bcsride
New member
O.K, my midlife crisis guitar. Maybe not as mint as the MCChris Chaparral (http://www.hamerfanc...al-has-arrived/) but it is my midlife and my crisis (and we all get our own if we are lucky), so there.
A few months ago, I found myself wanting a Floyd. Don't know why. I got out all the old "Floyd" heavy CDs. Found myself googling lessons for how to do the Dimebag squeals. But I never learned to play with a floyd (full disclosure, I can barely play a guitar of any sort – but I enjoy it). I actually have a vintage Valley Arts with a fully floating Floyd, HSS EMG actives, the whole nine yards if you will - from an objective point of view, an awesome guitar. But, I never liked it. In fact, I decided I hated Floyds while fooling with that guitar. I have that VA out to a friend on long term loan. I also have an amazing Carvin DC400W with blocks, ebony, Holdsworth headstock - and a Wilkinson. So, I set up the Wilkinson to float. But somehow, it just wasn't cutting it from the tremolo point of view.
What I decided I "needed" was a set neck, mahogany body, Floyd, with crowns, blocks, or maybe boomers. Ebony fretboard a bonus. Top candidates would be a Floyded Special or similar, a Chaparral, or an SSI. Somehow the SSII just doesn't work for me. Also, I had a specific color in mind so a project grade guitar would be good.
Anyway, I was mulling over options, thinking about project approaches, and this one popped up.
There is some “ugly”. But, I got crowns, ebony, and original pickups. There is some “damage” from the midi route. One thing that did change is my "color in mind" when I took the trem cavity cover off I saw the original "blue" of that guitar. I don't know what that color is, but it is awesome. If this guitar stays with me through a refinish, I'll be trying to match that original blue. Any tips on how to match that blue are appreciated.
One downside is the neck. It has a smallish neck. In the last few years, I have really gotten a preference for a bigger neck. So, whether or not I can handle the neck is sort of the make or break deal. But, here is the plan. I cleaned it up a bit. I had the frets dressed. Then, if the neck and I can coexist, it'll be a keeper. Based on some limited playing, the tone is AMAZING. This guitar rocks – hmm and much more. The switching seems to be bridge, bridge+middle, neck, + a coil tap on the bridge. The tone is amazing. I have to work with it a bit, but at this point, wow! The bridge is not “F” spaced but it sounds great. The bridge PU is a Hamer. The pickups all appear to be original (pretty sure they are). The input jack may not be original, but all other electronics appear original.
I haven’t really gotten any skills with the Floyd, but it is fully functional. The guitar is cleaned and working well. If I decide it is a keeper, I'll have to sell something - probably the Carvin which will be hard as I really like it. If it is a keeper, I’ll need some help on that blue for a refinish. If I can't handle the neck, I'll be selling it. But anyway.
Pics
If I get a chance with some sunlight, I'll try to get some "glamour" pics.
A few months ago, I found myself wanting a Floyd. Don't know why. I got out all the old "Floyd" heavy CDs. Found myself googling lessons for how to do the Dimebag squeals. But I never learned to play with a floyd (full disclosure, I can barely play a guitar of any sort – but I enjoy it). I actually have a vintage Valley Arts with a fully floating Floyd, HSS EMG actives, the whole nine yards if you will - from an objective point of view, an awesome guitar. But, I never liked it. In fact, I decided I hated Floyds while fooling with that guitar. I have that VA out to a friend on long term loan. I also have an amazing Carvin DC400W with blocks, ebony, Holdsworth headstock - and a Wilkinson. So, I set up the Wilkinson to float. But somehow, it just wasn't cutting it from the tremolo point of view.
What I decided I "needed" was a set neck, mahogany body, Floyd, with crowns, blocks, or maybe boomers. Ebony fretboard a bonus. Top candidates would be a Floyded Special or similar, a Chaparral, or an SSI. Somehow the SSII just doesn't work for me. Also, I had a specific color in mind so a project grade guitar would be good.
Anyway, I was mulling over options, thinking about project approaches, and this one popped up.
There is some “ugly”. But, I got crowns, ebony, and original pickups. There is some “damage” from the midi route. One thing that did change is my "color in mind" when I took the trem cavity cover off I saw the original "blue" of that guitar. I don't know what that color is, but it is awesome. If this guitar stays with me through a refinish, I'll be trying to match that original blue. Any tips on how to match that blue are appreciated.
One downside is the neck. It has a smallish neck. In the last few years, I have really gotten a preference for a bigger neck. So, whether or not I can handle the neck is sort of the make or break deal. But, here is the plan. I cleaned it up a bit. I had the frets dressed. Then, if the neck and I can coexist, it'll be a keeper. Based on some limited playing, the tone is AMAZING. This guitar rocks – hmm and much more. The switching seems to be bridge, bridge+middle, neck, + a coil tap on the bridge. The tone is amazing. I have to work with it a bit, but at this point, wow! The bridge is not “F” spaced but it sounds great. The bridge PU is a Hamer. The pickups all appear to be original (pretty sure they are). The input jack may not be original, but all other electronics appear original.
I haven’t really gotten any skills with the Floyd, but it is fully functional. The guitar is cleaned and working well. If I decide it is a keeper, I'll have to sell something - probably the Carvin which will be hard as I really like it. If it is a keeper, I’ll need some help on that blue for a refinish. If I can't handle the neck, I'll be selling it. But anyway.
Pics
If I get a chance with some sunlight, I'll try to get some "glamour" pics.
