Wednesday 22nd August '07

3 days to Cumbria Guitar Show!!

The day commences back with one of Roberts Hollow models, I have several novel ideas about the new locknut system, but they require some engineering epertise that I have not got..  this standard nut is cut down to lower the profile a bit as a temporary solution..

I can see why Robert doesn't like these.

anyway, the GK3 pickup is put in place, Robert has his backwards as this stops it from interfering with his right hand.. the only problem is that this confuses some earlier synth modules and on production models I put it the correct way around.  Wizard and myself are trying to work a way around even having this pickup at the bridge at all.. if we can build a hexaphonic system into a humbucker then we're away.. expensive, but much better looking than this thing.

strings on, springs and screws etc attached.. now she needs a polish and some wires.. some wires? Lots and lots of them!!

the truss rod cover is marked out on a bit of ebony..

and looks quite good, I like small covers..

On to the replacement Ibanez neck, it is given a naturalish finish of oil, sealer and wax

and thn this stunning paint job by Jim comes to light..

you can even see it on the back!!  Now, you're all wel aware that I despise floyd rose trem systems.. fiddly and unreliable with enough built in obsolescence that your average player needs to replace bits and pieces on a yearly basis.. but, this plate over where the springs attach is genius!!

I've just noticed that some of the blues in here are actually metal flakes!  Cool!!  Unfortunately I also have to use Dimarzio pickups.. they'll make it sound like an average Ibanez, but mass produced pickups just don't cut it for me anymore.

One day I'll get a closer pic of one of these, then a monster design session will happen and I'll build a guitar based on an attack chopper or something!? should be fun!

Finally all the bits and pieces are there, she just needs wiring.

And here we have the best paint job I've seen so far.. this RF slim will blow your mind when she's done!

look at that bursting!

frets marked off,

filed flat

profiled and sanded and polished etc..

everything is cleaned off and then submerged in lemon oil

and buffed afterwards

the sustainer kit, single coil bucker and Wizard bridge 'bucker are installed along with the earth wire and six wires going from the three-way to the control cavity..

a bone nut blank is prepared and then..

string slots cut followed by my usual scalloping job

and she too is ready for wiring.. nearly.. the pickups are not screwed down yet, this is done after th strings are on so that I can double check the string alignment over the pole-pieces

the is the Jakko M. Jakszyk signature model.. a double cut PAF of sorts with all the contouring etc you could want.. oil finish and Kahler trem system with a uper lim Parker style multi-lam neck and we've a stunningly playable guitar!