Zebra wood ST and TL kits

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24-03-2019, 07:26 PM
adam

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Zebra wood ST and TL kits

I saw these Zebra wood kits when I was at Musikmesse in 2017 and thought they were interesting. Definitely eye-catching.

Finally tracked down a reliable supplier and, after getting some samples, have added some ST (DSZ-1) and TL (DTZ-1) models to the site... with PB and JB Bass kits to follow soon.

They are great quality, but I'm not sure what wood it is. There is a "Zebrawood" that Acoustic aficionados will be familiar with, but this looks like a manufactured product... I'm guessing Basswood treated to give this "Zebra appearance".

Whatever, they look great and the overall quality is excellent. Add some Dingotone Colourless or Tru Oil and job done.

Attachment 30348 Attachment 30349 Attachment 30350 Attachment 30351

Check 'em out

DSZ-1

DTZ-1
24-03-2019, 09:18 PM
Brendan

Looks awesome - can't wait for the PB version!
25-03-2019, 06:45 AM
Simon Barden

Has anyone at PBG simply assembled one to see if they intonate correctly? Because there certainly seem to be issues with a lot (if not all) of the Teles that simply shouldn't be there for customers to remedy. These have pre-drilled holes for the bridges, so hopefully they'll work, but I'd still suggest semi-building one of each (no finish, no electrics, just bridge and neck) just to check that they can be set up without issues. You could always then sell them on as specials.
25-03-2019, 02:46 PM
adam

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Barden

Has anyone at PBG simply assembled one to see if they intonate correctly? Because there certainly seem to be issues with a lot (if not all) of the Teles that simply shouldn't be there for customers to remedy. These have pre-drilled holes for the bridges, so hopefully they'll work, but I'd still suggest semi-building one of each (no finish, no electrics, just bridge and neck) just to check that they can be set up without issues. You could always then sell them on as specials.

What are you saying Simon, "a lot (if not all) TL kits can't be intonated correctly"? This is the first I've head of this and we've sold 1000+ TL kits.
This is a bold negative statement.
25-03-2019, 03:27 PM
adam

Update: Factory confirms, "Yes, our zebra wood is manufactured wood, and has been treated with colour. But sorry I'm not sure its English name. I think it should be cottonwood. To avoid mistake, here is the Chinese name: 杨木. Hope it can be helpful"

Cottonwood is a sub-species of Poplar, which seems about right for weight and feel.
25-03-2019, 04:39 PM
Simon Barden

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam

What are you saying Simon, "a lot (if not all) TL kits can't be intonated correctly"? This is the first I've head of this and we've sold 1000+ TL kits.
This is a bold negative statement.

You really need to look at the posts on TL kits then. The bridge rout is in the wrong place. This has come up before several times, including the list of improvements that the factories really needed to make that we all put together a year or more ago (maybe longer). People shouldn't have to Dremel or rout out the pickup cavity by 5mm or so so they can move the bridge to the right position.

I don't have a TL kit, all this is from reading builder's posts and queries.

Here are just a few posts, but there are a lot more. And note the regular's comments.

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...ead.php?t=9392

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...sition+problem

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...l=1#post128236

https://www.buildyourownguitar.com.a...le+bridge+rout

It really needs to be sorted out as it's very offputting to the casual builder. And it's why I think that PBG needs to do a test assembly at least of any new kits before releasing them for sale, to ensure that they can be assembled and intonated without problems.

I only want to make the kits better for everyone!
25-03-2019, 10:31 PM
TZK321

On the bright side, a recurring problem is easier to identify and correct than a sporadic problem. The first 2 things that come to mind are an incorrect template and incorrect placement of the template. Any other ideas?
26-03-2019, 01:09 AM
Simon Barden

Quote:

Originally Posted by TZK321

On the bright side, a recurring problem is easier to identify and correct than a sporadic problem. The first 2 things that come to mind are an incorrect template and incorrect placement of the template. Any other ideas?

Certainly one of those two things. It's not insolvable, but the bodies shouldn't come from the factories like it. And it's made worse by some of the kit hardware - like the 6-barrel Tele bridge with short adjustment screws, which exacerbates the positioning problem.
26-03-2019, 06:07 AM
king casey

Quote:

Originally Posted by TZK321

On the bright side, a recurring problem is easier to identify and correct than a sporadic problem. The first 2 things that come to mind are an incorrect template and incorrect placement of the template. Any other ideas?

Translate it into [redacted] and delivered with a (metaphorical) kick-up-the-bum?
Also get that tuner hole template sorted out whilst we're at it.
cheers, Mark.
26-03-2019, 08:09 PM
Mr.Drifter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Barden

<a snip>People shouldn't have to Dremel or rout out the pickup cavity by 5mm or so so they can move the bridge to the right position

Sounds almost like the neck pocket is a bit too far outwards perhaps?
Or just bridge position off. Interesting though
26-03-2019, 08:21 PM
Simon Barden

The neck pocket always looks fine in relation to the fit of the pickguard, and then the control cavity plate into the pickguard cut-out for it. It's just that the bridge pickup rout is always coming up as being a few mm out of position.
29-03-2019, 06:14 PM
Andyxlh

Both of my TL kits have come out ok. The only comment I have with this rout is that it seems to be a bit too small to accomodate the tonerider pickups, and needed adjusting accordingly. The intonation on mine is fine, I certainly don't recall having to fiddle with it for that reason.
30-03-2019, 07:03 AM
Dedman

I had to use longer screws in my TL's saddles to get intonation spot on. And yes the pick up routs do need to be enlarged for anything other than the kit pick up.
Bear in mind I think these are from a different supplier
30-03-2019, 09:04 AM
Woltz

My 2c is that it isn't the rout on the body that is the issue. It seems to be more the bridge, as Dedman alluded to. I would've had to locate longer screws or route out the cavity if I'd used the standard bridge.

However, I purchased the Wilkinson Bridge from Pitbull and other than routing a slightly bigger cavity to accommodate the Tonerider pickups (standard pickups would've likely fit without modification) I've not had a issue with rout location.

I have no experience with the new kits so can't comment on those, however I will make the comment that I don't expect all the kits to be perfect (I don't expect anything made in China to be for that matter). And the minor issues that there are can usually be rectified with patience and utilising the experience on the forum.