'Redback' Strat, GK-3, P-Rails

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Hi all  :icon_biggrin:
Well where off & running again ……  :icon_scratch: .... forget what # build I'm up to now    :toothy11:
Called .... 'Redback' ..... It's a Strat with GK-3 installed  :toothy10:

Strat Body & Bits ...
High Grade Red Quilt Maple
Alder (solid)
Rear Routed
Contoured Heel
Red Dye on Top
Transparent Red on Back
Black Burst on Edges.
Natural Masked Binding

P-Rails (Neck)                                                                     
P-Rails Hot (Bridge)             
6-Hole Vintage Tremolo
3 Way  Strat Switch
1 on / off / on Mini Toggle Switch (for P-Rails)                                                 
2 x CTS 500K Pots  1 x Orange Drop Capacitor
1 x Volume, 1 x Tone, 1 x GK-3 Vol
2 x Up / Down Buttons
Roland GK-3 Internal Installation
13pin GK-3 Midi & Mono Input Jacks

Neck to come shortly (just bought yesterday) + custom Dougie Neckplate  :icon_thumright:

Neck Spec's ...
Warmoth Pro Raw Rosewood
Rosewood Fretboard 
Stainless Steal Frets SS6115
1 11/16" Nut width
Graph Tech Black TUSQ Nut
10 -16" Compound Radius,
Standard Thin Neck
Cream Dot Inlay

Cheers Updown  :blob7:

Showcase Neck pic's …..

REST OF PIC'S SHOULD TELL THE STORY  :glasses9:

ORIGINAL BODY

MARKING & PLACEMENT OF GK-3 PICKUP WIRES

DRILLED SMALL HOLES IN THE MARKED OUT BIT .....  :doh: FORGOT TO TAKE PIC'S OF THAT

DRILLED 1/8'' HOLES, THEN CUT THE SIDES TO EVEN UP

PERFECT FIT  :icon_thumright:

DREMELED OUT THE HOLE LARGER TO CONTROL CAVITY AREA & THE BACK WALL FOR WIRE

YEP ... STILL PERFECT  :icon_thumright: CAN USE THE 6 HOLE VINTAGE TREM HOLES TO HELP LINE UP THE GK-3 PICKUP

CAN JUST SEE SOME PLAIN WOOD, WHERE THE WIRE CURVES DOWN ..... SO

I USED A BLACK PERMANENT MARKER TO COLOUR WHERE THE WIRE GOES .... BINGO !!

Should be no more than 1/8'' between the Hum mount ring & the GK-3 Pickup when all put together anyway :icon_thumright:
No turning back now !!  Cheers  ccasion14:

 

[kboman]

Very neat GK mounting there. The wire won't get in the way of the humbucker? Looking forward to see the output jack mounting!

 

[Updown]

Very neat GK mounting there. The wire won't get in the way of the humbucker? Looking forward to see the output jack mounting!

Thanks, Yep the wire will be clear of the Humbucker ...

:icon_scratch:  You want the 13pin plug install ..... You got it  :laughing7:

PLEASE NOTE ...... PART 2  ... THE GK-3 13PIN JACK INSTALL OF THIS BUILD I PUT IN THE 'TIPS & TRICKS' SECTION HERE....
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17452.0

Thanks for looking  :icon_biggrin:

 

[DangerousR6]

That's gonna be nice Murray... :headbang:

 

[Updown]

That's gonna be nice Murray... :headbang:

Thanks Dougie  :icon_biggrin:
Just an update where I'm up to on this slow build (due to others happening)

1st up got my rosewood / rosewood neck, yep SS frets, very nice neck .... But  :icon_scratch: I don't think it actually looks that good on the red quilt strat.
Think it's the cream dots (is my 1st neck with cream dots) all thou, I think it will play very nicely indeed.  :doh: Just those Darn cream dots.
Oh well it was a showcase neck !!

Couple of pic's to show where I'm up to ....  :icon_biggrin:

P-Rails & other bits ... NOTE ... added another (not in pic) on / off / on mini switch, so theres now one for each pickup.

GK-3 bits .. NOTE .... using different up / down buttons than the original ones that come with GK-3 Kit.

Mounting the pickups ...

Coloured more black in the GK cord slot & pushing though wires.

Can see how the GK-3 wire is well out of the way of the pickup.

NOTE ... I don't screw in (with the springs) the GK-3 pickup, until I complete the guitar & put strings on
That way can still move slightly to the left or right, to get the precise position, before drilling holes !!

