Drummerdude's build #2-- PBH-4

[Drummerdude]

Thanks again Scott I ordered a three position switch and my pickups came in the mail yesterday. Here is a picture of the wiring.

[Drummerdude]

I got the template made for the custom pickguard last night. That took some time... now when the material arrives I can stick it to the template and router it out. Drill and countersink, 45 the edge and it will be complete. What do you guys think of the design?

[Dedman]

I like it. if anythingI'd adjust (smooth) the radius on the section directly above the rea pick up. I see you cant take any more off because the cavity is there but maybe add some at the very rear so that section is all the same width.

[Drummerdude]

Yeah Dedman I mad some adjustments to it already, the pic when it's on the body was when I was checking that very area. I think I got it to be acceptable. I am so OCD that I want to pull out the micrometer and make it exact but the one they supplied was really bad because of the short scale making them move the pickups.
BTW thanks for the honest input that really helps people to get stuff right. Cant wait to see your next one.
I have an IB-5 kit also waiting to get started and the Ash grain is not that exciting so I think I am going to do a ebony timbermate grain fill and a dark chemical wash or grayish black stain with gold hardware.. I think you will like it.

[Kick]

Said it before; at first I had my thoughts but now I really love it. Somehow you made it, don't know how to say this (being Dutch), 'natural' and 'suppose to be'. So I admire your work!

[Drummerdude]

Thanks kick you said it quite well..

[WeirdBits]

Is your new pickup a 3-wire plus bare shield like the bottom diagram in that image you posted, or is it 4-wire plus a bare shield? Series/parallel coil switching needs the latter. Post some pics of your actual pickup wires if you're unsure.

[wazkelly]

I got the template made for the custom pickguard last night. That took some time... now when the material arrives I can stick it to the template and router it out. Drill and countersink, 45 the edge and it will be complete. What do you guys think of the design?

I tend to like the timber template and wonder how it would come up with similar blue to green burst effect?

If I ever build a Firebird reckon I would do a 3 ply scratch plate made from 3mm ply wood instead of using the plastic one. After seeing the Olive Wood scratch plate in last month's GOTM has got me thinking more and more how much nicer a timber one looks.

Cheers, Waz

[Simon Barden]

I was just thinking if you really need the cut-away for the truss-rod adjuster in the pickguard? Practically, there's no way you'd get a hex key in there to adjust anything unless you enlarged end elongated the body cut-out, so you'd need to remove the neck to do it anyway.

Just thinking out loud.

[Drummerdude]

Well Waz I never even thought about that. I may just have to make one and try it. I actually just got a whole bunch of Ash veneer on a big sale the local vendor was having. So I may get some thinner plywood and glue a piece of the Ash to it and stain. Thank for the idea.

You may be right Simon I never thought about that. There are holes in the side of the rod end and I thought maybe those were so you could use a small rod or Allen wrench and ,instead of going into the end of the rod, you could stick it straight down and turn and keep moving to the closest hole and make adjustments but I am not sure.

Thanks for all the ideas..