/complete%20guitars/6_zpse2a92bab.jpg)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on August 01, 2013, 11:30:48 PM
I like the contouring on the second guitar!

And the covered pickups on the V are starting to grow on me!  Agreed about the knobs, it needs something lower-profile, white or maybe black SG-types?
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Dave Sloven on August 02, 2013, 12:24:43 AM
Looks like it has solid shaft pots though.  The witch hats need split shafts.  Maybe try some Fender knobs?
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on August 02, 2013, 06:12:30 PM
I don't let things like that worry me.  they are split shaft with the screw going into the split.  if they were permenant i would look at the brass adapter sleeves.  but they are not staying- it will be getting white strat knobs
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Telerocker on August 02, 2013, 06:44:07 PM
The black one looks stellar too.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: marauder on August 02, 2013, 08:26:26 PM
I'm looking forward to playing the black one when it's owner brings it for a try.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: juansolo on August 03, 2013, 08:59:44 AM
Love them both... Well one slightly more than the other ;)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: Philly Q on August 03, 2013, 09:39:05 AM
I'm looking forward to playing the black one when it's owner brings it for a try.

Love them both... Well one slightly more than the other ;)

Maybe it's my imagination, reading too much between the lines, making 2+2=5 and all that.... but I think I may be picking up a subtle hint about this guitar's ownership.
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: juansolo on August 03, 2013, 10:03:01 AM
 :D My continuing mission to have mash-up guitars. That one has pretty much ended up a StratSG, and purely came about because I had some pickups I really like and nowhere to put them :)

The old Telemaster is up for some alterations at some point also...
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: WezV on August 03, 2013, 12:33:46 PM
Also quite different to what you originally asked for.   Didn't that happen on the last one too ;)
Title: Re: Headless hohner conversion
Post by: juansolo on August 03, 2013, 02:20:18 PM
Also quite different to what you originally asked for.   Didn't that happen on the last one too ;)

lol, indeed and in a very good way. The Telemaster rebody will be simple, I promise! ;)

Which is I'm sure how all of these started out...