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RC-1 project has been underway for a few weeks, but I've been lazy and not done a build diary. So, here 'tiz.
So far have levelled frets and started sanding, sanding, sanding, etc...
Headstock has been shaped and awaiting a chance to try my hand with some binding at some point.
Aiming for almost the Jetglo look, so I'll have to give working on pickguards a go.
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...130825_003.jpg
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...130706_001.jpg
Great Brendan, about time someone did one of these - nice
Following on the heels of Gav and DB - lot to live up to..
Brendan, no pressure, just want to leave this here as inspiration:
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...-RC-1-DB-2.jpg
Looking forward to seeing this build. Love the headstock shape...
Yes, no pressure... if it comes out half that good, I'll be stoked...Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from adam on August 25, 2013, 18:50
Brendan, no pressure, just want to leave this here as inspiration:
Currently chasing some coil splittable humbuckers... Thinking something like:
http://www.guitarfetish.com/Memphis-...kup_c_159.html
http://www.guitarfetish.com/GFS-Retr...ion_p_361.html
or
http://www.entwistlepickups.com/pick...puid=Nashville
hi Brendan,
looking great, especially the headstock! i was also considering the entwistle pickups for my build, but i'm not sure how they are size-wise. May need some bespoke mounts? Will be great to see what you end up with. I have used GFS and Entwistle on previous builds and loved them both. I'm looking forward to your build with interest!
cheers,
Gavin.
Oh well - new toys arrived today.
Probably a touch hot for my liking, but the price was right.
Coil split Entwistle DarkStar pickups. Have to mod the front pickup cavity ~2mm too thin neck to bridge, but that shouldn't be too hard.
Just waiting on a few more bits and we'll be cooking with gas!
http://pitbullguitars.com/wp-content...131011_002.jpg
If anyone's interested here they are:
http://www.entwistlepickups.com/pick...puid=Dark+Star
Picked them up off ebay for ~$35 odd for the pair.
Seriously? $35? I've read some good reviews for these pickups, all of which mentioned good price, but that's ridiculous.
I will have to check them out, but I can see a set of these going in my next build.
Pablo - may be cheaper Chinese knockoffs, but they look right and have the right resistance - we'll see what they sound like when I finally get to the Ricky and get it done :).
Will be interesting to see how thay sound Brendan.. if thay are any good might have to try some of the bass pups..
I've never heard of these pups so will also be keen to hear how they impress you. Still, there was an Entwistle in The Who and they weren't too shabby ;-0
Hi Brendan,
I used these exact pickups in my first build. It was a Flying V, so I expected a heavy sound, and that's exactly what they delivered cranked up close to the strings. Even on clean they sound very very nice. Mine were $35 a set too so I suspect they were Chinese knockoffs. Even so, they sound fantastic. You won't be disappointed! All Entwhistles I can highly recommend as Eben grabbed a set of HVX humbuckers for his BC-1 and they also sound awesome. I did think the routes on the RC-1 looked a little smaller than standard humbuckers. Are you going to widen the inside edges of both cavities? Might do the same to mine.
Cheers,
Gavin.
With respect to the RC-1 pickup cavities being different , you are right. They are a bit narrower and a bit wider (you know what I mean). I have a few used hummies at home (ESP, Maton, EMG, etc.) and none of them fitted into the cavity. Also, they were not quite wide enough the use the same surrounds that came with the kit. I didn't enlarge the cavities because I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to any sort of serious woodworking. But if you have a go and it works out OK I will be keen to know.
Finally getting this one up and running again - can't believe it's been that long since I've posted on it. Anyway...
Some minor cosmetic surgery later and we now have white (not cream) binding (thanks Gav)...
Some sanding and staining to come soon!...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...131227_001.jpg
nice to see progress
And the bandages are off! Some sanding of the binding and body to get it all back in shape and it should be ready for staining in the next 24 odd hours (depending on when I get time)!
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...131230_001.jpg
looking awesome Brendan! great to see this one progressing. Will be starting mine very soon. Any plans to change the pickup cavity size? They kinda look like 'mini-humbucker' size to me...
cheers,
Gav.
Have already taken a little out of each to fit the new 'buckers in. Need to do a dry run to make sure it all still fits fine...
Right - dry run has raised an issue - everything goes together nicely, but the neck's not all the way to the back of the pup "hole". The pup surround for some reason isn't as nice a fit - even though they're pretty close to the same size...
