Vintage-y ES-3

[DB07]

Wow... That's one hot guitar

[wokkaboy]

incredible build Grant you keep raising the bar each build !

[neverwas]

Thanks Andrew, Damo, Gav, Tony, Waz, Swanny, Dave, DB07 and Wokks.
Damo, I went with Toneriders for the pups. The plan was to go for the AC-2s but when it was time to order them, I noticed the Rocksongs were the same price and used the same magnets just the bridge is hotter. Not exactly 'jazz', but hey, guess it was a Tim the Toolman moment (if anyone remembers that show).
Swanny, I'll nitpick for you. If you look close on the side of the neck, tried to match the burst on the body but brought the red too far down, doesn't quite line up. Same pic as before.

Not too sure about this bar-raising stuff, just happy to try and keep up with everyone else.

Grant

[Fretworn]

This guitar makes me cry its so beautiful. I want to hear someone playing Herb Ellis/Joe Pass runs on it.

[Andy40]

Mate I can't wait to hear those rocksongs sing!

BTW where did you get the colourtone stains from? Oz? if you got them overseas was there any difficulty getting them in?

[Muzza]

You ARE the king of bursts. Another spectacular edition from neverwas-butalwayswillbethebarsetter.

I hate the tuners. Sorry.

[Tweaky]

Are you kidding me, those Wilkinson Imperials are awesome [I didn't know they existed till I saw them on this build ] very D'Angelico New Yorker look.....got to get some for a future build.

It seems Neverwas and I have similar design ethics.

I think I'm going to have to get the same sort of tailpiece as you have fitted to my ES-3 build : neverwas.
I bought a Gold version of the one supplied with the kit, underwhelmed would be my response to it's appearance, structurally it's fine...I just don't like the look of it...... If I could find out what it is made out of, I might be able to patina it, but it seems a none discript alloy that even if I engraved it, and filled the engraving with media, I doubt it would hold for any length of time.
I was looking at getting one of those Finger tailpieces originally fitted on super 400's


But the price, even for a replica, is just not worth the outlay . [close to A$350-400]

Tasty build...hopefully I can match it.
I have gone down the route of no return though with my neck ...... You'll all see when I update my build diary.

[neverwas]

Cheers Fretty, maybe I should warn you next time there are new pics . I also would love to hear those sounds come out of it, but waaay beyond my ability. Need to find someone to give her a proper run through.

Thanks Andy. Got the stains straight from stewmac, delivery from the US was pretty quick, only 'difficulty' was the exchange rate.

Thanks Muzza, don't be sorry it's down to personal taste. All good.

Thanks Tweaky, sounds like we are on the same page design wise. I did come across the finger tailpieces and just about fell off my chair when I saw the price, but they do look a bit special. Have you thought of the Kluson tailpieces, same as Jarrod used on his ES-3? (currently on page 18, haven't got the hang of doing links yet). They are around $80-90 AU last I looked.
"route of no return", sounds like you went for a headplate after all, just a guess, look forward to your update.

Grant

[Tweaky]

Not a headplate ..... I sort of ..... well , ripped the frets out and dyed the fingerboard black with Indian Ink.

I had already taken the original inlay out..... I had cut Gold MOP to fit, but I thought..... well that looks stupid.... the inlay only goes to the 17th fret, two frets are missing inlay..... stuff it, let's to this properly, and cut inlay holes for the 19th and 21st frets.

To do that properly needs me to remove the frets around that area.... if I do that, I might as well do a total re fret with fret wire of my choice..... news alert, new Gibson fetwire is very similar to that fitted as standard to thses kit's.
Only difference is the new stuff is taller and has more nickel content [or less copper] anyway, the new stuff isn't as soft as the fret wire fitted [ I could, in all honesty, re fit the original frets, as they came out without any damage, and could be put in again to work perfectly well without any problem]

[robin]

Wow Grant, just wow.

If that was in a shop it would have its own display case.