Upgrading components on your Pit Bull Guitar

[Gavin1393]

Quote from Brendan on May 20, 2013, 21:29
My plan for now is to use the supplied strings to file down the grooves - I've got a set of Ernie Balls en route with my bass' name on them...

Brenden, I wouldn't do that. If you have already got the groves in place you can use strings to assist to file the nut. But working from scratch with guitar strings will take you far linger to make the slot and it will be very hard to control getting the slot at exactly the right spot.

[Brendan]

This looks a little cheap though - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Guitar-ca...item4d07c17058

[Gavin1393]

I think the rule is cheap and nasty when it comes to precision tools. I bought a set of 5 files from Stewmac when I was a naive young luthier almost two years ago. I was supplied with what effectively was a bass string file, and 4 other files in my kit. The problem was that only 2 of the files were reasonably close to the string size. I worked with this since I didnt know any better until i realised after watching another luthier file his nuts with precision and saw how the strings drop into these perfect slots and no string rattle! I immediately went out and bought the missing files and have never regretted paying the price asked.

[dingobass]

Yep, I agree with Gavin.
$13 each may seem expensive for the nut slotting files, but they will last you a lifetime.
I know an elderly Luthier over east that has had his nut files for over 30 years!

When it comes to tools, never buy cheap because cheap tools give a cheap result

[Brendan]

I guess that's one thing that bass builders have over guitar builders - we only need 4 files...

Small silver lining...

[Brendan]

Has anyone used the preslotted nuts from http://www.guitarparts.co.nz/nuts/bone-nuts.html?
Unfortunately the bass slotted nuts have a curved bottom on them and I believe the PBG necks are all set up for flat nuts...

[dingobass]

Yep. Once.... These are the El Cheapo bleached rubbish from Asia, I wouldn't waste my time!

[Brendan]

Gracias - will save my hard earned.

[Tony Bones]

Quote from dingobass on October 20, 2012, 18:45
Benj has recommended Guitarfetish for parts. I also give them a big thumbs up! The service and backup is excellent and nothing is a problem for Dave at Guitarfetish.

Dingobass

There are two reasons I don't use Stewmac, and neither has anything to do with the quality or selection of their parts. I do not make any purchases from vendors in the same state(Ohio) because I do not pay sales tax for online purchases. In the future if I need something only Stewmac sells I'll go for it. The second is that their in-state shipping is prohibitive. I'm not paying 9 dollars US for a 5 dollar Switchcraft 1/4 inch jack. Other than those two glitches, I highly recommend them.

Guitarfetish has a selection of esoteric and hard to find mod parts that is right up my alley and I expect to do a lot of business with them. Shortly I plan on buying Pit Bull's Firebird. I will be using the Gibson Les Paul Deluxe/Gold Top Mini humbuckers. GF has the ring/mounting adapters that will make my 3 pickup Firebird scream.

Bones

[travisloughhead]

Hi Guys.
Ive been looking around for new hardware to fit the look of my LP-1P,Ive noticed that the hardware made in Japan and Korea are built to 7/16" whereas the china made ones are 3/8". Adam, would you be able to tell me where the hardware that comes stock is from? Also I found that the machine heads I'm looking at require a 8.8mm hole and mine are just about 1-1.05ish. will that have a large affect on how it comes together?