First build. Replace Tremelo elec and hardware??

Starting w the SV7.

Im wondering if the Pitbull supplied hardware, electonics and bridge are reasonable quality - or should they be scrapped and totally replaced?

With what? Original Floyd Rose Hot Rod 7s are $500US. Floyd Specials and 1000s are about half the cost? Are all Floyds direct bolt & no additional routing required?

Ive got some hipshot locking tuners, switches, vol and tone pots, and EMGs layin around...

My basic hope is that the Pitbull body, neck and fretboard are high quality - and that by replacing the hardware and electronics... I can end up with an incredible guitar....

Attachment 45502

This is the general direction for the Concept.
It'll most likely be wrapped, left rough and unsanded, with natural headstock, EMGs, Hipshot locking tuners, Maybe a Floyd Special or 1000 (possibly blocked)

So Far
About $280US for the SV7 kit shipped to NY, USA ($75 DHL)
The wrap and a sticker are about $82US. Colored stains are near $16 at US hardware stores, $30 on Amazon.

The moment I invest in a bridge, the price gets up pretty fast.

Welcome Tim!

Looks like a pretty interesting product. I would suggest that you start a build diary. Other's may be able chime in when you have questions. From the sound of it, you are not a stranger to building/modding.

The hardware that comes with PB guitars is generally no-name unspecified Chinese for the most part. In your case it *says* it's Floyd Rose Licensed. That does not necessarily mean great quality, but it probably means giving it a good eyeball to see if it is a relatively decent clone. It may be OK, particularly if you plan to block it. Hopefully someone who has had experience with them can chime in... I have not had any experience with FR type trems, but I surfed by this video on YT:

https://www.google.com/search?client...PnRAtvBeo,st:0

The first trem he reviews is a Gotoh Ge1996T. Don't know how good the trem is specifically, but I have used Gotoh tuning machines on three guitars now, and they are probably my favorite for quality. At least as good as my Schaler or Hipshot machines and better than my Grovers.

I replace most of the hardware on my kits. I swap out all the screws for stainless. I swap the electronics for CTS, Bourns, or Alpha (Alpha is what EMG tends to use on their pre-wired harnesses...at least on the only one I have ;-) ). I swap the nut for bone or Tusq...

On the other hand, bridges and trim have generally been just fine in my experience with the proviso that the black hardware often uses a non-conductive coating. That can be finessed, but if you do purchase an upgrade, and it's black, I'd correspond with the mfg to make sure it's conductive. That said, I haven't used a bridge as complex as a FR.

Hi and welcome Tim.

Good luck with your build. As far as the hardware goes - some folks replace the kit hardware and electronics, others don't! I've kept a lot of my builds with the stock equipment and rarely had any issues.

thanks, very cool of you

thanks, I appreciate it

You are getting advice from geniuses, and I am just a plodder with no particular expectations as to sound or appearance. I've upgraded tuners, and recommend something better than the kit ones, and nuts also as per Fender3x. Otherwise, my 5 completed builds are pretty much stock PBG. And I have no complaints.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TimHilbert

Attachment 45502

This is the general direction for the Concept.
It'll most likely be wrapped, left rough and unsanded, with natural headstock, EMGs, Hipshot locking tuners, Maybe a Floyd Special or 1000 (possibly blocked)

So Far
About $280US for the SV7 kit shipped to NY, USA ($75 DHL)
The wrap and a sticker are about $82US. Colored stains are near $16 at US hardware stores, $30 on Amazon.

The moment I invest in a bridge, the price gets up pretty fast.

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Yes - as soon as you look to a better name bridge - thoughts of other upgrades just start increasing - i've had to force myself to stop it!
I try to go by the thought to use what there is - and then upgrade what is then seen to be necessary - given what I've read from everyone's posts (I'm only doing my first build now - so leaning as much as I can on other people's experience).

One thing that does "make sense" regardless - is replacing all the screws - I've been caught with more than one snapped screw in a number of non-guitar pieces, so this is something to consider.

I am intrigued though - what is this "wrap" you mention?