'The EmuBird' / Firebird Cocobolo

[Updown]

Hi all  :icon_biggrin:

I'm slowing starting this 'EmuBird' / Firebird Cocobolo, just waiting on a few things to come !!
1st Pic's were posted here .. http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=16723.0

Just an update so far…

NO GK-3 …. NO Pick guard … NO Zebra Pick ups … NOT using either Gibson or Seymour Duncan Pick ups.

All Chrome hardware with Black SD Triple Shots being used.

Many thanks to the 'Tip' from 'Tipperman'  :icon_thumright:
Just ordered these Pick-ups from England … in Chrome
Neck … http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=humbuckers&sub=vintage&pickup=the_mule
Bridge .. http://www.bareknucklepickups.co.uk/main/pickups.php?cat=humbuckers&sub=vintage_hot&pickup=abraxas

I'm using TOM & Tail (Not recessed) & it has an angled neck pocket.

So my only questions are about the pick up mounting rings …. 
Do I mount the SD Triple Shots on top of a Low Flat Angled Mounting Ring for Neck & a High Flat Angled one for the Bridge ?
Or just use the Low Angled Flat in both positions ?
This is my 1st build at using TOM etc.
I've sort of compared it to my Gibson LP & SG …  :icon_scratch: ... But they might have different angles to this 'EmuBird'

Many Thanks Again ... Updown  :toothy10:

 

[Updown]

OK I've answered my own Q  :icon_jokercolor:

If I used Triple Shots on top of 'Slanted' Humbucker mounting rings ..... they would be way to high !!

If I used Triple Shots on top of 'Flat' Humbucker mounting rings .... pickups wouldn't be at correct angle !!

Solution  :sign13: Sandpaper 

After doing this the Triple Shots now sitting on top of modified slanted mounting rings, is the same hight of original slanted rings.

ORIGINAL MOUNT RINGS

SANDING BACK

FINISHED SANDING

HIGHT COMPARISON / TOP - ORIGINAL + BOTTOM - MODIFIED WITH CUTOUT FOR TRIPLE SHOTS WIRING

 

[Corey P.]

Nice solution and execution of it - going to be great!

 

[ihavenothingprofoundtosay]

Cool idea!  Doesn't the tripleshot wiring require some special pickup wires?  Ie - isn't that a proprietary SD thing?  Your wiring skills are far beyond mine!

How/where are you going to be mounting the strap buttons?  I know that Firebirds (at least the Gibsons) have a reputation for neck dive, so I'd imagine there's a bit more potential for that with a 25.5" scale neck.  I was thinking of moving the lower strap button from the centerline to almost to the corner of the upper "wing".  But not sure where to put the upper strap button - I'm curious to see what you're doing with yours.

Also: what's the weight of your body by itself? Is that a chambered or solid body?

It's fantastic looking, and I'm looking forward seeing the end result.  :icon_thumright:

 

[Updown]

Thanks guys  :icon_biggrin:

Cool idea!  Doesn't the tripleshot wiring require some special pickup wires?  Ie - isn't that a proprietary SD thing?  Your wiring skills are far beyond mine!

Triple Shots require pickups with 4 conductor wiring. Not restricted to just SD's.
Have a look at the triple shot in pic, on the little plate (that sticks on the back of Hum) is where the wires from pickup gets soldered to.
Then just have 3 wires from TShots to connect inside control cavity.
All pickups I have around home, are all 4 conductor ie: Gibson, SD's & Bare Knuckles & P-Rails
Wiring is very simple, as compared to mini switch etc.
http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/  Scroll down to 'Triple Shot Switching Diagrams' & select what you want.

How/where are you going to be mounting the strap buttons?  I know that Firebirds (at least the Gibsons) have a reputation for neck dive, so I'd imagine there's a bit more potential for that with a 25.5" scale neck.  I was thinking of moving the lower strap button from the centerline to almost to the corner of the upper "wing".  But not sure where to put the upper strap button - I'm curious to see what you're doing with yours.

I probably won't bother with strap buttons at the moment (I don't gig or play live) all done in home studio, 80% sitting.
(I always look at original placing of strap buttons on other guitars of the style i'm doing) to see wheres best.

Also: what's the weight of your body by itself? Is that a chambered or solid body?

It's a rock solid 1 piece Mahogany, think it's about 8lbs something (will have to weigh it) delivered was about 9lbs + but had other small bits as well.
Just the body is about the same weight as my finished #1 build Strat 'The Cigar'


Also...
I've changed again which PUP's to use, back to using a SD Pearly Gates in the (N) & Gibson 500T in the (B)
I just know someone here will say 'why the F are you using those pickups'
Well I already had them !!
Plus I think these will just give it a killer sound, being all Mahogany …… Well lets sure hope so !!  :toothy10:

I did buy some of those Bare Knuckle pickups thou …. OH well, just yet another excuse to build another Warmoth guitar.  :icon_thumright:

Onward & forward we go ....... Cheers ccasion14:

 

[Updown]

Hi  :help:

I need to shorten my Neck Screws …
(No …  I'm not Frankinstien)  :laughing7:

For…..
1 x Contoured heel with Angled Pocket (has a TOM) for this 'Emubird' / Firebird
I don't want to, or need the screws to come through the fretboard.  :doh:

Is there a set size / measure to cut these down to ?