Now back to some soldering for this ...
Cheers  ccasion14:

 

[Updown]

OK ... I just couldn't help myself today when I saw these come on the showcase (knew I should've just waited)
:icon_biggrin:  just bought this neck to go with the Red Strat ... (didn't like the look of cream dots on the 1st one)
It's a Warmoth Pro, Indian Rosewood, Indian Rosewood Fretboard, 1 11/16" Nut Width, 59 roundback, SS6115 (Stainless), Sperzel (25/64") Tuner Ream,
10-16" Compound Radius, Mother Of Pearl Dot Inlays, GraphTech Black TUSQ XL

:icon_scratch: Can always sell the other un-touched, un-used Rosewood / Rosewood neck or save for another build sometime ..... Oh well thats life !!
Heres the one I just bought  :toothy10:

 

[Updown]

Another Update ....
:icon_scratch: I kind of get the feeling NOT to many are interested in a guitar with a GK-3 installed .... Oh Well .... To Bad .... Suffer !!  :laughing7:
This is just to show how easy it all is, to do  :cool01: for anyone interested.

Showing here the wiring up of all & packing it all in the control cavity .....

This one shows that i've wired up 90% of guitar wiring (did that outside of cavity) the 2 red wires are my Live coming from the 3 way switch to my 2 mini switches.
Can see other wiring done for the GK-3 Up / Down buttons & GK-3 switch prepped & ready. (bottom left)

This one shows the placement of the GK-3 Up / Down buttons & the GK-3 switch

Close up of above & YES I purposely DIDN'T use conductive paint in the GK-3 input cutout, Don't want any of that touching the GK-3 13pin pc board

Preparation of 2 mini switches for the P-Rails ... 1 for each pickup.

Close up of above

Done  :icon_biggrin:

Guitar output jack ... I know Boring  :toothy11:

GK-3 13pin jack going in & the GK-3 Volume pot

Close up of above .... Slowly filling up  :toothy10:

Tied up all pickup cables, to hold together  :icon_biggrin: ready to attach all GK-3 connectors to GK-3 pc board

GK-3 connections completed  :icon_biggrin:

Velcro to hold pc board in place, ready to close up control cavity  :toothy10:

Well thats the order I do it in ....
All tested & working as it should  :icon_thumright:
Will have my neck for this tomorrow morning  :blob7:
Just gotta put that on with custom 'Redback' Dougie neckplate (that'll be this week too)  :toothy10:
Then set up the GK-3 pickup properly & all will be ready to  arty07:

So getting real close to finishing this one.  :icon_biggrin: Stay tuned  :glasses9: to see the topside.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

I'm interested. Great thread and killer guitar.

I just often forget to comment because I'm awestruck in threads like these. 

 

[tfarny]

Wow that thing is going to sound like just about anything you want it to with the p rails and gk-3. I like the "show you how easy it is" part - easy my arse! Nice work and great pics.  ccasion14:

 

[Nando Vallart]

Madness!

 

[kboman]

Very impressive. I'm usually good with fiddly bits, but with wires I'm in way over my head.

 

[Updown]

Thanks all for your interest in this  :icon_biggrin: & comments.
I'm showing this in some detail so others get the general idea of how to do it.
Neck just arrived, very happy now, much better match-up than the 1st one I got. (pic's to come later on)

Wow that thing is going to sound like just about anything you want it to with the p rails and gk-3. I like the "show you how easy it is" part - easy my arse! Nice work and great pics.  ccasion14:

Thats the general idea, as my 1st GK-3 installed Warmoth guitar used 3 x single SD Rails. Now should have a great variety between the 2 guitars.
Was 1st up going to use just 1 x Mini on / off / on switch then thought  :icon_scratch: hang on use one for each pickup, then could get lots of variation of sounds / tones.
Honestly it really is simple to do, as the GK-3 wiring has very little soldering to do, just plug in the connectors.
The hardest part is the square hole for the 13 pin jack, as show in part 2 of this build here ...
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=17452.0

Many thanks again, onwards I go  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Updown]

OK I've mounted the GK-3 pickup & the tuners on the neck, which got delivered today.  :toothy10:

When mounting the GK-3 pickup with the 2 screws & 2 springs supplied with the GK-3 Kit.
I've found it's best to cut ONE spring in half & use these 2 halves (well on a flat top) it's best that way. To long otherwise.
Drill 2 holes ….. done … easy as !!   :icon_biggrin:

I have coloured in some wires (that go to each individual Hex pickup) underneath the GK-3 pickup, with a black marker pen.
(won't see that in the 1st few pic's thou, as I pulled it off & did after those 1st few shots) might have seen in 2nd last pic, IF I DIDN'T DO THIS.
I do that so you don't see any bright coloured wires later on. ie: white , yellow, orange etc

The GK pickup has a Teeny Weeny Tiny Small screw in the middle of it, which you adjust to the radius of your neck.
My neck radius on this is 10'' - 16'' ….  So it's adjusted to the 16'' (just like the bridge saddles)

You may notice  :glasses9:  that I didn't use washers on the Mini switches, GK-3 switch & Up / Down buttons …
:icon_scratch: Why Not ?
Just me, but I think it looks better, cleaner without them.  :icon_biggrin:

