KNS 6-String, Semi-Recessed Wilkinson

[Scab Pickens]

Well, crap! I guess my next build plan of a hardtail Strat has turned into something completely different. The Metallic Surf Green lightweight Meadowhawk and KNS 6 bodies that have been in the Showcase too long have been killing me. I already have a Meadowhawk, so ... I guess I'm going to be building a KNS! Most people probably imagine this body shape as a chugga-chugga thrasher guitar (maybe?). Well, I'm going for a semi-recessed Wilkinson. Two humbucker ring mount pickups, 1 and 2 position pots, and a blade switch. As of now, I'm thinking LollarTron Humbuckers, Volume, Tone, and a three-way switch. Simple. A Meadowhawk neck will be in the works at some point, I think. Time will be moving slowly on this one, I'm afraid. I really need to find a way to take some good photos of the last two or three (or four?) I've put together ...

Anyway ... body, bridge, and some various small doo-dads are on order. Pics will come when the body shows up!

 

[Hodgo]

Been waiting to see some KNS6 love.

 

[Scab Pickens]

Been waiting to see some KNS6 love.

I know, right? I haven't seen any photos that I can recall of what folks are doing with them. When I first saw that body shape announced I was like "aw, Hell Yeah .. that's bitchin'!" Then the more I looked at it, I wasn't too sure. Now, I came back around to "bitchin'!"

 

[Hodgo]

I know, right? I haven't seen any photos that I can recall of what folks are doing with them. When I first saw that body shape announced I was like "aw, Hell Yeah .. that's bitchin'!" Then the more I looked at it, I wasn't too sure. Now, I came back around to "bitchin'!"

I have had it in my wishlist for some time. I just went a little hog wild in 2025 with my guitar spending so I’m not jumping in any time soon

 

[Scab Pickens]

I just went a little hog wild in 2025 with my guitar spending so I’m not jumping in any time soon

Oh, I can relate to that! I'm going to do this one in stages. It might be a two year build! I just wanted to snatch up a $600 body for $390!

 

[Knorris]

KNS

 

[Timj32]

Been looking forward to seeing one of these done!

 

[rockandroller]

KNS is cool!
I briefly had a Gecko (KNS is sort of a guitar version of Gecko?) and it was very comfortable.
(Except it was a five-string, turns out I don't enjoy five strings...)

 

[NedRyerson]

KNS is cool!
I briefly had a Gecko (KNS is sort of a guitar version of Gecko?) and it was very comfortable.
(Except it was a five-string, turns out I don't enjoy five strings...)

I still eventually want to make a Gecko 6. It'd be the missing string configuration in my bass collection (I have a 4, 5, and 7 string).

Not that I need a 6-string or even the 7-string I own; I just want one.

 

[Scab Pickens]

The body, bridge, and "various small doo-dads" have arrived. I will try to get a photo or two posted this weekend. I have been sidetracked by the fact that my father passed away ten days ago. My mother and I have been dealing with all the usual things that go along with a traumatic event such as this. He battled with pancreatic cancer for the past 14 months. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ... I have been eyeballing the showcase Meadowhawk necks for a while. A quartersawn maple shaft/ebony fingerboard was speaking to me, but it was 1.650 nut width. I have been gradually going from my original preference of wide/fat necks towards slimmer profiles. But, I wasn't sure about taking a chance on the 1.650. I did it, anyway. Neck is ordered with SS jumbo frets, black TUSQ nut, and vintage tint satin finish. The ebony has some cool grain patterns that I can't wait to see in person.

 

[Spud]

The body, bridge, and "various small doo-dads" have arrived. I will try to get a photo or two posted this weekend. I have been sidetracked by the fact that my father passed away ten days ago. My mother and I have been dealing with all the usual things that go along with a traumatic event such as this. He battled with pancreatic cancer for the past 14 months. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ... I have been eyeballing the showcase Meadowhawk necks for a while. A quartersawn maple shaft/ebony fingerboard was speaking to me, but it was 1.650 nut width. I have been gradually going from my original preference of wide/fat necks towards slimmer profiles. But, I wasn't sure about taking a chance on the 1.650. I did it, anyway. Neck is ordered with SS jumbo frets, black TUSQ nut, and vintage tint satin finish. The ebony has some cool grain patterns that I can't wait to see in person.

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Scab, I am sorry to hear of your fathers passing. I wish you well.

 

[rockandroller]

My condolences

 

[stratamania]

@Scab Pickens my heartfelt condolences also to you and your family.

 

[Scab Pickens]

Thanks for the sympathy, guys. It is truly appreciated.

I finally took a few initial body pics. Loving the metallic surf green so far! It should look great with the vintage tint neck.

 

[rockandroller]

I'll be very interested in how that semi-recessed Wilkinsen turns out (how much pull-up you get).

 

[stultzies9]

Thanks for the sympathy, guys. It is truly appreciated.

I finally took a few initial body pics. Loving the metallic surf green so far! It should look great with the vintage tint neck.

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That looks SOOOOO classy! I can't wait to see the finished guitar.

 

[Scab Pickens]

I'll be very interested in how that semi-recessed Wilkinsen turns out (how much pull-up you get).

Me, too! I can't do a trem unless it's a floater. I pull up as much as I push down.

 

[Rick]

That will be a beautiful guitar ...

My condolences ... to this day I still feel like I want to tell my Dad something, could be about anything, I still talk to him, and I still hear his voice. Peace.

 

[Scab Pickens]

Shipping confirmation has been received on the neck. Schaller locking tuners should be arriving with it, also. I debated other tuner options, but decided to stick with what has been my favorite so far.

I haven't even pulled the body back out since initially looking at it to take some photos.

I have been thinking about some things, though. I might do some copper shielding even though I don't think it will matter much since I'm planning on humbuckers (leaning hard towards the Lollar El Rayos at this point). Also thinking about painting the front side trem route black just to give it a more finished look.

I need to go through my pots/caps/jacks, etc. stash to see what else I might really need to make this one "complete".

I have more than enough guitars at this point, but at the same time I still can't stop thinking about the "next" one ... even though this one isn't even close to being complete. I have a problem that I think a few others around here seem to share!

(I still can't stop thinking about a Switchback V / Tele hybrid with a Reverse Tele Fatback neck and single hum Tele bridge to be my dedicated slide guitar!)