Rebuilding/Customizing a Gibson Flying V

[DimeZakk]

So I bought this Gibson Flying V body and Neck from 2003 and I will make it my first DIY-project to build this guitar to my specs.

It is basicly just the body and the glued in neck and a pickguard; no bridge, no electronics, no tuners, no pickups...

- I want the pickguard to be black, is there a cheap way of painting it myself with some spray paint or will that look bad?
- The guitar was fitted with those Kluson Style tuners (like on Les Paul standards) before, can I put in some locking Tuners like Sperzels in without any major modifikations? (drilling wider holes?)
- Will a standard Gotoh Tune-O-matic bridge and stop tail piece fit?
- I will put some EMGs in this guitar since they come with pots and an input Jack... Do I need additional electronics besides a 3way switch?
- Do EMG pickups need to be grounded to the Bridge?

[Ratrod]

A painted pickguard looks like shite. There are plenty of aftermarket companies that can provide you with a new one.

For the hardware, do some measurements the go to the Stewmac site. As long as you don't have a vibrato on there, there's no real need for locking tuners.

Don't get EMG's just because you have the pots and jack. Pots and jacks are cheap. EMG's don't need grounding.

[DimeZakk]

Thanks for the Stewmac site!

I don't want locking tuners, I want some Tuners that lock the strings in playce for easy and fast String changing without having to wind it arround the Peg a couple of times...

I don't get the EMGs because they come with electronics, I just want to fit this guitar with EMGs. I have 5 guitars now and 4 are fitted with BKPs but sometimes you just want that EMG tone.

[Philly Q]

- I want the pickguard to be black, is there a cheap way of painting it myself with some spray paint or will that look bad?

It's cheap to spray it, but as Ratrod said it'll look shite.  And the paint will wear off in no time.  Save your spraycan money for a new pickguard!  :P

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Black-Gibson-67-Faded-Flying-V-Pickguard_W0QQitemZ220507904170QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar_Accessories?hash=item33574b98aa#ht_500wt_975

- The guitar was fitted with those Kluson Style tuners (like on Les Paul standards) before, can I put in some locking Tuners like Sperzels in without any major modifikations? (drilling wider holes?)

You'll probably find the holes are about 10mm at the back of the headstock and about 8mm at the front.  Gotohs, Schallers or Grovers will be pretty much direct replacements (you might need to redrill screw holes though).  For Sperzels or Planet Waves you'll need 10mm holes right through the headstock.  

- Will a standard Gotoh Tune-O-matic bridge and stop tail piece fit?

Yes, but the Gotoh tailpiece may come with metric-thread studs so you'll need to replace them with US ones.

[WezV]

I don't want locking tuners, I want some Tuners that lock the strings in playce for easy and fast String changing without having to wind it arround the Peg a couple of times...

thats what locking tuners do.  allow for faster string changes but also aid tuning stability with a trem because they need no wraps on the post

most have holes that will be wider than klusons so need widening (notice i didnt say drilling, i dont like drilling tuner holes wider)


gotoh do some that will fit though, these lock as you tune
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tuning-keys/guitar/locking-3-x-3-tuning-keys/gotoh-locking-vintage-style-tuning-keys-3x3-w-plastic-keystone-2-p-2970.html

i guess you are not after the vintage look though, so really those holes need enlarging

[Philly Q]

gotoh do some that will fit though, these lock as you tune
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tuning-keys/guitar/locking-3-x-3-tuning-keys/gotoh-locking-vintage-style-tuning-keys-3x3-w-plastic-keystone-2-p-2970.html

i guess you are not after the vintage look though, so really those holes need enlarging

Not sure which "Klusons" this particular V has, but the "Gibson Deluxe" Kluson-alike tuners which Gibson use on most production models don't actually have the press-in bushings.  They have a 10mm wide post, washer and screw-in bushing like most cast/sealed tuners.  

[WezV]

gotoh do some that will fit though, these lock as you tune
http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/allparts-guitar-amp-parts/tuning-keys/guitar/locking-3-x-3-tuning-keys/gotoh-locking-vintage-style-tuning-keys-3x3-w-plastic-keystone-2-p-2970.html

i guess you are not after the vintage look though, so really those holes need enlarging

Not sure which "Klusons" this particular V has, but the "Gibson Deluxe" Kluson-alike tuners which Gibson use on most production models don't actually have the press-in bushings.  They have a 10mm wide post, washer and screw-in bushing like most cast/sealed tuners. 

it has been a while since i have taken a newer gibson completely apart - not changed a tuner on one in ages!!

[Philly Q]

it has been a while since i have taken a newer gibson completely apart - not changed a tuner on one in ages!!

When you do next see one, they'll probably want the tuners changing  :lol: .  They're pretty bad, loose and sloppy.

[DimeZakk]

Yeah it's those dreadfull Gibosn Kluson Style vintage tuners they put on their Standard models and unfortunatley on the Flying V...

I am looking for a modern look so I will widen the holes if neccessary and get a set of Sperzels or Schallers from my local store.

[Paradigm]

- I want the pickguard to be black, is there a cheap way of painting it myself with some spray paint or will that look bad?
It's a lot easier and usually cheaper to just buy a new pickguard. Painting can be done, but just spraying some black on a pick guard will mean it's really vulnerable to chips and dings and won't look tidy. It's a Gibson, so it needs to look a million: buy a black factory pickguard. I usually make my own pickguards, but if I consider the results and time it costs to do, I am usually better off just buying stock (but then it wouldn't be fully handmade..)

- The guitar was fitted with those Kluson Style tuners (like on Les Paul standards) before, can I put in some locking Tuners like Sperzels in without any major modifikations? (drilling wider holes?)
It should be standard 10mm (or 9.8/9.4 or something stock like that), so you should be able to replace them in a matter of minutes. Drilling wider holes is by no means a major modification though, if you want to start customising/building guitars this is a good way to start. Align everything nicely and just grab a drill press.
- Will a standard Gotoh Tune-O-matic bridge and stop tail piece fit?
I don't see a problem, but you should do a measurements check with google/parts site.
- I will put some EMGs in this guitar since they come with pots and an input Jack... Do I need additional electronics besides a 3way switch?
Active EMGs (e.g. 81 and 85 like good ole' Metallica) or passive? Big difference is that actives will need a battery compartment, which might require some wood work, which is step into guitar building territory. If the thought of widening tuner holes scares you, don't consider routing cavities in ya Gibby. Then you'd need to make sure there's enough room for a battery compartment (big 9V thing with casing). If they're passive you will be fine.
- Do EMG pickups need to be grounded to the Bridge?
Actives no, passives yes. If you need to ground, it should be no problem, since most are grounded already, so no need for new wire holes etc. Just connect and rock out.

One last personal comment: don't get EMG pickups ;-).

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!