SG Kit - First Build Diary

[wazkelly]

Yep, definitely a small gap all the way around on all sides of the PUP routs.

Did this kit come with a pick guard as I think that may have been required to assist covering things up. If not, Bummer.

Solutions? You could buy larger PUP mounting rings and would suggest looking at metal ones as they should be wider and also come in black. There are also timber ones out there too but they mighty be a bit more expensive. There is a 7 string version too but not sure how that would leave the internal side of things?

http://www.realparts.com.au/hardware...lat-black.html
http://www.realparts.com.au/hardware...set-black.html
http://www.realparts.com.au/hardware...-rosewood.html


How do I know these things? Check out my EX-1 in below signatures as once neck had been set & glued only then did I realise there was no room left for neck PUP mounting ring and was totally freakin out. Eventually went 'Top Loaded' and those shots show them sitting about 5mm to 6mm lower than where they should be and another job for me to get around to soon. If you go down this path you will need to pack the bottom of the PUP rout with some timber, probably 6mm ply, paint it dark or same colour as you top stain so that it doesn't stand out.

Hope some of these ideas help.

[adam]

Hey Simon, I don't often get an opportunity to comment on build threads, primarily because I'm actually pretty crap at putting them together.

BUT, I can offer some advice on your build...

You ordered a custom SG kit, but you wanted the pickups from the EX-1 kit. I assume this was because you wanted the "black look". Nothing wrong with that.

Unfortunately, the factory doesn't appreciate the subtleties of metal aesthetics and take each order literally, so I think these pups are different size, as you can see here:

EX Pups


SG Pups

I think I might be able to find some black covered pickups here which should be SG sized.

I'll have a hunt around tomorrow and email you if I find them.

If you want the uncovered EX look, then you'll need to source some wider covers.

[Freakystyley]

No pickguard. This was a custom kit and I asked for no pickguard routing. To quote you...bummer. So these mounting rings will fit around normal humbucker pups? I think getting those and screwing them in would be the easiest way.

Ps: thanks for the links and info!

[Freakystyley]

Hi Adam. Yeah I actually ordered black sealed pups anyway. That's good I maybe don't need to buy the mount rings if the pups I got are just smaller!

Thanks Adam!

[adam]

Hi Adam. Yeah I actually ordered black sealed pups anyway. That's good I maybe don't need to buy the mount rings if the pups I got are just smaller!

Thanks Adam!

Ok, so you don't need me to look for black covered pickups here?

[Freakystyley]

no its ok adam, thanks anyways. hopefully the ones i have ordered will be ok

[Freakystyley]

So now everything has went well with the body and the final coat is on I am thinking about upgrading some of the hardware as I now have to wait for the body to cure ( really 2 weeks dingobass??) I don't know much about different kinds of pots so if anyone can recommend any that would be better than the stock ones supplied? I only know 500k ones are better but are they only for active guitars?

Also machine heads-I hear you can't go wrong with Grover?

I'm not sure if there is any point in upgrading the wire supplied?

I am going to get copper shielding for the pups and if all goes well the last thing I will be getting is some di marzio or bare knuckles.

[wazkelly]

Hi Feaky, I have upgraded pots and switches on all my builds as the stock ones are not as reliable or durable. Humbuckers are best suited to 500k whilst single coils are better on 250k. Audio taper seems to give a smoother transition from fully on to gradually quieter whilst linear taper appears more dramatic in the amount of reduction.

Haven't used the push back cloth wire but aim to do so on any future builds as that wire looks to be a better gauge than supplied stock and the push back cloth will just make stripping the wire obsolete.

I put Grovers on the EX-1 and whilst a bit weird to get used to they do the job and have a better feel than stock supplied with the kits.

Cheaper and equally as good sounding upgrade pickups can be found on the PBG site. I have used both Entwistle and Tonerider and they sound great and also come in 4 wire allowing split coil switching if that is something you want to do.

[Freakystyley]

So bought new black sealed pickups which are for SG/LP guitars but they are the same size as the other ones that were supplied so looks like I may have to splash out and get the mount rings. Hopefully this will cover the gap!

[wazkelly]

Take some measurements and check those against what you are thinking of buying to make sure they will cover the gaps before you pull the trigger and find out the hard way later once they have arrived in the mail.