Wenge/Bloodwood on black VIP

[AutoBat]

Pieces assembled sans strings.  I've got a set somewhere but was unable to locate them.
More strings (with backup sets) ordered and on their way.

Neck: Warmoth Pro, Warmoth headstock
Wenge/Bloodwood
SRV profile
SS6150 frets
Grover 18:1 rotomatics (medium buttons)
R4 nut
Black face dots, white side dots

Body:
Carved VIP
Mahogany/Maple cap
Gloss black
OFR
EMG 81X/85X
Schaller strap locks
the strap holes were already at that odd angle, I decided to use it rather than fill it & redrill. It's not as noticeable once the strap is on.

Here's some semi-unimpressive night time indoor shots:

*update for broken pics

 

[Just Another Smith]

I love that neck.  That is one nice looking guitar.

 

[Cagey]

How can you not have plenty of strings within easy reach? That's like saying "I know I've got water around here somewhere, I just can't find it!"

Seriously, she's lookin' good. Maybe someday you'll get to play it <grin>

 

[AutoBat]

It'd help if I had any proficiency with a soldering iron too. The Weller unit I have seems underpowered, though I know that's not really the issue.  It's pure user error.
The EMG solderless setup is great, except they don't have a no-solder pup selector.
I gave up for the evening. I got 2 of 4 points done (had 3 until i tug tested one and it came off).  Sometimes reusing a part seems foolish in retrospect.
I've shifted my attention to a piece of sandpaper & the socket hole.  A mono jack fits just right but the stereo jack is too tight.

 

[duosonic]

The neck just rocks on that guitar.  I struggle with the soldering to.  Sometimes I nail it and sometimes I have to take a long break before I go nuts. 

Why are you using a stereo jack?

 

[AutoBat]

Why are you using a stereo jack?

EMG active pups. It 'turns on the juice' when the cable is attached, turns off when removed.

 

[AutoBat]

A small bit of sandpaper wrapped around my finger and the output jack slid in (after a dozen checks).  Kinda felt like I was back in high school for a minute.

 

[Updown]

A small bit of sandpaper wrapped around my finger and the output jack slid in (after a dozen checks).  Kinda felt like I was back in high school for a minute.

:icon_scratch: .... Poor Girl

 

[axxessdenied]

That's a nice looking combo!!

 

[AutoBat]

Minor delays have prevented me from completing this build.
Since the sun decided to show up and give me some natural light I thought I'd pop a shot for you guys.

I just need to change the Floyd posts, and get another little lock piece for the low E, then I can do regular setup adjustments.
I'll probably change pup rings at some point. Angled/curved weren't what I really needed.

 

[Nando Vallart]

I'm loving Bloodwood now! It's very cool!

 

[AutoBat]

Progress update:
Sam Ash brick & mortar stores don't carry FR bridge lock parts.  That order is pending online, along with "The Key" intonation device.
I wish I had watched Mullymans video on changing Floyd strings before playing with mine.  I now know the wisdom he speaks when he warns no to turn the bridge upside down when there aren't strings in it.

I've tuned up the axe with the 5 strings (yeah I know I'll have to redo when I add the 6th), adjusted the bridge posts & pup height.
I was having some difficulty with the volume knob not reacting properly. I read on another forum that EMG schematics don't have sleeve & tip marked correctly, so I trial & error'd my way until it sounded beautiful.
Then I put the jack back in the guitar, screwed the back panel on (a mistake) and tried to jam out only to find that my noise returned and the vol pot didn't want to function again.
I think in inserting the stereo knob into the output ream it's too tight and something is shorting. I'll give it another day before I tackle it again.
Acoustically it plays very nice, and the brief period that I had the electrical gremlins at bay was good too.

The lightness of the entire guitar is quite surprising to me because I'm used to my extra heavy strat.
The SRV profile, wenge, bloodwood all complement each other well.  I'll have more to say on it when I get it fully functional and get to play on it more than half an hour.

 

[pabloman]

That is such a sexy build.  :guitaristgif:

 

[AutoBat]

Thanks! I just got the email that the Floyd saddle locks are on backorder. Ugh!  Maybe I'll have it finished by summer.

 

[AutoBat]

Good fortune smiles upon me!
I got around to getting rid of all my UPS boxes (i.e. Cathouses) and Hark! but what do I see? The missing saddle lock!
Quick tune up and spring adjustment and I'm in business baby!

I've just to sort out my electrical gremlin in the output jack and I will find that this spacestation is fully operational!

 

[Cagey]

Good for you! It's great when things like that happen.