Unfilled fret dots were because the dots were off centre and dead close to the frets and a touch too small (6mm and my dots are 1/4") so I didn't want to drill. Got out my new toy from Santa - a dremel with one of those nifty engraving bizzo's and widened the holes slowly and slightly - just enough to get some dots in. Will glue them in over the next few days.
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...140108_007.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...140108_008.jpg
I am not sure it needs to go all the way in( the neck) i dont recall mine doing that, but then I did make my own surrounds....
What are your scale measurements to the bridge posts (or centre of the post holes) like when the neck is in the 'not all the way in' position? That should tell you if everything is ok, or if you need to follow the way of the Gav and mod your pickup rings.
Best measurements I can get - saddles all the way forward but bridge posts not all the way in... No nut at the moment - haven't got that far...
Neck all the way back
Low E - Nut to 12: 312mm, 12 - Saddle: 317.5mm
High E - Nut to 12: 313mm, 12 - Saddle: 313.5mm
Neck in place with 'bucker
Low E - Nut to 12: 312mm, 12 - Saddle: 322mm
High E - Nut to 12: 313mm, 12 - Saddle: 318mm
Looks like I'm out by 4.5mm
Dumb newbie question - to get the bridge posts in - unscrew the bridge posts, use a block of wood to protect then gently tap in with a hammer to get them in?
By "all the way forward" i am assuming you mean they are wound to be as close to the pickup as possible?Quote:
/<\\/p>[]<\\/p>/Quote from Brendan on January 9, 2014, 22:08
Best measurements I can get - saddles all the way forward but bridge posts not all the way in... No nut at the moment - haven't got that far...
Are your frets at 90 degrees to your fretboard!!!??? The nut to the 12th should be 313mm for all strings. You probably have 1.5mm to 2mm to play with here. IOW, you could move the neck 2 mm away from being butted up against the body.Quote:
Neck all the way back
Low E - Nut to 12: 312mm, 12 - Saddle: 317.5mm
High E - Nut to 12: 313mm, 12 - Saddle: 313.5mm
Ok, this is horrible.....Quote:
Neck in place with 'bucker
Low E - Nut to 12: 312mm, 12 - Saddle: 322mm
High E - Nut to 12: 313mm, 12 - Saddle: 318mm
Probably 3 mm.....Quote:
Looks like I'm out by 4.5mm
you must have been watching me......Quote:
Dumb newbie question - to get the bridge posts in - unscrew the bridge posts, use a block of wood to protect then gently tap in with a hammer to get them in?
Yes, all the way forward is as close to the pickups as possible.
End of the fretboard to 1st is a touch different between low and high E - I think that's what is causing the issue. Figured it'd be fixed when I put a new nut in.
I'll try again tomorrow with the bridge settled in fully - hoping it'll give me a slight improvement.
Let's check that nut to 12th fret measurement again on the weekend at the Lair / man cave....hope the dude who cut the fretboard at the nut wasn't squint!
On again, off again build is back on again...
First photo - Ricky with one coat of Feast Watson Japan Black.
Second photo - 24 hours later with 1 coat of NCR Oil...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...140127_004.jpg
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...140128_001.jpg
its looking good Brendan
yes looking sweet Brendan, is that really only one coat of japan black ? thats very dark indeed. Way darker than you can get black magic woman
Love Rickies. It's looking fantastic already, Brendan.
Great work Brendan. Absolutely love black Rickenbackers (I am lucky enough to own one :) ) and yours is shaping up to be something special. Love the finish you've managed to achieve with the Japan black. Simply outstanding! Hope the issue with the neck isn't giving you too much grief..
cheers,
Gav.
Thanks guys - yep - just one coat of Japan Black - mind you - careful with it - it burnt through the glove I was wearing and I now have a hand that looks like a 60 year old chain smokers' - i.e., brown finger tips... Stain didn't take too well in some areas where I think I've sanded through the cap. I've spot touched up these areas with more stain, but no joy. That said - it helps to retain the idea that this is wood.
As for the neck - I think I'll go back to stock pups and save the Entwistles for something ... heavier - maybe an SG?
Another coat of NCR oil and the top's getting nice and shiny...
http://www.pitbullguitars.com/wp-con...140223_005.jpg
nice