The 2nd neck bought for this looks great on it (compared to the 1st one I got, which had cream dots) latest one has MOP.
Plus it's a lot darker, which suits it much much better.
I've always gone for standard thin neck contours. But this one is a '59 Roundback
Truly loving the Raw necks ..... WOW !!
Now very very happy …  :cool01:

I just know, if I put the neck on right now, Dougie custom neckplate will (murphies law) turn up tomorrow. So I will wait. I know it isn't far away now.
Plus, when they do arrive, I'll be posting 3 Finished Maple Top Strats in the completed section.  
So look-out Warmoth ….. here I come again, searching for another one to build.
Here's some latest pic's ….. Cheers  ccasion14: & thanks for your comments & for checking it out.

The mini switch nearest the output jacks is the GK-3 switch. (Guitar / Mix / GK-3)
The 2 mini switches next to each other is for the P-Rails (Forward = Rail single coil strat)
                                                                                  (Middle = Full Humbucker)
                                                                                  (Back = P-90's)
Basic 3 way strat switch.
I x Volume, 1 x Tone
GK-3 Volume (is the closest to the output jacks)
The 2 black buttons are the Up / Down buttons. (changing of patches & numerous other control assignments)
If you have a VG-99 or GR-55 or similar, you'll know what I mean.

Any questions or queries on anything of this GK-3 install, just yell out !!

HERE WE HAVE THE ONE SPRING, BEEN CUT IN HALF

HOLES DRILLED

THIS IS JUST ATTACHED, NOT SCREWED DOWN YET !!

CLOSE UP OF ABOVE

SCREWED DOWN, READY FOR ADJUSTING HEIGHT .... NOT HARD UP AGAINST THE BODY THOU ... ABOUT 3 - 4 mm GAP.

NO WIRES TO BE SEEN .... EXCEPT THE BLACK ONE, BETWEEN MOUNT RING & GK PICKUP .... WHICH YOU HAVE TO BE WITHIN 2 FEET TO SEE IT.

SHOWING ALL CONTROLS & INPUT JACKS .... CHROME MONO INPUT FOR A REASON ... EASY TO SEE WHEN PLUGGING IN  :icon_biggrin:

SO HERE'S THE COMPLETED TOP SIDE  :icon_thumright:

HERES THE NECK .... HAS A GREAT EVEN & STRAIGHT TEXTURE DOWN THE FRETBOARD.

SUPER SMOOTH  :icon_thumright:

So all that's left is ... Strap buttons, Custom Neckplate & Pad, bit of Spit & Polish, Strings .... Final adjustments & then  arty07:
Thanks for checking it out  :icon_biggrin:

Edit ... Forgot to mention, that I have the GK-3 pickup install in reverse (can have either way around)
But it's much better for me this way, as it's out off the way ie: Palm muting etc

 

[Cagey]

That's  one helluva job you've done there! Looks great! I appreciate the work you did wiring - I know what a pain in the shorts that can be. But, it's clean and well done, so it shouldn't give you any grief.

 

[Wyliee]

I'm digging it, but I'm trying not to look or think about it too much.  I'm trying to get away from the crazy electronics and it is projects like this that suck me back in.

Here's the guts from one of my old basses.  I didn't do the work and it came with a 28 page wiring manual.  Two discrete electronics packages with separate volumes and mono/split mono/stereo out options.  It required 18v and I had an external supply made along with muli-core cabling to run power and signal to a floor box power supply/splitter.

 

[Cagey]

Hehe! Yeah, that's more than a little insane. I've seen missile guidance systems that had to fit in 8" diameter nose cones that weren't packed in that tight.

I'm more a "1 volume and 1 tone" kinda guy, and I'm not sure about the "tone".

 

[B3Guy]

TBX tone control all the way  :icon_thumright:

 

[Updown]

THIS IS COMPLETED  :blob7:
Couple of more pic's (just showing off Dougie plate)  :icon_thumright:  before taking  better one's outside when it stops raining & post in Completed Section.

OH BOY  :blob7: OH BOY  :blob7: OH BOY  :blob7: Am I bloody happy with this Strat, with the internal GK-3
Been testing this all day with my Roland VG-99 & GR-55 & having just way Tooooooooooooooooo Muuuuuuuuuch Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuun  :blob7:
This thing is tracking perfectly with all units. I'm totally blown away  :toothy12:
:icon_scratch: Just got to get use to the '59 Neck on this, I usually get the Standard Thin.

All my latest Custom Dougie Neck plates are        in fact all my Custom Dougie Neck plates are      Thanks Doug  :icon_thumright:

Thanks for viewing  :icon_biggrin:
ccasion14: Updown

 

[Corey P.]

That's quite a signature instrument, glad all the hard work paid off!  :headbang1:

 

[B3Guy]

eager to hear a detailed report on the p-rails in a strat  :icon_thumright: