Marcel's PBG LP-1SSP

[UpperCaseH]

I had put copper foil under the pots and the pots have tags on them that hang down... Well, I had a short to ground on the unused tag... first problem sorted.

The first time I did that, it took me more than an hour to figure it out.

[Marcel]

Funny thing is it took me longer to type into this diary than it took for me to find the fault and fix it and replace the caps... All most probably a peril from having electronics as my trade...

Just like building the amp was fun 'fill in' while working on my guitar builds...lol

[Simon Barden]

Good news, Marcel. I like P90s. I've got two guitars fitted with them and I want to make an ES 330-style guitar shortly.

Very nice looking guitar.

[Marcel]

I know where you're at Simon... & thanks for the compliment.

Once finances are permitting and a few other projects I have running near their completion I fully intend to get a ES-1GT kit, followed by a RCA-4 kit, and then a GR-1SF kit. With any luck that might see me through to Christmas, but who truly does know the future.....

[wazkelly]

Hi Marcel, I am a bit late catching up on some build threads and thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. You have done a great job.

Curious to know more about your Build # 0 as I had one of those as my very first guitar way back in 1977. How long have you had yours and was originally black/red/yellow sunburst as that seemed to be how most of them were at the time?

Cheers, Waz

[gavinturner]

Looks amazing Marcel, you did a great job with the finish. Would really love a sound demo! Ever since my LP Jnr build, I'm a P90 convert in a big way.

cheers,
Gav.

[andrewdosborne]

Nice axe Marcel, well done. You've gotta love a P90 based guitar

[Marcel]

Hi Marcel, I am a bit late catching up on some build threads and thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. You have done a great job.

Curious to know more about your Build # 0 as I had one of those as my very first guitar way back in 1977. How long have you had yours and was originally black/red/yellow sunburst as that seemed to be how most of them were at the time?

Cheers, Waz

Hi Waz,
I got the Japanese made plywood body strat in Brisbane in 1978. Can't remember the store but it was in Chermside somewhere. I modified it heavily in the mid eighties and as a result the pick guard had become pretty sad and that's how it stayed until a few moths ago I just got fed up with it and fitted a MIM loaded guard from Sigler music in the USA. At some time I had been a bit rough with it as evidenced by the damage to the finish and I discovered the truss rod had broken so regrettably I've replaced the neck with a skunk strip Kmise neck.... have also replaced the tuners and bridge with Fender spares... Now she plays and sounds like she should have all along...

[wazkelly]

Thanks Marcel, takes me back to Xmas 1977 when I got my 3 colour sunburst just like yours.

Looks like you have sanded off the a shaped logo? Have you replaced the tuners as originals were usually rubbish. Heavy beast no doubt but with plenty of sustain.

[Marcel]

It is quite a heavy axe but not noticeably different to my Ash Strat. Sustain is pretty good and now with the MIM loaded guard it sounds heaps better, and the slimmer Kmise neck makes playing it so much more enjoyable. Actually the only original part of the old axe left is the plywood body, everything else has been replaced... Yet to see how it compares with an Alder strat. Might have to borrow the wife's bathroom scales and get some definitive numbers for comparison...

The old neck is slightly thicker than a slim neck and due to memory in my fingers from those days in the '70's playing it felt quite natural, but the bugger had buzz on a few frets near the nut and the truss rod won't adjust them out, plus the tuners are now in a quite sad state and replacing them will leave an ugly mess. And there is quite a bit of fret wear near the nut, so to minimise effort I opted to replace it.