Recent content by oyrgawd

It's done! http://www.blankbanker.com/main/Kramercaster_complete.html I might replace the Drop & Gains, the rosewood is still kinda weeping oil (from the wood or the finish I don't know), and I'm thinking of replacing the zero fret with a stainless one and the aluminum string guide with a...

The more I think about it, I did have to push on the backs of them pretty hard for them to thread on the top (carved tele).  I probably bent the guts.  I'll open them up.   Any recommendations for a lube though?

Or do I just need to try different ones? They're currently regular-length CTS and they're stiff, really stiff in one case. They're not rubbing anywhere externally.

Ok, I'm finished finishing and I finally got around to taking pictures:  http://www.blankbanker.com/main/Kramercaster_body.html I'm pretty happy with the finish.  I do wish I had sanded it out after it got routed, and that I hadn't pushed so hard with the steel wool that one time.  But there's...

Just FYI, my Hipshot trem bushings *did* fit with the Wilkinson holes, but the bridge plate does *not* fit all the way into the Wilkinson recess when pulling up.  It's just a 1/16th of an inch or so too far over the route, but that's enough that the bridge can only be down-only unless I angle...

It is an original Kramer aluminum neck (from a 350G).  Turns out it's a little wider than the Tele pocket, so my local guitar shop (http://www.geoffbengesguitarshop.com/ does great work) is going to fit the pocket for it. I'm actually going for the Hipshot knobs with the rubber rings on chrome...

Thanks for the kind words, all. I just checked with Warmoth, and it looks like it might ship by the end of next week! Here's a mockup, more or less: ...but it'll have a Kramer aluminum neck with a headstock like this: And a Hipshot Contour tremolo and a middle pickup ring.  Can't wait!

If anyone's interested, I posted pictures of my sample plank with 4 coats of Tried and True Varnish Oil: http://www.blankbanker.com/main/T&T_Finish.html I'm satisfied already, but I might keep adding coats to see what happens.  I didn't have any problems with drying (that I could tell).  The...

Oh yeah, and also the Super Vee wouldn't have off-the-shelf replacement saddles so I couldn't add piezos.  Again though, it's a pretty neat design.  Maybe I'll go for Super Vee 2.0 someday...

For the record, here's Fishman's response when I asked about materials used in the VS-50P: "The VS-50P saddles are an alloy of different metals.  The TSV is considerably warmer sounding than the VS50P, with a lot more punch in the low end, at least plugged in." Also, Orpheo, thanks for the...

Thanks again guys. I ordered a 3x24" piece of Indian Rosewood and a pint of Tried and True Varnish Oil.  I'll post pics of the results to compare with other rosewood finish pics here.  I'll probably just do 6" or so, then I can try other finishes on the same piece.  Of course, this will also be...

This is kind of half electronic, half hardware but I'm posting here... I've been researching and trying to decide between a Fishman/Wilkinson VS-50P tremolo (with piezo saddles and Fishman's PowerChip preamp) and Hipshot's Contour tremolo with either GraphTech or RMC saddles and electronics.  ...

Sorry, to clarify: this will be for a carved Tele *body* with a rosewood top on a mahogany core, so 'feel' is somewhat secondary to protection and looks.  I do like how Tung kind of darkens the wood.  I saw a thread where it took someone 2 months to apply to a rosewood top though and that's...

How's pure tung oil for practical, sweaty-guitar-playing moisture resistance though?  The book I'm reading puts it toward the bottom of the list for moisture protection, just above wax and linseed (but the author is talking about furniture).  It's an old book, so it doesn't say a lot about...

Anyone have any experience with this company/product? http://www.triedandtruewoodfinish.com/varnish.htm I'm attracted to the non-toxicity of it, and I'd like to get some sheen on the rosewood top/mahogany back carved Tele on its way to me.  I suppose I should just write them about its...