Any advice very much appreciated, many thanks ….. Yes I have a Dremel & know how to do it.
It's the length I'm worried about !!  :icon_biggrin:

Also..
What length is used on a plain Contured Heel ?    (for my upcoming Strat build)
Cheers

 

[Cagey]

If you're using wood screws, then #8 1 1/2" and 1 3/4" are the two sizes you need. If you're using machine screws with threaded inserts, then 8-32 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" are better. In both cases, the short screws go in the holes closer to the headstock, and you're better off with stainless parts. They take a lot more abuse, are a lot stronger, and match up nicely with anything.

 

[Tipperman]

What Bare Knuckles did you choose? Love those pickups. I'll take em if you don't want em  :icon_biggrin:

 

[Updown]

Thanks Cagey ... you are the Man  :icon_thumright:

On my Firebird I put one screw though the body pocket, in the thickest part (closest to body) & measured how much it comes though,
Then did the rest & measured the same distance coming though ..... As each one is a different length though the neck pocket. Looks ok

OF cause will double check & double check before final install.

What Bare Knuckles did you choose? Love those pickups. I'll take em if you don't want em  :icon_biggrin:

Yep I bought some BKP's 1 x Mule (N) & 1 x Abraxas (B) with Chrome covers.
Had a good laugh when I opened them up ....
1 x Beer Coaster
1 x .010 - .046 Set of Strings
1 x Pick
What a great idea, somewhere for the beer to sit on while stringing up the guitar & then a pick to play when finished  :laughing7:

BKP's are NOT going on this build now. But will be using in a future build. 
Also got some P-Rails, a Hot one in the (B) & yes thats for another build too ..... I'm having fun  :cool01:

This is having Gibson 500T (B) & Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates (N) I already had them & couldn't see me using in another type of build.

Progress report .....
I've done all the wiring using Triple Shots & two Push / Pull, Orange Drop Caps (Will be similar to JP wiring) I believe
Body is completed, Knobs TOM etc etc
Neck is all done, Spezel tuners done & already to attach to body.

I was waiting on a Custom Neck Plate (from our good man Doug) which is somewhere, slowly making it's way downunder.
Told him not to send it by a 'Rubber Raft'  :laughing7:

Some lack of communication between US Postal Service & our Aussie Post Service. They just don't work as one  :icon_scratch:

Have noticed thou, if I buy something from US like.... Copper Tape, Wire, Orange drop cap's etc etc
There is a huge delay .... they must think .... Gee Wiz is that a Bomb !!

Where other things don't take long at all ie: Warmoth will send me Tracking # for something Friday US time (Sat here in Oz) & i'll have it
in my hot little hands (Oz time) Monday morning by 9.30 ..... they must use the old 'Concord Jets'
Top service all round at Warmoth  :icon_thumright:

Oh well this is almost completed .... stay tuned  :blob7: Updown

 

[Tipperman]

Very nice choice! Love the Mule and Abraxas. If you ever decide you don't like them, let me know for sure.  :icon_thumright: I'd definitely buy em'. Can't wait to see this completed, man. I haven't tried the 500T, but I love the Pearly Gates. Nice pup choice there!

 

[Updown]

Update so far ... 98% done  :icon_biggrin:

Couple of pic's here, then will put better finished pic's & spec's in 'Finished / Completed Warmoth Projects' in Misc. Guitars
(just received Dougie plate) so ready to  arty07:

Cheers  ccasion14:

 

[Cagey]

Very nice! But, you know, as uncomfortable as they are, I think I would have installed strings. They do miracles for the sound of the thing <grin>

 

[Updown]

Ha Ha Ha  :laughing7:  ..  thats the 2% that is left that I have to do.

 

[DeepSouth]

Another work of art Updown (the guitar that is - not the picture below :icon_smile. I think an Emu laser etched rear neck plate would be cool. :glasses10:

 

[Cagey]

Ha Ha Ha  :laughing7:  ..  thats the 2% that is left that I have to do.

One of my brothers likes to leave about 2% undone on most of his projects, so it leaves him an "out". He can always say "Well, it's not done yet, so STFU!" <grin>

 

[Updown]

Great shot, even looks like a FJ door   :icon_thumright:

Yep I have one made, this one ...
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2754.msg248013#msg248013

& for the 'Flame' this one ....
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2754.msg248640#msg248640

You too can have a Custom Plate, made by DangerousR6 .... highly recommended   :icon_thumright:

 

[DeepSouth]

Great shot, even looks like a FJ door   :icon_thumright:

Yep I have one made, this one ...
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2754.msg248013#msg248013

& for the 'Flame' this one ....
http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=2754.msg248640#msg248640

You too can have a Custom Plate, made by DangerousR6 .... highly recommended   :icon_thumright:

I really didn't expect that you would have that - but I did know you had a skull one with a ciggy - which I thought was cool btw.

 

[Nando Vallart]

Very cool! =)