The "Zoso" DIY guitar (Complete).

[vikingred]

Here is the coppering of the back chamber:

 

[vikingred]

And some other progress:

 

[vikingred]

And here we are, done for a while until the long-shaft pots arrive.  I "flattened" the glossy black pickup rings first with 0000 steel wool, then with 1500 sandpaper.  Still may need to work on them a bit.  Near completion.

Fun project!  :cool01:

 

[Cagey]

Mighty fine!

 

[stratamania]

Looks like you are having fun but I'm curious as Jimmy Page, is associated more with Teles and Les Paul's or 1275 double necks and not so much strats, what the Zoso connection is other than the symbol on this guitar.

 

[vikingred]

Looks like you are having fun but I'm curious as Jimmy Page, is associated more with Teles and Les Paul's or 1275 double necks and not so much strats, what the Zoso connection is other than the symbol on this guitar.

Oh, it's just a symbol I love, and I've always loved Zeppelin and particularly Jimmy Page and his "ZoSo" symbol, the mystery behind it, etc.  I hate Les Pauls.  I've tried hard to like them.  I'm just a strat man, so that leaves me with this.  When I bought a woodburner, and was trying to decide what first to learn with, that symbol popped in my head so I went with it.  That is literally the first time I've ever woodburned anything.  It was fun, and spontaneous, and impulsive.  I fudged it up in a few places obviously, but it's been fun.  It will be sort of an "odd" looking strat.  Total cost will be just over 900.  Rather have this than a brand new American Standard, actually.  Don't know that I'll ever buy another brand name guitar again. 

 

[Cagey]

Oh, it's just a symbol I love, and I've always loved Zeppelin and particularly Jimmy Page and his "ZoSo" symbol, the mystery behind it, etc.  I hate Les Pauls.  I've tried hard to like them.  I'm just a strat man, so that leaves me with this.

I know what you mean. Lord knows I've owned a pile of the things. It's weird, though. Kinda like a shotgun vs. a rifle, or a dirty girl vs. a debutante. You want it but it's just... too much.

Hard to argue with them, though. They're a thing unto themselves. Nothing else sounds quite like them. Problem is (at least for me), they're a cast iron bitch to play. If you're used to anything else, it's almost like a different instrument. It's like they're designed to give you carpal tunnel syndrome at the same time they're doing everything they can to get in your way. Then, you need a titanium shoulder to hang the thing. Just no fun at all.

Then, you put a JB in the bridge and '59 in the neck, poke it into a Marshall stack cranked to 11, hit a power chord and hear it go "KRAAANNGGGG!!!!" and you have to go change your underwear.

Damned things.

 

[stratamania]

Thanks for the explanation.  I can understand that. I had a LP Goldtop copy when I was at school in the 70s, the strap was crazy long a la Jimmy.

Then I traded the thing in against the first Strat I had and never owned a LP since. Though I am tempted of late, but not sure I like the new stuff that's available.  But there's always the option of a Unicorn.

 

[Cagey]

If you ever thought you'd like an LP but couldn't stand the price, check this bitch out. I'll guarantee you'll love it to death (for an LP). When you receive it, you'll be amazed. I'm not kidding. Seriously. Buy it, before you can't. If anybody asks, tell 'em you paid $2,200 for it, and it's not for sale. Just smile.

 

[dmraco]

If you ever thought you'd like an LP but couldn't stand the price, check this bitch out. I'll guarantee you'll love it to death (for an LP). When you receive it, you'll be amazed. I'm not kidding. Seriously. Buy it, before you can't. If anybody asks, tell 'em you paid $2,200 for it, and it's not for sale. Just smile.

I have 2 agiles.  The most recent was a custom order.  Oven has SS frets.  Amazing guitar for the money

 

[Cagey]

Everybody says "for the money". Take money out of the equation, and it's still an amazing guitar. I'd take my 3200 over a Gibson any day of the week. It's simply a damned nice instrument, and I highly recommend them.

 

[vikingred]

Everybody says "for the money". Take money out of the equation, and it's still an amazing guitar. I'd take my 3200 over a Gibson any day of the week. It's simply a damned nice instrument, and I highly recommend them.

Wow, and they're on sale for $399 right now.  (Only 2 left).  I just....can't.  I. Just. Can't.  It's just wrong for me.  I'm strat to the core, and that's that.  but I respect the "Gibson people".  I actually owned a 70's SG one time, but I hated it.  It just felt all wrong.  It's funny how you get used to something.

On another note... I JUST GOT MY ZOSO NECKPLATE FROM DOUG!  Mother of god, it's badass.  I mean it's the bomb.  Way cooler than laser etched.

 

[DangerousR6]

:headbang:

 

[vikingred]

And, in typical fashion, I ordered like 8 different sets of long-shaft pots of all varieties from like 5 vendors.  Spent about a buck and quarter.  I am nutjob.  I admit it.  This guitar WILL be finished this weekend.  So then I can mail off the korina and start the canary, whilst playing the ZoSo.  Make one, send one to Cagey for fretwork, play the new one for a while, start new project, repeat.

 

[bagman67]

Entire guitars have been built around as flimsy a justification as an unused string tree.  A drawer full of miscellaneous pots will keep you in projects for some time.

 

[stratamania]

@bagman67, I'm in luck I've got a couple of spare string trees, some strap loks, and ...  ccasion14:

@cagey & Dmraco, that's seems quite a value for a neck thru. Even with shipping and import to the UK it still would be fairly good price wise.  If it's as good as you say ?

 

[Cagey]

Plays and sounds fantastic. Fit and finish is impeccable. Even the frets are done. When you see it in person, you won't believe anyone could make such a thing at that price and make money at it.

 

[dmraco]

I agree with Cagey.  I do not have the LP but the HARM.  Here are some shots.  This was right out of the box.  ONE piece mahogany back.  I cannot tell if top is lam top or 1/4.  I am assuming a lam top.  F hole is bound (lets see Gibson do that).  Ebony fretboard with SS fret with nicely rolled edges.  Grover tuners.

I suspect the LPs are of similar quality.


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[stratamania]

Thanks guys I might have to check one out. The photos wouldn't give the price away from what I can see.

 

[vikingred]

Lord have mercy ya'll are littering my thread with Gibsonish guitars.  Ugh.  Bury me with my FENDERS.